My Dedicated AR-22 Rifles
After chiming in on several other's threads on the topic of dedicated 22 LR ARs I probably should have started my own build thread a while ago, so here it is
"This is my rifle, there are many like it but this one is mine"
CMP M4 carbine clone
Rifle with BDM mag shown
I bought a complete CMMG dedicated .22LR upper with an M4 profile barrel and SS bolt/feed ramps (collar) in 2012 for $407, I did not get the BHOA or CMMG mags opting for BDM X-mags at the time. My goal was to build an inexpensive .22 LR service rifle training rifle
I shot this upper on a 5.56 bullet button lower with a vortex strikefire mounted a few times and found performance to be marginal, especially when the bolt slammed shut on mag removal, so I put it away disappointed. Over the years the CMMG BHOA adapter was discontinued and it seemed there were no real options for a dedicated 22LR upper to perform like a standard AR, so I became further disenfranchised with this rifle, until recently.
June 30th 2018 marked the CA DOJ's deadline for Bullet Button assault weapon registration, and in the language it was clear that rimfire calibers could NOT be registered assault weapons, so the decision to build a dedicated 22LR AR on a spare off-list lower I had on hand was made.
Here are the build specs of the rifle as it stands now:
In this configuration the rifle weighs in at 6.7 lbs with an empty 15/22 mag, well below the CMP rimfire 7.5 pound limit for competition, and passes the 3 pound minimum trigger weight lift test
Across the course, shooting paper, steel plates and swingers, from 50 to 100 yards this rifle does great. The collapsible but stock (and sling) help my seated position more than I thought they would, I sling up in all positions. All I need to do is fine-tune my ammo selection/sorting (brand that shoots best, then separate by weight) and I'll be all set for CMP rimfire rifle competition should I choose to compete; otherwise this is my favorite rifle to shoot right now.
M4 Tactical Carbine Clone
Rifle with A2 flash hider
Built using a PSA 1:16 Nitride 16" M4 profile upper and an Anderson Mfg lower from Primary Ams, this is a fun shooter with a red dot, Magpul MBUS and MOE furniture in Olive Drab Green from this $329 PSA rifle kit. Upper from that kit pending sale, minus MOE handguard (has standard carbine handguard now)
Here are the build specs of the rifle as it stands now:
I liked the Better Mag Adapter in my CMP rifle so I put one in this rifle too. Thanks Zuk!
I took it to the range this past weekend with some Federal Champions (HV 36gr) and zeroed both the MBUS and red dot, the PSA EPT trigger is nothing to write hope about. Future upgrades include a LaRue MBT-2S trigger (on backorder) and Guntec slip over barrel shroud/muzzle brake (pending receipt)
My GF likes this rifle because the red dot sight (we used the green dot in daylight) is easy to see and use, and on swinging silhouette targets it's pretty much point and shoot from 30 yards out to 100 yards with minimal hold over at 100
I'll post updates when I start ammo testing and hone in on candidate brands/weights/speed. Any suggestions on ammo are welcome!
After chiming in on several other's threads on the topic of dedicated 22 LR ARs I probably should have started my own build thread a while ago, so here it is
"This is my rifle, there are many like it but this one is mine"
CMP M4 carbine clone

Rifle with BDM mag shown
I bought a complete CMMG dedicated .22LR upper with an M4 profile barrel and SS bolt/feed ramps (collar) in 2012 for $407, I did not get the BHOA or CMMG mags opting for BDM X-mags at the time. My goal was to build an inexpensive .22 LR service rifle training rifle
I shot this upper on a 5.56 bullet button lower with a vortex strikefire mounted a few times and found performance to be marginal, especially when the bolt slammed shut on mag removal, so I put it away disappointed. Over the years the CMMG BHOA adapter was discontinued and it seemed there were no real options for a dedicated 22LR upper to perform like a standard AR, so I became further disenfranchised with this rifle, until recently.
June 30th 2018 marked the CA DOJ's deadline for Bullet Button assault weapon registration, and in the language it was clear that rimfire calibers could NOT be registered assault weapons, so the decision to build a dedicated 22LR AR on a spare off-list lower I had on hand was made.
Here are the build specs of the rifle as it stands now:
CMMG WASP .22LR upper, 1:16 twist 16" barrel, SS bolt group and feed ramps (no/fake FA)
LRB Arms lower
Generic LPK, no FCG
ALG Defense ACT combat trigger (tuned by Geissele) 5.5# pull
Generic bolt-on Carry Handle w/A2 rear sight
Brownells Mil-Spec 6-position M4 collapsible carbine butt stock
Velocity Pressure Plug
Better-Mag adapter
M&P 15/22 Mags
LRB Arms lower
Generic LPK, no FCG
ALG Defense ACT combat trigger (tuned by Geissele) 5.5# pull
Generic bolt-on Carry Handle w/A2 rear sight
Brownells Mil-Spec 6-position M4 collapsible carbine butt stock
Velocity Pressure Plug
Better-Mag adapter
M&P 15/22 Mags
In this configuration the rifle weighs in at 6.7 lbs with an empty 15/22 mag, well below the CMP rimfire 7.5 pound limit for competition, and passes the 3 pound minimum trigger weight lift test

Across the course, shooting paper, steel plates and swingers, from 50 to 100 yards this rifle does great. The collapsible but stock (and sling) help my seated position more than I thought they would, I sling up in all positions. All I need to do is fine-tune my ammo selection/sorting (brand that shoots best, then separate by weight) and I'll be all set for CMP rimfire rifle competition should I choose to compete; otherwise this is my favorite rifle to shoot right now.
M4 Tactical Carbine Clone

Rifle with A2 flash hider
Built using a PSA 1:16 Nitride 16" M4 profile upper and an Anderson Mfg lower from Primary Ams, this is a fun shooter with a red dot, Magpul MBUS and MOE furniture in Olive Drab Green from this $329 PSA rifle kit. Upper from that kit pending sale, minus MOE handguard (has standard carbine handguard now)
Here are the build specs of the rifle as it stands now:
PSA .22LR Nitride upper, 1:16 twist 16" barrel, SS bolt group and feed ramps (no/fake FA)
Anderson Mfg lower
PSA EPT LPK, w FCG (LaRue trigger pending)
Vortex StrikeFire red dot
Magpul MBUS rear sight
Magpul MOE furniture in ODG
Better-Mag adapter
M&P 15/22 Mags
Anderson Mfg lower
PSA EPT LPK, w FCG (LaRue trigger pending)
Vortex StrikeFire red dot
Magpul MBUS rear sight
Magpul MOE furniture in ODG
Better-Mag adapter
M&P 15/22 Mags
I liked the Better Mag Adapter in my CMP rifle so I put one in this rifle too. Thanks Zuk!
I took it to the range this past weekend with some Federal Champions (HV 36gr) and zeroed both the MBUS and red dot, the PSA EPT trigger is nothing to write hope about. Future upgrades include a LaRue MBT-2S trigger (on backorder) and Guntec slip over barrel shroud/muzzle brake (pending receipt)
My GF likes this rifle because the red dot sight (we used the green dot in daylight) is easy to see and use, and on swinging silhouette targets it's pretty much point and shoot from 30 yards out to 100 yards with minimal hold over at 100
I'll post updates when I start ammo testing and hone in on candidate brands/weights/speed. Any suggestions on ammo are welcome!