Smith & Wesson M&P15-22

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Smith & Wesson M&P15-22
M&P15-22.png
Smith & Wesson M&P15-22
Type Semi-automatic rifle
Place of originUnited States
Production history
Manufacturer Smith & Wesson
Produced2009–present
Specifications
Mass5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg [1]
Length33.75" Extended, 30.5" Collapsed [1]
Barrel  length16.5 in (419 mm)
Cartridge .22 Long Rifle
Action Blowback
Feed system10 or 25-round detachable box magazine [2]
Sights Picatinny rail-mounted iron sights

The Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 is a .22 long rifle variant of the Smith & Wesson M&P15 semi-automatic rifle, but is blowback-operated rather than direct impingement-operated. It is intended for recreational shooting ("plinking") and small game hunting. It is made with a polymer upper and lower receiver rather than the aluminum alloy that is normally used in AR-15 style rifles, and uses proprietary polymer box magazines. [2]

Contents

Design

The M&P15-22 was designed to be a less expensive alternative for training with an AR-15 style rifle, as the rifle itself is much less expensive than most AR-15s, and the .22 LR ammunition is often much less expensive than the .223 Remington/5.56×45mm NATO. The rifle features a safety and bolt lock that operate just like an AR-15's.

The M&P15-22's lower recoil is used as a way to ease new shooters into the sport, allowing them to familiarize themselves with AR-15 controls without the fear of excessive recoil or noise. [3] The disassembly process is very similar to the AR-15 and S&W M&P 15. [4] The lower receiver detaches from the upper with two captured pins. [4] The lower receiver contains a standard M&P15 trigger assembly that is compatible with most AR-15 trigger groups. [4] The upper receiver contains the bolt, barrel, and charging handle. [4] However, the upper and lower receivers of the M&P 15-22 are both deliberately incompatible with standard AR15/M4 uppers and lowers.

Variants

The M&P15-22 Sport II can be had with MOE (Magpul Original Equipment) furnitures, MBUS sights and a threaded barrel. [5]

Smith & Wesson offers the M&P 15/22 in a variety of finishes including Kryptek Highlander and Muddy Girl in addition to basic black or tan. [6]

The M&P15-22P pistol was introduced in 2010, but was discontinued in 2013. Smith & Wesson reintroduced the M&P15-22P pistol in 2020 with an SB Tactical SBA3 pistol brace. [7] [8] [9]

Safety issue

In 2016, Project Appleseed temporarily banned use of M&P15-22 rifles at their shooting clinics following a series of out-of-battery discharges, pending a full investigation and correction from Smith & Wesson. This was based on several incidents that occurred in multiple states, including one that injured a shooter on the line and another where multiple cartridges fired with but one trigger pull. [10] [11]

References

  1. 1 2 "Product page". Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Main product page" . Retrieved 15 November 2014.[ independent source needed ]
  3. ↑ Richard A. Mann (30 April 2014). GunDigest Shooter's Guide to the AR-15. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 203–204. ISBN   978-1-4402-3847-5.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Kevin Muramatsu (11 November 2011). Gun Digest Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 Assembly/Disassembly Instructions. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. pp. 7–8. ISBN   1-4402-3167-2.
  5. ↑ Robert A. Sadowski (21 November 2012). Shooter's Bible Guide to Firearms Assembly, Disassembly, and Cleaning. Skyhorse Publishing Company, Incorporated. pp. 306–307. ISBN   978-1-61608-875-0.
  6. ↑ Hart, David (24 February 2016). "2016 New Rimfires and Airguns". Gun Digest.
  7. ↑ Johnson, Richard (28 March 2010). "S&W M&P15-22P Pistol". Guns Holsters And Gear.
  8. ↑ "TFB Review: Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 Pistol". thefirearmblog.com. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  9. ↑ Kriz, Joe (2020). "Smith & Wesson Adds M&P15 & M&P15-22 Pistols".
  10. ↑ OutdoorHub Reporters. "Smith & Wesson 15/22 Banned from All Appleseed Events After Accidents". OutdoorHub. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  11. ↑ Duprey, Rich (24 September 2016). "Smith & Wesson's Most Popular Rifle Has a Big Problem". The Motley Fool.

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