Smith & Wesson M&P15-22

Smith & Wesson M&P15-22

Smith & Wesson M&P15-22
Type Semi-automatic rifle
Place of origin United States
Production history
Designer Smith & Wesson
Designed 2009[1]
Manufacturer Smith & Wesson
Unit cost $449-709 (MSRP)[2]
Produced 2009-
Specifications
Weight 5.5 lbs / 2.4948 kg[3]
Length 33.75" Extended, 30.5" Collapsed[3]
Barrel length 16" / 40.6 cm[3]
Cartridge .22 Long Rifle
Action Blowback
Feed system 10 or 25-round detachable box magazine[2]

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

Design

It 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 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 can also be an alternative in jurisdictions that restrict magazine capacity for centerfire cartridges.

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.[4] The disassembly process is very similar to the AR-15 and S&W M&P 15.[5] The lower receiver detaches from the upper with two captured pins.[5] The lower receiver contains a standard M&P15 trigger assembly that is compatible with most AR-15 trigger groups.[5] The upper receiver contains the bolt, barrel, and charging handle.[5]

Variants

The M&P15-22 Sport II can be had with MOE (Magpul Original Equipment) furniture, MBUS sights, and a threaded barrel.[6]

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.[7]

Safety issue

In 2016, Project Appleseed temporarily banned use of S&W MP15-22 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.[8][9]

References

  1. ↑ ""An AR Plinking Good Time: Smith & Wesson’s M&P 15-22 Rifle." By Paul Rackley. American Rifleman". Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "Main product page". Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Product page". Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. 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.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ Hart, David (24 February 2016). "2016 New Rimfires and Airguns". Gun Digest.
  8. ↑ OutdoorHub Reporters. "Smith & Wesson 15/22 Banned from All Appleseed Events After Accidents". OutdoorHub. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  9. ↑ Duprey, Rich (24 September 2016). "Smith & Wesson's Most Popular Rifle Has a Big Problem". The Motley Fool.

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