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So, you decided to convert your AR-15 from a 5.56/.223 to a .22LR.
Don't believe all the negative hype you may have heard on the internet about these conversion kits because it may be the best thing you can do to your AR-15. But now, it's time to decide– which kit is the best?
Comparison of the Best AR-15 22LR Conversion Kits
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Are All AR-15 .22LR Conversion Kits The Same?
The short answer is no– as with all products, some AR-15 .22LR Conversion Kits are better than others. The bottom line here is that you're changing the bolt carrier, so there are some things you should look out for when choosing a good one:
That the BCG is Shot-Peened and MPI/HPT Tested
One of the most important factors in choosing a good conversion kit is making sure that your BCG is well-tested because you don't want it to break down while firing.
The Coating
There are a lot of different coatings when it comes to a BCG, but you should look for something with an EXO and NP3 coating, as they would probably be best.
CMMG Inc 22LR AR Conversion Kit Echo
How to Choose an AR-15 .22LR Conversion Kit
We may be repeating ourselves a little bit here, but the most important factor in choosing the right AR-15 .22LR Conversion Kit is finding the right Bolt Carrier. Once again, make sure you find one with the following:
Shot-Peened and MPI/HPT Tested
Why is this so important? It means that the manufacturer has tested the Bolt Carrier against some very high-pressure shots and has tried to take out any impurities afterward. If a manufacturer has not done this, it means your bolt carrier may actually still have some of those impurities and break down fairly easily.
EXO and NP3 Coating
Sure, any coating will work pretty well on a BCG, so why are EXO and NP3 the best? Because while the other options, such as Black nitride and chrome coating, can do the job, they are known to have some issues. The EXO and NP3 coatings have the least amount of issues amongst consumers, so they are probably the best choice. Remember, cheaper is usually the worst option.
A Gas Key That is Properly Staked
One feature that could be the downfall of a good BCG is if the gas key is not properly staked. Keep this in mind when buying a new BCG, and a 22LR Conversion Kit in general.
Review of the Best AR-15 .22LR Conversion Kits
And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for– the best .22LR Conversion Kits on the market:
Best Overall:
CMMG Inc .22LR AR Conversion Kit
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of recent buyers have reported that this kit is one of the most reliable on the market. It does not break down easily, which is ideal considering you don't want to have to keep replacing parts of your AR-15 since you're going to be using it more often.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are a couple of factors as to why this particular 22LR Conversion Kit stood out to us. One, like recent buyers, was its reliability. Two, we were impressed by how easy it was to install. As we mentioned, a lot of these conversion kits are easy to install, but we were genuinely shocked at how easy it was to do with the CMMG, Inc kit. Seriously, if you're worried about messing up the installation process for this conversion kit, then go with CMMG, Inc.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is this– if you're looking to change up your AR-15, then go with this CMMG, Inc kit. Sure, slam firing and price may be an issue, but the fact of the matter is that it was dead easy to install and super reliable.
Runner-up:
CMMG Inc .22LR AR Conversion Kit Echo
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This version of the CMMG, Inc kit turned off some recent buyers because of jams and accuracy loss; however, they also say it's probably the best option out there for plinking. If you're looking to do some training with your AR-15, then this may be the kit for you.
Why it Stands Out to Us
What stood out to us was how fun our AR-15 was to shoot after we installed this new kit. It is one of the best out there if you only want to train with your gun because it's easy to change, and it does do everything you need to convert your AR from a 5.56/.223 to a .22LR. This kit is a great option, no doubt about it. It makes your AR-15 great for target practice and plinking in general. Check it out if that's what you want.
Bottom Line
Final thoughts– if you don't mind some occasional jamming and the slight loss inaccuracy, then this may be the conversion kit for you. It is a blast to use and makes your rounds a whole lot cheaper. Which, of course, means a lot more training.
Pros and Cons of .22LR Conversion Kits
If you’re having trouble deciding whether a conversion kit like this is for you, here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros
Below are the primary pros of this topic:
Saving Money
How would you be saving money by converting your AR-15 from a 5.56/.223 to a .22LR? Consider the following: in the United States, a box of 1000 rounds of 5.56 is about $300. A 1000 rounds of .22LR are going to cost around $70. That's about $230 in savings if you're too lazy to do the math.
More Training
With more ammo comes more training, which means you'll be a lot more comfortable with your rifle. And as any good enthusiast knows, the more training you have, the better! You'll be better with your gun if you convert to the .22LR.
It's More Fun to Shoot
This point may be on a personal level, but you have a lot more fun shooting a .22LR than a 5.56/.223 round. Keep in mind this could be because there is more shooting to be done.
Easily Changed
Switching from a 5.56/.223 to a .22LR on your AR-15 is easy to do. All it takes are a couple of seconds.
Cons
Below are the main cons
More Wear and Tear
The fact that you're using your AR-15 more often means that the parts of the gun, especially the BBL and LPK springs, are going to be used more often. Thus, they are going to take more abuse.
Small Differences
There are going to be differences in reloading 5.56/.223 rounds versus .22LR rounds. There may also be differences in malfunctions and other issues with your AR-15. Keep these in mind.
Cautious Considerations to Keep in Mind
We mentioned before the cons of changing to a .22LR round, but we should go more into depth.
Cautious Consideration 1
Since you spend less on rounds, you can use your rifle more often. The savvy enthusiast knows that this means you're putting a lot more pressure on your gun, especially the BBL and LPK springs. Keep in mind that you may have to replace these springs quicker than you would have with the 5.56/.223 rounds.
Cautious Consideration 2
There are going to be differences in reloading, malfunctions, and a lot of small things when you convert your AR-15. You can mitigate this by practicing with both your loadouts. Considering how easy they are to change, this shouldn't be too much of an issue.
Cautious Consideration 3
The .22LR rounds tend to be dirtier than the 5.56/.223 rounds, which means you have to clean your AR-15 a lot more often. If cleaning your gun bothers you, then a 22LR Conversion Kit may not be the right choice for you. However, cleaning your gun is an important part of gun ownership, and if you want cleaning practice, then it may be a good choice.
How to Install AR-15 .22LR Conversion Kit
Converting your AR-15 to a .22LR is very simple. Just follow these steps:
- Push out the takedown pin to split the upper and lower receiver.
- Remove the BCG. Pull the charging handle to remove the current BCG.
- Remove the charging handle. Pull down and out on the upper receiver to do this. You'll replace the charging handle with the one that comes with your current conversion kit.
- Insert the new charging handle. Push the new charging handle into the rear of the upper receiver. It should slide in fairly easily, but if it doesn't, you can use your typical sort of lubricant. Insert it only halfway until it's in place, and you're sure that it can be pulled upward.
- Push in the new BCG. Take your new .22 bolt carrier group, and push it into the place where your previous BCG was.
- Push both the BCG and the charging handle forward. Keep pushing (slowly, be careful) until both the charging handle and the new bolt carrier group sit firmly in place.
- Close the lower and push down the takedown pin.
That's all there is to it. If you want more practice with your AR-15, if you want to spend less money, and if you don't mind a different feel and some more cleaning, then a 22LR Conversion Kit is probably the right choice for you. Again, try not to believe everything you read on the internet!
It's that easy. Be sure to refer to the video below for a full overview of this process.
Conclusion
That’s all we have about AR-15 22LR conversion kits. Check out some of the product options we included to figure out which is the best one for you.
People Also Ask
If you still have questions, don’t worry! Here are some of the most common things people wonder about when looking for an AR-15 22LR conversion kit.
Are .22 Conversion Kits Hard to Install?
A lot of people have asked whether or not it's hard to install a .22 Conversion Kit. In reality, the short answer is no; they are not hard to install. Installation is a matter of dropping the replacement bolt into the gun and presto! You’re now shooting some affordable .22 rounds.
What Comes in a .22 Conversion Kit?
A lot of people are curious as to what comes in a .22LR Conversion Kit. They are usually just a single (usually) stainless steel bolt replacement. Most of the time, the conversion kit will also come with a magazine for your new .22 rounds. Simple!
How Does a .22 Conversion Kit Work?
Another question that floats around the internet is how a .22 Conversion Kit works. And like we mentioned before, they are simple as pie. Thirty seconds (approximately, may vary based on the enthusiast) is all it takes to install this conversion kit. Just switch out the BCG, and you are ready to go!