Tippmann’s .22LR AR is a Blast to Train With

LISTEN: (3 Min, 52 Sec)

AR STYLE RIFLES are easily the #1 best selling model rifle in America.  Of course, these are most often chambered in 5.56x45mm or .223 Remington for obvious reasons.  Luckily, around 40 cents per round is an affordable enough caliber to train in moderately.  However, rimfire is still much more affordable for training purposes and an AR15 chambered in .22LR can be quite fun as well. 

In running a Youth Marksmanship Camp, we give many models of rifles an intense test of durability.   We started off with a couple of Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22 models a few years ago.  We ended up breaking them both in a few short seasons.  They had to be re-barreled as well as internal parts replaced such as broken firing pins.  Next, we tried CMMG Banshees.  These are actual AR15 receivers with dedicated 22LR barrels.  However, the internals are the same as the conversion bolts and could be finicky at times with hard use.

This past season we converted to Tippmann Arms M4-22s.  While the Tippmann family name is most commonly identified as a paintball company, they actually used to manufacture miniature 22LR machine guns back in the 1980’s until congress outlawed full autos. After that they decided to move into manufacturing paintball guns, but the same family also manufactures reproduction Gatling Guns (see this on my YouTube channel) as well as the M4-22s.

Upon my first handling of the M4-22 I took the bolt out of the receiver and was instantly pleased.  It’s solid.  It’s not finicky riding on rails, but an actual full sized lightweight bolt that should never break on you.  Simplicity means strength and reliability.  The rifle itself is lightweight with its polymer hand guard and the models we use for camp also boast of fluted barrels which helps reduce weight as well.  Much of the rifle is still a dedicated .22LR, so you won’t be putting a mil-spec centerfire upper on this lower since it’s all proprietary.  However, the fire control group is still compatible, so we updated our triggers with the LaRue MBT-2S models.  This gives a nice crisp break for the marksman.  

After an initial break in period, we have had amazing reliability with the M4-22s.  And the initial failures were just trigger related on packed full magazines.  Sometimes lower power 22LR loads, such as the CCI Standard we use in order to stay subsonic while being suppressed, don’t have the energy to recock the hammer before break in is complete.

As for accuracy, our M4-22 fluted barrels produced sub 1” ten round groups from 50 yards.  While that might not be super match grade, it’s definitely practical accuracy grade at 0.93” giving you plenty of accuracy for training with a lighter and more affordable ammunition.  

I’ve raised my kids on AR rimfire platforms which in turn allows for easy transition to hunting.  My kids hardly realized I swapped rifles on them until after the successful shot was fired.  This led to them making more accurate shots, so they weren’t scared by larger calibers and sloppy on the trigger.  If you want a Tippmann M4-22 in your collection, find out more at tippmannarms.com.

 

Email Dustin Ellermann at ContactUs@fishgame.com

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