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Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 Sport Review: The Best AR-style .22 LR?
I’ll admit, there was a point in time when I thought having an AR-style rifle chambered in .22 LR was a waste of money. However, my mind quickly changed once I started shooting and training more. I realized how expensive training can get from an ammo perspective, so the thought of having a similar rifle to my AR-15 but chambered in .22 LR was appealing.
From a quick glance, it can easily be mistaken for an AR-15.
Since I was running an M&P 15 (chambered in 5.56 NATO) at the time, this .22 LR version was the perfect addition to my collection. Soon after purchasing it, it wound up accompanying me to the range almost every time I went. Since then, it’s probably seen between 1,500 to 2,000 rounds go through it. That’s a lot of money saved when you compare the cost of .22 LR to that of 5.56!
Aside from saving money at the range, let’s take a closer look at what the M&P 15-22 SPORT brings to the table.
Features
Before getting into the nitty gritty, I’d like to remind you that these rifles have an MSRP of only $499, and you can often find them for less. With that in mind, you must adjust your expectations; you’re not getting a top-of-the-line rifle.
However, there are plenty of features to appreciate. I’ll start with the handguard and rail system.
There is a 10-inch handguard with plenty of M-LOK slots to mount your favorite accessories. I’ve been running a Viridian hand stop/laser and have really been enjoying it. The handguard itself is very smooth and feels great in the hand. It is definitely comfortable enough not to need any sort of handgrip or foregrip if you don’t want one.
There is plenty of M-LOK space for your accessories.
Up top is a full-length Picatinny rail and Magpul MBUS backup sights. Most rifles I’ve picked up recently at much higher price points haven’t even come with backup sights, so that’s a great bonus with the M&P 15-22 SPORT.
In addition to the backup sights, it also came with three 25-round magazines and a rifle case. The rifle case was a very nice surprise that I didn’t expect.
You can easily keep track of remaining rounds via the side-facing witness windows.
One of the main reasons I suggest picking up this rifle, or a similar AR-style rifle in .22 LR, is for the training capabilities. The controls are laid out exactly like your standard AR-15, allowing you to build that muscle memory.
The control layout should look familiar if you’re used to shooting AR-15s.
While the control layout is ideal, the controls themselves leave a lot to be desired. There are no ambidextrous controls (I switched out the safety) whatsoever. Thankfully, many of your standard AR-15 accessories and components can be used.
There is no ambidextrous charging handle to be found.
The furniture has a lot of room for improvement as well. It comes with a basic A2 pistol grip and an adjustable mil-spec stock. For the price, these are somewhat expected and easily replaced.
Overall, the rifle has everything you “need,” just not much more. Now, with my main purpose for this rifle being training, let’s talk about how it’s performed from a reliability and accuracy standpoint.
Specifications
| Caliber | .22 LR |
| Capacity | 25+1 |
| Barrel Length | 16.5 Inches |
| Overall Length | 30.7 Inches |
| Weight | 77.44 Ounces |
Reliability & Accuracy
One of my biggest concerns when I ordered this gun was that it wouldn’t be reliable. I had a Mossberg 715T before this, and it was wildly unreliable.
Much to my surprise, though, the SPORT has proven not to be picky with any specific ammo and runs very well. During my first couple hundred rounds, I saw several malfunctions. I wound up figuring out the magazine I was using was faulty, and since I started using the other two instead, it has been smooth sailing. I stopped counting how many rounds I’ve put through it, but we’ll call it roughly 1,750, and I cannot remember the last time I had an issue.
Shooting a Level IV body armor plate from LA Police Gear with the M&P 15-22 SPORT proved to be uneventful.
I’m almost always shooting within 100 yards and the SPORT is extremely capable at those distances. There’s not a steel gong or bowling pin that is safe downrange! Most of the time, I just use the iron sights, too, so with the right optic, I’m sure that distance could be drastically lengthened.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Great for training
- Customizable (accepts many standard AR-15 accessories)
- Lightweight and affordable
- Reliable and accurate
- Comes with backup sights and a rifle case
- M-LOK handguard
Cons
- No ambidextrous controls
- No aftermarket magazines (that I’m aware of)
Final Thoughts
So, is it the best AR-style .22 LR? I can’t say without trying them all, but I can confirm it’s a darn good one!
Whether you have a standard AR-15 or not, the M&P 15-22 deserves a spot in your collection! If you do happen to have an AR-15, you should consider getting one even more.
Not only is it a blast to shoot, but it’s affordable and will continue to save you money in the long run, thanks to its cheap ammunition. I would buy this rifle again without hesitation.
Since it comes with three magazines, a case, and sights, you’re ready to go right out of the box. Just grab a brick of .22 LR and head to the range!
As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.
