Posted: 1/6/2006 2:02:31 PM EDT
[#10]
Check the equipment exchange, they come up fairly often. I picked up one for about $80. I put more .22LR through my AR than I do 5.56 these days ! Lots of fun and good for squirrels. Even though it's not a dedicated upper, casual shooting will keep the rounds in a one inch circle at 25 yards. This is a bit dated, but it'll give you an idea of about what the going rate is. (If somebody is asking $800 .... tell them to step away from the crack pipe!) I believe both ARmy and AirForce call theirs the M261, but one version doesn't have the bolt hold open on the last shot -- the version I bought doesn't. It's not that big a deal, I just have to count rounds so I don't get fooled. from http://www.constitution.org/mil/wi/17th/ar%20info.htm Be aware that each conversion unit manufacturer has essentially its own proprietary magazine design. This means, if at all possible, you should buy a few extra magazines at the time of your conversion unit purchase. In the long run, this will save you a lot of time and aggravation. For the most part, you will not find spare magazines at your local gun shop or show.
The Conversion Units and Vendors
There are currently 3 conversion units available on the market for the AR-15 rifle. They are chambered for .22LR only. What follows is a list of the brands and vendors. 1.
Colt Sporter .22LR Conversion Kit for AR-15 Rifles Manufacturer: Colt’s Manufacturing Co., P.O. Box 1868, Hartford CT 203-236-6311 http://www.colt.com (website)
* Production: The kit and magazines (10 rd) are no longer in production by Colt, but new units are still occasionally available on the market. Check Shotgun News & Gun List for vendors. * Unit Cost: $ 175.00 (Bob Swanson) kit comes with 1 magazine (as supplied from factory). * Magazines: $ 20.00 (YTM Distributors), $ 28.00 (Bob Swanson)
Vendors: 1. Bob Swanson, Tucson AZ, Tel. 520-299-3454
* Comments: Good customer service. Bob did not have any more Colt kits for sale as of the beginning of 1998. But, he did have some of the kit’s magazines left for $28/pc.
2. YTM Distributors, Inc., 20464-F Chartwell Center Dr., Cornelius NC 28031. Tel. 704-895-8649.
* Comments: Has magazines for the Colt .22LR conversion unit for $20/pc.
2.
"Atchisson" Mk III .22LR Conversion Unit for AR-15
Manufacturer: Jonathan Arthur Ciener, Inc., 8700 Commerce Street, Cape Canaveral Fl 32920 407-868-2200 (phone) 407-868-2201 (fax) http://www.22lrconversions.com (website)
* Production: Currently in production. * Unit Costs: $ 139.00 w/10 rd Mag., $ 179.00 w/30 rd Mag. * Magazines: $ 23.00 Spare 20 rd Mag, $ 59.00 Spare 30 rd Mag (3 for $149.00)
Vendor: Manufacturer direct.
3.
U.S. GI M261 AR15/M16 Rifle Conversion Kit (GI Issue) U.S. Air Force Conversion Units
Manufacturer: Saco Defense Industries, U.S. Government Contract
* Production: Status Unknown. Continued contract production is not believed to be ongoing as the US military is not actively utilizing the .22LR conversion units for training as originally envisioned. * Unit Costs: $ 124.75 (SARCO, Inc.) w/3 10-round Magazines, U.S. Army Units (blowback only). $ 195.00 (SARCO, Inc.) w/1 10-round Magazine. U.S.A.F. Conversion Units, (combination gas/blowback functioning). * Magazines: $ 11.95 (SARCO, Inc. Offered ONLY to purchasers of their kits), $ 25.00 (Bob Swanson)
Vendors: 1. Sarco, Inc., 323 Union St., PO Box 98, Stirling, NJ 07980 908-647-3800 (phone) 908-647-9413 (fax) [email protected] (e-mail) http://www.sarcoinc.com (website)
* Comments: The quality of this vendor’s customer service has been widely disputed on the AR-15 list. Use of Credit Card or Certified Funds is suggested.
2. Bob Swanson, Tucson AZ, Tel. 520-299-3454
* Comments: Bob’s advertisement in Gun List of April 1998 read: AR-15 CONVERSION kit, .22LR,original US military, new with two 10rd magazines, $225.00. Additional magazines $25. This is probably, judging by the price, the USAF Conversion Unit. You should confirm this with the vendor. Bob Swanson gets good marks from people on the AR-15 list
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