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Posted: 5/5/2010 6:56:27 AM EDT
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I looked into a .22 Upper a year or so back and had pretty much decided on a TacSol M4 version. I ended up deciding not to get one at the time for one reason or another. Anyway, I am feeling the urge again to get one and just want to make sure it will be compatible and reliable with my ARs. All of mine are current production Colts. I seem to remember reading something about a certain type of hammer working and a certain type of hammer not working with the .22 Uppers.
Thanks! |
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I have a couple Colts but the only one I've tried was with a 22 conversion. It's a Ban Period H-Bar
that has a notched hammer that actually worked with the conversions. Rounded hammers are the best for reliability but I believe that would be a Colt M16 Hammer. I'm also not 100% sure about the Takedown and Pivot Pin Size for the latest Colt's. Gee, I'm not being much help... 
Tac Sol would be your best source for answers. Lon or Daniel. 1 (866) 333-9901 Good Luck, Spec |
| I'm pretty sure all the current production Colt's have standard take down pins. Not sure how the hammer will work though, Tac Sol says to only use a round hammer, but I think alot of that is to cover their butt if one of their uppers doesn't work because the lower has a notched hammer. You'll probably just have to try it and if it doesn't work switch the hammer out with a rounded style. |
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The reason I buy Colts is because, at least in my experience, they work reliably out of the box. I am a little hesitant about starting to mess with my perfectly reliable factory 5.56 lowers just to make them run reliably with a .22 upper. Could someone please explain the following:
1) How big a deal it is to swap out the hammer from a notched one to a round one. 2) Does Colt make a round hammer that will work in my carbines? 3) If not Colt, then what is a good source for one? 4) Will this hammer swap in any way affect the reliability of my carbines with their 5.56 uppers? 5) If round works as good as notched, then why does Colt used notched? Thanks! |
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1. Not a big deal to change the hammer.
2. M16. Would have to be modified to be legal. 3. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=626706 4. Maybe better ignition???? 5. Why does Colt do anything??? Good Luck, Spec |
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OK...
I have done some more research, and I thought I would share what I learned. I spoke with a guy at Specialized Armament. They are well known for their expertise on Colt rifles. He agreed with what some have mentioned that he had no idea why Colt was still using notched hammers. He said they went to them back during the ban to prevent mixing of full and semi parts and never switched back after the ban. Like was said, why does Colt do anything they do? He agreed that if anything my rifles would run better with the un-notched/round hammer than with the notched one. He confirmed what has already been said that this will have no negative affects whatsoever on reliability or safety. Seeing as how I want to keep my carbines 100% Colt, I found the following info on Colt factory hammers. Here is the part # and sketch of the hammers my rifles came with: Notched Hammer And here is the part # and sketch of the hammer that I would need to use: Type I Un-Notched/Round Hammer |
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why not get a DPMS, RRA, or other lower and use that instead?
I also like to keep my Colts, Colts, and don't mix and match. I don't swap parts, and the only way that the rifles can catch anything from each other is from unprotected mags. I also keep track of how many rounds went thru each all are stock except for my 6920, which I put on a DD Omega and upgraded a few other items. KISS I kept all of the original parts just in case I wanted to return to stock. I even kept the box being that I am anal about my Colts, I built a dedicated lower for my dedicated upper. (eta) you don't need the buffer and spring |
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Well I have actually considered buying a complete Spike's .22 Caliber AR, seeing as how it is only about $300 more than the upper alone and comes with the LW barrel upgrade that costs $100 extra if you buy just the upper. That way if it won't run, I can just send it back to Spikes for them to make it run, and any tinkering that has to be done to it won't be done on my Colts. And by the way, I wouldn't have to buy the Colt Type I un-notched hammer ($50 savings) and the Spikes .22 AR rifle comes with a magazine where the upper alone does not ($20 savings). So now I am down to only $130 difference in the upper and the complete rifle. This is starting to be a no brainer.
ETA...I looked a little closer at their website. The rifle comes with an F marked FSB while the upper only comes with a Flattop Gas Block and the FSB is a $10 option. Now we are down to only a $120 difference. |
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