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5/11/2011 1:56:05 PM EDT
I just built my first AR and now i am trying to decide if I should go with a conversion kit, or a if I should build a dedicated upper?  What are the pros and cons of each and what would you go with?
5/11/2011 2:08:03 PM EDT
[#1]
Conversion kit= easy and inexpensive but less accuracy and reported problems with fouling of gas tubes/ports

Dedicated upper= good accuracy and reliability since it's shooting exactly what it's designed for but you will pay a bit more

I'm working on the same type of build and the above seems to be the consensus I've found in hours of reading these forums. Go to the rimfire section and start reading and you'll get a good feel for the whole thing
5/11/2011 2:11:32 PM EDT
[#2]
Dedicated upper will be about 1" at 50 yards with decent ammo.
Conversion kit will be about 2-3" at 50 yards depending on your barrel.

Conversion is cheaper and can be thrown in a bag.
Dedicated upper is just that. Pin it on and you are good to go with a correct .22.
Dave N
5/11/2011 2:13:41 PM EDT
[#3]
Good to see you here Speedemon!
5/11/2011 2:22:16 PM EDT
[#4]
5/11/2011 2:41:23 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:


Sent you an IM
5/12/2011 10:35:35 AM EDT
[#6]
Dedicated upper for sure.  Eventually you will open the safe, and there will be a dedicated lower attached to it.  It's the damnedest thing.

Dedicated pros - better accuracy, feeds better, don't have to switch things out all the time from 5.56 to .22, does not foul up gas system or blow crap back into your 5.56 receiver and face
Dedicated cons - costs more

Conversion kit pros - costs less
Conversion kit cons - opposite of pros above

It basically boils down to how much you are willing to spend.  I started with a conversion, then bought a dedicated upper with a collar and used the bolt from my conversion, and then I built a basic lower.  Total cost was about $700 spread out over a year.  I even recouped some of the cost by selling my used conversion.  It is very much worth having a dedicated .22 rifle that is built identical to an AR15.
5/12/2011 11:21:08 AM EDT
[#7]
+ 1000 on the lower growing to the upper. It's hard for me to see an upper when for a couple hundred more, I have a complete rifle.
Now I need a bigger safe.
I have more AR's than my department had
Dave N
5/12/2011 3:50:24 PM EDT
[#8]
3 safes later.... I'm not buying any more....

Dave S
5/12/2011 6:17:15 PM EDT
[#9]
Man, I feel like a newbie here. I only have two safes. Do I need to go out and buy some more "stuff" so I have to get a third safe?

I have both a conversion kit and a dedicated .22 ( actually three of them).  Both have their place and need. BUT the .22 Dedicated rifle is the one I shoot most.
5/14/2011 9:04:48 PM EDT
[#10]
The big thing for me is the difference in point of impact.  I could zero my rifle with .223 or .22, but not both.  I'm currently building a dedicated upper.
5/15/2011 4:35:20 AM EDT
[#11]
If you use a scope with a Mil Reticule you can compensate for the one you don't have the scope set up for.
It will generally only be a few inches at 50 yards. Or, open sights for one and the optic for the other if you
have a carry handle upper receiver.

Dave S
5/15/2011 5:19:44 AM EDT
[#12]
I use a stand alone A2 on my conversions. I set it for 5.56, then shoot .22 at see where I need to set the adjustment. At 50 yards it's within a couple inches anyhow.
Good enough for training.
Dave N
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