Type Semi-automatic rifle Designer Smith & Wesson Manufacturer Smith & Wesson | Place of origin United States Designed 2009 Unit cost $449-709 (MSRP) | |
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The Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 is a .22 LR variant of the Smith & Wesson M&P15. It is blowback-operated, rather than direct impingement-operated and is intended for recreational shooting ("plinking") and small game hunting. It is made with a polymer upper and lower receiver, rather than the aluminum that is normally used in AR-15s and uses proprietary polymer magazines.
Contents
Design
It was designed to be a less expensive alternative for training with an AR-15 style rifle, as the rifle itself is much less expensive than most AR-15s, and the ammunition is often much less expensive than the .223 Remington/5.56×45mm NATO. The rifle features a safety and bolt lock that operate just like an AR-15's. The M&P15-22 can also be an alternative in jurisdictions that restrict magazine capacity for centerfire cartridges.
The M&P15-22's lower recoil is used as a way to ease new shooters into the sport, allowing them to familiarize themselves with AR-15 controls without the fear of excessive recoil or noise. The disassembly process is very similar to the AR-15 and S&W M&P 15. The lower receiver detaches from the upper with two captured pins. The lower receiver contains a standard M&P15 trigger assembly that is compatible with most AR-15 trigger groups. The upper receiver contains the bolt, barrel, and charging handle.
Variants
The M&P15-22 Sport II can be had with MOE (Magpul Original Equipment) furniture, MBUS sights, and a threaded barrel.
Smith & Wesson offers the M&P 15/22 in a variety of finishes including Kryptek Highlander and Muddy Girl in addition to basic black or tan.
Safety issue
In 2016, Project Appleseed temporarily banned use of S&W MP15-22 rifles at their shooting clinics following a series of out-of-battery discharges, pending a full investigation and correction from Smith & Wesson. This was based on several incidents that occurred in multiple states, including one that injured a shooter on the line and another where multiple cartridges fired with but one trigger pull.