The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

As boring an answer as it is, i have to agree that if you're looking at an AR style rifle and you don't want to spash for a Lantac etc, i'd go for the M&P 15-22.

I've not got experience of the 416 but i've got an MP5 made by the same company, it also doesn't strip all the way down and has a pencil/sleeved barrel, but its by far the most reliable .22 semi i've owned or seen. With a scope fitted and taking my time it'll clover leaf/0.5MOA decent ammo at 25m, and thats with a 12.25" barrel.

I do not disagree with the thread that the S&W 15-22 is a good gun and the Lantac CMMG is V.Good but at a price. I have the Sig 522 - Well made easy to clean, reliable, many options for after market bits. I have the Sig 522 Swat - Best £600.00 I have spent. I would recommend it over the S&W which is a bit plastic for me. The Sig feels like a full grown up version and the weight and feel is more like a "real AR15"

But I would say that as I choose the Sig over the S&W

My advice is go to the shotshow nr Warwick in Feb (12-14th) and touch and feel all the options

ps I mean the Guns

If you want a gun that has a functioning BHOA and works really well at a very attractive price, then it ticks all the boxes and probably more than any other AR using that criteria, but... it's ugly and feels like an airsoft rifle. It depends what you're looking for in an AR, but they're not for me either.

qws wrote:I would recommend it over the S&W which is a bit plastic for me.

I have experience with the HK416 as I have one. It's a fun rifle, it feels right, about the right weight and looks good.

The proof however is in the pudding. It's not all that accurate (I put this down to the extremely thin barrel), but it would be accurate enough for most practical competitions.

Cleaning is only difficult with a rod. with a bore snake/otis kit it's a doddle.

However, were I to spend my money again, I'd go, as suggested, with the M&P 15/22..

The only reason to buy the HK is if you really want a rifle which LOOKS like a 416 imo.

I will say this for it though, and I think Airbrush is right about the looks.

It has never once failed to fire or eject a cartridge in almost 2000 rounds put through it. It's been extremely reliable.

The Bold Hold open works, which is more than can be said for a good number of other rifles.

And the standard equipment looks and feels good (stock and grip).

Standard sights are a let down, but I'm not sure you'd get much better with the other manufacturers.

Another vote for the 15-22 :)

Had mine just under 3 years, lost count of how many rounds it's gone through but probably around 10,000 at a guess. Never missed a beat, upgraded to an extended latch charging handle and a BAD lever, yes it's a bit "plastic" but it handles well and hits what you point it at. Very, very accurate with subsonics :)

Thanks all very much for the advice! I'm going to the Sshow in feb so hopefully that will give me a better inkling as to what I'm going to get

qws wrote: I have the Sig 522 Swat - Best £600.00 I have spent. I would recommend it over the S&W which is a bit plastic for me. The Sig feels like a full grown up version and the weight and feel is more like a "real AR15"

The 522 classic (no RIS) is on sale at McAvoys for £400 until the end of January. You can get bolt on rails like those you would fit to a Magpul MOE handguard.

It's not an AR, but it is a well made little brother to the Sig 552.

15/22 for a cheap works out of the box gun. Lantac Cmmg for a couple hundred quid more, brings you into the "real" AR pattern rifle club which makes it a bit easier to upgrade, and more customisable. You can basically buy any AR15 parts with. CMMG.

I've had both and my CMMG is easily my favourite.