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I'm looking at a Smith and Wesson MP15-22 for practical shooting. The shortened 12in barrel version advertised by Suffolk Rifle appeals, as does the over-barrel mod (I have a slot for the mod, too).

I'm concerned that modifications to the original design may affect reliability/ammunition tolerance and, to a lesser extent, accuracy (but I only intend to use it over fairly short ranges). Does anyone have experience with the shortened version? (With or without mod?)

I have that rifle, but I got mine from Riflecraft as they sell a far better moderator. Having had a full size 15-22 that was faultless I can tell you that the shortened version is just as good, if not better. I can't speak for the Suffolk mod, but the Hardy rimfire mod is excellent and if anything the groups appear tighter at 50 yards with it in place.

BamBam wrote:I have that rifle, but I got mine from Riflecraft as they sell a far better moderator. Having had a full size 15-22 that was faultless I can tell you that the shortened version is just as good, if not better. I can't speak for the Suffolk mod, but the Hardy rimfire mod is excellent and if anything the groups appear tighter at 50 yards with it in place.

Interesting, thanks! I can see the Hardy mods on Riflecraft's site but not the MP15-22 itself (I take it you bought the rifle from them rather than just having them shorten it?) Do you know if it's necessary to modify the hand-guard to fit the over-barrel mod, or is it simply a matter of popping the end-cap off?

(Any other places I should be looking for shortened MP15-22?)

Thanks.

Picture 27

It was a new rifle that they shortened, re-crowned and threaded. Barrel was proofed after all of this was completed. No mods to the handguard bar removing the plastic end cap.
Riflecraft were the first to shorten the 15-22. They brought one to the H4H charity match in 2013 and loads of us had a go with it.
Another reason I bought from them, they sponsor matches and contribute to the sport more than most RFDs in the country.

Cheers - I'll drop them an e-mail and see what they say.

I have that rifle, but I got mine from Riflecraft as they sell a far better moderator. Having had a full size 15-22 that was faultless I can tell you that the shortened version is just as good, if not better. I can't speak for the Suffolk mod, SO HOW DO YOU KNOW ITS A BETTER MOD THEN?

Riflecraft were not the first to shorted one, we did them as soon as they came out in 2010 !
Any way...... Oh, the Four Island S&W guns are mine, I lent them for people to use .....
The Hardy Mod is about twice the price as mine and is a generic .22 mod. Mine is a purpose built for the 12" S&W as it replaces the hand guard "cap" to keep the whole thing from flexing (which they do)
The conversion cost £180 with an exchange barrel. You get barrel (fitted) moderator and proofing. Barrel is crowned which the original are not, and re blued. They actually shoot better then originals!

Mine is shortened to 12". Last night, as per the other thread, I took a filthy gun to the range and ran almost 500 rounds through it faultlessly. One magazine full was rested off the bench. 25 rounds into around an inch and a half.

I have an A-Tec CMM4 for mine. Hobbesy on here also has a 12" barrel and he uses a Third Eye Tactical over barrel mod. He has the brush card removed for that purpose. His Is as accurate and reliable as mine.

We both had the barrels chopped, crowned and threaded by a local 'smith.

neal455 wrote:I have that rifle, but I got mine from Riflecraft as they sell a far better moderator. Having had a full size 15-22 that was faultless I can tell you that the shortened version is just as good, if not better. I can't speak for the Suffolk mod, SO HOW DO YOU KNOW ITS A BETTER MOD THEN?

Riflecraft were not the first to shorted one, we did them as soon as they came out in 2010 !

Appearance, not impressed with yours. 2010, was that when you were the official importer of the 15-22?

As a slight aside guys but as a mini rifle shooter since the pistol ban and RO for way too long, PLEASE DONT stick a moderator on a rifle you want to shoot practical with, then moan that you have to reshoot a stage because the shot timer didn't pick up the shots. I have seen RO's get in to some quite silly positions trying to get a shot timer to pick up the last shot.

Do yourself a favour, make it short and make it loud, otherwise the reshoot fairy will get you

Brookers

Good advice Brookers, I have a loudener fitted to my 15-22 for just such a reason.