Dedicated .22lr mags for AR pattern rifle

[MrWizard]

I’m building a dedicated .22lr upper for plinking and introducing guns to others. Right now I’ve got all the parts on order, but haven’t decided on mags. Anyone have a preference between CMMG mags, or S&W 15-22 mags with an adapter?

 

[snorko]

I have used CMMG mags with no problems in a multi cal. lower with a dedicated .22 upper. I would think using S&W mags with an adapter would introduce more chances for problems. The CMMG mags are cheap relatively and available. I have gotten them on sale from 44mag.com and other places.

 

[derrickgoins]

Another CMMG user here. I’ve used them with no issues in my SBR lower with 22lr conversion kit as well as a polymer lower/22lr upper combination.

 

[MrWizard]

I have used CMMG mags with no problems in a multi cal. lower with a dedicated .22 upper. I would think using S&W mags with an adapter would introduce more chances for problems. The CMMG mags are cheap relatively and available. I have gotten them on sale from 44mag.com and other places.

That was kind of my impression too. The big thing with the “Better Mag” adapter is that it is advertised as providing full functionality with your installed bolt catch that you don’t normally have with the CMMG mags in my understanding. Would be nice to have it all be as close as possible to the functionality of my multi lower with 5.56 upper just so I don’t learn any weird habits. I’ll probably just go with the CMMG mags though, if nothing else just to making swapping calibers as easy as an upper swap.

 

[natdscott]

You already decided on your barrel and bolt?

Whose?

-Nate

 

[MrWizard]

You already decided on your barrel and bolt?

Whose?

-Nate

Heh. That’s what I get for editing. It’s the CMMG barrel, collar, and bolt kit.

 

[zoglog]

I have had no issues with the Black Dog Machine mags. I have ran them in conversions and dedicated uppers without fail. Something cool about a suppressed ar with a drum magazine shooting 22s...

 

[MrWizard]

I have had no issues with the Black Dog Machine mags. I have ran them in conversions and dedicated uppers without fail. Something cool about a suppressed ar with a drum magazine shooting 22s...

Very cool! I hadn’t seen the drum in my earlier searches.

 

[natdscott]

I have had no issues with the Black Dog Machine mags. I have ran them in conversions and dedicated uppers without fail. Something cool about a suppressed ar with a drum magazine shooting 22s...

And yet I, and many others, have.

They don't FIT the effin' LOWER unless I either grind them, or hammer them in/out with a mallet.

The lower is as "spec" as it gets: CMT "Stag" house brand, same as makes Colt, Rock River, Noveske, and I am sure other major brand's lowers.


-Nate

 

[MrWizard]

And yet I, and many others, have.

They don't FIT the effin' LOWER unless I either grind them, or hammer them in/out with a mallet.

The lower is as "spec" as it gets: CMT "Stag" house brand, same as makes Colt, Rock River, Noveske, and I am sure other major brand's lowers.


-Nate

It looks like there are two generations of black dog mags; one screwed together, and one ultrasonic welded. Which did you have fitment issues with?

What manufacturer do you suggest?

 

[zoglog]

I’ll check and see which ones I have. I have 4 and have ran them in multiple lowers without an issue.

 

[dugsagun]

I like black dog magazines for my cmmg upper. Havent had any probs with em.

 

[bwframe]

I have Black Dogs. One of my two smoke/translucent 15 rounders has shattered at the feed lips. I have read that the translucent ones are problematic like this.

 

[MrWizard]

I have Black Dogs. One of my two smoke/translucent 15 rounders has shattered at the feed lips. I have read that the translucent ones are problematic like this.

Is this with all plastic feed lips, or did you see this in the steel feed lip version where it joins the plastic?

 

[hANNAbONE]

Black Dog for me...

used in a Sig 522 tactical

Awesome

 

[bwframe]

Is this with all plastic feed lips, or did you see this in the steel feed lip version where it joins the plastic?

Mine must be really old. None have metal feed lips.

Here is a pic of the twin of the one that shattered:

 

[MrWizard]

I ended up getting these from PSA:
https://palmettostatearmory.com/black-dog-x-form-22lr-25rd-poly-steel-lips-magazine-black-xf-25bl-
We’ll see how they do, and if I end up continuing my search!

 

[MrWizard]

Got the Black Dog magazines in today. I was fairly impressed with the quality and feel of the plastic of the mag body. They seem really sturdy. Unfortunately, all 3 mags had surface rust on the feed lips! The pictures below show the worst one. Likely will end up returning these, or at least exchanging.

 

[NightFisherSix]

I use black dog and cmmg without issues. Noveske lower