AR Question

borrowedsig · Jan 26, 2012

Ok so i just finished my AR build and i have about 5 rounds through it so obviously not broken in.
I got the .22 conversion and i was wondering if i should run 5.56 through it first to break it in before i use the .22. If so how many, and if not is it ok to shoot the .22 through or does the barrel and gas system need to be run in first.

I know its a newb question but im a newb

.

Thanks in advance, Matt

Old Hick · Jan 26, 2012

Congratulations on your first build.... soon, you'll be a junkie...LOL...

Everyone has different opinions on how to properly break in an AR, and i'm sure you'll hear them all.... just go out an shoot the thing & Have lot's of fun.

Just remember to Clean it thoroughly after each outing. Shoot as many rounds as you can afford...

oh yeah, post some pic's....

Stay Safe.

Nwcid · Jan 26, 2012

Guess it depends on what you mean by "break in".

With the .22 kit the the bullets barely touch the barrel (.221" bullet in a .224" barrel), so almost no effect there. The kit that drops in uses NONE of the operating system of the upper so again has no effect.

SigFanWA · Jan 26, 2012

Hey Matt, Im not an expert on barrels, but do use a .22 conversion kit in my AR, Like stated above, I don't think it can hurt your new barrel. One suggestion is to shoot a couple of .223 rounds after shooting .22 to blow fouling out of the gas tube.

borrowedsig · Jan 27, 2012

Thanks for the response guys

@SIG did you do anything special to your .22 conversion before shooting it? Example: soaking it in oil etc.

Matt

iamme · Jan 27, 2012

Most 22 kits like to run wet, at least initially. Also running CCI mini-mag's will help smooth things out for the first couple mags at least. Now if you really want there used to be a great link on all the spots to polish on the kit as well as swap to lakeside springs, I'll have to hunt for the link though now but it definitely helped.

SigFanWA · Jan 27, 2012

borrowedsig said:
Thanks for the response guys

@SIG did you do anything special to your .22 conversion before shooting it? Example: soaking it in oil etc.

Matt

Nothing special. Lubed with Breakfree and shot it with no failures. I use Black Dog mags running CCI 4O grain.

Mutt · Jan 27, 2012

All a .22 conversion can do to your rifle that is "bad" is build up carbon/crap in your gas tube. But, that's easily taken care of by shooting break cleaner down your gas tube after ever 1000 or so rounds.

As for the conversion, they work fine. But, most AR's have rifling that is meant for a heaveir bullet and won't stabalize the .22 ammo as well. So, the accuracy is crap and it's just a waste of .22 ammo. You can't get any accuracy out of it.

As for break in ..... it's all a bunch of crap. The very first shot out of your barrel is the most accurate. Ever shot after that, just wears the barrel. Break in just laps the barrel rifling. But, the lapping will happen anyway by just simply firing the gun. Don't waste your time with an extensive break in procedure. Just shoot it.

madcratebuilder · Jan 28, 2012

Mutt said:
All a .22 conversion can do to your rifle that is "bad" is build up carbon/crap in your gas tube. But, that's easily taken care of by shooting break cleaner down your gas tube after ever 1000 or so rounds.

As for the conversion, they work fine. But, most AR's have rifling that is meant for a heaveir bullet and won't stabalize the .22 ammo as well. So, the accuracy is crap and it's just a waste of .22 ammo. You can't get any accuracy out of it.

+1
I never got the .22 AR conversion, why not just shoot a .22 rifle.

Mutt said:
As for break in ..... it's all a bunch of crap. The very first shot out of your barrel is the most accurate. Ever shot after that, just wears the barrel. Break in just laps the barrel rifling. But, the lapping will happen anyway by just simply firing the gun. Don't waste your time with an extensive break in procedure. Just shoot it.

I do agree a extensive break in procedure is a general waste of time, I disagree on the first round being the most accurate. I've had several rifle that would tighten up the groups after 30-50 rounds had been fired. I attribute part to barrel wear in and part the the receive settling into the wood. It's a minor point

borrowedsig · Jan 28, 2012

+1
I never got the .22 AR conversion, why not just shoot a .22 rifle.

Because it was 100 bucks and i couldnt pass on it. What kind of accuracy is he expecting? lol I bought it so when i cant afford to shoot 5.56 all the time i wont have a 8 pound 1200 dollar paperweight. Plus its really fun, and ive heard people get decent groups out of it as well, not match grade rifle groups but decent enough. Oh and i already have a .22 rifle so i can always use the ammo.

Matt

Buddhalux · Jan 31, 2012

Mutt said:
All a .22 conversion can do to your rifle that is "bad" is build up carbon/crap in your gas tube. But, that's easily taken care of by shooting break cleaner down your gas tube after ever 1000 or so rounds.

As for the conversion, they work fine. But, most AR's have rifling that is meant for a heaveir bullet and won't stabalize the .22 ammo as well. So, the accuracy is crap and it's just a waste of .22 ammo. You can't get any accuracy out of it.

As for break in ..... it's all a bunch of crap. The very first shot out of your barrel is the most accurate. Ever shot after that, just wears the barrel. Break in just laps the barrel rifling. But, the lapping will happen anyway by just simply firing the gun. Don't waste your time with an extensive break in procedure. Just shoot it.

You forgot one important piece. Lead from the bullets fouling your rifling. Run a couple of patches with CLP before you go from 22 to 5.56 as a precaution. Lead fouling in the rifling can cause excessive pressure build up in your weapon when you shoot FMJ thru it after lead bullets.