August 22nd 2021
Sunday GunDay:.22LR Conversion Kit for AR-15 Platform
Popular ammo types such as 9mm and.223 Rem have been difficult to find at affordable prices over the past 18 months. Because of the high price of.223 Rem centerfire ammunition, more people are now shooting.22 LR rimfire ammo for practice and fun. This Sunday, we will be discussing a smart solution that allows the shooting of.22 LR ammo with your existing AR-15 platform rifle. This is a great option because it allows for low-cost training without affecting rifle balance, ergonomics, or optics.
The CMMG Bravo.22 LR conversion kit includes a replacement bolt/bolt carrier, three 25-round magazines, and special.22 LR-fitted ammo slots and followers. This allows you to shoot rimfire ammunition from any AR-15 that is chambered for.223 Rem (5.56×45). The CMMG Bravo comes with an integrated extension that can be fitted into your existing chamber. This extension is used to guide the rimfire bullet through and into the barrel.
The CMMG Bravo conversion kit includes a blowback-operated.22 LR Bolt carrier, rubber protector to protect the bolt carrier tip, as well as three 25-round polymer magazines. Simply replace the rifle’s.223 Rem barrel and carrier with the Bravo.22LR conversion unit, and load the included magazines with rimfire ammunition.
To use the CMMG Kit simply remove the centerfire bolt/bolt carriers and replace them with the CMMG silver colored bolt. CMMG states that a round-style hammer is best for performance as notched hammers can cause functional issues. According to test results, high-velocity.22 LR ammunition is the best. CMMG also notes that 36gr plated-nose bullets are the best for function. Copper-plated bullets reduce fouling.
Ultimate Reloader Tests the CMMG.22LR Conversion Kit
Gavin Gear, UltimateReloader.com’s friend, recently tested the CMMG.22 LR AR Conversion kit. He found that the installation was simple and that the CMMG magazines worked well. Travis Fox, a fellow tester, also shot the unit successfully both slow-fired and rapid-fire.
Travis and Gavin found the CMMG Kit simple to install and enjoyable to use. It’s like having two guns in one with an AR that can shoot both.223 Remy and.22 LR. Travis was impressed by the ease of use. “It’s so easy to switch over to the CMMG.22 LRAR kit!” The first time I tried it, it took me 68 seconds. It took me approximately 40 seconds each time I tried it again. It takes longer than switching between.223/5.56 and.22LR.
The AR performed very well with higher-velocity ammunition types. The 40gr Federal Game Shok ammo as well as the American Eagle High Velocity 38gr copper-plated HP ammo were 100% functional. NOTE: CMMG recommends high-velocity Copperplated rimfire ammunition.
Maintenance Tip — Travis advises that after converting to your centerfire.223 Rem (5.56) Travis recommends “cleaning the gas tube and other components as.22LR tends to get dirty”. READ Full Test on UltimateReloader.com.
Gavin and Travis Give CMMG Bravo Conversion Kit Thumbs Up
“Does this conversion set get the Ultimate Reloader stamp? Yes! This gives shooters options in these times of component/munition shortage. Sometimes, it is easier to find bulk.22LR than 223/5.56. This kit offers that option at an affordable price. It’s a great opportunity to improve your skills and to familiarize yourself with a platform. You can get two rifles for the price of one.
How to Install CMMG Bravo.22 LR Conversion kit
This instructional video shows how a Brownells gunsmith assembles, disassembles, cleans, lubricates, and reassembles the CMMG AR-15.22 LR conversion kits. Before you begin the conversion, clear the rifle and make sure it is safe. Separate the lower and upper bolt carriers, then remove the standard bolt carrier groups. Install the conversion bolt, and then connect the upper to the lower as usual.
Details about CMMG.22LR Conversion Kit
“I’ve had a CMMG converter kit for years. It’s a drop in system that’s very reliable and accurate. The [CMMG conversion] has a lower recoil and is great for training. Despite the fact that ammo prices have risen to an all-time high,.22 LR still costs less than any other ammunition. SootchGear
This SootchGear video demonstrates how to install the CMMG Bravo unit. The video compares the original CMMG.22 LR bolt assembly to the new integrated CMMG Bravo between 2:00 and 3:50. The older unit came with a separate chamber insert and a brass adapter. The host also tests a CMMG equipped AR with different types of ammo. You can see a rapid-fire sequence that starts at the 1:48 mark.
Field Test with 2 ARs — Rapid Fire.22LR Testing
Below is a video showing rapid-fire.22LR performance using two ARs with CCI Mini-Mag ammunition. It is quick and easy to convert CMMG from 5.56 to.22 LR. CCI Mini-Mags in red/black are used to rapid-fire the video at 5:40. The tester then shoots a variety ammo in a CCI Mini-Mag in red/black rifle. It starts at 9:40. Although the Mini-Mags performed flawlessly, there were a few fail-to-cycle sequences with extreme rapid-fire ammo. This is why it is important to use high-velocity, high-quality ammunition.
The Mini-Mag.22 LR ammunition shot well in the.223 Wylde-chambered AR. CMMG warns that.223 Wylde-chambered AR is not a mil-spec chamber and we cannot guarantee the fit or functionality of our 22LR conversion kits.
Review from CMMG Bravo.22 LR Rimfire Kit Purchasers
“Get it. This was purchased for my Rock River AR. Bolt system fits perfectly and goes in [easily]. I took it to the range, and fired over 150 rounds. Only two rounds failed to fire. This product is a great option for anyone who wants to shoot an AR-15.223 rifle with a budget price. — Pew P.
“I received this just yesterday. In two days, I have run a few thousand rounds through it with no hick-ups. I have no complaints.” — Seth
“Best buy for anyone in this ammo crisis. Ammo can be very expensive and difficult to find. Once I found this kit, it was an easy decision. It cost $20 to break in the gun, and I only had three failures. 200 rounds was enough to get it through. Without optic adjustments, accuracy up to 50 yards (I haven’t tried further) — Joshua M.
“I bought one of these in January. It was quickly taken to the range for my daughters to test it. This thing worked flawlessly with all three ARs. We swapped out the 5.56 carrier with this back-and-forth, and it worked flawlessly. It was so enjoyable, I bought another one. J.B.
“Great product. This product was a great buy due to the high price of ammo. This was an option for me as I wanted to continue shooting my AR. This thing works great… works flawlessly with all types of.22LR, from the expensive CCI to the more affordable. Anyone who is thinking of getting one I highly recommend it.” Thom
* Brownells also offers CMMG Conversion Kits. These kits come with one (1) 25rd Mag for $219.99 or three (3) 25rd Mags for $249.99. For areas with limited capacity, there is a CMMG Kit with three (3) 10-rd Mags for $249.99.
Similar Posts
Tags: .22 LR, .223 Rem, CMMG Bravo Rimfire Conversion, Gavin Gear, Rimfire AR Conversion, Sootch, SootchGear
