By Steve Remy
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame: A great way to shoot and spend time behind an AR platform rifle on a budget with .22LR ammo.
Target Market: Anyone who wants to learn the AR platform in a less intimidating form, shoot for less money, shoot a lighter weight rifle, or have some good clean fun.
FNBs: Key Features:
- Polymer upper and lower for reduced weight.
- Identical operating features of an AR15.
- Polymer magazine.
- Polymer quadrail handguard.
Key Benefits:
- Identical look, feel, and operation of an AR, without the weight.
Does it come in black? Yes, and a few other colors as well.
- Pink Platinum
Realtree APG HD Camo- Flat Dark Earth (MOE)
- OD Green (older models)
What others are saying? Gunblast.com review Monderno.com review
Price point:
- MSRP = $499 - $769 depending on configuration
- Retail = $448 at Budsgunshop.com
I need it now! Availability: Available at most any online retailer or local store.
Our Rating: + Made in the U.S.A. + Identical operating features of the AR + Quadrail available from the factory + Multiple color options to suit different personal tastes
- Nearly 100% polymer, including the charging handle - OD Green color is a little too green and not enough OD
Score: 8.5 (Great)
Steve’s links: GunGuyRadio.com FireArmsRadio.tv
This is a great .22LR rifle that fulfills its intended purpose. It’s a great way to learn or practice on the AR platform without the expense of .223/5.56 ammo. My only problem with the rifle is that it is all polymer and the feel of it just doesn’t sit right with me compared to an actual AR. I realize it is a .22LR variation intended for a much different purpose than a non-polymer AR, but having become accustomed to actual ARs over the last 15 or so years, the feel and weight distribution will take me a little time to get used to. I feel almost as if I am going to break the rifle if I get too rough with it…I won’t be hammering any nails, digging out stuck vehicles, or dragging this down any hallways during training because I just don’t know what I’ll end up doing to it. I even feel as if I have to go easy on the charging handle because that too is polymer. Oh well though, if anything breaks I’ll just send it back to S&W and hope their customer service takes care of the rest.
With all that being said, this will stay in the safe with the rest of my firearms for many, many years. Its fun and inexpensive to shoot, nearly anyone from children to experts can shoot it accurately, and it has worked flawlessly so far for me. Rest assured when they are old enough, this will be the first AR platform rifle my kiddos get to shoot with. I’ve shot it with CCI mini-mags and other assorted .22LR ammo I could scrounge up and the rifle never had a single hiccup. There is something very positive to be said about a .22LR rifle that can eat almost anything since most .22LRs are very picky about what they will and won’t shoot.
Overall I would buy this rifle again, which I may have to do once the kiddos start arguing over who gets to use what at the range. I would also recommend it to any friends that were in the market for one.
