Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Wanting to convert a .22 AR-15 back into a .223

smile_for_me7465
How much would it cost and what exactly would I have to do?
0

Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • nmyers
    Without knowing exactly what it is, we can't help you.

    Ask your Dad to take the rifle out of his safe, & take some photos of it with a decent digital camera. Then, post the the photos here, & we will see what we can do to help you.

    Neal

    EDIT: Without knowing exactly what it is, we can't help you.
    0
  • fordsix
    if it is a colt umarex..forget it
    0
  • smile_for_me7465
    I bought a Bushmaster AR15 that was converted into a .22 for $400. All I'd have to do is buy a new chamber correct?
    0
  • tsr1965
    quote:Originally posted by smile_for_me7465
    I bought a Bushmaster AR15 that was converted into a .22 for $400. All I'd have to do is buy a new chamber correct?


    Not correct. IF it is a 223 upper with a 22LR conversion kit, you will need to take the conversion parts out...chamberinsert/bolt/bolt carrier assembly, and put in the standard bolt carrier and bolt.

    If it is a dedicated 22LR upper, then you will need a complete upper. Also if the lower has had a magazine block pinned or welded in to hold 22LR magazines, that will have to be removed too.

    Best
    0
  • dcs shooters
    I'm with TSR on this. You need to know just what kind of conversion it is.
    0
  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by smile_for_me7465
    I bought a Bushmaster AR15 that was converted into a .22 for $400. All I'd have to do is buy a new chamber correct?


    That's a good price.

    To answer the question, it depends on what sort of conversion you have. You can't simply swap chambers in an AR-15 rifle; its more complicated than that.

    If the current upper on your gun is a dedicated .22 upper, then you'll have to get an entirely new .223 upper and install it.

    Swapping uppers is trivial. Assuming you have compatible lowers (and the overwhelming majority nowadays are standard, so you probably do) you pull out the retaining pins, swap the uppers, then push the retaining pins back in. This can be done without tools in literally under 20 seconds.

    The good news is that since an upper isn't legally considered a firearm, you can have it mailed directly to your home or buy it without many usual legal restrictions. The bad news is that quality complete .223 AR-15 uppers usually cost anywhere from $450 and up.

    If instead, your gun was converted by having a simple drop in conversion unit installed, then all you do is take out the conversion unit (including chamber insert) and drop in an original AR-15 bolt carrier group (which includes the bolt and carrier).

    Again, trivial to do. You pull out the front retaining pin, crack open the gun, pull out the .22 conversion, drop in the .223 bolt carrier group, close the gun, push in the retaining pin.

    Bolt carrier groups can also be mailed directly to your home and cost maybe $150.
    0
  • quickmajik
    You also need to check out the reciever extension to make sure it is correct for use with centerfires, and has a spring and the proper buffer installed to mate the cartridge and gas system length you plan on switching too..

    QM
    0
  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by smile_for_me7465
    I bought a Bushmaster AR15 that was converted into a .22 for $400. All I'd have to do is buy a new chamber correct?



    This doesn't sound right to me, considering what a Bushmaster with a installed conversion kit would normally run. Some time when the deal is to good to be true, it really turns out that way. Before you put out any money or do anything to it, take it to a pro for a hands on to find out what you really have.

    A bunch of companies in the last couple of years have started selling .22 semi-autos that look like AR's under their names. I wasn't aware that Bushmaster was also selling them, but anything is possible?
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity