Wear from full-auto w/ 22LR conversion?

[DarrenL]

Hopefully going to run my new Ciener 22LR kit in the AC556 tomorrow and it got me thinking today... I know that many have commented about rapid barrel wear from running the AC556 too hard/hot.

How much of a difference is there in reduced heat and associated wear when running 22LR instead of 223?

Thanks,
Darren

 

[Southern Raider]

The soft lead and low powder charge isn't going to wear your barrel significantly. It will gunk it up though...

In fact, if your kit ran like mine, barrel wear will be non-existent.

 

[DarrenL]

Thanks, thats pretty much what I thought, but figured I would ask.

Darren

 

[ScottinTexas]

The soft lead and low powder charge isn't going to wear your barrel significantly. It will gunk it up though...

In fact, if your kit ran like mine, barrel wear will be non-existent.

Got to admire a man with a dry sense of humor with a touch of humility.

By the way, I haven't tried your accursed kit yet. In theory the curse has not been fully transferred yet.

 

[~Josh]

.22 gets more wear from cleaning than firing.

 

[DarrenL]

If I can get the chamber adapter intp the gun without a hydraulic press, I'll get it out to shoot!

 

[MG34_Dan]

If I can get the chamber adapter intp the gun without a hydraulic press, I'll get it out to shoot!

Yea, I've seen tight, loose, and just right chamber adapters. I guess Ciener didn't have great production and engineering control. Check GB and eGhey on a regular basis as separate chamber adapters are there from time to time. I had a very tight chamber adapter in one of my Mini kits and found a replacement on GB for a couple bucks.

While the Ceiner .22 setup for the Mini/AC is known for flawless performance, there is one issue everyone should be aware of. That issue is gas port leading. Every .22lr bullet fired leaves a miniscule shaving of lead in the barrel's gas port hole. If not addressed, over time it will completely plug up that hole. It is highly recommended that after ~250 or so continual .22lr rounds fired you set the weapon back to Ruger factory configuration and fire a few rounds of .223/5.56 ammo. This will blow out any lead shavings that could be collected in the gas port.

 

[Southern Raider]

Got to admire a man with a dry sense of humor with a touch of humility.

By the way, I haven't tried your accursed kit yet. In theory the curse has not been fully transferred yet.

I do wish you the best with that kit. I'll hold onto as much of that curse as I can in the meanwhile.

 

[Southern Raider]

While the Ceiner .22 setup for the Mini/AC is known for flawless performance...

Based on my experience, I wouldn't have the slightest idea what you're talking about.

 

[MG34_Dan]

Based on my experience, I wouldn't have the slightest idea what you're talking about.

Damn, that's too bad. I've used Ciener kits in Minis and ACs for quite some time with not so much as a hiccup. I always used Wally World bulk box Federal and CCI Mini-mags. I must have been lucky and never knew it.

 

[Pipelinen]

Based on my experience, I wouldn't have the slightest idea what you're talking about.

I own two kits for my kac556f and both kits run flawlessly with one of the two magazines. I also have tried the blackdog magazines to no avail. The kits are not the problem it's the magazines. If I had the time and patience I'm sure I could make all of them run.

 

[DarrenL]

I got the chamber adapter in today and made it to the range, with mixed results. I have 3 of the Black Dog mags amd was shooting Federal ammo, did not try different ammo. I was having a lot of FTF and when I would watch as I chambered a round, most of the time the nosenof the bullet was running straight into the chamber adapter. Had several rounds also where the empty case was caught between the face of the bolt and the adapter. Several other times where the bolt didn't come back far enough to reset the trigger.

I get get a couple of nice, solid runs through it though, I look forward to shooting it this way when it is running right, going to be a lot of fun with the 22LR! I'll do some searches and see if there are tips out there, thanks everyone.

Darren

 

[TonyM]

Does the chamber adapter have the built in feed ramp? If not, theoretically you can buy one from JAC and it should run better.

 

[DarrenL]

Edit - I found pics online of the chamber adapter with the feed ramp, I assumed it was just a reverse cone to the adapter, but it is not. I'll get one ordered from Ciener (wish me luck) and see if it works better, sure looks like it will help.

Thanks!

Darren

 

[theduke]

There is a Ciener 22 mag on GB...it ain't cheap..125 starting bid.

 

[DarrenL]

Wanted to update here, I got the new chamber adapter from Ciener with the feed ramp and got outside today to shoot. It runs great with 2 of the Black Dog mags, not so good with the 3rd. It was still chilly outside at 51° with some wind, but it was a successful outing.

Darren

 

[ScottinTexas]

Wanted to update here, I got the new chamber adapter from Ciener with the feed ramp and got outside today to shoot. It runs great with 2 of the Black Dog mags, not so good with the 3rd. It was still chilly outside at 51° with some wind, but it was a successful outing.

Darren

Based on experiences of others I regret to inform you that you used up all the good luck you'll have for quite some time just by actually receiving a part from Ciener.

But keep us posted; anything learned and shared is valuable.

I have a Lage M11/22 kit, a Ciener AC556 kit, a Kuehl barrel / CMMG kit and a standard CMMG kit. The only one I can test is the M16 kit - the others have lowers in NFA jail.
All that to say I am probably in for some grief and anything you learned would be much appreciated.

 

[DarrenL]

Scott,
I hear ya about the luck with Ciener, I bought my kit used from a member here, he said he had never used it. I mailed off my order and check to Ciener and had the new adapter in about 3 weeks, no complaints other than it is a black hole with no communication at al. I sent a personal check so I could see when it was cashed.

Darren

 

[Southern Raider]

FWIW, I had exceptional luck getting parts from Ciener. I'm old enough to remember the world pre-Internet, and that seems to be the business model. Everything showed up in a few weeks with no BS.

Getting what I received to run was a very different story. I lit a few candles for ScottinTexas today and worked the rosary a few times as insurance. :goofygrin

 

[ScottinTexas]

FWIW, I had exceptional luck getting parts from Ciener. I'm old enough to remember the world pre-Internet, and that seems to be the business model. Everything showed up in a few weeks with no BS.

Getting what I received to run was a very different story. I lit a few candles for ScottinTexas today and worked the rosary a few times as insurance. :goofygrin

Come ~May when my AC556 is released from NFA jail you'll get a full report - good, bad, ugly.