spikes tactical st22 AR15

[mick a]

Just a mini review of my spikes tactical st 22
Where to start ?
This gun is a Ar15 m4 flat top in .22LR
The bare gun in std form is £950 .On top of that , FAB defence quad rail £125Fab defence T pod £45 ,spare 26 round mag £36 and the 1/2x28 unef sound mod an extra £32 so at just short of £1200 its not cheap .
The quality of this gun is totally first class .
At the moment I have tried
cci std
lapua subs lapua std
winchester subs
and REMMINGTON GOLDEN BULLETS WONT CYCLE "full range report later"
now for a bit of tech blurb from the spikes site



-Spike's Tactical M4 flat top upper receiver, Machined from a 7075 T6 Mil-Spec Forging with Mil-Spec Type III Hardcoat Anodized finish, T-markings, and our logo.

-16" Lothar Walther Chromoly Match grade barrel, 1:16 twist rate, 22LR chamber, threaded 1/2x28, Mil-Spec Phosphate finish.

-M4 profile with Carbine-length sight radius.

-Barrel is Phosphate finished under the F marked A2 front sight base.

-Spike's Tactical Dedicated 22LR bolt.

-Forged Mil-Spec charging handle.

-M4 hand guards.

-A2 Flash Hider.

Lower Specs-

-Spike's Tactical Lower, Machined from a 7075 T6 Mil-Spec Forging with Mil-Spec Type III Hardcoat Anodized finish.

-Mil-Spec lower parts kit.

-Stainless steel trigger and hammer pins with Black Oxide finish.

-6 Position Mil-Spec buffer tube, castle nut and Properly staked latch plate.

-Spike's Tactical M4 stock.

The lower I have will take any of the spikes uppers in any calibre they do .223 next on the to do list :D
The std trigger is at first feel heavy but when being fired is very predictable and crisp .
magazines are made by blackdog for spikes again a very soild well built piece of kit .The bolt is held back by the mag when the last round is fired .
and now for some photos .
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp131/mickaggy/spikes%20tactical%20st22/DSCF1935.jpg
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp131/mickaggy/spikes%20tactical%20st22/DSCF1936.jpg
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp131/mickaggy/spikes%20tactical%20st22/DSCF1937.jpg
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp131/mickaggy/spikes%20tactical%20st22/DSCF1939.jpg

[Airbrush]

Your grass needs cutting.;):p:D

Andy.

[mick a]

Your grass needs cutting.;):p:D

Andy.
don't you start you sound like my wife :rolleyes:
mick

[johnny k]

Glad it has arrived and what a good looking rifle it is.

Sheer enjoyment I am sure.:D

[andy r10]

Very nice I am going to start selling them Andy

[mick a]

Hi Andy I think Wayne may have the UK distribtion in the bag .
mick

[mick a]

Hi guys just a quick update ,just got back from one of my shoots having gone through 450 rounds ,scrub the remmington golden bullets from the list they keep jamming all the rest subs and all work faultlessly I had 1 FTF "lapua std " out of 450 and they were mainly rapid fire .After zeroing I am getting raggy hole groups at 25 yrd and thumbnail at 50 .The trigger is still heavy and will take some getting use to .On the whole the gun is really really damned good :cool:
Happyness IS a warm gun :D
Mick

[icarusyankee625]

Treat yourself to an aftermarket trigger. You will not regret it.

[mick a]

I will do as soon as funds permit any recomedations

[Renegade Master]

Mick

It's definitely worth trying lighter springs in the trigger as an interim fix, until you can get a decent aftermarket drop in replacement.

I did this to my BAR-15 and found the trigger far better than with standard springs.

Dan

[mick a]

where did you get your springs from ?

[Renegade Master]

Actually a member on ARFCOM sent them to me, he didn't need them any more as he had upgraded his trigger.

I think I still have the packet, so I can let you know what springs they were if you like. I'm sure Midway sell them.

[mick a]

did you find out whos springs they are ?

[Renegade Master]

Sorry mate, been a busy weekend. :)

They are made by TTI International.

[cpt-vera]

I had the complete Timney unit fitted to mine its a fantastic trigger, very crisp 3lb break

[Renegade Master]

What sort of cost is the Timney?

[cpt-vera]

What sort of cost is the Timney?

It was £195, not cheap but worth it I IMO, it is a complete drop in unit, I had it fitted when I picked up the gun from

[rarms]

The springs Renegade Master is referring to came from Brownells.

They should still export them to the UK, although the one RM has came back with a friend.

[mick a]

I took the AR out on sunday no problems at all .dinging a small steel plate target at about 100 yrd every shot .I am going to stick with the trigger for a while and try and get used to it .At the moment I am swapping between the AR and my hmr ,don't think its helping any .
mick

[benlove79]

Nice review! had my ST-22 for just over a month now and really love it :D

I Went with the standard barrel and the front sight post

Mine seems to hate Mini Mags, but it cant get enough of Eley Clubs


http://www.flickr.com/photos/26483956@N04/4750087642/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26483956@N04/4750087642/)

[mick a]

I dont think the recoil spring is set up for mini mags .you can get a uprated one from wyne for about a tenner .I am well chuffed with mine the only mod i am doing is a reduced tention spring for the hammer .it should make the trigger lighter .What optics have you got on yours
mick

[benlove79]

I dont think the recoil spring is set up for mini mags .you can get a uprated one from wyne for about a tenner .I am well chuffed with mine the only mod i am doing is a reduced tention spring for the hammer .it should make the trigger lighter .What optics have you got on yours
mick

Think i'll leave mine as it is for now, very happy with what its doing.

I'm running one of these Barska 3-9 (http://www.barska.com/ac10634.html)

Until I can afford one of these EOTech 552 (http://www.patrolstore.com/Eotech-Sight-552-(A65-1)-p-8495.html) and a Sako Quad with something like a Nikon scope :D

[lasbrisas]

Can you use these AR style rifles in the Phoenix comps rather than what most use such as the 10/22.

[Hairydavey]

Still got a 4 week wait for my .223 Spikes and .22 conversion kit.

Had a call from Wayne at a couple of days ago, Wayne's stateside supplier has just had to renew his export licence which has added to the wait, which has been nearly a month already and the rifle is sat in a warehouse somewhere in the States. Not Wayne's fault at all, but bugger me, I AM IN AGONY WAITING!

[benlove79]

I AM IN AGONY WAITING!

Had a little wait my self, as I ordered just before the Volcano went bag :rolleyes:

[lasbrisas]

Think i'll leave mine as it is for now, very happy with what its doing.

I'm running one of these Barska 3-9 (http://www.barska.com/ac10634.html)

Until I can afford one of these EOTech 552 (http://www.patrolstore.com/Eotech-Sight-552-(A65-1)-p-8495.html) and a Sako Quad with something like a Nikon scope :D

Where did you get the Barska scope from, I like the look of that.

[Hairydavey]

South Yorkshire shooting supplies or Rimfire magic stock them.

[20series]

South Yorkshire shooting supplies or Rimfire magic stock them.

http://www.rimfiremagic.co.uk/barska-opticals.html

There you go even easier :D

Alan

[mick a]

just fitted a jp sping kit .it is the first one I have ever fitted and it took no more that five mins to fit .
In the kit is
1 hammer spring
1 disconecter spring
1 trigger spring
the kit has changed the trigger totally ,not being able to test the trigger pull I would guess at about 30 to 40 % lighter an feels way better that it was.
Mick " still well chuffed with my st22 :D"

[icarusyankee625]

Can you use these AR style rifles in the Phoenix comps rather than what most use such as the 10/22.

Yes you can. It's just another GRSB.

[mick a]

Another quick update guys Remington golden bullets now Do work in the spikes I have no idea why when they wouldn't before :confused:.
Mick

[Hairydavey]

What brands of ammo did you use and how did they perform mate? Your ruger and my spikes should be with me next week so it would be good to know what fodder to feed it :)

[mick a]

Hi Dave today I shot cci std ,winchester subs hollow point ,remmington golden bullets ,cci subs the winchesters were the best grouping at 50 yrd at just over a inch this was sat at a bench I could do beter prone .I am still baffled why the golden bullets now cycle the only thing I have done is given the chamber a really good clean .i gave a couple of guys at the club a go with the gun they were shooting cheap club ammo rws I think it loved them too .NOW for a warning dont dry fire with the .22 converter I broke my firing pin when testing the new trigger spings :o I told Wayne and he gave me a full new pin kit FOC :D now thats what I call customer service .
You will love yours when you get it .
Mick

[Hairydavey]

That's a wider range of ammo than I thought it would be happy with, that's great to know especially as one of my clubs buys in the Rws Gecko (think it's now made by Ruag ammotec) as club ammo.

Going slightly off topic, your Ruger is getting slightly dressed up when it arrives as ordered a Weigand Integramount one piece scope base/rings, Bell and Carlson extended mag release, Volquartsen extended cocking handle and recoil spring and the obligatory 25rnd steel lip mag. Looking forward to that one too as that Ruger was the same build I had in mind to buy new :D

Many thanks for the heads up on the firing pin. The conversion kit pin is probably the same as your ST22, have seen the ST22 bolt and the conversion kit together, and apart from the ST22 bolt not needing the chamber extension, there is almost no difference, so that's good to know that the dry firing is a no no. Midway have some .22 polymer snap caps that cost pennies so I'll pick some of those up when I remember.

As for the Golden Bullets, maybe the gun just needed breaking in? Heard of conversion kits needing a good run in or polishing of the rails/chamber/feed ramp. Good to hear you are loving it, the last 6 weeks of waiting have been painful! :o

[mick a]

Now the golden bullets cycle I have yet to find anything that the spikes wont fire .
Mick

[Hairydavey]

Thanks for the update with the ammo, sounds like you have a sweet gun there :)

[the-omega-man]

Hi,looks great,I had one for 3 months wouldent stop jamming,sold it and got a rude fat dog. I'm glad ure happy with ures that's great well done.

[mick a]

Hi what spikes did you have ,What ammo were you using ? I rate mine as the most reliable semi auto I have ever had .
Mick

[FoxHound]

i fancy an AR15 in 223 :)

[mick a]

I will get a .223 upper for mine as soon as cash allows .
mick

[Renegade Master]

I will get a .223 upper for mine as soon as cash allows .
mick

Me too. :) Could be a while though, the one I want won't be cheap. ;)

[Taitan Falcon]

I'd like an AR15 in .308 - my ex-boss had one which he sold before emigrating. Anyone know where they are stocked in the UK, please?

[harricook]

Me too. :) Could be a while though, the one I want won't be cheap. ;)

Just buy an AR in 223 ................. you know you want to :D

Roy
.

[Renegade Master]

Just buy an AR in 223 ................. you know you want to :D

Roy
.

Absolutely mate, but first I need to be a full member of a full-bore club and put in for a .223 variation. ;):)

[engin]

Just buy an AR in 223 ................. you know you want to :D

Roy

Hmmm, the thought appeals but the funds......?

I've got a Spikes ST22 already. I suppose I could just buy an upper.:D

What make is your 223 Roy and what permissions have you got on it?

[happyal]

Very happy with my Spikes ST22, it doesn't like CCI Minimag ammo, but apart from that it's running great.

[happyal]

I added a CMMG bolt hold open thingy to my Spikes, and it's been working great. It's a good tool to have when you need to show clear at the range.

I haven't had as much luck with the followers for the Black Dog mags. It fits OK, but it's tight in the Black Dog Mag, and it seems to be a very light engagement on the bolt catch. I think there might be an adjustment screw on the thingy to help me, but I've not looked at it yet.

Also it doesn't work at all with the 50rnd drum mag, it needs to be removed for teh drum mag to feed.

[mick a]

How old are your mags ?

[happyal]

My Mags where bought May this year.

[benlove79]

Very happy with my Spikes ST22, it doesn't like CCI Minimag ammo, but apart from that it's running great.

I've got a solution for this now and mini-mags are running though my st-22 very well indeed now. The solution is to get the up-rated lakeside recoil spring and a CMMG anti-jam charging handle (both available from ). I've got to chop back the new spring a little as its too stiff and am getting a few jams on ejection but its made a big difference.

I have the BHOA as well and the followers I've put in my BDM's seem to lock the bolt back every time when using mini-mags.

[mick a]

have you had to alter anything to fit the bhoa to the spikes .why use mini mags mine works great on std and subs with the factory spring

[benlove79]

have you had to alter anything to fit the bhoa to the spikes .why use mini mags mine works great on std and subs with the factory spring

No mods to the rifle, just some sanding internally/externally to the BDM's.

Agreed with regard to the ammo, however .22lr is hard to find locally at the mo and my club have lots of mini-mags for a reasonable price, they also seem to be more accurate than say the Eley clubs I've been using recently.

[mick a]

Tried BOHD going to give it a miss as the bolt closed when a mag was inserted.

[marksim]

Just seen this thread.
Your Gun looks the biz

[mick a]

Cheers Mate :D

[HSurf]

Here's another Spikes owner :D, picked it up on Tuesday and so far am really impressed with the build quality, I haven't had the chance to fire it yet (probably be next Tuesday) but can't wait to get to grips with it.
Here's the build list:
Walther barrel upgrade.
FAB defense AG-43 pistol grip.
Troy industries quad rail (first in the uk apparently :cool:)
Magpul ACS butstock.
Bolt hold open actuator plus spring and follower.
Anti jam charging handle.
Eotech XPS + 5x mag.
FAB defense foregrip/bipod thingymebob.

Found Wayne to be a really nice helpful guy and will without doubt be dealing with in the future.
I'll post a proper version with my thoughts on it after I've tried it on Tuesday but for now I'm really pleased with the quality so far.
The others of you that have them seem really pleased so I hope I'll be the same.

Here's a pic (if it works lol).

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc247/Shalershasker/100_0662.jpg

[Punchsteve]

Here's another Spikes owner :D, picked it up on Tuesday and so far am really impressed with the build quality, I haven't had the chance to fire it yet (probably be next Tuesday) but can't wait to get to grips with it.
Here's the build list:
Walther barrel upgrade.
FAB defense AG-43 pistol grip.
Troy industries quad rail (first in the uk apparently :cool:)
Magpul ACS butstock.
Bolt hold open actuator plus spring and follower.
Anti jam charging handle.
Eotech XPS + 5x mag.
FAB defense foregrip/bipod thingymebob.

Found Wayne to be a really nice helpful guy and will without doubt be dealing with in the future.
I'll post a proper version with my thoughts on it after I've tried it on Tuesday but for now I'm really pleased with the quality so far.
The others of you that have them seem really pleased so I hope I'll be the same.

Here's a pic (if it works lol).

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc247/Shalershasker/100_0662.jpg

As this isn't really a review, I've merged it with the other thread on the same gun. HSurf, please feel free to post a new review when you have had a chance to try it out. :)

[Renegade Master]

Here's another Spikes owner :D, picked it up on Tuesday and so far am really impressed with the build quality, I haven't had the chance to fire it yet (probably be next Tuesday) but can't wait to get to grips with it.
Here's the build list:
Walther barrel upgrade.
FAB defense AG-43 pistol grip.
Troy industries quad rail (first in the uk apparently :cool:)
Magpul ACS butstock.
Bolt hold open actuator plus spring and follower.
Anti jam charging handle.
Eotech XPS + 5x mag.
FAB defense foregrip/bipod thingymebob.

Found Wayne to be a really nice helpful guy and will without doubt be dealing with in the future.
I'll post a proper version with my thoughts on it after I've tried it on Tuesday but for now I'm really pleased with the quality so far.
The others of you that have them seem really pleased so I hope I'll be the same.

Here's a pic (if it works lol).

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc247/Shalershasker/100_0662.jpg

Is the magnifier an Eotech?

[HSurf]

As this isn't really a review, I've merged it with the other thread on the same gun. HSurf, please feel free to post a new review when you have had a chance to try it out. :)

Will do.

[HSurf]

Is the magnifier an Eotech?

No, the sight is the real deal but the magnifier is a copy, having said that I can't fault the quality of that either, it is very clear and adjustable using a small screw near the front for the horizontal and moving the magnifier itself either backward or forward in the mounting ring for vertical movement. the mount is a flip out type but is very solidly built.

[Renegade Master]

Cool, I didn't think they made a 5x. :)

I've got a Larue FTS mount on order for my Eotech 3x. At the moment it's fitted with the original Samson QD mount.

[HSurf]

Cool, I didn't think they made a 5x. :)

I've got a Larue FTS mount on order for my Eotech 3x. At the moment it's fitted with the original Samson QD mount.

A Larue eh, I'm sure you won't be disappointed with that, I've not seen one myself but I've not heard anyone say a bad word about them.

[Renegade Master]

It wants to be good for what it's costing. :eek:

[hutch526]

i had a problem with remington ammunition too not chambering fully.
not only me a few other guys i shoot with wont touch it :(

[kingconan]

It wants to be good for what it's costing. :eek:

It will be Dan, it will be ;)

[Hairydavey]

i had a problem with remington ammunition too not chambering fully.
not only me a few other guys i shoot with wont touch it :(

Remington ammo is absolute rubbish, I don't even let it go in my Ruger 10/22 let alone my Spikes. For these really you need high velocity or subs to get enough back pressure to cycle the action, though with a bit of polishing on the rails and feed ramp they will cycle decent quality standard velocity ammo reliably. Gecko goes without a hitch in mine, needed fettling to do this though. :)

[mick a]

My st 22 will chamber and cycle the remminingtons but as said by dave they are total crap I now stick to cci std for comps and cci subs for vermin .
Mick

[mick a]

Just found a round the spikes has an issue with CCI BLAZER 40 grn HV .The problem is the mag and the angle they sit at if I load a full mag the round sits flat in the top of the mag and the bolt wont pick it up ,If I only load 20 they are fine ?? .
Mick

[Hairydavey]

Do the magazine followers in your Black Dog mags have the little leg that sticks down underneath? I cut those off mine as they tended to make the mag follower bind up every now and again, also dremelled off the moulding marks from the follower and smoothed all of the sharp angles on the sides of the follower.

Seemed to help feeding in mine no end, if your rounds feed fine with 20 rounds but no more it could lie with the mags possibly?

[mick a]

sorted out the feed problem .I pulled it to bits and cleaned it works great now with anything .
mick

[Northern Monkey]

sorted out the feed problem .I pulled it to bits and cleaned it works great now with anything .
mick

.22LR is a dirty round.

While most semi's can be quite forgiving even ones with a more loose chamber like the Spikes and CMMG will need good cleaning and maintenance. If you have a match or semi-match chamber cleaning will be required more often.

Most jamming and feed issues with semi .22LRs will be down to the cleaning and maintenance regime.

Another comon cause of poor feeding can be repeated dry firing which can cause damage to the chamber.

[mick a]

I have only cleaned it 3 maybe 4 times since new 3200 ish rounds

[Northern Monkey]

I have only cleaned it 3 maybe 4 times since new 3200 ish rounds

That would be your problem then:)

I clean mine every 2-300rnds. it will run a lot longer without a clean, but there's no point in allowing the crud to build up.

FYI Using a sound moderator will cause a heavier than normal build up of crud as well.;)

[mick a]

I dont bother with the sound mod any more .I generally give the bolt a wipe down and blow out the crap from lower every time ,but only clean the barrel and do a full monty every brick of .22 .i found my groups opened up with a clean barrel so i only clean it when it goes off .i was surprised how much crap found its way into the mags
Mick

[Northern Monkey]

Yep, the mags can get pretty filthy over time.

The main problem isn't so much the barrel it's crud that builds up under nd around the extractor which can cause some of the main extracton issues...... having a gummed up chamber and feed ramp can lead to chambering issues.

[Hairydavey]

I show some Black Dog mag tweaks in part 2 of my 2 part (bit poorly made!) vid review that I made for my Spikes Tactical review on Youtube, original info was gleaned off several forums off the net and making the small mods to my Black Dog mags certainly helped reliability-wise.

Magazine tweaks and .22 kit tweaks can be found in my .22 conversion kit video review. The link is "videos" in my signature.

[mick a]

Good top Dave will have a dabble with the dremel .
Mick

[SpikeyMikey]

Hello all from another newbie...

Not sure if everyone interested in this thread is aware, but unfortunately Spike's Tactical have recently confirmed to me directly that they are no longer producing the ST-22 upper due to bolt carrier group quality issues with their supplier. As they have been unable to find an alternative supplier that can meet their requirements, they have confirmed that they have withdrawn the ST-22 and have no plans to reintroduce it in the forseeable future.

It's a shame as this was a quality piece of kit, and (in the UK at least) in the .22 dedicated upper space this more or less leaves just the venerable V22 upper or the more recent CMMG as the two main players (In my search for a good quality dedicated upper I identified the one produced in the US by Clearwater Lake Engineering but they unfortunately can't afford to get an export licence in place so aren't available in the UK)

[Hairydavey]

Hello all from another newbie...

Not sure if everyone interested in this thread is aware, but unfortunately Spike's Tactical have recently confirmed to me directly that they are no longer producing the ST-22 upper due to bolt carrier group quality issues with their supplier. As they have been unable to find an alternative supplier that can meet their requirements, they have confirmed that they have withdrawn the ST-22 and have no plans to reintroduce it in the forseeable future.

It's a shame as this was a quality piece of kit, and (in the UK at least) in the .22 dedicated upper space this more or less leaves just the venerable V22 upper or the more recent CMMG as the two main players (In my search for a good quality dedicated upper I identified the one produced in the US by Clearwater Lake Engineering but they unfortunately can't afford to get an export licence in place so aren't available in the UK)

Hi mate, welcome to the forum :)

The news about the Spikes ST-22 being out of production is quite well known (I have a Spikes .22 conversion kit for my ST-15 AR15 and they stopped making these kits too). By all accounts from the Spikes Tactical forum, the company who Spikes outsourced the manufacture of the .22 bolts etc to were fine in the beginning (my kit is quite well made), but then started to have money problems and the quality went down then the company went completely under.

Wayne at still has plenty of spares, I've just bought a spare firing pin off him.

[John MH]

I think you mean 'Compass Lake Engineering' as an alternative US maker, their .22 Upper is rather specialised and aimed at the High Power shooter as a small bore trainer.

[kingconan]

Absolutly nothing wrong with the CMMG, shoots just as good as the Spikes and if you get the right model looks and feels just as good also. :)

[Hairydavey]

+1 wouldnt mind a dedicated Cmmg .22 myself.

[mick a]

I dont know how but Wayne is still able to get the st22 ,somebody in the world must still have some stock left

[Northern Monkey]

I dont know how but Wayne is still able to get the st22 ,somebody in the world must still have some stock left

I suspect there are some retail outlets out there that will still have them, and with a keen exporter it's quite possible that Wayne will be able to track some down. They are good little rifles. Parts are still readily available for them and Spikes themselves do have a good Customer Service reputation.