I have a chance to trade for a new M&P 15-22 for my 6yo, but I don't have any experience with them. I already have a 10/22 that I could drop in an AR style chassis. I'd like to hear some opinions.

You should ask MathGeek to do a comparison video

Started my daughter out with one. She was 7 at the time. Super light weight and easy for her to use, evidenced by a perfect bullseye on her first shot. I have a couple other smaller .22’s, including a cricket I bought specifically for her, and they all collect dust now. In short, I was pleased to buy this for myself years ago, and was happily surprised when it became the go to .22 for my kiddo as well.

One of my buddies had an M&P 15-22. This was a few years back, but it was the biggest POS I have ever attempted to shoot. We messed with it for about 2 hours trying to get it to string just 2 shots together without a failure before we gave up. I don't remember what he ended up doing with it, but it's gone now. I don't know if this is a 1 in 1 million bad apple, or if they all are terrible, but that is my only experience with one of them.

Edit: His was a mossberg, not a S&W. My bad.

I'm starting Colt out on a single shot bolt action 22 first, but will move him up to a semi auto probably pretty quickly. I have my 10/22 match gun, but since I've switched out every single part from my original 10/22 to KIDD parts I have a full gun just sitting there minus the trigger group. Was going to grab one of the BX triggers and put it all back together for him. But if I didn't already have it I wouldn't be against getting the S&W. One of the guys shoots one in the competitions and does pretty well. Not sure how it hangs out past 200 yards though.

I have both. You cannot go wrong with either one.

M&P for the cool factor, 10/22 because there’s so much more you can customize and accurize it with.

I bought my 10yo boy an M&P22 and a Marlin 60. He enjoyed them both but after shooting an AR in 223 he no longer cared for the M&P. Always good to have both.

Yeah, like turn the 10-22 into an AR...oh wait. lol

The cool thing about the SW is you really don't do much to it. It's already an AR and you can outfit it as such. The collapsible stock is a plus for fitting purposes.

If nothing else…..the collapsable stock is worth getting it as it can be adjusted to fit various sized shooters. We have a S&W but any brand probably is similar and equally as good.

I gave 15-22s to both of my Grand-sons (now 8 & 12)... we were just at the range last week... they have gotten pretty good with them. The light weight is a big win for smaller shooters, and the common controls (and manual.of arms) with centerfire ARs is a plus as well, IMO.

Apples and oranges but either are fine.

Thanks for info, fellas. Theringworm, you're right on the money about the adjustable stock. My 14yo has a 10/22 that's too long for my 6yo, and my 6yo has a Cricket bolt action that's too short for my 14yo. The adjustable stock on the 15-22 would allow us to use one rifle and one type of ammo. I'm going to make the trade with my buddy today.

We have both, and the 10-22 was moved into an AR type stock several years ago. I prefer the magazines on the 15-22 over the 10-22. Granted, if you get a speed loader for the 10-22, they aren’t that bad to load. If we go to the range, I’d rather take the 15-22.

We really need a like button…

I had both and now I only have the 10/22. I like the idea of the M&P, but it was a jam o matic.

Me and my boys shot a couple hundred rounds through the M&P today. It cycled great except for a single stovepipe in the first few shots. I dumped a 25-round mag before we left and the rifle was perfect. I only tried CCI Standard Velocity ammo, and it shot them fine at 50 yards with iron sights. No problem keeping 5 shots in a 2" dot. I'll put a scope on it and try some different match ammo next time. I'm happy I made the trade for it.

I have had both, got the 10/22 about 25 years ago and bought the 15-22 in 2013.
The 10/22 is stock except for a replacement extractor.

The 10/22 shot much better groups than the 15-22 with same scope and there are cubic tons of upgrades for accuracy for 10-22.
Unless you just want AR ergonomics for crossover training and familiarity, get the 10/22 and use the 200 bux you saved for a scope, ammo and targets.

Who makes that shooting bench?

Looks like Herter's or RangeMaxx. https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/rangemaxx-deluxe-shooting-bench

Or maybe the 15-22 is just more fun for the kids. They probably aren't concerned about ergonomics and crossover training. Sometimes it is okay to buy a gun because it is fun. No really, it is.