My politically astute friends say there’s no such thing as a free market. All I know is that shopping in the Eastern block countries before the fall of the Wall was about as exciting as discussing free market economics with people who say there’s no such thing as a free market economy. You want fun? Buy yourself an AR-style rifle. Just watch your wallet. Even in these post post-Obama days (or pre-post Obama days, depending on how you look at it), a grand day out with an AR can cost $300 in 5.56 ammo. Problem? Market solution! Manufacturers are building AR-style rifles that shoot .22 caliber (mostly LR) bullets. Like the ISSC MK22. Well, almost . . .
The ISSC MK22 is an Austrian FN SCAR clone. Just like its inspiration, the MK22 is not the cheap choice. ISSC hasn’t announced the exact price, and even if they did I’m not sure we can trust a company whose website still promises both May and September 2010 delivery. Rumor has it we’re talking about an msrp somewhere over the $500 rainbow.
Well, not a rainbow so much as a moonless night. You can have any color as long as it’s black. In terms of design, again, FN SCAR. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing depends on whether or not you’re the type of person who debates whether or not that’s a good thing or a bad thing on the Internet. If you are, it probably isn’t.
If you worship at the altar of tacticool, the MK22 is all that and a bunch of bullets besides. Even better, the Austrian armament only kinda feels like a toy gun. No surprise there: it’s fashioned from, gasp, metal parts. Some of the metal on our prototype tester said “lunchbox.” Most did not. The plastic bits—such as the big ass safety switch, adjustable stock and magazine—snick home with satisfying precision.
The ISSC MK22′s biggest draw: it kinda feels like a real gun. As you’d expect from a nearasdammit FN SCAR. More than that, the MK22 fires beautifully. The trigger is a bit of an on/off switch, but it’s perfectly controllable and endlessly repeatable. At least until you tear through twenty-two .22′s. Or ten, should you happen to live in a state whose name is unofficially preceded by “The People’s Republic of.”
Although the MK22′s recoil wouldn’t disturb any errant butterflies that mysteriously alight on the rifle’s Picatinny rail, the gun has a solidity, an ergonomic grace under pressure, that’s ballistically endearing. Respect. The sights switch from handgun style to rifle; a cute feature that ensures that the gun doesn’t catch on anything when you pull it from your Waffen SS trenchcoat. [Note to our German readers: das ist ein witz.]
As always, accuracy is down to the shooter. But if you can’t hit what you’re aiming at from combat distances with a .22 caliber LR long rifle, you’ll need a lot more practice. In regards to that challenge, two words: cheap ammo. Which is, of course, the entire point of this exercise. Or is it?
I reckon MK22 is ding an sich (it’s own thing). The MK22′s an ideal working replica for FN SCAR owners (like me) who want to practice their gun handling skills without taking out a fifth mortgage. And it’s an excellent choice for shooters who aspire to FN-hood, like the younger, less financially endowed members of our firearms fraternity (oh please Daddy please please please please). But it’s also a “real” gun.
Varmints within hailing distance don’t stand a chance. In terms of self-defense, many elderly, physically challenged and extremely timid shooters can only tolerate .22 cal recoil. While a .22 tends to make a criminal really mad, a bunch of .22s in the appropriate place stands a reasonable chance of taking the edge off their aggression. The MK22 fills that niche nicely.
In the final analysis, the ISSC MK22 is many things to many people: a range toy, a practice weapon, a varmint rifle, a self-defense piece and, above all, a hoot. It costs more than its .22 caliber AR-style rivals, but you can feel the price difference the moment you shoulder the Austrian rifle. The MK22 makes me glad that I live in a world where gunmakers are free to make the guns that people want. Ish.
Ratings (out of five)
Style * * * * *
Although not an exact copy, the FN SCAR clone is too cool for school (psycho burgers should take that literally).
Ergonomics Carry * * * * *
Let’s define this as running-around-and-hiding-behind-things ergonomics. In that case, wonderful! Light and well-proportioned, yet heavy and large enough to maintain control.
Ergonomics Firing * * * * *
Prächtig! You can shoot this thing all day, every day without any stress or strain.
Reliability NR
Not enough trigger time to make the call. A couple of hundred rounds with one failure to fire. Could be ammo-related.
Customize this * * * * *
You could throw just about anything on the MK22′s rail: light, laser, expensive scope, tactical cup-holder, etc. Would you bother on a $500+ gun? Sad but true: you would.
Overall Rating * * * * *
What’s not to like?
I put the question to ISSC about mag compatibility, What I got back was quick and to the point – The MK22 uses MK22 mags only. Almost a 1000 rounds down the pipe and no FTF or FTE yet. Just a FTF or two every couple of hundred rounds. Did anyone else get one yet?
Well I got an ISSC to test for my magazine and I wonder why the author was pontificating about all manner of things and not concentrating on the nitty-gritty of any 22 semi-auto – RELIABILITY; especially with a hi-cap gun like this.
The build is not that substantial and shows a lot of plastic as well as light alloy metals. The mechanism is without doubt taken or heavily based (99%) on the German Sports Guns GSG5, which is an unreliable dog of a 22 semi. The magazine build/design is also the same, as is the slim barrel with dummy outer body to make it look normal. Likewise the automatic last round bolt hold open and magazine safety, which are nice features.
It does however feel good in the hands and shoulder and is accurate enough for this sort of gun and it’s kinda’ cute looking too. Reliability; well there’s the rub – I managed to get about 200-shots out of it with a few, typical rimfire stoppages, which is about 50-rounds more than any GSG5 I have ever shot. Problem is the bolt mechanism is; literally ‘bolted in place’ and awkward and long-winded to remove for proper cleaning, which is essential on a 22 semi-auto of any type. In general in the UK; most shooters are just too idle to bother, if the strip-down consists of much more than driving out a couple of pins.
One I had reached the magic 200-rounds and despite cleaning the mech the best I could with barrel cleaner and an M16, double-ended brush, I could not guarantee getting off a full 22-round mag without a few stoppages; and that was with hi-velocity ammo. OK we all expect a couple of hiccups, but when you get 3 or 4 every clip it gets annoying, as you can’t concentrate on shooting, as you are just waiting for the next stuff up!
Here in Britain these 22 military look-A-likes are becoming very popular and I am in the process of writing a series on them for my magazine (Shooting Sports). I own a SIG522 and a Colt Tactical M16A2; both good designs but not without their occasional problems either. Don’ think I will be getting an ISSC though.
Have a good day
Pete Moore (Editor) Shooting Sports magazine
PS like the spell check facility, my company does not bother on our website…
Just put another 200 rounds through it. Used mostly cc…one FTF, also ran some of the dreaded thunderbolt remington through it…two mags and no problems… keeping my fingers crossed that no issues pop-up. so far I very happy with my purchase. I’m being very careful loading the magazine…making sure the rounds are nice and straight…I also tap the magazine a couple of time to make sure everyhting is lined up….I don’t know if it helps but Im a little ocd and it make me feel lucky..
I own two Sig Sauer 522′s and unless I use the Remington Gold ammo in it, I never once had a FTF or FTE(and I have put at least 5000 rounds through each). For some odd reason the Rem Gold gunk it up.
The odd thing about this is the Sig Sauer Mosquito is super picky with ammo and it loves chomping on the Rem Gold without any FTF or FTE, but not its tact rifle counterpart?? Yes I find it odd, but think its due to the gold coating on the bullet itself that keeps the parts lubbed on the pistol, but gunks up the rifle.
I already purchased this Rifle. Not a bad gun, handles very well, but, the fiberglass stock has got to go…. I have had it replaced 3 times already. The connection where the spring pushes the folding stock is so thin, it does not hold much weight.
It would be better if it was in Aircraft aluminium…….
Phantom9 your right about how to load your ammo in your mag. Making sure it’s lined up is very important so it feeds right. You can use any ammo brand what I notice as long as the ammo is line up right in the mag. Also make sure the last bullet you put in the mag has a little angle pointing up so it feeds. I had my MK22 for about 2 weeks, I had some FTF my first day at the range and it was because of how I loaded my ammo. Once I figured that out I shot over 1500 rounds and haven’t got a jam yet. I have used CCI mini mags, American eagle HV, Remington thunderbolt, Win Wildcats, CCI blazers and all works perfect. I also have a Sig522, I do like my MK22 a little more because it does feel better in your hands. Feels like a centerifle in a 22cal. I was at the range yesterday with no scope and had no problem shooting 100yards with sights it came with. The sight are cheap but it does work. I shot at 200 yards and if you find the right angle you can hit the target. Every day I shot this gun I like it more and more. The rear does wobble a little bit but when I shot I just apply more pressure when its press against my shoulder and it works for me. There are a little easy tweaks you can do to stop the wobble but it does not bother me. If your a good shooter then your good shooter. Don’t make those little thing stop you from your decision. Remember ever one’s opinion is there experience. Those people are not you so your experience can be different and what bothers them might not bother you. I read all the reviews out there and I have great experience with my gun so that just tells you. The only thing I don’t like is mags are hard to get. There always sold out. I guess that’s a good thing.
Need an honest to goodness opinion. Which ones better Sig 522 or the ISSC?
Does this rifle shoot the .22 short’s ( caps in other words)? For the ISSC MK22?
are the parts interchangeable with the SCAR? (stock)
I paid $430.00 U.S. at a gun show in W.P. B. Fl. I read alot about rifle before making decision to buy.You need to take all allen screws and loctite them with blue loctite for starters all except take down screws they will come lose if you dont.Now in back of receiver after you remove stock 2 silver allen screws need another washer installed they come loose.Reinstall with red loctite.This will cure any FTF with any ammo.Never had any feeding problems out of box just FTF.I have red dot and foregrip installed this gun is very accurate and fun to shoot.I shoot all kinds of jacketed ammo.Dont forget to blue loctite flash hider also.Good shooting to all!
Just got mine the other day. went to the range, fired without missing a beat, the very next day the magazine is not wanting to spring the round up into position; this was every other shot i would have to . i took it home cleaned the gun and mag, took it back to the range it had improved but still misfeeds about two or three times. i personally feel this is a design flaw. the rounds fit so loosly in the magizine and they seem so bunched up. and the screw to the top rail nearest the rear sight already worked loose as witht the screw to the magazine loading assist the screw stayed in, but the nut on the other side fell out. easy fix. as far as accuracy, i can make a pop can dance all over the place even with removing the mag tapping it until a round pops up putting mag into gun and re-chambering. this gun was designed and advertised for semi auto not one round capacity bolt action the guy next to me had a bolt action 22 and was shooting faster than i was at one point. any input of how i can fix some of the issues is greatly appreciated
I guess u did not read my post loctite everything mine has never failed to feed on mag when u load keep rounds to back of mag they should be in unison
Smack mag on bench rimfire side down to keep rounds in unison or smack on your helmet like you have seen in military
I bought an MK-22 in late April of this year. It barely fires 1 out of 5 rounds. ISSC has offered little to no help. I don’t even take the gun out anymore as it is so frustrating. I’m ready to take a sledge hammer to it and accept my losses.
The rounds load, but there is a very slight dent on the cartridge end. It seems as though the firing pin isn’t striking hard enough.
If you want to sell it, I will take it off your hands!! Send me an email if you want too.
Bought mine last week,and put over 250rds through it with one failure to eject. When i loaded the mag I always smacked it on the back side to assure they were all lined up. Fun little gun,but does anybody have any extra mags they wanna sell. Cannot find them anywhere. If so please email me at Thiqgunn@AOL.com thanks.
My wife bought me an MK22 for my birthday and after going to the range and firing 375 rounds of CCI AR Tactical rounds I am impressed. I had no FTFs or FTEs. The MK22 is the truth in my eyes. I just need to find out where to get the faux silencer I saw on the ISSC website and I will be set.
I Finally got a hold of one in the desert tan color, really nice .22. I have about 600 or so rounds through it, CCI, which has given me no issues at all. completely love the look, feel and reliability. Highly reccomend this SCAR!
I’m thinking about getting this. It’s on sale at a place near me for $400. I think it is worth the money from everything I’ve read. I’m not expecting the greatest gun ever but something I’m gonna have fun shooting. Plus it looks pretty sweet.
I purchased one aprox month ago…NOT a good experience at all !!
1st time to Range multiable FTF’s . Came home tighten all the screws and cleaned.
went again..rail came loose with new red dot scope. could not get it to hit paper worth a damn. then the kicker…magazine would not feed..so I was done traded it off for a nice new Sig Sauer. was a bummer lost 200 bucks and was excited to have a fun .22 type AR. oh ya good luck buying a another magazine if you do find them there asking double of what they should be…
Dear sr… I need to find a MK22 rifle, spare part 65,COOKING LEVER. can you help me about it??
regards ALEX…………..
I bought one of the first ones in country (USA), and have had a lot of troubles with it (two broken stocks, loose bolts, doesn’t work, etc.). At first ISSC was really good about replacing the stocks, and eventually, they sent me one that hasn’t broken. The first two broke just opening and closing the thing GENTLY!
Loctite has fixed the bolts loosening on the top rail, and FINALLY there is an easy, reliable fix for the light firing pin issues. Read the following thread, then take the bolt appart (easy, but you need a T6, T8, and T10 Torx wrenchs), grind off FIVE loops of the firing pin return spring, and your troubles will be solved.
http://fnforum.net/forums/fn-scar-16s/25613-issc-mk22-supressors-scopes-acessories-etc-6.html