New S&W M&P 15 Sport AR

[Armybrat]

After 55 years of collecting guns, I just ordered a S&W M&P Sport AR from Grabagun ($579 + $5.99 shipping + Texas tax, and $25 FFL fee). Was really wanting a Colt LE6920, but the additional $450 is gonna have to go towards a new water heater for the house.

That's ok, because I've read a lot of good things about this little gun and it should suffice as a learning tool - since this is my 1st AR. Before starting to research these AR weapons last summer, I knew nothing about them. Guess all the panic buying hubbub piqued my interest and had to see what the fuss was all about.


Ain't going to be rolling around in a rice paddy or sand dunes, so no dust cover will be necessary, nor a FA.

Was glad to see the big price drop from the inflated bs of 2013, so that encouraged me to take the plunge.

Now to get at least a half dozen Pmags, a 2/1 sling, and a case of ammo.

[Longitude Zero]

Good choice. Colt is waaaay overpriced for what is nothing more than a middle of the road average rifle. Many manfacturers produce equal and most time better product than Colt for comparable prices.


Pmags are nice but overpriced too. Try Lancer magazines. Cheaper and equal to or better than Pmags.

[chrish]

There is a video out there of some major desert abuse of a sport model. It functioned flawlessly. I personally think it's a smoking deal of a rifle at a couple hundred more than you paid even. I think even if the proverbial shtf, it'll be just fine...

[DeaconKC]

I know a couple of cops that have the S&W in their trunks. Great rifles.

[CJB]

I love it... the AR discussion that is.

The guys on the M4carbine forum are poo-poo on S&W rifles. In fact they're all poo-pooh on anything that isn't Colt or Bravo Company, or Knight Armament. Oh, the occasional Noveske or Daniel Defense gets through their filter too.

You can say ANYTHING about liking Smith & Wesson, Stag, Spikes, Mossberg, Remington, Ruger, CMMG, DPMS, Del-Ton, you name it... and you'll catch a load of horse apples.

Why?

Reason #1 - they don't stake their keys correctly. WTF? How easy is THAT to correct!

Reason #2 - they're not 100 percent Mil Spec. What rifle is, besides Colt and FN? None. Even Colt and FN are not Mil-Spec because the trigger and hammer etc are civilian versions.

Then someone can say, but I've got 1500 rounds though my S&W and its never failed. The stock come back is "Well you can trust your life to it, but I'd want a rifle that can go 30,000 rounds without failure to save my butt when it gets hot and heavy". What a load of crap. US Military is seeing something just over 1 failure of some sort in 1000 rounds. Fail to feed, fail to eject, fail to fire, lock backs, etc etc. Thats from published tests by the military services, when recently comparing rifles to be candidates to replace the M4.

And... today I had to laugh and bite my tongue. Guys there arguing about a .308 battle rifle. One guy is done with his M1a, and wants a real battle rifle thats up to real battle conditions. Forget the FAL, only an AR10 will do, or possibly an HK91 (or its newer varient, whatever that is). Had to laugh because the AR10 has never seen battle, and neither has the HK91. They've been issued, but never seen battle of any real consequence. For sure, never in any sort of warfare conditions. On the other hand, the M1a (in its M14 incarnation) and the FAL have seen real combat and came through in fine shape, with complaints being on size and weight, but generally good results with operation and reliability, and accuracy. So, go get that AR10 and be a real soldier (in your mind....).

And to this I say, get your Smith & Wesson. Hey, don't forget to check that gas key! And to quote ol Jocko "shoot it like u stole the fokker!"

[CJB]

Gotta add this.... I've got a Del-Ton lower that cannot be distinguished from the Colt. Great and equal finish, all holes in the right place and are the right size. Everything fit as it should when I put all the parts in place. No slop, and it fits my Noveske (Bravo) upper as tight as my Colt upper and lower fit together. So to all those nay sayers, to the poo-pooh'ers, to all those that don't even acknowledge that things are in fact ok outside the Colt/Bravo world... I say... "whats next, you gonna question the metallurgy of the lower because there's nothing left to pick on?".

Enjoy the Smith, buy a cheap water heater, and use the leftovers on ammo

[Armybrat]

I hear ya CJB, that's why I don't post on ARtalk.

They can be as bad as Glockers, wine snobs or the BBQ crazies.

[garyb]

Good gun. Would love to have one. Maybe some day. Hate to spend the money. No more room in the vault and don't play with half of what I have already. Mostly use my IDPA gun, carry gun (Kahr) and my hunting guns.

[yqtszhj]

Enjoy the Smith, buy a cheap water heater, and use the leftovers on ammo

^^^^What he said ^^^^

I have a Bushmaster Carbine. A guy I work with got the M&P sport and to me it looked quite nice and I think overall I like his better except for not having the flat top. I actually like the straight barrel on it. Reminds me of my H-bar 20 inch barrel that is a tack driver.

[getsome]

I must be going through "The Change" or something....A couple years ago I wouldn't have given a plug nickle for a black AR rifle but now I'm starting to get the bug big time....Right before last December and Sandy Hook I almost bought a Mini 14 but held off then the ammo crunch hit and I forgot about it but now with the S&W being priced like it is and Walmart getting a fair amount of .223 I'm getting a big time itch for some Black Magic...

Keep us posted on your M&P Sport there Armybrat....That's the one I've got my eyes on and am interested to see how yours works out...Good luck with it!

[aray]

Yeah I never had an interest in the AR platform until our state banned them last October. So before the ban hit I had to go buy one, then later decided to build one too. So I went from 0 to 2 in just a couple of months. Glad i did. Fun gun.

[RRP]

After 55 years of collecting guns, I just ordered a S&W M&P Sport AR

Take for a test drive, yet? Whatcha think?

[muggsy]

The M&P is a good solid entry level AR and you should be happy with it. I prefer the Colt, but then I one of those purists that LZ was talking about. If you just want a rifle for target shooting or plinking the M&P will do just fine.

[Armybrat]

When I picked it up a week ago from the FFL (GT Distributors in Austin), bought 6 extra 30 round Pmags @ $11 each.
This past Friday, ordered 25 boxes (30 rounds each) of American Eagle 55gr FMJ .223 from PSA for $10.99/box - that's 36.6 cents a round. Got an email that it was shipped today. Will do some range break in then maybe some plinking at brother's ranchette.
Need to go to a LGS for a decent sling.

Will play with this one for a while, then when the oil check comes this summer the Colt LE6920 will be the first expenditure.

[RainingAgain]

I am very happy with the MP15 I got nearly two years ago. Cam bundled with an EOTEC 5xx. I added BUIS. Fun to shoot but not as much so as a pistol. I'm still looking for an outdoor facility. Picked up the MP15-22 for $369 + $20 FFL fee in December. Stuck with 40 gr CCI Mini Mags and its been flawless.