New S&W M&P15 Sport?????

[Justified]

I would request a refund

They didn't bill me. I am just sad I couldn't order it. I really want one for under 600

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[jonconsiglio]

I bought one today and am looking forward to trying it at the range. It got great reviews and goes along with my thinking of simple is better. I don't like devices and trinkets on my firearms. I believe tactical is performance in front of the muzzle and not behind it.

I understand your thinking to a degree. But better is better and an optic and something that helps you drive the gun will allow you to perform better, period. There's no way around that. You might not like a brake and I don't run those either as there are downsides. There are no downsides to running an optic, a light and some sort of forward control... Only benefits.

[slapshot]

How well would this hold up rust? Would this perform well in the rain or after it was dropped in a puddle?

[Squidzit]

So would a gun like the M&P15 make a good home defense weapon. I've never owned a gun. Would this be too much weapon for a beginner. I plan on taking lessons to learn how to properly use whatever weapon I choose. I want a gun that I can have fun with as well as perform as a home defense weapon.

[Chaplain Scott]

squidzit: first off, welcome to the forum.

Yes, a S&W MP 15 is more than adequate for home defense. They are FUN to shoot--and don't cost an arm and a leg for ammo. The best thing to shoot for pure fun and cheap is a .22 rimfire, but they are not so great for home defense.

Now, if you want to spent even more $$, you could buy the S&W MP in .223(5.56mm) for home defense, and then buy an identical S&W MP-15 in .22 cal rimfire. You would then have the .223 for Home Defense [the .223 has a larger bullet and MUCH bigger case-which holds more podwer, than a .22 rimfire all of which means that .223 hits MUCH HARDER than a .22 rimfire), and the same rifle in .22 rimfire to practice on and just have fun with.

All the mechanical things like safety, magazine release, bolt release, etc are identical to the bigger .223 version, so you would have familiarity and as you practiced with the MUCH CHEAPER .22 rimfire, the muscle-memory would carry over to its bigger cousin for home defense.

[defensive007]

I have bought one of these and I must say it is a bargain, shoots pretty much on the money out the box and just an all around awesome rifle to have!

[slapshot]

So, does anyone have any knowledge of how well this thing perforsm in the rain and holds up to rust?

[defensive007]

Rust depends how you keep it lubed , in the rain I couldn't tell you I don't shoot in the rain

[jonconsiglio]

So, does anyone have any knowledge of how well this thing perforsm in the rain and holds up to rust?

Keep in mind that without a dust cover, it's more susceptible to the elements when out for long periods. I'm fairly certain the anodizing is Type II (you'll need to double check that one) and not Type III, which is a considerable difference in durability and will wear a bit quicker.

Other than that, it should hold up to the elements about as well as anything else. I would not consider it as durable or reliable when exposed to the elements as other rifles will be.

Just like any AR, keep it well lubed and a light coating on exposed metal.

[RKM]

Now, these barrels are all made of 11595-e which is a type of 4150. The S&W's barrels are made of 4140. Does this mean anything to most? I doubt it... But, after experiencing what I have with numerous barrels, I'd rather have the better quality barrel that's chrome lined so I have a little longer before my accuracy degrades and the barrel needs replaced.

If you plan on only shooting 2,000 rounds a year, your barrel may hold it's accuracy for 3 years or so. If you buy a higher quality rifle with a higher quality barrel for maybe $250 or $300 more than the MSRP of the S&W, you could get an additional 3 years out of it before you notice any drop in accuracy.

I'm certainly not as well versed on the AR platform as you, but I do believe the "higher end" or "tactical", for lack of a better word, M&P15 rifles do have in fact chrome lined barrels and chambers, where as the sport models do not. They are all , indeed, 4140 steel. Like you said, probably won't matter to most. It doesn't really matter to me, but I almost always prefer chrome lined barrels because they're easier to clean.

[C hawk Glock]

I think this rifle is a fine choice for anyone looking for a basic plinker. Now, we need to keep in mind that it's not just the forward assist that's lacking. There are other things involved here like using cheaper barrel steel and a cheaper, less durable anodizing. I wear out type III anodizing pretty quick.

I'm not saying this is a bad rifle and it's probably a fine choice for someone that plans on getting it out to the range once in a while to fire a handful of rounds. I really wouldn't miss the forward assist, though I would miss the dust cover as my guns get filthy and though they'll still run if lubed properly, it's nice to stop some dirt and dust from getting in.

Again, and this is just for me, but I go through barrels rather quickly and I've experienced a few things... A standard barrel will outlast a SS barrel, a chf barrel will outlast a standard and for some reason, a KAC chf will outlast a standard chf barrel. Now, it's not that simple. What we really need to be concerned about is not how long the barrel will last but how soon it's accuracy starts to open. I have over 15,000 through one of my Knight's Armaments and it's as accurate as day one. I noticed my accuracy degrading on my Noveske chf barrel after about 7,000 rounds. At best, it was a 4 MOA barrel when it started out as just over a 1 MOA barrel.

Now, these barrels are all made of 11595-e which is a type of 4150. The S&W's barrels are made of 4140. Does this mean anything to most? I doubt it... But, after experiencing what I have with numerous barrels, I'd rather have the better quality barrel that's chrome lined so I have a little longer before my accuracy degrades and the barrel needs replaced.

If you plan on only shooting 2,000 rounds a year, your barrel may hold it's accuracy for 3 years or so. If you buy a higher quality rifle with a higher quality barrel for maybe $250 or $300 more than the MSRP of the S&W, you could get an additional 3 years out of it before you notice any drop in accuracy.

Also, all this talk about accessories for mall ninjas is ridiculous. Most people that say things like that are quite old or have very little experience anywhere but an indoor range with the AR.

A quality red dot sight will hold zero through hard use and even removal and remounting. It will also allow you to get on target and follow up much faster no matter who you are and how good you shoot with irons.

A longer rail will free float your barrel, making your rifle more accurate not to mention how much more control you have with an extended grip.

A vert grip gives you more control period. It also allows for more support on most barricades.

A light.... Do I really need to explain why this is so important to many people? I shoot quite often at night plus my rifles often have a defensive role.

Now there are things like IR and visible lasers. Some guys might not see a need or want to spend the money on this. That's perfectly fine. But if you do, you need a quality rail to mount it on. We do a ton of night shooting and night hunting. A laser and NV make that so much easier and more enjoyable. Not to mention many of the guys I work with on training use them quite often and consider it a must. I know many guys that use them for hobby, and again, it makes night shooting for them much better and more enjoyable.

Sure, there are many guys out there that shoot a few rounds now and then and need nothing more than a basic carbine and maybe a cheap RDS. There are also a number of guys that need or just want better quality. That in NO WAY makes them mall ninjas unless they never use the accessories and only buy it to look cool in pics.

I could get by with a basic carbine with nothing but irons, but I'll be slower and less accurate no matter how hard I push myself on irons. I would lose the ability to see at night which would limit my ability to accurately identify my target whether a person, a hog or coyote or a pop up target that's a shoot/no shoot.

Thank god a voice of reason on this thread! I was waiting Janq to tell me that I don't need sights or a trigger because I would be a mall ninja! His post was praised by many, but it was so quick to tell everyone what they need and what their skill levels are. I guess I just felt like it dumbed down everybody. Let's call this rifle what it is, a budget rifle. Nothing wrong with that, but it is what it is.

As far as adding extra's I totally agree with Jonconsiglio. Every single point is spot on with regards to a free float barrel, VFG, and a decent red dot. Hence the reason my plinker is the M&P 15-22 and my real AR is a Daniel Defense.

[Dadsnugun]

I've got mine on hold over at SW and 2 ammo boxes of 5.56 on order! From all that I've read, the sport model is just up my alley. Combined with my natural love for all things S&W I'm sure I won't be disappointed. Now, to get off my butt and go over and pick it up one of these days!

[defensive007]

i guess all that discussion is ok i just bought my AR 15 sport to be an occasional shooting gun along with my other guns. If the barrel were to wear out or accuracy drop i have a buddy that can replace at almost no cost so i need not the reason to spend 1000+ on a gun thats just that.....A GUN....

[jonconsiglio]

Thank god a voice of reason on this thread! I was waiting Janq to tell me that I don't need sights or a trigger because I would be a mall ninja! His post was praised by many, but it was so quick to tell everyone what they need and what their skill levels are. I guess I just felt like it dumbed down everybody. Let's call this rifle what it is, a budget rifle. Nothing wrong with that, but it is what it is.

As far as adding extra's I totally agree with Jonconsiglio. Every single point is spot on with regards to a free float barrel, VFG, and a decent red dot. Hence the reason my plinker is the M&P 15-22 and my real AR is a Daniel Defense.

I've noticed that a lot of the older guys, especially the NRA certified instructors are extremely old school and really resist change...so much so that they will actually talk down about modern accessories that truly give you an advantage. I guess when the industry evolves around you and you don't, you end up holdng a grudge. If your students consist of very new recreational shooters, then it's fine. If your students are law enforcement or .mil...well, you won't have those students long.

[Dadsnugun]

I'm not law enforcement or .mil, just a guy that wanted an AR clone at a decent price for plinking around and the off-chance of a SHTF moment in the neighborhood. I'm happy with my choice of the S&W M15 Sport....also, I think the sights it comes with are awesome...no batteries to make them work!