Evaluate quality/reliability of S&W MP AR in .223.

Ignition Override · July 19, 2016, 01:56 AM

So far my main sporting rifles are a pair of SKS, now four AK derivatives added on.
Plinking is the only activity. We have no land, so no feral pig options in west TN, with no interest in bench rest shooting.

How would you describe the long-term operational reliability, but also the quality of internal steel components after 3,000 (+) rounds, for the lowest cost varieties of retail ARs having factory iron sights for under $650 retail?
Even an all-American AK clone now being built shows documented premature internal wear after only 1,000 rds. Hence the skepticism...

Let's be crystal clear that I have Zero interest in building a rifle, only contemplating a retail gun before next fall's possible panic. Want to be set for retirement next spring.

O4L · July 19, 2016, 09:46 AM

My first AR was a S&W M&P15 OR (Optics Ready).

I was very happy with the quality and reliability of that rifle. Because of that experience, I would not hesitate to buy the S&W Sport II if I was wanting a factory built low cost rifle.

My current AR builds are various lowers mated with PSA complete midlength uppers.

I can't speak to the 3000+ round wear question, because I haven't had the opportunity to put that many rounds through my rifles, but I have not heard of any issues with excessive wear on the budget AR offerings of S&W.

98 220 swift · July 20, 2016, 07:52 AM

I have also been very happy with the M&P sport II that I bought a few moths ago. Have only put a few hunred rouns through it with no problems and see no reason why it would give any problems. Its also quite accurate with a scope on it being feed good ammo. 1 1/2" at 100 yards. Could probably do better if I worked up a load for it.

9x19 · July 21, 2016, 07:51 AM

Neither of mine have broken or jammed, nor have any parts fallen off.

Good to go on both quality and reliability IME.

MarkCO · July 21, 2016, 08:18 AM

We have a few newer 3Gunners that have been using them for a bit now. One thinks he has about 6K on his, the other said about 10K. They have done nothing internally except clean and lube at about 1K intervals.

I would be very surprised if they can not get to at least 20K without any parts issues. Trigger springs, gas rings, extractor spring and buffer spring should be replaced at some point. Based on your uses, I doubt you ever wear anything out on an M&P.

dieselbeef · July 21, 2016, 08:32 AM

I have 3 sw ar's. a 22..a sport2..and a high end custom pc gun.

we have shot the crap out of both the 22 ad the sport2. no issues except the 22 will stovepipe..i attribute it to ammo. thousnads of rds thru both. the sports my truck gun..quad rifle when im out checking cows or chasing a dog/yote...it gets banged around also a good bit.easily 5k thru this gun..easily

I don't borescope it but I do look in the barrel to be sure it cleaned..and I see it still looks as new. ramps and bcg don't show any wear to speak of.

being of the sw I figured that the quality of their cheaper ones would still be higher than a 400 of various manuf.

I got mine for 499...knowing what I know now...id probly spend more for the same rifle if I needed another.

Soclosenotnear · July 21, 2016, 09:08 AM

We sell the m&p15's for around $700 new. I've been considering purchasing one, but haven't decided if its worth the extra $200 over what I could pick up at our local Palmetto state armory.

O4L · July 21, 2016, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soclosenotnear

We sell the m&p15's for around $700 new. I've been considering purchasing one, but haven't decided if its worth the extra $200 over what I could pick up at our local Palmetto state armory.

If it is the Sport or Sport II, that is too high. I've seen much better prices online, even as low as $499.

I also don't believe they are any better rifles than the PSA builds that can be had for $500-$600.

Bartholomew Roberts · July 21, 2016, 02:37 PM

I haven't seen an Al receiver AR yet from any brand currently on the market that won't chug through 3000 rounds with ease. If there is any wear, it is usually on the cam slot of the upper - and even there it would have to be really unusual aggressive wear to cause a problem by 3000 rounds.

tacticalmedic · July 21, 2016, 03:38 PM

I have a little over 5k rounds thru my M&P 15 Sport II. No issues at all with it. I paid $588 for it about a yr ago. It's 100% stock and it runs fine. I clean it after a range session and I use mobile 1 to lube it.

Ignition Override · July 22, 2016, 12:04 AM

Thanks to you ladies/gents for confirming what a coworker told me today.

Is the front post sight fairly thin, considering that the sight distance might be pretty short for aperture iron sights?

turtlehead · July 22, 2016, 01:29 AM

You can easily replace the sight post with a number of options. Just for example: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007D...2BL&ref=plSrch

I like the medium ball style.

turtlehead · July 22, 2016, 01:33 AM

Stock posts are usually the square one.

Bartholomew Roberts · July 22, 2016, 07:23 AM

The standard front sight post these days is usually the A2 - which is square and about 11 MOA wide (the front sight post will be the width of a 19.5" wide E-silhouette at 150m)

Gunslick · July 22, 2016, 08:41 AM

...Man doesn't anyone know about these...?

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Produ...BCM-URG-MID-16

turtlehead · July 22, 2016, 09:29 AM

But that doesn't fit his criteria, slick.

marine6680 · July 22, 2016, 10:03 AM

It may not fit his criteria exactly... But it requires no skilll or tools to mate a completed upper and lower together. You take the rifle that far apart just to start cleaning it.

Brownells has an Aero precision rifle on sale for $600... It's a basic rifle like a Sport II, but has a midlength gas system, so I recommend it over the S&W...

The Ruger, I think there is debate on whether or not the barrel is nitride treated, so it would be nice to know for sure on that one. If it is, then it is a good third option.

turtlehead · July 22, 2016, 10:14 AM

The BCM doesn't come with the charging handle, BCG or a handguard. Or a lower. Not even close to the OP's price range.

It is good stuff, though. I use a lot of BCM parts.

Ignition Override · July 23, 2016, 12:35 AM

Soclosenotnear:

Two days ago I spent a short night in the Hol. Inn Crowne Plaza, not too far (they said) from Palmetto State. Armory.
Really too bad we had to leave the hotel about 1000, even though I wouldn't want to attempt to build my own rifle.

5.56RifleGuy · July 23, 2016, 09:24 AM

The only thing I have seen worn out on an AR upper was where the charging handle latched. This was after about 10,000 or more rounds. When shooting suppressed the charging handle would move back and smack you in the face.

Ibmikey · July 24, 2016, 11:16 AM

Both of my Sport rifles have seen thousands of rounds of ammo without any breakages or malfunctions that i can recall. The rifles are well thought of in the shooting community with rarely a negative comment. I have AR's that cost many times the Sport.'s price but that does negate the fact that the Sport is fun to fire, reliable and a good buy.

Gunslick · July 24, 2016, 10:06 PM

Its just that if I am going to spend money on a rifle and for a couple hundred more I can get a top tier military approved bad as hell gonna run for 50,000+ rounds Im gonna go with BCM.

Ibmikey · July 25, 2016, 01:27 PM

I have rifles from many manufacturers and a number that i have built using selected components (mostly Aero) I shoot my DD rifle a lot but it seems there is always an M&P in the pile when i go shooting so they tend to get more rounds through them. The rifles that cost more or have the Colt name on them serve my uses no better than the less expensive rifles. I have both so i feel my observations are somewhat reliable. At last count there were 29 AR's in the racks, each different than the others some well appreciated names some not so but they all shoot each and every time just as they were designed to.

Gunslick · July 25, 2016, 09:10 PM

Damn 29 that is impressive.

Ibmikey · July 25, 2016, 10:35 PM

And two more waiting for lowers....i think i have a serious problem......not any more spaces in the racks!

July 19, 2016, 01:56 AM	#1
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,884	Evaluate quality/reliability of S&W MP AR in .223. So far my main sporting rifles are a pair of SKS, now four AK derivatives added on. Plinking is the only activity. We have no land, so no feral pig options in west TN, with no interest in bench rest shooting. How would you describe the long-term operational reliability, but also the quality of internal steel components after 3,000 (+) rounds, for the lowest cost varieties of retail ARs having factory iron sights for under $650 retail? Even an all-American AK clone now being built shows documented premature internal wear after only 1,000 rds. Hence the skepticism... Let's be crystal clear that I have Zero interest in building a rifle, only contemplating a retail gun before next fall's possible panic. Want to be set for retirement next spring. Last edited by Ignition Override; July 19, 2016 at 02:04 AM.

July 21, 2016, 07:51 AM	#4
9x19 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 1998 Location: Sherman, TX USA Posts: 3,750	Neither of mine have broken or jammed, nor have any parts fallen off. Good to go on both quality and reliability IME. __________________ Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!

July 21, 2016, 08:18 AM	#5
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,307	We have a few newer 3Gunners that have been using them for a bit now. One thinks he has about 6K on his, the other said about 10K. They have done nothing internally except clean and lube at about 1K intervals. I would be very surprised if they can not get to at least 20K without any parts issues. Trigger springs, gas rings, extractor spring and buffer spring should be replaced at some point. Based on your uses, I doubt you ever wear anything out on an M&P. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

July 21, 2016, 03:38 PM	#10
tacticalmedic Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 193	I have a little over 5k rounds thru my M&P 15 Sport II. No issues at all with it. I paid $588 for it about a yr ago. It's 100% stock and it runs fine. I clean it after a range session and I use mobile 1 to lube it. __________________ *Support the 2nd Amendment*. George Washington didn't use his right to free speech to defeat the British. He shot them.

July 23, 2016, 09:24 AM	#20
5.56RifleGuy Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2010 Location: USA Posts: 1,212	The only thing I have seen worn out on an AR upper was where the charging handle latched. This was after about 10,000 or more rounds. When shooting suppressed the charging handle would move back and smack you in the face. __________________ Sic Semper Tyrannosaurus

July 19, 2016, 09:46 AM	#2
O4L Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2015 Posts: 646	My first AR was a S&W M&P15 OR (Optics Ready). I was very happy with the quality and reliability of that rifle. Because of that experience, I would not hesitate to buy the S&W Sport II if I was wanting a factory built low cost rifle. My current AR builds are various lowers mated with PSA complete midlength uppers. I can't speak to the 3000+ round wear question, because I haven't had the opportunity to put that many rounds through my rifles, but I have not heard of any issues with excessive wear on the budget AR offerings of S&W.

July 20, 2016, 07:52 AM	#3
98 220 swift Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2015 Location: Perryville MO Posts: 426	I have also been very happy with the M&P sport II that I bought a few moths ago. Have only put a few hunred rouns through it with no problems and see no reason why it would give any problems. Its also quite accurate with a scope on it being feed good ammo. 1 1/2" at 100 yards. Could probably do better if I worked up a load for it.

July 21, 2016, 08:32 AM	#6
dieselbeef Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2011 Location: myakka city fl Posts: 312	I have 3 sw ar's. a 22..a sport2..and a high end custom pc gun. we have shot the crap out of both the 22 ad the sport2. no issues except the 22 will stovepipe..i attribute it to ammo. thousnads of rds thru both. the sports my truck gun..quad rifle when im out checking cows or chasing a dog/yote...it gets banged around also a good bit.easily 5k thru this gun..easily I don't borescope it but I do look in the barrel to be sure it cleaned..and I see it still looks as new. ramps and bcg don't show any wear to speak of. being of the sw I figured that the quality of their cheaper ones would still be higher than a 400 of various manuf. I got mine for 499...knowing what I know now...id probly spend more for the same rifle if I needed another.

July 21, 2016, 09:08 AM	#7
Soclosenotnear Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2016 Location: Summerville, sc Posts: 163	We sell the m&p15's for around $700 new. I've been considering purchasing one, but haven't decided if its worth the extra $200 over what I could pick up at our local Palmetto state armory.

July 21, 2016, 02:37 PM	#9
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	I haven't seen an Al receiver AR yet from any brand currently on the market that won't chug through 3000 rounds with ease. If there is any wear, it is usually on the cam slot of the upper - and even there it would have to be really unusual aggressive wear to cause a problem by 3000 rounds.

July 22, 2016, 12:04 AM	#11
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,884	Thanks to you ladies/gents for confirming what a coworker told me today. Is the front post sight fairly thin, considering that the sight distance might be pretty short for aperture iron sights?

July 22, 2016, 01:29 AM	#12
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,203	You can easily replace the sight post with a number of options. Just for example: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007D...2BL&ref=plSrch I like the medium ball style.

July 22, 2016, 01:33 AM	#13
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,203	Stock posts are usually the square one.

July 22, 2016, 07:23 AM	#14
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	The standard front sight post these days is usually the A2 - which is square and about 11 MOA wide (the front sight post will be the width of a 19.5" wide E-silhouette at 150m)

July 22, 2016, 08:41 AM	#15
Gunslick Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2016 Posts: 321	...Man doesn't anyone know about these...? http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Produ...BCM-URG-MID-16

July 22, 2016, 09:29 AM	#16
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,203	But that doesn't fit his criteria, slick.

July 22, 2016, 10:03 AM	#17
marine6680 Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2012 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 4,594	It may not fit his criteria exactly... But it requires no skilll or tools to mate a completed upper and lower together. You take the rifle that far apart just to start cleaning it. Brownells has an Aero precision rifle on sale for $600... It's a basic rifle like a Sport II, but has a midlength gas system, so I recommend it over the S&W... The Ruger, I think there is debate on whether or not the barrel is nitride treated, so it would be nice to know for sure on that one. If it is, then it is a good third option.

July 22, 2016, 10:14 AM	#18
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,203	The BCM doesn't come with the charging handle, BCG or a handguard. Or a lower. Not even close to the OP's price range. It is good stuff, though. I use a lot of BCM parts.

July 23, 2016, 12:35 AM	#19
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,884	Soclosenotnear: Two days ago I spent a short night in the Hol. Inn Crowne Plaza, not too far (they said) from Palmetto State. Armory. Really too bad we had to leave the hotel about 1000, even though I wouldn't want to attempt to build my own rifle.

July 24, 2016, 11:16 AM	#21
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Both of my Sport rifles have seen thousands of rounds of ammo without any breakages or malfunctions that i can recall. The rifles are well thought of in the shooting community with rarely a negative comment. I have AR's that cost many times the Sport.'s price but that does negate the fact that the Sport is fun to fire, reliable and a good buy.

July 24, 2016, 10:06 PM	#22
Gunslick Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2016 Posts: 321	Its just that if I am going to spend money on a rifle and for a couple hundred more I can get a top tier military approved bad as hell gonna run for 50,000+ rounds Im gonna go with BCM.

July 25, 2016, 01:27 PM	#23
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	I have rifles from many manufacturers and a number that i have built using selected components (mostly Aero) I shoot my DD rifle a lot but it seems there is always an M&P in the pile when i go shooting so they tend to get more rounds through them. The rifles that cost more or have the Colt name on them serve my uses no better than the less expensive rifles. I have both so i feel my observations are somewhat reliable. At last count there were 29 AR's in the racks, each different than the others some well appreciated names some not so but they all shoot each and every time just as they were designed to.

July 25, 2016, 09:10 PM	#24
Gunslick Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2016 Posts: 321	Damn 29 that is impressive.

July 25, 2016, 10:35 PM	#25
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	And two more waiting for lowers....i think i have a serious problem......not any more spaces in the racks!