Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport opinions?

BigBL87 · September 6, 2014, 08:38 AM

I posted awhile back that I was looking at what gun to buy next, and ended up getting more money than I thought so now looking at AR's and AK's.

I want something mainly as a range toy, and home defense should it need to be pressed into that role, but it wouldn't be my first choice for HD. My budget is $550 pre-FFL fees.

I know the M&P lacks a forward assist and a dust cover, but for my intended use it doesn't seem like that would be an issue.

Are there any better/similar options at or below my price range? And please don't just say "save more and buy (insert gun here)." My budget is my budget, and if I'd be better off buying an AK or SKS in my price range, I'll do that instead. I'd also prefer not to build an AR, not mechanically inclined exactly. Tearing down my Mossberg 500 is frustrating enough for me.

marine6680 · September 6, 2014, 11:53 AM

They have good reputation, and the 5r barrel is said to be accurate.

You could probably source a completed lower and a complete upper from palmetto state armory for that price, no building needed...

They also have sales on complete rifles around the 550 price range.

Up to you, the sport isn't a bad rifle from my understanding.

lunger · September 6, 2014, 01:53 PM

I've had a Sport for a while. No regrets. You will hear most say never heard anything bad about one .Good reason for this. Reliable and reasonably accurate.

As far as the forward assist and dust cover I've never once said boy I wish I had one.

What you describe your needs as I think the sport Fits the bill perfectly.And having an established company and guarantee in my opinion is a plus.

I think it is one of the best deals out there.

Damon555 · September 6, 2014, 02:08 PM

The Sport is a fine rifle......get it if you like and don't look back.

You will never need the forward assist and I doubt not having a dust cover will make a difference either.

Eazyeach · September 6, 2014, 02:37 PM

My sport eats any ammo I feed it, is way more accurate than me, and it doesn't need a dust cover in my safe. Only thing I don't care for is the A2 post front sight.

raimius · September 6, 2014, 03:50 PM

Unless you are fond of partially retracting the bolt for a chamber check, you probably will not need the forward assist. If it is a range toy, you probably won't need the dust cover either--just clean it afterwords, if it gets dusty.

I've not heard bad things about them either...

Mosin-Marauder · September 6, 2014, 04:35 PM

SKS would be my choice. Order it from Samco for $470, and have money to get a couple hundred rounds of TulaAmmo (steel cased is fine in an SKS) to use. Of course, that's would be me if I had your budget, I don't like AR's at all, and would feel better owning a gun that is a piece of history and will no doubt go up in price in the coming years. Good luck with whatever you choose.

https://www.samcoglobal.com/1-sks.html

Jim567 · September 6, 2014, 05:15 PM

My son and I love ours accurate - no fuss no muss

krimmie · September 6, 2014, 05:30 PM

I've had the S&W Sport for about 4 months...great rife for the money, and backed by S&W. I also own a Norinco sks...it also is a nice shooting rifle, but it is not nearly as handy as the Sport(or any AR). For range use only, it's a toss up, but when you add portability and home defense, the Sport wins big time "in my opinion".

old-dog · September 6, 2014, 06:07 PM

I am on my second one. This rifle has everything a civilian needs and nothing he doesn't. Fantasies aside, most end up collecting dust in closets anyway. I never used my forward assist or remembered to use my dust cover in NAM. It opens as soon as you fire a shot anyway and the rifle has been tested filled with mud and kept on shooting.

It is a bargain. S&W has an MSRP of over $1200, or at least did. I put an EOTECH xps on mine with a Primary Arms swing away 3x scope, with the money I saved. Mine is set up for future competition. I am right handed and left eye dominated and found the EOTECH to offer a large glass with no parallax. The 3x scope is for those 100 yard targets that my old eyes has trouble seeing at times.

Ibmikey · September 6, 2014, 06:28 PM

Best AR bang for the money you will spend.

BillyJack3 · September 6, 2014, 08:27 PM

Best budget AR value out there. Even many AR snobs agree. As for the FA and Dust Cover, I have them on 4 of my ARs. Have never used the FA and don't put the dust cover up.

BigBL87 · September 6, 2014, 09:17 PM

Thanks guys. One more question, if I bumped it up to $575 (I.e. sweet talked the wife, haha) I could get a PSA complete upper with a 1:7 chrome lined barrel and their complete lower. Here's the links:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.../category/4220

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...category/4284/

For the little extra, would it be a significant improvement over the M&P 15? I'd still need to get a rear sight but I don't think that would cost a whole bunch.

BigBL87 · September 6, 2014, 09:52 PM

Actually, the upper must be out of stock because it won't let me add it even thought it's shown as in stock, so never mind.

9x19 · September 6, 2014, 10:46 PM

I have a pair of them, no issues.

In over 30 years of shooting/owning ARs, I have never once used the forward assist, so don't miss it at all, and now that I'm too old to roll around in the dirt for fun, the lack of a dust cover isn't an issue either.

Both of them shoot well, and I'd buy another is a minute if I were in the market.

Mosin-Marauder · September 6, 2014, 10:47 PM

Do they run Steel cased ammo well? No stuck cases?

9x19 · September 6, 2014, 10:50 PM

I don't buy/shoot steel cased ammo, so couldn't say...

BigBL87 · September 7, 2014, 12:20 AM

From what I've read, virtually every AR will have an issue here and there with steel case just because of the tighter tolerances, it's part of the trade-off with accuracy and reliability, but its not a massive issue. If I was looking purely at cost of ammo, I'd have already bought an AK or SKS. With the political climate and the fact that most of the cheap AK/SKS ammo being made in Russia, I'm more comfortable with the long term availability of 223. I also don't shoot steel if I can avoid it, so it's not a huge deal to me.

2damnold4this · September 7, 2014, 06:49 AM

I've got some friends that have several M&P Sports and they work just fine. PSA works great too. Both are extremely good values.

Jagr68 · September 7, 2014, 08:47 AM

Very good buy. I'd recommend one.

arizona98tj · September 7, 2014, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marine6680

They have good reputation, and the 5r barrel is said to be accurate.

S&W has not used the 5r barrel on the sport now for right around a year. If you find one that has it, it is old stock (not saying that particular old stock would be a bad thing at all).

BigBL87 · September 7, 2014, 07:36 PM

Ya, from what I've read they switched from the 5R 1:8 twist to a standard 1:9 barrel sometime in 2013.

Armybrat · September 7, 2014, 10:27 PM

Bought my new Sport 7 months ago from Grabagun. It has the 1:9 twist barrel.
Great little rifle for the money - $559 plus $5.99 shipping at GaG. A Kentucky dealer has them for $540.
I also have a Colt LE6920 MP-B, and the fit & finish for both guns is the same, IMO. Both are great shooters and run smooth as a baby's butt.

chris in va · September 7, 2014, 11:28 PM

I've had mine for about four years.

Zero issues, a couple thousand reloads. Really nothing to report, everything locks up tight and no weird problems.

I frankly don't understand all this 'mil-spec' stuff floating around. I'm sure it's better on some level, but for HD and range use my Sport has been stellar.

I've never needed the FA or dust cover, removable trigger guard or M203 grenade launcher barrel cut.

A UNIMOG is a hardcore off-road machine. But for real-life situations a Jeep Cherokee works just fine.

Jayhawkhuntclub · September 9, 2014, 02:23 PM

The Sport is excellent. Mine is sub-MOA. My best group with it was 0.58" at 200 yards (Fiocchi, 50 gr v-max). But typically, it shoots about 5/8" at 100 (with the right ammo). Fit, finish and function are flawless. I have the original 5R 1/8 barrel (which is now considered a premium barrel). If only my BCM functioned as well.

(I love the BCM, but I'm still trying work out a few bugs). Anyhow, get the Sport. You won't be disappointed.

September 6, 2014, 08:38 AM	#1
BigBL87 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2014 Location: Tonica, IL Posts: 473	Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport opinions? I posted awhile back that I was looking at what gun to buy next, and ended up getting more money than I thought so now looking at AR's and AK's. I want something mainly as a range toy, and home defense should it need to be pressed into that role, but it wouldn't be my first choice for HD. My budget is $550 pre-FFL fees. I know the M&P lacks a forward assist and a dust cover, but for my intended use it doesn't seem like that would be an issue. Are there any better/similar options at or below my price range? And please don't just say "save more and buy (insert gun here)." My budget is my budget, and if I'd be better off buying an AK or SKS in my price range, I'll do that instead. I'd also prefer not to build an AR, not mechanically inclined exactly. Tearing down my Mossberg 500 is frustrating enough for me.

September 6, 2014, 02:37 PM	#5
Eazyeach Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2014 Posts: 706	Love my sport My sport eats any ammo I feed it, is way more accurate than me, and it doesn't need a dust cover in my safe. Only thing I don't care for is the A2 post front sight.

September 6, 2014, 04:35 PM	#7
Mosin-Marauder Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2014 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,320	SKS would be my choice. Order it from Samco for $470, and have money to get a couple hundred rounds of TulaAmmo (steel cased is fine in an SKS) to use. Of course, that's would be me if I had your budget, I don't like AR's at all, and would feel better owning a gun that is a piece of history and will no doubt go up in price in the coming years. Good luck with whatever you choose. https://www.samcoglobal.com/1-sks.html __________________ Proud owner of three (four-ish) pieces of history! K-31, Mosin-Nagant M91/30, M24/47 Mauser, Norinco SKS. "You might as well appeal against a thunderstorm..." William Tecumseh Sherman

September 6, 2014, 06:07 PM	#10
old-dog Member Join Date: September 1, 2014 Posts: 20	I am on my second one. This rifle has everything a civilian needs and nothing he doesn't. Fantasies aside, most end up collecting dust in closets anyway. I never used my forward assist or remembered to use my dust cover in NAM. It opens as soon as you fire a shot anyway and the rifle has been tested filled with mud and kept on shooting. It is a bargain. S&W has an MSRP of over $1200, or at least did. I put an EOTECH xps on mine with a Primary Arms swing away 3x scope, with the money I saved. Mine is set up for future competition. I am right handed and left eye dominated and found the EOTECH to offer a large glass with no parallax. The 3x scope is for those 100 yard targets that my old eyes has trouble seeing at times. Last edited by old-dog; September 10, 2014 at 03:07 PM.

September 6, 2014, 10:46 PM	#15
9x19 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 1998 Location: Sherman, TX USA Posts: 3,750	I have a pair of them, no issues. In over 30 years of shooting/owning ARs, I have never once used the forward assist, so don't miss it at all, and now that I'm too old to roll around in the dirt for fun, the lack of a dust cover isn't an issue either. Both of them shoot well, and I'd buy another is a minute if I were in the market. __________________ Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19! Last edited by 9x19; September 7, 2014 at 06:15 PM.

September 6, 2014, 11:53 AM	#2
marine6680 Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2012 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 4,594	They have good reputation, and the 5r barrel is said to be accurate. You could probably source a completed lower and a complete upper from palmetto state armory for that price, no building needed... They also have sales on complete rifles around the 550 price range. Up to you, the sport isn't a bad rifle from my understanding.

September 6, 2014, 01:53 PM	#3
lunger Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Posts: 443	I've had a Sport for a while. No regrets. You will hear most say never heard anything bad about one .Good reason for this. Reliable and reasonably accurate. As far as the forward assist and dust cover I've never once said boy I wish I had one. What you describe your needs as I think the sport Fits the bill perfectly.And having an established company and guarantee in my opinion is a plus. I think it is one of the best deals out there.

September 6, 2014, 02:08 PM	#4
Damon555 Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2012 Posts: 384	The Sport is a fine rifle......get it if you like and don't look back. You will never need the forward assist and I doubt not having a dust cover will make a difference either.

September 6, 2014, 03:50 PM	#6
raimius Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 2,199	Unless you are fond of partially retracting the bolt for a chamber check, you probably will not need the forward assist. If it is a range toy, you probably won't need the dust cover either--just clean it afterwords, if it gets dusty. I've not heard bad things about them either...

September 6, 2014, 05:15 PM	#8
Jim567 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2014 Location: NE FL Posts: 656	My son and I love ours accurate - no fuss no muss

September 6, 2014, 05:30 PM	#9
krimmie Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2007 Location: S. Florida Posts: 280	I've had the S&W Sport for about 4 months...great rife for the money, and backed by S&W. I also own a Norinco sks...it also is a nice shooting rifle, but it is not nearly as handy as the Sport(or any AR). For range use only, it's a toss up, but when you add portability and home defense, the Sport wins big time "in my opinion".

September 6, 2014, 06:28 PM	#11
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Best AR bang for the money you will spend.

September 6, 2014, 08:27 PM	#12
BillyJack3 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2012 Posts: 423	Best budget AR value out there. Even many AR snobs agree. As for the FA and Dust Cover, I have them on 4 of my ARs. Have never used the FA and don't put the dust cover up.

September 6, 2014, 09:17 PM	#13
BigBL87 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2014 Location: Tonica, IL Posts: 473	Thanks guys. One more question, if I bumped it up to $575 (I.e. sweet talked the wife, haha) I could get a PSA complete upper with a 1:7 chrome lined barrel and their complete lower. Here's the links: http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.../category/4220 http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...category/4284/ For the little extra, would it be a significant improvement over the M&P 15? I'd still need to get a rear sight but I don't think that would cost a whole bunch.

September 6, 2014, 09:52 PM	#14
BigBL87 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2014 Location: Tonica, IL Posts: 473	Actually, the upper must be out of stock because it won't let me add it even thought it's shown as in stock, so never mind.

September 6, 2014, 10:47 PM	#16
Mosin-Marauder Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2014 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,320	Do they run Steel cased ammo well? No stuck cases? __________________ Proud owner of three (four-ish) pieces of history! K-31, Mosin-Nagant M91/30, M24/47 Mauser, Norinco SKS. "You might as well appeal against a thunderstorm..." William Tecumseh Sherman

September 6, 2014, 10:50 PM	#17
9x19 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 1998 Location: Sherman, TX USA Posts: 3,750	I don't buy/shoot steel cased ammo, so couldn't say... __________________ Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!

September 7, 2014, 12:20 AM	#18
BigBL87 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2014 Location: Tonica, IL Posts: 473	From what I've read, virtually every AR will have an issue here and there with steel case just because of the tighter tolerances, it's part of the trade-off with accuracy and reliability, but its not a massive issue. If I was looking purely at cost of ammo, I'd have already bought an AK or SKS. With the political climate and the fact that most of the cheap AK/SKS ammo being made in Russia, I'm more comfortable with the long term availability of 223. I also don't shoot steel if I can avoid it, so it's not a huge deal to me. Last edited by BigBL87; September 7, 2014 at 12:25 AM.

September 7, 2014, 06:49 AM	#19
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 2,526	I've got some friends that have several M&P Sports and they work just fine. PSA works great too. Both are extremely good values.

September 7, 2014, 08:47 AM	#20
Jagr68 Junior Member Join Date: August 21, 2014 Posts: 6	Very good buy. I'd recommend one.

September 7, 2014, 07:36 PM	#22
BigBL87 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2014 Location: Tonica, IL Posts: 473	Ya, from what I've read they switched from the 5R 1:8 twist to a standard 1:9 barrel sometime in 2013.

September 7, 2014, 10:27 PM	#23
Armybrat Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2009 Location: Round Rock, Texas Posts: 976	Bought my new Sport 7 months ago from Grabagun. It has the 1:9 twist barrel. Great little rifle for the money - $559 plus $5.99 shipping at GaG. A Kentucky dealer has them for $540. I also have a Colt LE6920 MP-B, and the fit & finish for both guns is the same, IMO. Both are great shooters and run smooth as a baby's butt.

September 7, 2014, 11:28 PM	#24
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I've had mine for about four years. Zero issues, a couple thousand reloads. Really nothing to report, everything locks up tight and no weird problems. I frankly don't understand all this 'mil-spec' stuff floating around. I'm sure it's better on some level, but for HD and range use my Sport has been stellar. I've never needed the FA or dust cover, removable trigger guard or M203 grenade launcher barrel cut. A UNIMOG is a hardcore off-road machine. But for real-life situations a Jeep Cherokee works just fine.

September 9, 2014, 02:23 PM	#25
Jayhawkhuntclub Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2007 Posts: 581	The Sport is excellent. Mine is sub-MOA. My best group with it was 0.58" at 200 yards (Fiocchi, 50 gr v-max). But typically, it shoots about 5/8" at 100 (with the right ammo). Fit, finish and function are flawless. I have the original 5R 1/8 barrel (which is now considered a premium barrel). If only my BCM functioned as well. (I love the BCM, but I'm still trying work out a few bugs). Anyhow, get the Sport. You won't be disappointed.