S&W AR MP15

[brickhouseblues]

I just bought a fairly new AR-15 and wanted some feedback. It came with a stainless steel 16" barrel with a 1/9 twist... What are the pros and cons between steel and stainless... I mean I know stainless is better resisting corrosion and last longer, but I haven't seen a 1/9 ever. Can someone enlighten me?

[allaroundhunter]

Stainless actually has a shorter barrel life than most other barrels. The 1:9" barrel twist is typically good up to about 62 gr, but 69 gr projectiles can be hit and miss depending on the gun. Most of the time anything above 69 gr won't stabilize in any 1:9" twist.

[brickhouseblues]

Really, that's interesting. I was under the impression that stainless was more durable than steel. Oh well, I still won't ever wear it out in my lifetime... I still think it's a good rifle. Thank you.

[allaroundhunter]

But generally it is more accurate. My competition rifle (3 gun) is an 18" medium contour stainless steel barrel. Most people say that stainless steel barrels have about a 10,000 round life with .223/5.56 before groups start to open up too much. I am up to about 4,000 rounds since October and mine is still running well.

If you don't shoot much, those 10,000 rounds can last you quite a while. If you do end up shooting the barrel out, well, by that time hopefully you can find a barrel and they are back to their more affordable prices (about $250-$300 for a good one).

And please, don't take my posts as saying it is a bad rifle because it is not at all! It is a great rifle and it will serve you very well. You will enjoy it, and I find that new shooters are often enamored by the accuracy and light recoil of the AR pattern rifles.

[BillyJack3]

What M&P comes with a stainless 16" barrel? I thought only Performance Center did and those were 20"? Aren't all others either chrome lined or melonite?

[brickhouseblues]

This one is 16" stainless...

[allaroundhunter]

Could you post a picture by chance?

[brickhouseblues]

Sure.

[brickhouseblues]

I've always owned guns and still do, but never a rifle. I have friends that own many, just never was interested in them until recent. In any case, did some research on AR's and still don't really know alot, just enough to know I wanted an AR and with all this hype going on... I figured to get one before anything happens.

[Striker1]

Looks to me like somebody removed the black finish from that barrel. Maybe have a look at the S&W web site and see what it says about stainless barrels.

[brickhouseblues]

I have done some and short from calling them, have not found one. The barrel is stamped "RED X 5.56 NATO 1/9 SS

[Striker1]

Do a simple Google search of what you have stamped on the barrel and you your mystery will be answered.

[Metal god]

Looks like a build to me . My LGS had some stripped M&P lowers not to long ago . Looks like a nice one too. SS barrel , chrome BCG , after market stock . frip up sights . If that was a Stock M&P15 , It had some work done on it IMO .Not bad as long as you didn't pay out the woa-zoo for it .

[allaroundhunter]

Yep, that is most definitely not a stock M&P. Was it bought from a private seller or a gun shop?

[brickhouseblues]

I'm afraid to say what I paid... seems like there flying off the shelf's and the shops can't keep up with the demand. I seen a few AK's, but I'm not interested in them. I have fired my buddies AK's and there fun but I wanted an AR platform and S&W just appealed to me after researching and talking with people.

[allaroundhunter]

Well I'm not sure what on that gun is actually made by S&W except for the lower receiver. The barrel is an okay barrel, you could have done a good bit worse.

[brickhouseblues]

Private, there was a gun show in my town recently and there were two AR's I liked, the other guy just simply wanted too much. Amazing how things are now!

[brickhouseblues]

Well, I plan to do some modifying myself... after I shoot it and see how it does, the old lady is already mad at me so why not go all out

[Metal god]

With out knowing what all the parts are . I would say before the panic I could have built that for about 1k maybe a little more . If you paid less then 1500 not to bad , less then 2000 hhmm thats starting to be a bit high , over 2k

[brickhouseblues]

Much less 2k but still an ouchy! I owe that to my negotiating skills and the fact that I saw a chink in the guys armor... the other people were simply stuck on greed.

[Metal god]

Thats cool . What you can build one for is always going to be less then what you can buy a complete for . In these times , sounds like you didn't do to bad . let us know how she shoots .

[brickhouseblues]

Thanks guy's, you were all very helpful and didn't make me feel bad like my wife does. she use to pack me a good lunch, now I'm finding crackers and potted meat in my cooler... oh well, I eat them with a smile

Will keep you updated... going up to my buddies land this weekend and packing alot of crackers to go with the venison we have from last season