Smith & Wesson AR 15 Sport

rebs · September 21, 2012, 12:53 PM

These were shot with my completely stock S&W Sport, the only addition was a Nikon 3-9 X 40 scope. Hand loads in LC 5.56 brass, 25.0 grns of H335 powder, CCI #400 primer and Hornady 55 gr soft point bullets. The target is a one inch circle at 100 yards. Five rounds at each target.

SFW · September 21, 2012, 01:43 PM

Very nice. I think your rifle likes those loads.

BillyJack3 · September 21, 2012, 03:25 PM

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nice groups!

2damnold4this · September 21, 2012, 03:50 PM

That is excellent accuracy.

Mrgunsngear · September 21, 2012, 04:45 PM

The 5R S&W barrels are very accurate in my experience as well.

Strafer Gott · September 21, 2012, 04:49 PM

Nice shooting, nice rifle, and my own personal favorite load. I've never complained about accuracy with H335. A lot of people give good reports with the S&W sport model.

PS: Looks like a visit to dogtown might be in order!

rebs · September 21, 2012, 06:13 PM

These are the bullets I used to shoot those groups
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/579...cm_vc=wishList

I have also had great groups with the MidwayUSA dogtown 55 gr bullets soft points and also these

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/616...cm_vc=wishList

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/817...cm_vc=wishList

Marquezj16 · September 21, 2012, 07:49 PM

Nice shooting. I have not used a scope on my Sport but it sure is plenty accurate with irons. Might be time for me to find out.

I load about the same when using H335. I also use BLC2 with Hornady bullets.

rebs · September 21, 2012, 07:52 PM

I am going to try 25.5 and 26.0 and see what the difference is, but I doubt it could be any more accurate. Maybe a little higher velocity will help it shoot a flatter trajectory with less elevation change between 100 and 300 yards..

LSnSC · September 21, 2012, 10:38 PM

Impressive. I believe the M&P sport is the best AR in its price range. Every one Ive seen functions well and is a shooter. I think the barrels are made by TC.

chris in va · September 22, 2012, 12:55 AM

It's entertaining to read posts from a year ago how 'cheap' the Sport was perceived to be. People aren't laughing anymore.

10mmAuto · September 22, 2012, 01:55 AM

"Gun sitting" a friend's while he's at BOLC. It's a carbine gas system and receiver extension which I'm not a fan of and the BCG isn't FA which I also don't like.

That being said, function has been 100% and manufacturing quality is good.

rebs · September 22, 2012, 07:21 AM

I believe the Sport is truly a fine, accurate AR 15, there might be some equal, but I doubt any are better as far as reliability and performance. It is fun when I go to the range and guys compliment me on this guns ability to shoot so accurately.
What I find amazing is the variety of bullets it will shoot so accurately. The three bullets I left a link for previously all shoot equally well.

10mmAuto · September 22, 2012, 02:34 PM

Quote:

I believe the Sport is truly a fine, accurate AR 15, there might be some equal, but I doubt any are better as far as reliability and performance.

I like it too, but uhhhhh, what?

Let me put it to you this way, it's hard to tell the difference between a quality front wheel drive minivan and a Humvee if all you do is twenty down the high way.

rebs · September 22, 2012, 04:18 PM

Quote:

I like it too, but uhhhhh, what?

Let me put it to you this way, it's hard to tell the difference between a quality front wheel drive minivan and a Humvee if all you do is twenty down the high way.

I am afraid I don't quite follow what you are saying.

allaroundhunter · September 22, 2012, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebs

I am afraid I don't quite follow what you are saying.

He is saying that you have not pushed the Sport to its breaking point to see how it fares against a higher end gun. Yes, for its price the sport gives you a lot of bang for your buck, but no, it cannot compare to a higher end gun when you start pushing them to their limits.

Shooting accurately on the range is great, and something most ARs do well (but yours shoots very well for a carbine). But once you start pushing them to run hard in adverse conditions, and shoot them a lot at once, the added features and better manufacturing of higher end guns will prove that it does make a difference.

Sent from my HTC One X

arizona98tj · September 22, 2012, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Shooting accurately on the range is great, and something most ARs do well (but yours shoots very well for a carbine). But once you start pushing them to run hard in adverse conditions, and shoot them a lot at once, the added features and better manufacturing of higher end guns will prove that it does make a difference.

Do you have a review, write-up, article, etc. where they were pushed hard? Would enjoy reading it and seeing what failed and came up short compared to the others that were also evaluated.

rebs · September 22, 2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Do you have a review, write-up, article, etc. where they were pushed hard? Would enjoy reading it and seeing what failed and came up short compared to the others that were also evaluated.

I would really like to read it, where can I find it ?

Mrgunsngear · September 22, 2012, 09:01 PM

There's a really good write up by a guy (can't remember his name) who runs a training school over on glocktalk about this. He bought a bunch of Colt 6920s and S&W Sports at the same time for use in his class. He's maintaining them the same (clean every 1k, lube with Mobil 1) and posting results. It's very interesting. If I can find the link I'll post it...

Marquezj16 · September 22, 2012, 09:38 PM

I'd like to see that comparison as well.

Never mind, found it myself.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/5...son_Study.html

Still reading it...

Mrgunsngear · September 22, 2012, 10:28 PM

Yup, that's the same guy. Guess he posted it on ARFCOM too...

Marquezj16 · September 22, 2012, 11:02 PM

Looks like it was just the initial testing of accuracy that has been gathered so far.

Here's another thread. Reading the ARFCOM one made my head hurt.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-w...test-data.html

rebs · September 23, 2012, 07:44 AM

Why is it that the owners of Colt's and so called high end AR 15's seem to have a need to knock whatever others own ? Mine is better than yours, mines bigger than yours, mine cost more than yours so yours is cheap ? Why do they have to defend their purchase ? Who are they trying to convince that because they bought brand X theirs is better ? Who gives a crap if a gun lasts for 100,000 rounds, is the average Joe going to shoot that many rounds ? I know I won't.
I have read good and bad about every brand of AR that there is. I also own a Windham Weaponry AR 15, is it any better than my Sport ? It has a different feel to it, the trigger is different, it looks different, but is it any better, I doubt it. I also have in my possession a Colt match target and a DPMS that I am keeping for a friend that is in Afghanistan with his permission to shoot them anytime I want. Are they any better than my Sport ? I can't say they are, I can say neither of them shoot as accurate as my Sport. Is my Sport better than any of them, I would say no. With the exception that my Sport is more accurate then they are.
My point is that whatever brand you bought, you bought it for a reason that you believe, but that alone does not make your choice of gun the best gun out there. Everyone wants to feel that whatever they spent their hard earned money on is the best. Is my Sport the best, who knows, but I bought it because it is what I wanted and I am happy with it.

Marquezj16 · September 23, 2012, 09:29 AM

Hey rebs - have you tried shooting it out further than 100 yards? I'm asking because I shoot mine out to 300 to a steel target but I don't measure groups plus using iron sights only. Be cool to see how the groups are at that range.

223 shooter · September 23, 2012, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Why is it that the owners of Colt's and so called high end AR 15's seem to have a need to knock whatever others own ?

Let them , those that do the bashing will probably never shoot targets anywhere close to what you have posted above.

September 21, 2012, 12:53 PM	#1
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Smith & Wesson AR 15 Sport These were shot with my completely stock S&W Sport, the only addition was a Nikon 3-9 X 40 scope. Hand loads in LC 5.56 brass, 25.0 grns of H335 powder, CCI #400 primer and Hornady 55 gr soft point bullets. The target is a one inch circle at 100 yards. Five rounds at each target.

September 21, 2012, 04:45 PM	#5
Mrgunsngear Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 3,415	The 5R S&W barrels are very accurate in my experience as well. __________________ Mrgunsngear Youtube Channel

September 22, 2012, 09:01 PM	#19
Mrgunsngear Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 3,415	There's a really good write up by a guy (can't remember his name) who runs a training school over on glocktalk about this. He bought a bunch of Colt 6920s and S&W Sports at the same time for use in his class. He's maintaining them the same (clean every 1k, lube with Mobil 1) and posting results. It's very interesting. If I can find the link I'll post it... __________________ Mrgunsngear Youtube Channel

September 22, 2012, 09:38 PM	#20
Marquezj16 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Posts: 2,088	I'd like to see that comparison as well. Never mind, found it myself. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/5...son_Study.html Still reading it... Last edited by Marquezj16; September 22, 2012 at 09:52 PM.

September 22, 2012, 10:28 PM	#21
Mrgunsngear Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 3,415	Yup, that's the same guy. Guess he posted it on ARFCOM too... __________________ Mrgunsngear Youtube Channel

September 21, 2012, 01:43 PM	#2
SFW Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2010 Location: The Republic of Texas Posts: 124	Very nice. I think your rifle likes those loads.

September 21, 2012, 03:25 PM	#3
BillyJack3 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2012 Posts: 423	WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nice groups!

September 21, 2012, 03:50 PM	#4
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 2,526	That is excellent accuracy.

September 21, 2012, 04:49 PM	#6
Strafer Gott Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,315	Nice shooting, nice rifle, and my own personal favorite load. I've never complained about accuracy with H335. A lot of people give good reports with the S&W sport model. PS: Looks like a visit to dogtown might be in order!

September 21, 2012, 06:13 PM	#7
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	These are the bullets I used to shoot those groups http://www.midwayusa.com/product/579...cm_vc=wishList I have also had great groups with the MidwayUSA dogtown 55 gr bullets soft points and also these http://www.midwayusa.com/product/616...cm_vc=wishList http://www.midwayusa.com/product/817...cm_vc=wishList

September 21, 2012, 07:49 PM	#8
Marquezj16 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Posts: 2,088	Nice shooting. I have not used a scope on my Sport but it sure is plenty accurate with irons. Might be time for me to find out. I load about the same when using H335. I also use BLC2 with Hornady bullets.

September 21, 2012, 07:52 PM	#9
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	I am going to try 25.5 and 26.0 and see what the difference is, but I doubt it could be any more accurate. Maybe a little higher velocity will help it shoot a flatter trajectory with less elevation change between 100 and 300 yards..

September 21, 2012, 10:38 PM	#10
LSnSC Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2010 Posts: 514	Impressive. I believe the M&P sport is the best AR in its price range. Every one Ive seen functions well and is a shooter. I think the barrels are made by TC.

September 22, 2012, 12:55 AM	#11
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	It's entertaining to read posts from a year ago how 'cheap' the Sport was perceived to be. People aren't laughing anymore.

September 22, 2012, 01:55 AM	#12
10mmAuto Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2010 Posts: 598	"Gun sitting" a friend's while he's at BOLC. It's a carbine gas system and receiver extension which I'm not a fan of and the BCG isn't FA which I also don't like. That being said, function has been 100% and manufacturing quality is good.

September 22, 2012, 07:21 AM	#13
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	I believe the Sport is truly a fine, accurate AR 15, there might be some equal, but I doubt any are better as far as reliability and performance. It is fun when I go to the range and guys compliment me on this guns ability to shoot so accurately. What I find amazing is the variety of bullets it will shoot so accurately. The three bullets I left a link for previously all shoot equally well.

September 22, 2012, 11:02 PM	#22
Marquezj16 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Posts: 2,088	Looks like it was just the initial testing of accuracy that has been gathered so far. Here's another thread. Reading the ARFCOM one made my head hurt. http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-w...test-data.html

September 23, 2012, 07:44 AM	#23
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Why is it that the owners of Colt's and so called high end AR 15's seem to have a need to knock whatever others own ? Mine is better than yours, mines bigger than yours, mine cost more than yours so yours is cheap ? Why do they have to defend their purchase ? Who are they trying to convince that because they bought brand X theirs is better ? Who gives a crap if a gun lasts for 100,000 rounds, is the average Joe going to shoot that many rounds ? I know I won't. I have read good and bad about every brand of AR that there is. I also own a Windham Weaponry AR 15, is it any better than my Sport ? It has a different feel to it, the trigger is different, it looks different, but is it any better, I doubt it. I also have in my possession a Colt match target and a DPMS that I am keeping for a friend that is in Afghanistan with his permission to shoot them anytime I want. Are they any better than my Sport ? I can't say they are, I can say neither of them shoot as accurate as my Sport. Is my Sport better than any of them, I would say no. With the exception that my Sport is more accurate then they are. My point is that whatever brand you bought, you bought it for a reason that you believe, but that alone does not make your choice of gun the best gun out there. Everyone wants to feel that whatever they spent their hard earned money on is the best. Is my Sport the best, who knows, but I bought it because it is what I wanted and I am happy with it.

September 23, 2012, 09:29 AM	#24
Marquezj16 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2011 Posts: 2,088	Hey rebs - have you tried shooting it out further than 100 yards? I'm asking because I shoot mine out to 300 to a steel target but I don't measure groups plus using iron sights only. Be cool to see how the groups are at that range.