Does Smith & Wesson make a good AR15?

Status
Not open for further replies.

GWARGHOUL

Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2011
Messages
719
Location
Missouri
So, some of you may have read about my experience with PSA.

I can't buy from a company like that. What if I get a dud?

Anyways, so in the same price range (around $800)...

I've been looking for a good AR.

Chrome lined barrel, chamber, the works.. 5.56/.223 (must fire both)

I'll upgrade and customize as a I go along...

But I've been looking at this Smith..
Model M&P15OR Rifle

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57913_757910_757787_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

Seems to offer what I want. I just don't know if there is a better option for the same price?

I'm wanting to make the RIGHT and FINAL AR purchase about mid February.

Thanks.
 
If the walmarts in your area carry AR15's check out the Windham Weaponry AR15s.
 
I love my S&W, but I don't have very much experience with any other AR's.
 
I've had an M&P15 for a few years now. It's been flawless and I would recommend it. On the other hand, I've also just bought components to put some ARs together. Basically they all work well.

My advise is don't get hung up on a brand, just put one together and go shoot.
It's very hard to go wrong.
 
No issues whatsoever with my Sport.

However, being a fan of my Garand and history in general, I wish I had bought an A2-style rifle instead. Something about the longer sight radius and softer recoil appeals to me.
 
S&W makes a good AR. So does PSA. I don't know what your problem was with PSA but I've been very impressed with mine (and I also have Daniel Defense and BCM).
 
I recently went out with a buddy and his M&P and shot it next to my D.D. m4v5LW, We were shooting targets 100yds out with only iron sights. My D.D. Got 27 shots in good points on the paper. He got 8 on the paper with his M&P...but that's likely the shooter, not so much the rifle.

His is a bit heavier than mine, and not as many options out the box but that's the type of differences you'd expect for spending as much more as I did. Overall I've seen him recklessly chew through mag after mag with his just to make noise that I was impressed at its operation especially since the guy probably never really cleans it (he's that type of shooter.) Enough so it has me thinking I might pick one up just for a backup, so for their price they cant be bad.
 
S&W has a slight advantage in my book. They forge their own uppers and lowers. They can control tolerances better. I have a DDV4, CMMG, and M&P15. I first started shooting the S&W to keep from wearing out the Daniel Defense. Now I shoot it because it is my favorite AR. The fit and finish are as good as my DD. Mine was one of the first year that S&W started forging their own insted of using Stag Arms. I could not be happier. It has never had a cough,hick-up, or sputter.
 
I just recommended a S&W MP Sport to a friend based solely on the barrel.

Overall, it seems to be a fine rifle (I am not concerned about the lack of an FA or Dust Cover), but the spec on the barrel impressed me for the price.

We only put 150 rounds through it so far. It's been flawless, and I am looking forward to working up some loads to see just how good the barrel really is, but if I was shopping, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.
 
In that price range look at the Windham, good quality and a CS department that will knock your socks off. (if you should ever need it)

Jim
 
Mine has been excellent and shoots MOA with cheap Federal ammo. I started with the optics ready carbine for $600 from CDNN. Installed a rifle length free float rail for a longer sight radius, YHM flip sights along with Magpul goodies and a Millet 1-4x. It stands at the ready here in my office. I wouldn't trust it with my life if it weren't a good rifle.
 
yes, very good, had mine 3 years, 2500ish rounds. Mine is a M&P15A. It is accurate (1 to 1.5MOA with bulk ammo) for a chrome lined AR. No issues. Cycles everything. Mine was made just after S&W started making them after Stag and before the melonite barrels.
 
It's not their parts, it's their 10% cancellation/restocking fee.

Yeah, thats right. I want a gun from a company that answers the phones, has reasonable policy, and warranty or the possibility of refund or exchange if I get a dud.

The Smith is sounding like a good option
 
Yeah, thats right. I want a gun from a company that answers the phones, has reasonable policy, and warranty or the possibility of refund or exchange if I get a dud.

The Smith is sounding like a good option
Dont blame you. And, Smith makes a great AR. I already owned the model you are interested in, and I ended up buying a sport as well, for a range gun that I could beat on, and not worry about. I paid $599, and got my son in law to get one a few days later, and the place we bought them from had them for $50 less three days after I bought mine. So, he got his for $559, and I got a store credit for 50 bucks, which I promptly spent on P Mags.

Turns out my Sport is more accurate than my OR model.....much more accuate, and I am very pleased overall with my Smiths. The attached photo is a three shot group at 100 yards using PMC X-Tac 55 grain XP193 ammo, and I was shooting with the rifle resting on the magazine on the bench and my elbows resting on the bench. I was also using a Leupold Mark AR 1.5 to 4 scope in a LaRue SPR 1.93 QD mount.

P101059111.gif
 
Originally Posted by GWARGHOUL
Yeah, thats right. I want a gun from a company that answers the phones, has reasonable policy, and warranty or the possibility of refund or exchange if I get a dud.

The Smith is sounding like a good option

After a couple thousand rounds i had as small issue with my S&W M&P 9 pro pistol. They took care of it quickly without reservation.

I like S&W's products and customer service.
 
Nice prices and nice shots, Wriggly.

I can't seem to find if they are mil-spec or not? My only concern for this, is for future mods and parts.
 
I believe its coming down to Windham or S&W.

I like to kick my research around for a while.

Is either one mil-spec? I like the bigger mil-spec buffer tube. seem more rugged.
 
I cannot comment on Windham's buffer tube, but the M&P's buffer tube is mil-spec. I have heard two different Windham owners say one of theirs was and the other wasn't.


This was from another site, some contacted Windham about their AR's:


"Windham Weaponry responded:
Let me try to answer as best I can your 6 points.

1. Carpenter 158 bolts YES
2. HP and MP tested bolts YES
3. 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium steel YES
4. Mil Spec buffer tubes NO
Mil spec tubes use a smaller diameter tube than the actual diameter of the threads. This makes an extra process to turn the tube down to the mil-spec size rather than keeping it the same diameter all the way back. The walls of the commercial tube are therefore a little beefier. I've fired hundreds of thousands of rounds through AR15s and M16s with commercial spec tubes and have never had one fail. In the former company we all worked for (BFI), we had a test lower in the shooting room that we used for at least 10 years with the same commerical buffer tube on it. That lower probably had well over a million rounds through it without ever replacing the buffer tube. So in our experience there is no benefit to a mil spec buffer tube and is why we decided to go with the commercial spec tube. It's not as coslty to manufacture and is as strong or stronger than a mil spec tube.
5. F Marked front sight bases NO
We use standard front sight bases as this has become the "standard" really. The difference is only .040" and we have taller front sight posts in stock for those rifles that need more height on the front sight post. The majority of carry handles for flat tops are calibrated for standard front sight bases and that's the type of carry
handle we use. Any rear flip sight that needs a .040" taller sight can be easily accomodated with a taller post.
6. Staked locknuts on tele stocks NO
We would have more complaints if we did this than compliments. Some people want to be able to remove the stock if they want to install a different kind of endplate. Factory staking makes removal of the castle nut very difficult. Even without staking some people have a very hard time removing our tele stocks as we torque them on very tightly. Staking is a very easy process and takes 5 minutes to do. We leave this up to the customer to decide rather than making this decision for them. If someone buys one of our rifles and wants the lock nut staked we can do this for them if they so choose."
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top