Getting feet wet in ar-15 world..

[ugaarguy]

Menthol, the M&P Sport is really a bargain. It's missing a dustcover & forward assist. The dustcover is nice, but not a deal breaker. The forward assist is a good way to turn a minor jam into a major jam. The melonited 1:8 5R rifled barrel is a darn good tube. It won't be quite as durable as chrome lined (far more durable than untreated or unlined steel though), but it should be more accurate. All you need to do is spend an extra $20 to replace the handguards with a set that has aluminum heat shields. S&W has proven that they know how to build a good AR, even if it isn't Mil Spec in all places. DPMS has proven that they'll cut every corner you can think of on their AR-15 type rifles.

 

[kwelz]

Good point UGAARGUY. Around here the sports are a bit above his range but they are cheaper online. I am not a huge fan of them but for the OP they may be a good option.

 

[Menthol]

Again, outstanding advice!

And why not build? I read online about many instances where the buy a upper from one place and lower somewhere else and they might fit but the result is far from good.. Some end up picking triggers apart and removing parts and so on... Figured unless one has bit more knowledge about the subject than I have I should not attempt to build one.... Would be a waste of $$ and time for a sub par result. Maybe the next rifle will be a another AR that I will build.

For now I'll stick to pre built and tested.

 

[rick melear]

The M&P Sport is hard to beat for the money. I have everal ARs and ran a Sport fairly hard last weekend. 600 rounds in 2 hours with no problems. Im sure others may run their's harder but the Sport ran fine, shot straight and will meet the needs of 95 percent of owners. I would suggest one with no qualms. Life time warrenty to boot.

 

[kwelz]

There is no reason that quality parts will not work together. The only time you really need to worry about that is when you buy junk.

 

[Cecil Sharps]

Menthol

do what you do. but just remember the excise tax. A complete rifle is taxed on every component upper, lower ,trigger stock. sling and case.

Splitting the lower and upper purchases splits your tax bill and you come out ahead. You only pay the tax on the lower.

Would you rather pay the tax on a 75 dollar rifle or a 750 dollar rifle? Take that 60 or 75 you save on the excise tax and spend it on ammo.

Pushing two pins together is easy. Most builders test fire the uppers before shipment btw.

 

[Menthol]

This was a while ago and yesterday I finally made up my mind... It ended up being the S&W mp15 sport. I just didn't feel like dealing with transfers. My local gun shop had the rifle in stock for 650 bucks. PSA would have been cheaper but the wait is like 5-6 weeks it looks like. Same thing with the spikes rifle in the same price range.

The S&W I think will be a fine rifle for what will do with it and good place to start.

Thank you for all the help and advice!

 

[Quoheleth]

I've been in the same quandry as the OP.
Tagging this to follow along.

Q

 

[Menthol]

Figured I'd post some pics of my first black rifle.


I already changed the hand guard and the grip.

 

[Buck Kramer]

PSA!!!

 

[ugaarguy]

Figured I'd post some pics of my first black rifle.

Menthol, nice pics. I see you went with an MOE handguard, and I'm sure you'll like it. I trust that the M&P Sport is treating you well also. Welcome to the addiction of black rifles.