Opinions on the M&P15 Sport wanted
- Thread starter jon_in_wv
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Very happy with mine and don't miss the dust cover either. Never used a forward assist since my AR in the military never had one.
They can't keep the Sports on the shelves around here.
They can't keep the Sports on the shelves around here.
jsimmons, I did think of that but if I build a varminter, I still want a shorter M4 style also so it's kind of 6 of one half a dozen of the other for me. I'm only planning on shooting on the range out to 500-600 yards so I would think the 16" barrel should be able to handle that alright for now.
P-32
Member
I would hang on to the stripped lower for a rainy day,
Must be nice to have a range that has a 600-yard position...
I happen to agree with you. The S&W Sport is a fine platform, and since the Sport is just another AR-15, you can do anything you want to it to make it more appropriate for the intended mission. I have a M&P15 MOE that has gone through a lot of changes itself:
- UPG-16 pistol grip (it's got replaceable forestraps and backstraps so you can implement the best configure for you (I personally hate the hard plastic MOE and standard AR-15 grips). ($30)
- M16 BCG ($110) with Sprinco Blue action spring ($23) and H2 buffer ($36)
- Primary Weapon Systems Enhanced (extruded) buffer tube ($65)
- Smith Vortex G6A2 flash suppressor (the best suppressor I've ever seen) ($50)
- Magpul CTR Stock - to get the QD sling swivel hole ($75)
- Troy folding rear sight - the Magpul sight was plastic, and it just looked/felt cheap to me ($90)
- Yankee-Hill folding front sight/gas block - I don't care for the standard FSP, and even though the fornt sight would not have been visible in a magnified optic, it would still have prevented the maximum light transmission the scope is capable of. ($65)
- Jard non-adjustable trigger ($115)
On top of the $1100 I paid for the rifle, I've spent an additional $650 on upgrades (not counting shipping, or buying parts that it turned out I didn't like). I still haven't changed the barrel/hand guard (another $600, give or take), which I really want to do.
It would have cost me less to just build a rifle from scratch the way I wanted it, which I subsequently did. I paid about $1300 (not counting shipping charges for the parts) for a rifle with all the "right" parts already in/on it.
So, if you're going to buy a Sport, consider the following changes :
0) Change the barrel to a 16-inch mid-length 1:8 or 1:7 barrel. This will keep the action from being chewed up as a result of being over-gassed (as is typically the case in a carbine-length system). This will also require changing the hand guard and the gas tube. I use BlackHole Weaponry barrels at $250 each, and my homemade AR uses one of their 16-inch stainless 1:8 mid-length barrels.
1) Use a floating hand guard to avoid barrel deflection caused by grip and/or sling use. You can actually do this without changing the barrel, but when you do get around to changing the barrel, you'll have to do it again if you change to the mid-length gas system. I would recommend getting one with a full top rail and the ability to bolt on additional rails as needed on the sides/bottom.
2) Change the trigger to one of the high-quality triggers available. You can spend as little as $65 for an ALG ACT trigger (made by Giessele), to as much as $300 for a Timney or a fancier Giessele, with a lot of choices in between. I use Jard witha full-power hammer spring because it's a smooth single action trigger with a 4.5 pound pull, it's reasonably priced, and it's not a "match" trigger.
3) To lessen the recoil pulse, change the BCG to a M16 BCG, and use a quality action spring with the heaviest buffer you can find that still allows the action to cycle properly. Reducing the recoli pulse allows you to better keep the weapon aimed at the intended target. I use the M16 BCG from Spike's without any special coating, Sprinco action springs, and a standard H2 recoil buffer.
4) Change the front sight post to a folding front sight. I use the yankee hill gasblock/folding sight because I don't think optics or sights should be mounted on a handguard. If they're mounted on the barrel, then the bullet will go where the barrel is pointed.
5) Whatever you do, stay away from anti-rotation pins. The only thing they do is make the trigger harder to pull. I used to have them on my ARs, but took them off due to increased trigger stiffness.
Keep in mind this is one man's opinion and for every person you ask, they will provided a different one.
Archaic
Member
I love mine, thus far its gone bang and made the steel rodents spin every time I've pulled the trigger. No complaints whatsoever.
Yup, actually it goes out to 1000 yards though. I just don't shoot that far.
http://whitehorse.thomassmith.us/
Thanks for the advise. I seriously doubt I would put that much effort into this upper but I plan on doing some research to put together a quality upper for longer distances, probably along the lines of what you suggested.
TITAN308
Member
There was a review when these came out and the guy was throwing dirt into the ejection port when the S&W staff were not looking.
He could not get it to jam.
Not saying it couldn't, but less mall ninja, more realism please.
That or start lubing your AR-15 correctly. A common problem amonst AR-15 owners.
hardluk1
member
BWCustoms Good reply
Honestly, if your rifle can't handle a few miles on the 4 wheeler you have the wrong rifle. I've done a lot of training with the AR when I was in the Marine Corps. Most of it was in desert conditions in California. We did a LOT of movement, firing, running, rolling, etc......in the dust and dirt and I never took the time to close my dust cover after the first shot.
FlyinBryan
Member
between those two i would go with the delton.
if you threw a palmetto state option in then id go that route.
i know all the sport owners say no need for a dust cover or a forward assist but i prefer to have them.
Palmetto State says there is a 4-6 week wait to get one and its more expensive. Is it worth all that? Delton is in stock at Midway.
The only problem is Del-ton only seems to offer a 1-9 twist when I would have preferred a 1-8.
The only problem is Del-ton only seems to offer a 1-9 twist when I would have preferred a 1-8.
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hardluk1
member
Get the sport , you will not disapointed. Good shooter well made all metal parts made in house.
hardluk1
member
Nothing special about shaws barrels. But by all means buy what you really want. i will stay with my sport. Simple, not a a parts gun for different metal components like so many others.
Nothing special about it but a lot of people seem to recommend Model 1 and the price is right. The more I think about it the more I remember the little "click" the dustcover made when I would close it when I'm done shooting. I think I would miss that for some reason.
stormspotter
Member
Here's a target I shot a week ago, after putting a Vortes Srikefire on it. This was the best one of the day. I had others that were in the 3/4" - 1" range. Not bad for 63 year old eyes.
May sell my 581 Mini and get another if I can find one priced right.
May sell my 581 Mini and get another if I can find one priced right.
gunfighter48
Member
I bought the S&W 15 Sport last Aug. and it's a great gun for the money. I've got about 1500 rds thru mine with NO failures of any type. It's lite weight, fast handling, very accurate and came with a lifetime warranty. So what's not to like? S&W have been making great weapons for many many years. They do it right and they have great customer service. The AR is the only rifle that has a forward assist and dust cover. All the other rifles I've owned or shot didn't have them and didn't need them. My last AR had both of them and I never needed them, so I don't miss them on the Sport. YMMV
Here's mine after some mods.
Magpul MOE furniture
Magpul Gen 2 Flip Up Rear Sight
YHM Flip Up/Gas Block Front Sight
Timney 4 lb Trigger Assembly
Vortex Flash Hider
Gunfighter Charging Handle
Impact Weapons QD Sling Hardware
Primary Arms M3 Style Red Dot Sight
Here's mine after some mods.
Magpul MOE furniture
Magpul Gen 2 Flip Up Rear Sight
YHM Flip Up/Gas Block Front Sight
Timney 4 lb Trigger Assembly
Vortex Flash Hider
Gunfighter Charging Handle
Impact Weapons QD Sling Hardware
Primary Arms M3 Style Red Dot Sight
hardluk1
member
If this make sence to you mine from the chamber section out is .736 under the handguard out to the .854 section where the gas block butts up to.
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hardluk1
member
Not a goverment profile but not a bull barrel either
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