Smith & Wesson AR confusion

[CZguy]

What is the difference between the Smith & Wesson MP AR-15 and the AR-15 Sport?

 

[TonyAngel]

Unless I'm mistaken, the Sport model lacks a forward assist and dust cover. Those that have the Sport feel that neither is really needed. Personally, I think that having a dust cover is advantageous in some environments. The forward assist, I've only used a couple of times, like when I inadvertently ride the charging handle down when chambering a round.

 

[creitzel]

I just bought the Smith M&P Optics Ready model, and my understanding of the differences between the sport and the rest of their AR's is the same as Tony's.

One other thing bears mentioning though, I was actually looking for the sport model when I bought mine. The gun shop I went to, had some in stock, but they were "California models". I asked the guy what the difference was, and one difference he pointed out to me, was that the collapsible stock had been locked into the full stock position. I don't know if that is the only difference or not, but I just wanted you to be aware that this variant exists out there, so that you can be sure to get what you want.

 

[allaroundhunter]

The gun shop I went to, had some in stock, but they were "California models". I asked the guy what the difference was, and one difference he pointed out to me, was that the collapsible stock had been locked into the full stock position. I don't know if that is the only difference or not, but I just wanted you to be aware that this variant exists out there, so that you can be sure to get what you want.

They also require a "bullet button" among other things....to the OP, you don't want a CA legal model.

 

[armysniper]

The sport lacks a dust cover and forward assist. It is an excellent rifle. Unless you are a mall ninja or and actual soldier, you will never need a forward assist or dust cover. The sport is an excellent bargain priced right.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

There is a great write up about the sport model M&P in the spring 2012 "Book of the AR-15" magazine. If you see it it is a red cover magazine. It actually changed my thinking about the sport version. I love my M&P, but would not even consider the Sport. Well I am thinking of adding the Sport to my wifes collection now.

 

[HoosierQ]

I wrestled with this question too. I did a poll and pretty close to 50% of the respondents HAD used their forward assist...even if only once. Then I ran into my dream AR at a fair price on the rack at my LGS so the choice was made.

During my research period, I ran across a lot of people who said they would never buy an AR without the dust cover or the forward assist. I also ran across a whole boatload of people who had the M&P Sport and loved it...and loved the $600 price tag. I cannot recall somebody who had one and didn't like it.

I am glad I got what I got because it is a 20" bbl, fixed stock A2 style rifle rather than a carbine style...so it came with the DC and FA...but those features weren't the deciding factors.

 

[Volt]

I think its a great weapon. There really isn't much to go wrong with on the purchase. If you buy it, shoot it for a while, and desperately feel it needs a dust cover or forward assist, you can swap out a new stripped upper for under $100.

 

[ZGunner]

The sport also comes with a thin barrell. Again not a big deal unless you're dropping into a war zone anytime soon.

 

[gpjoe]

Also thought the Sport had a melonite lined barrel vs chrome lined, though that may depend on which other M&P15 you are comparing the Sport to. My M&P MOE has a chrome lined barrel and chamber.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

Good point gpjoe, forgot about that. Seriously CZguy, go get the magazine I was talking about and read about the torture tests they put it through. For the money it is a performing rifle. Here is a link to the cover of the magazine so you know which has the article
http://www.gunsandammo.com/files/2012/03/Book-of-the-AR-151.jpg

 

[G.barnes]

as far as a dust cover unless your in extremly sandy dirty conditions doesn't make a difference. it's open whenever your shooting anyways, so if you store it indoors it's a non issue. the original m-16 didn't have a forward assist it was something that the government wanted. as far as riding the charging handle that is a bad habit that needs to be broken and if you do it by accident just pull the bolt back a little and let it go. I have never needed the foward assist unless I was just messing around the house with it. Other than riding the charing handle if the round stops short you don't bang it in with the assist you see why it didn't go in properly. If you want a low price ar the sport is the best you can do. My daniel defense has a thin barrel just like you can get on a colt or bcm. A lightweight barrel on an ar is a non issue unless your firing full auto it does make the rifle feel a lot lighter in the front which is a good thing for stability if your not shooting from a rest.

 

[herkyguy]

I just picked up the S&W M&P15 MOE. Obviously it has the bolt assist and dust cover....but on another note, I did a decent amount of homework on the melonite coated barrel and came to the conclusion that it was the way to go. The melonite may actually be more durable than a chrome-lined barrel with little loss of accuracy if any, especially out of a carbine length. Additionally, it's a 4150 CMV barrel which is plenty strong for what I'll do with it.

 

[dubya450]

What tonyangel said but the sport also lacks a chrome lined barrel

 

[crracer_712]

You would have to check the SKU numbers on Smith's website to determine which come with chrome lined barrels and which are Melonite.

They are retaining several of their original M&P15 models, and they have the chrome line 4140 barrels. The 'original' carbine length MOE was also chrome lined. The newer model M&P15's including the 300 whisper, mid length MOE and the Sport are all Melonite treated 5R rifled barrels, 4150 CMV.

 

[ugaarguy]

The sport also comes with a thin barrell. Again not a big deal unless you're dropping into a war zone anytime soon.

No, the Sport has a medium contour bbl. that's actually thicker under the handguards than a government contour bbl. From the FSB forward it's .750" diameter, the same as a USGI M4 bbl, and it doesn't have the thinned out section for grenade launcher mounting hardware. The bbl diameter on the Sport is actually closer to M4A1 spec than most commercial bbls. The original M16A1, so called "pencil", bbl was .625" diameter the full length if memory serves. The .9" and larger diameter bull bbls have never been standard issue on USGI M16 / M4 family rifles.

 

[Curt Blunt]

I just bought a Calif. compliant (cuz that's where I live) Sport. It has a collapsible stock, not pinned like some of the other (New England) states which also don't have the muzzle brake. On the other hand, the Calif Compliant has a "bullet button" Which can be swapped out for a standard button. All compliant guns have a ten round mag.

I may get an A2 stock for mine so that point is moot and the bird cage comps are awfully noisy so I could probably live with out that. I could also live without the bullet button and 10 round mag, but I'm sure I'll survive.

I was never that big on AR 15s, especially at the prices for which they were selling but seeing the price on the Sport and handling it I just had to have one.

 

[arizona98tj]

What tonyangel said but the sport also lacks a chrome lined barrel

"Lacking a chrome lined barrel" isn't a bad thing at all when the barrel is Melonite treated. I wish I had the Sport's 1:8 5R Melonite barrel on my M&P15 OR. I would swap with no hesitation. If you haven't done your research on Melonite treated barrels, take some time and do so (Google is your friend). You may find yourself rethinking your game plan about chrome plated barrels.

 

[herkyguy]

This is exactly what I did...research! It changed my mind completely on the melonite. At the gunshow where I picked up my new MOE, there were the old chrome lined barrel MOEs right next to a new MOE with the melonite and new flash suppressor. The shop had inadvertently priced them both the same....so after a bit of haggling and an agreement, I pointed to the newer one and asked if I could have that one instead of the first one I had picked up (the older one with a chrome lined barrel). The guy said no problem. So after the transaction was completed, I opened the box and the guy goes "what's all that stuff?" I explained the difference and then his underling said, "yeah boss, that one came in yesterday." woops.

The newer ones come with two magpul dynamics DVDs and the Magpul vertical grip. I think I got a great deal....plus $100 off from S&W for active duty.

 

[TonyAngel]

Don't worry so much about the chrome lining, lack thereof or something else being present. Just worry about whether the rifle is going to run right. I've had several barrels that weren't chrome lined and didn't have melonite on them. The truth is that you'll shoot the throat out of the barrel before either coating makes a difference to you.

As for the dust cover, you don't need to be a "real" solder or mall ninja to feel that you need one, or just want one. If you pack your rifle around where it's sandy, muddy, wet or whatever, it's nice to have something to keep crap from getting into your action. I often strap mine to the rack on my four wheeler and I'm glad that I have a dust cover.

For what it's worth, though, I sold an AR that had a barrel from Superior Barrels on it. Unless I'm mistaken, Superior uses a melonite type of coating on their barrels. When I got it, I wanted to test the toughness of it so I took a pair of scissors and raked it across the barrel several times to see if I could scratch it. It left marks that turned out to be metal from the scissors, because it wiped right off. The stuff is tough.

 

[ugaarguy]

Here's your $15 dust cover for the Sport - http://www.m-guns.com/tool_new.php?product=safeport

 

[KeithR]

I've been looking all over for the M&P ar15 sport and to be honest, I don't think S&W are making them anymore. If they are they might be found in the over priced big box stores like gandermtn but they do, they want MSRP. I have checked with local gun stores locally and get the same answer: they'll sell them when they can get them, but they haven't seen them for months. One local gun store(that sells S&W-got my M&P 40 there) had a couple of M&P 15-22's, and the model w/dust cover & FA, but the sales people hadn't heard of the sport. They thought I was asking about the DPMS Sportical(which they had) Every on line site I check always list them as out of stock and don't know when they'll get them.

 

[crracer_712]

All those places get them in from time to time, they just sell out fast. Palementostatearmory recently had 22 in stock, but sold out in about 3 days. At a 619.00 price, that was a good value. The DPMS Sportical isn't in the same class as the M&P Sport. I don't know what DPMS was thinking, but manufacturing the upper so that it is a good 1/16" thicker on both sides than the lower makes look kinda flakey.

 

[Still Shooting]

I had my LGS order an S&W M&P15 FT for me 2-1/2 months ago - still nothing. Since I live in NY State, it has to be compliant. A couple of days ago, my LGS guy told me he finally was able to get one that's not compliant, and is having a local (very good) smith pin the stock, and fit a .224 cal. "flash hider" to make it compliant for me.

-Where there's a will, there's a way!

 

[arizona98tj]

The truth is that you'll shoot the throat out of the barrel before either coating makes a difference to you.

There seems to be a difference of opinion about that for those barrels that are Melonite processed. As I mentioned before, research is your friend, especially on this topic.