Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport .223. Law Enforcement? Comments? Advice?

[CHRracing29]

Thinking about getting the Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport .223. Was wondering if anyone could offer me some insider info.

Just looking for an overall solid AR for recreational shooting...possibly law enforcement in the future. Not planning to do too many mods but wouldn't rule out a red dot scope or something.

Also if any current or former law enforcement guys are reading this, how does using a personal AR 15 work with a police department and could you use a MP 15 Sport for law enforcement?

Thanks for the comments/advice!

 

[rcmodel]

I am not a LEO.

But I can tell you that many small, most mid-size, and all large departments have a short list of approved firearms you can use on or off duty.

And most will either issue you an approved rifle, or sell you one at cost from a large department purchase.
If they want you to have one in the first place.

The S&W Sport should serve you well as far as sport shooting and familiarizing yourself with AR-15's.

When you do get in law enforcement, the department regs will clarify what you can and cannot use in a official capacity on & off duty.

rc

 

[HavelockLEO]

As an LEO I can say that some PD's will let you buy a rifle that meets the departments requirements, qualify with it and carry it on duty.

My PD is one of those. Minimum requirement is a 16 in barrel, iron sights (either fixed or BUIS type if you run an optic), semi-auto only, optics under 4 power ( I run a 3.5X ACOG on mine).

It really depends on the agency as far as using your own weapon. My PD bought 2 M&P-15s for issue and had some stainless Ruger Mini-14s for issue as well.

I built a sport up for patrol use last year and its a very accurate rifle, both iron sighted and with a red dot optic. The only part I wasnt so hot on was the stock trigger, but thats just my personal opinion. The Sport builds into a fine dity rifle in my opinion.




If I'd chosen to qual with mine there wouldnt have been an issue, but again my PD is like some and not at all like some others.

As fas using the rifle in the line of duty, depend on the department SOP and your Use of Force policy, and the circumstances.

 

[lemaymiami]

CH... retired cop and former watch commander in south Florida. As others indicate do whatever your hiring department requires, period. Different departments will have quite different policies on weapons, particularly addtional weapons other than your sidearm. Remember as well if you're in the potential recruit category... they'll want to do your training (other than former military) .... and most departments are a little wary of guys that appear to be overly interested in the weapon side of things when they have no prior military or police experience.

This is the exact advice I gave my son when he indicated an interest in the field...