So what's really the problem with S&W's AR Sporter?
- Thread starter MIL-DOT
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Surculus
Member
Actually, that's precisely the scenario you want to pick one up for, preferably shortly before the course: if it's going to break, break it during warranty! How many people are ever going to come close to shooting that # of rounds thru their rifle before the 1st year is up? No, no, I like that idea: trial by fire [no pun intended!]
My Savage 12 LRPV has a 1:9 twist and it's a .223 rifle. It shoots about a 4" group at 500 yards pretty consistently. At least it did when I was getting to shoot it a lot. I assume it can still do that. I don't know if I still can. But I shoot 75 gr. bullets in that rifle a lot and I've never had a problem. I do see a loss of accuracy with a 77 gr. bullet so 75 gr. is pretty much the limit. A few years ago a 1:7 barrel was considered extreme and only useful for people who wanted to shoot very long distances with heavy bullets. Times change quickly and so do opinions. But I'm pretty sure physics don't. There won't be a thing wrong a 1:9 twist on a HD .223/5.56.
BTW usually the people talking smack about how a cheap gun isn't a good gun are people who bought more expensive guns and don't want to think they could have got by with spending less. I've seen that so many times it isn't funny. Actual reviews from owners are where you get the information you want. Not speculation from "it must cost a lot to be good" types. I bet they think my SKS is total junk based on the fact I paid under $100 for it. But it has been ridiculously reliable over the years and it's a lot more accurate than some people will try to say.
I've been on a quest to get a M&P Sport 15 for a while now. I guess I set back my plans by buying a Buck Mark a couple of days ago. I actually have a battle carbine so I'm not hurting. I really want to get my wife involved in shooting more. And she shot a Buck Mark I borrowed very well. She's already asking questions about shooting the BM. She shot very well with one last summer. I'm talking a 3"-4" group at 25 yards after shooting about 20 minutes with me helping her with her stance and her grip and her trigger pull. She impressed herself I think. I know she impressed me because she has never shot pistols much. Anyway I got the BM to get her out to the range. I'll get the S&W soon enough. I just need to save a little more money. Or win the lottery which would be hard to do since I don't play the lottery.
BSA1
member
A while back I posted a thread asking if the dust cover and forward assist was really needed on a civilian rifle. The overwhelming response was no.
Trying to force a out-of-spec round to chamber with the F/A will cause the mother of all jams. As for the dust cover many other gun designs left the bolt exposed.
The only practical (???) use of the F/A is too silently chamber a round while hunting by riding the bolt down and then pushing on the F/A to ensure it is fully chambered.
Trying to force a out-of-spec round to chamber with the F/A will cause the mother of all jams. As for the dust cover many other gun designs left the bolt exposed.
The only practical (???) use of the F/A is too silently chamber a round while hunting by riding the bolt down and then pushing on the F/A to ensure it is fully chambered.
Inebriated
Member
The scallop on the carrier will do the same thing.
Saddlebag Preacher
Member
My Sport isn't a range toy. It is used for coyote and predator hunting (Not wide open spaces here like out west), jeep gun, 4-wheeler gun, night time noise in the night gun, (live on a farm) and it has never failed me. I've still never needed a dust cover or forward assist. Now I'm not against them, just bought the best I could afford at the time and never saw the need to buy another.
As a former LEO, I would've trusted my life with it, but we used shotguns in my day.
I'm also looking at shooting 3 gun at our local range and don't see the need to buy a different gun. Just saying......
As a former LEO, I would've trusted my life with it, but we used shotguns in my day.
I'm also looking at shooting 3 gun at our local range and don't see the need to buy a different gun. Just saying......
DOUBLEDTX
Member
I have recommended the Sport to several friends and co-workers that wanted an AR, but weren't big on spending a grand on one. It's been a few years now and all of them are still enjoying their rifles both at the range and in the field. I am interested to see how the new Ruger DI gun turns out!
Saddlebag Preacher
Member
I just got an ad from Cabala's listing the Ruger AR556 on sale for 629.00. It has the dust cover and forward assist if you think you want them. I don't have any experience with the Ruger though.
1/7 became popular because the better manufactures tended to produce 1/7 barrels. 1/9 barrels showed up in the guys cutting corners. 1/7*(and 1/8 if they were more available) is a good twist. Allows the person to buy any ammo barring the lightest weight bullets. Although people have reported 40 grainers shooting just fine.
Creature
Member
What is the trigger like on one a S&W AR Sporter?
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Or ensuring the bolt closes all the way after a press check on a civilian HD carbine, without getting your thumb grimy on the BCG. If you don't do press checks, and always chamber a round by letting the bolt fly forward, you really don't have much use for one. If you do, they are handy, but not essential.
2ndtimer
Member
Mine is one of the older models, blessed with the 1 in 8" twist 5R rifled barrel. Its' trigger is fairly heavy, but crisp. And it shoots all bullet weights I have tried very well, grouping MOA, or very close. Even the 40 gr Z and V-Maxes, and the Nosler Varmageddon Tipped and Ballistic Tips generally put 5 into an inch and a quarter or less at 100 yards from the bench. Mine is accurate enough that I mounted a Redfield 4-12X scope on it, and gophers at 200 yards are fair game. I paid $599 for it at a department store a couple of years ago and plan to keep it forever.
I always get kick out of those guys. I wonder how many of those folks drive on five year old nearly bald tires, don't have a single working fire extinguisher in the house, are 40 pounds overweight heart attacks waiting to happen, and texting their advice to a forum while driving.
But OH MY! when the cool kids on the net declare the $4000 riboflavin-nitrate coated Tactical Ninja Quad rail to be the "in thing" (as it's claimed to be 4% stronger than last years model) it's all "HOW MUCH IS YOUR AND YOUR FAMILES LIVES WORTH!"
Creature
Member
Or these are the same people who will pay extra to fly first class instead of coach. Gets you there at the same time but, ahhhh, the differences...are undeniable.
You're exactly right. The Melonite lined barrels are better than chrome lined. They're more corrosion resistant, and with chrome you're at the mercy of how evenly it's applied.
I have a Sport and it's a fine bullet hose. I couldn't care less about a forward assist, which wasn't on the original design, or a dust cover. I would have preferred the 1:8 5R barrel, but the 1:9 suits my needs fine.
They have a lifetime warranty. From a company that's been around for 160+ years. And will still be around long after most AR-15 manufacturers are long gone.Actually, that's precisely the scenario you want to pick one up for, preferably shortly before the course: if it's going to break, break it during warranty! How many people are ever going to come close to shooting that # of rounds thru their rifle before the 1st year is up? No, no, I like that idea: trial by fire [no pun intended!]
HoosierQ
Member
There's no problem with that gun. It's great.
Standard mil-spec. Replaced mine with an ALG ACT before I ever shot it. It wasn't bad, I just like a nice trigger.
Armybrat
Member
I bought a Sport early last year and a Colt LE6920 a few months later. The fit & finish are about equal on both, but did upgrade the Sport hand guard to a Magpul. Paid $579 for the Sport & $879 for the Colt.
The Sport is a fine shooter and I wouldn't hesitate to depend on it for social work. Same for the Colt.
I'm not really a rifle or an AR guy, but really like these little carbines. Bought them just because I could, and the prices were right.
Gunbuyer has the Sport on sale right now for $539/free shipping:
http://www.gunbuyer.com/p-58570-smi...tock-with-no-forward-assist.aspx#.VOj4jWM5B9A
The Sport is a fine shooter and I wouldn't hesitate to depend on it for social work. Same for the Colt.
I'm not really a rifle or an AR guy, but really like these little carbines. Bought them just because I could, and the prices were right.
Gunbuyer has the Sport on sale right now for $539/free shipping:
http://www.gunbuyer.com/p-58570-smi...tock-with-no-forward-assist.aspx#.VOj4jWM5B9A
Tom609
Member
It has been flawless. Money well spent.
coloradokevin
Member
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I'm not familiar with the "sporter" model that you asked about, but I will say that I've carried a S&W MP15T for duty use for probably at least 6-7 years now. It has worked well, and I do (quite literally) trust my life to it. I previously carried a Colt, and really didn't have any complaints with that gun either. But, I chose to carry the S&W, and I've been happy with it so far.
Also, I've put several thousand rounds through mine without issue.
Also, I've put several thousand rounds through mine without issue.
Creature
Member
I got to use a M&P15 VTAC II for a couple of days. That was a very nice rifle.
It is a great rife, I bought one liked it then got one for the wife, I have other more costly ARs but I really don't see the difference in rifles but im not a AR smith.
I can say this for example when I took it to the range there was one of
those cool tactical guys next to me with his high dollar AR with red dots and magnifiers and sights canted you name it, he had nothing but problems could not hit his target or get all his multiple sights aligned I kept thinking how
funny is this another guy caught up in the mall ninja hype.
I was shooting my simple S&W hit all my targets and no jams or any other issues of any kind.
I believe in the keep it simple theory and less is more sometimes, the S&W is a great gun anyway this is my personal opinion good luck to you
I can say this for example when I took it to the range there was one of
those cool tactical guys next to me with his high dollar AR with red dots and magnifiers and sights canted you name it, he had nothing but problems could not hit his target or get all his multiple sights aligned I kept thinking how
funny is this another guy caught up in the mall ninja hype.
I was shooting my simple S&W hit all my targets and no jams or any other issues of any kind.
I believe in the keep it simple theory and less is more sometimes, the S&W is a great gun anyway this is my personal opinion good luck to you
browningguy
Member
Yes I do, but what does that have to do with guns? I recently drove to a 3 gun shoot in my 2015 M3, with a Mossberg Rhythm 13 shot 12 ga., a RRA LTH 18" AR, a Sig X6 9mm and many boxes of ammo and mag pouches.
So what? Just because you are going shooting that doesn't mean you can't be pretty.
But back to the original question, everyone I know seems to think S&W's are decent enough AR's. Personally I like a better trigger, but that's the same issue with the great majority of factory (especially mil-spec) guns, and I'm now a believer in the cryo treated barrels.
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