Users Feedback on S&W AR-15 M&P

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CaliberFiveSeven

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Have an opportunity to purchase for a family member a new milspec version M&P AR-15 by Smith & Wesson in .556 cal.with some goodies attached .

I've read the personal reviews of favorite AR-15 platforms by the HR members here on this forum ["best AR15 style rifle for the buck.." ]and not unexpectedly versions by Bushmaster, Rock River Arms, Colt and DPMS Panther Arms ranked high in user satisfaction to which I agree are superb, supported from user feedback on numerous forums.

Opinions from anyone having used or who owns a S&W AR-15 : Good, great or just meh?
 
S&W has made many variants of their M&P-15 rifle. The very earliest versions, made years ago, are marked 1/9 5.56 Nato on the bbl. These were the guns assembled from CMT (Stag) uppers & lowers, and third party bbls. Those are average AR-15s, and there aren't many out there.

Everything since then has the correct 5.56 NATO marking on the bbl. These are the guns that S&W is building in house, and they're very good AR-15s. They're excellent values at the prices they typically sell for.

Of the guns you list the S&W M&P-15s (all but the really early Nato marked ones) are better than DPMS, Bushmaster, and Rock River. The very early Nato marked guns are still better than DPMS, and on par with Bushmaster & Rock River. Colt AR-15s are better than even the current M&P-15s, but you'll pay a premium for them.

Knowing which variant of M&P-15 this is, what added equipment is on it (be as specific as possible), and the asking price would be very helpful for us to assist you in evaluating the purchase. Photos, if possible, would be great.
 
Thanks for the response interest, Ugaarguy.

Particulars are as follows: S&W model 811003 Flat-Top Optics ready AR 15. 5.56 cal 16" military spec. chrome lined heavy barrel. Extras include: Red/Green Dot electronic sights,M4 six position stock, made in USA aluminium machined quad-rail, front grip, adjustable flip-up bipod, additional set of front & rear removable flip-up sights and 12 rubber quad-rail covers, 38" semi soft tactical carrying case. Dealer is asking $1,049.00 +shipping.
 
Particulars are as follows: S&W model 811003 Flat-Top Optics ready AR 15. 5.56 cal 16" military spec. chrome lined heavy barrel. Extras include: Red/Green Dot electronic sights,M4 six position stock, made in USA aluminium machined quad-rail, front grip, adjustable flip-up bipod, additional set of front & rear removable flip-up sights and 12 rubber quad-rail covers, 38" semi soft tactical carrying case. Dealer is asking $1,049.00 +shipping.
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The M4 stock is standard on the rifle. Without knowing the brand, the quad rail could be a $70 UTG, a $300 Daniel Defense, or anything in between. The 12 rubber rail covers make it sound like a UTG. If the sight is both red & green dot, it's probably a cheap SE Asian optic. Again (without knowing brands) the flip up sights, bipod, and front grip could be anything from cheap Asian made knock-offs, to quality US made parts. Semi-Soft case sounds like it's probably Bulldog brand - not the nicest cases, but not super cheap either.

You can buy the same rifle new, without all the add-ons, from Bud's for $839 with free shipping. You can then buy known quality accessories that you actually want.
 
My M&P15 has somewhere north of 4k rounds through it. Never one malfunction that wasn't intentionally induced or because of a bad magazine. I run it suppressed most of the time so it gets very dirty as well - still no problems.
 
Now that's what car manufacturers would refer to as "severe service duty"...this is good to know directly from a user in the field

This is the sort of feedback, -positive or not- I like to read; thanks LT
 
Comparing S&W, Bush and Armalite

S&W had the best:
Upper Lower Fit
Takedown/ Pivot pin fit
Exterior finish

bushy had the best accuracy and slightly better trigger.

Armalite doesn't really have anything on the other two.
 
With out knowing what brand of quad rail and red dot it's hard to say if it's worth it.

I have a S&W M&P 15 OR, and I paid 850 plus tax for it when I turned 18 and that was with no accessories what so ever, but I bought that model specifically because it was a base model and I intended on adding accessories. If this is not your intention then maybe one of the standard models with a carry handle and A2 front sight post is more what you need.

All I'm saying is that for that price the accessories have to be junk. And if you aren't willing to spend at least another $1000 dollars on optics, sights, and furniture then this may not be the gun for you.

It is a great gun though, I've had mine for three years now and have about 22,000 rounds through it and haven't had any failures that were due to the gun some due to crap ammo and magazines, but with Pmags and good ammo it runs and runs and runs

My friend have some colts, a ruger, a couple of hks, and variety of bushmasters, dpms, rock river, and daniel defense. And my smith and wesson runs better than most of them and as good as any of them.
 
1200 through my M&P Sport, two stoppages attributed to out of spec reloaded cases (bent slightly).

Haven't needed a 'forward assist', don't miss the removable trigger guard, M203 cut or chrome lined 4150 barrel. Could use a heat shield in the handguard though, gets kinda hot.
 
Stupid question time -- is the S&W M&P-15 capable of taking all uppers designed for the AR platform?
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Asking is smart. Not knowing, and choosing not to ask would be stupid. To answer the question, yes, any standard AR-15 upper will drop onto an M&P-15 lower.

The funky Colt large pin uppers require adapters, but they require adapters for anything besides the funky Colt large pin lowers. :neener:
 
For what it's worth, the M&P-15 is the only AR I've ever actually seen have a trigger pin walk out in the middle of a firing session. I know its supposed to be a prevalent problem with all ARs, but ARs are SUPPOSED to have a lot of problems, very few of which seem to actually be as big a deal as they are portrayed...
 
CDNN is selling their SW m-forgery for $850, a bunch of UTG parts won't make that worth $1050

Try to find out more about the add-on doodads so you don't end up paying for stuff you won't use.

I've been thinking of picking up an SW for my girlfriend rather than sprining the extra $$ for another Colt.
 
The S&W is a good AR. I have two. I would tend to suggest going for one of the more basic models and adding the accessories of your own choosing so you get what you like. At the $1,050 price, the add-ons are likely to be on the pretty low end of things. One of mine is the MOE model and the other is an OR with the MOE furniture.

They aren't strictly milspec when compared to an M4, but the parts that are important for most typical buyers are milspec and/or not likely to be an issue. They are "more milspec" than a lot of other brands.

2011-07-14140746-1.jpg
 
If it is new and has a quad rail, then it is not an 811003 "OR" model, it would be one of the other models with a quad rail coming from the factory.

That being said, I have an M&P-15T which has all the goodies you mention from the factory, minus the red-dot sight and a vertical forend grip. If the M&P-15 you are looking at is used and you want to make sure of the quality of aftermarket parts, you can ask your dealer for the price of a used M&P-15T.

I love my M&P-15T. It is very reliable and it has never malfunctioned. It works well with the CMMG .22lr conversion kit for cheap practice.
 
I wouldn't pay $1000 for any basic AR now. My S&W M4gery is 1-1/4 MOA. I've had it 2 years with 1500-2000 rounds thru it without issue.

The early S&W made by others manufactures is determined by serial number. I am sorry, i don't have links to this, but if you google it or search on AR15.com you can find the info.

Regardless, from your description, i think this sounds like a home built with possible cheap extras. There are way to many good ARs to get something patched together with knock offs. This happens alot. Home builders throw a frankengun together and sell it as a whole gun. Unless i know the builder i would stay away from these.
 
I bought the S&W M&P 15 MOE a little over a year ago. It's a great gun and I have zero compaints. I have a BCM midlength upper on a CNMG lower and a Bushmaster too. I find myself shooting the S&W most of the time. It's accurate, reliable and the fit and finish are very good. I shoot mostly steel cased Silver Bear and Brown Bear in it without any issues. I would guess that I've shot about 10 different brands of ammo in this weapon and have five different brands of mags although I prefer Magpul. Just a preference. There are no problems with mags or ammo but some of the early S&W AR's had issues with Magpul magazines.
I'd recommend the S&W if the price is right.
 
I would buy a new one without all the plastic add ons.
It will be hard to tell how many rounds have been through this rifle, and how it was cleaned/maintained.

Id rather pay $1050 for a brand new rifle with iron sighs and a normal handguard, and know that is hasnt been abused.
You can get a few M&P15 models new for $1050 or less, if you buy online.
 
For those of you that are in the know about these rifles, do they come with a 16" barrel + a thread-on flash suppressor/muzzle break or are they 14.5" barrels with a welded attachment?
 
MX26 said:
For those of you that are in the know about these rifles, do they come with a 16" barrel + a thread-on flash suppressor/muzzle break or are they 14.5" barrels with a welded attachment?
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Mine are both threaded on a 16" barrel.
 
For an average street/internet price of $825-$899, I think the S&W M&P 15 Optics Ready model is still just about the best "bang for the buck" out there.

I bought one about 6 months ago, knowing that I would add on sights, optics, furniture, and various doo-dads. It's a great model upon which to add all your preferred equipment. If all you're looking for is a S&W M&P with a quad rail and a backup rear sight, the M&P15X model is about $200 more than the OR model, and comes with very good Troy industries rail and BUIS (not to mention a standard front sight, which the OR lacks).

My M&P15OR has about 1,000 rounds through it. The only issue was in the first 100 rounds, with a straight-out-of-the-box rifle, in very cold temps, in the middle of a magazine the bolt went to about 90% battery twice, and I had to tap the forward assist. I blame this on a sticky, under-lubed, brand-new rifle. Since then, it's been flawless.

I think S&W M&P rifles don't get quite the credit they deserve on this forum, but I'm not sure why.
 
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