Hi Folks,

I recently purchased a brand new M&P 10. Took it to the range today and tried it out. I had made the following mods prior to shooting it for the first time today:

Magpul PRS butt-stock (don't know if I like/need it)

Rifle buffer tube, rifle length buffer, rifle length spring (necessary)

BMC Gunfighter Charging Handle (love it, all of my ARs have one)

Geissele SSA-E trigger (love it, all of my ARs have one)

Midwest Industries 12" M-Lock free floating handguard (nice)

Low profile gas block (necessary)

UTG Bipod, TL-BP99Q (love it, run one of these on other ARs)

4-16x40 scope (temporary, as it is poor quality)


I brought along five different factory loads:

Hornady 308 Win 168gr A-Max. Accurate round. Failed to lock open the bolt on all occasions.

Black Hills 308 Win 168gr Match Hollow Point Moly Coated. Accurate round. No malfunctions.

PPU 308 Win 165gr Soft Point. Accurate round. No malfunctions.

Federal 308 Win Power Shok 180gr Soft Point. Accurate round. No malfunctions.

American Eagle 7.62 NATO 168gr. Accurate round. Would not feed.


After reading a thread on here regarding FTFs, I was not surprised that the gun did not like the AE NATO rounds, though I was a bit disappointed. I was, however, very surprised that the gun would not lock open the bolt with the Hornady A-Max.

It is early in the game for me with this rifle. Overall impression is very positive: accurate (I am definitely the limiting factor, for right now, in regards to accuracy) , easy recoil (relative to a bone stock Savage Axis in 30-06), and the flash hider does a good job of directing muzzle flash and noise away from the shooter.

The one mod I am questioning for now is the Magpul PRS butt-stock. I went ahead and installed it in anticipation of the permanent optic I have chosen for this rifle - an IOR 4-28x50 Recon. Proper cheek weld did not require raising the cheek weld bar, though I did have to lean my head slightly (shooting from a bench rest). I'll see how the IOR scope changes the landscape once it comes in. FYI, I have the semi-hairbrained goal of using this rifle to reach out to 1000 yards within two years (the 175gr Sierra Match King bullet is the current bullet of choice for that range).

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Thank God

Drill out the gas hole in your barrel to .073-.075 so it will run properly with most all ammo.

The .073 is a number drill size but I cannot recall which one. Easy look up! Easy to do.

Make sure you've got the right combination of RE, spring & buffer. If you have an standard AR rifle receiver extension and a standard AR rifle buffer, the buffer is too long to use on the M&P-10.

Can you lock the carrier back manually?

Thanks for the tip. I will measure the hole when I get a chance.

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Thank God

Yes, I can lock the bolt back manually, and 4 of the 5 brands did lock the bolt back 100% of the time when the last round was fired (even the AE NATO round). Only the Hornady 168gr A-Max failed to lock the bolt back - I tried three times.

It is, indeed, possible I may not have hit on the right combination of buffer tube (receiver extension), buffer, and spring. I guess I need to do more checking (I wish AR-10s had the same build-standards as the AR-15s. Certainly would make mods a bit easier). If there are details you can offer, I would be highly appreciative.

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I just re- read your post. With a rifle length buffer tube, you use the 2" spacer block from S&W(or make one) with the stock recoil spring and carbine buffer. So working length of internals are same.

Same applies for gas port though. Yours is likely .068 unless they have changed.

With a rifle receiver extension/buffer tube use the original factory buffer & the original factory buffer spring + ~1" spacer by S&W. (Or make your own spacer.) The original spring and buffer are proprietary to the M&P10.

Checked the size of the gas port today: .061. Seems fairly small. Gas block o-ring showed signs of proper placement.

I do have a rifle length spring and a rifle buffer. Rifle buffer is 5.1 oz compared to 2.9 of stock buffer.

Right now, the gun shoots like a dream. At this point, I am not yet willing to give up the "softness" of my current setup. I am testing five more different brands/loads in the morning.

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Went to "my" indoor range (25 yards) this morning to continue to evaluate my M&P 10 and the changes I made to it. I am excited to report that the gun shot flawlessly today, with all kinds of ammo!

Before today's range session, I lubed the bolt to almost dripping wet with Fire Clean lubricant. I had never used this product before, but decided to do so upon a recommendation from Bobby at DOA Arms in Virginia Beach. Up until today, I have always used Slip 2000 Extreme Weapons Lube for the bolts in my semi-autos (I use Break Free CLP for every other part on the semi-auto rifles, and for everything on all my other firearms - I am retired Navy, after all...) with excellent results. Today I expanded my lubricant horizon. Lubing the bolt is the only difference between today's range session and last week's. EVERYTHING WORKED TODAY!!!

The following ammo now has been successfully fired from my M&P 10:

Hornady 308 Win 168gr A-Max. (Re-tested today - Satisfactory)

Black Hills 308 Win 168gr Match Hollow Point Moly Coated.

PPU 308 Win 165gr Soft Point.

Federal 308 Win Power Shok 180gr Soft Point.

American Eagle 7.62 NATO 168gr. (Re-tested today - Satisfactory)

PPU 308 Win Match 168gr.

Nosler 308 Win Match Grade 168gr.

Federal Gold Medal Match 168 gr.

Norma USA 308 Win Match 168 gr.

Fiocchi Exacta Rifle Match 168gr.


My top three choices (so far) are:

1. Nosler. Wow. The best five shot group of the day. About 1/4th the size of a dime. Simply put, one small hole. And this ammo felt super-soft. Awesome.

2. Black Hills. A little less than 1/2 the size of a dime. One hole.

3. Hornady A-Max. A little less than dime-sized. One hole. AND IT WORKED FLAWLESSLY TODAY!!!


Overall, I am very pleased with the M&P 10 and the modifications I have made. Now that I have more confidence in the weapon, it is time for the last mod - mounting an IOR Valdada 4-28x50 Recon scope!

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Great detail, thanks. I will have to try those Noslers. What was your powder charge, OAL and primer?

Thanks TWK..... this thread just sealed the deal..... I have mildly wanted the S&W Ar10.... now.... I have to get one.. I have the Colt 901, a PTR91, Rem 700-308, all 3 of M1A models.. and now it's time to add the M&P 10..

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Jack C

The Nosler is factory ammo. As a matter of fact, all of the ammo I tested was factory. The Nosler ammo I shot is Match Grade, Custom Competition, 168 gr Hollow Point Boat Tail bullets.

Now that I have decided the gun is a keeper, I am starting my research to begin reloading. I certainly will update this board as I develop my rounds.

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She will fit right in. I must say, though, make the investment and install the Geissele SSA-E trigger.

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I've had similar results with their Trophy Grade 165 grain BTs.

It just sucks that they cost so damn much.

Ok... so I stopped into my LGS.... I knew they had a black one and a camo AR10... I took the camo... I have too many black rifles.. I don't think I'll be looking to change up much on it, maybe the trigger like you suggested, a Nikon scope... I checked out that IOC scope.... I won't mention the price I saw..!!!! A little out of my range..

I also checked out some Youtube reviews.... very good reviews, I'm excited now.. Think I'll sell the PTR91 ... ..

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Jack C

The camo model already comes with a rifle stock, correct? I have learned to appreciate the PRS rifle stock now (now that I know it does not affect reliability). A rifle stock, imho, is just a bit nicer to shoot than the adjustable carbine stock. That's just me, though.

And yeah, the price tag on the IOR is a bit fearsome. I'm worth it, though!!!

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Nosler is, indeed, proud of their ammo. I priced their brass in anticipation of beginning to reload this winter, and I was floored by the price. Soooo, that gave me grounds to order a brass catcher and some more Nosler ammo - might as well start saving that "once used brass", while it will "flow" into the shape of the chamber on my rifle!

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I hope I'm not messing up your thread TWK..... but thought I should tell you... I sold the PTR91 to a friend this morning, did the transfer at my LGS and paid for and left with my new MP-10 camo.... It's all your fault!!!! THANK YOU. Your post here pushed me over the edge, I bought a couple of 10rd Pmags, it only came with a 5round mag for hunting.... had 30 minutes to get to the range before I had to pick up my grand daughter... so off I went.. grabbed a Nikon Monarch scope I had with a quick release mount, installed it at the range, saw a target taped to the 50 yd pallet, so I sighted in on a small rock behind the target, 3 shots before it disappeared so I knew I'd be on the 10" target. Another 5 shots and I had it close enough to the bullseye, so I ran down and stuck a fresh splatter target on it...... 5 shots later I had a hole bought the size of a quarter with one hole just on the edge of the quarter!!! For me, that's great cause I suck... not a lot of patience, ADHD...... and did it all in about 20 minutes... 20 rounds total, a box of Nato surplus , Hirten.308 / 7.62x51BE - 146gr FMJ/BT ammo....

The gun was amazing, I love it, can't wait to get back to the range and take my time on the 100yd target. Now I ran the 1st 7-8 rounds through the mag that came with it and the new Pmag I bought. Not once did the bolt pick up the next round after firing.... I purposely fired the 1st 7-8 rounds without and lube, it was very dry.... I broke out my little bottle of CLP, like you, I lubed the bolt and charging handle up good, it was flawless after that. Every aspect functioned as it was supposed to.. Of course with 146gr, it shot soft and I have to say, when I first ran down and stuck an orange bullseye sticky on the target, I was in a rush and forgot to put my ear plugs in.... it wasn't bad, a little ringing in the ears... but not bad considering.. You're right on about the trigger, I'll be taking my Wilson combat trigger out of the Colt 901... don't think I'll be playin with that one for a while..

Not sure if it matters, but the camo model I bought was on the rack new for about 2 plus years... I love the magpul stock on it, it's perfect for me for the cheek weld......

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Jack C

Glad you like the gun! Quite the relief, you know, with me being to blame for your purchase, and all.....

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Here's my new baby...

Attached Images

MP-10.jpg (124.4 KB, 63 views)

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Jack C

I LIKE IT! Camo looks good. I like the scope mount, too. I have looked long and hard at all kinds of scopes for the big M&P. This Nikon you have was a leading contender. Until I decided I NEEDED a scope extraordinaire. Well, it is still to be determined if my checkbook feels it needs a scope extraordinaire.... I have spoken to Val at IOR Valdada down in Texas directly, and he has put forth a very nice offer, partly as a "Thank you" for being retired Navy. It is still, though, a very expensive proposition. I really want one, that is the problem. Sometimes, it is ok to buy once, cry once, vice having scope envy....

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Ok, so I was getting ready to pull the Gieselle trigger out of the Colt 901 and install in my M&P... I think it's a Timney after thinking about it more... but anyway, I decided to mess around with the M&P FCG, it looked like a nice group, but it was very gritty and about a 6lb pull on my gauge... so I played with a little file on the trigger first, still gritty take-up, and maybe a little under 6lbs. Added a little lube I got from a smith at Savage Arms, not much change. I pulled it back out, filed some more, got it down to about 5.5lbs, still gritty. So I removed the hammer and worked that side, put it back in with some of the special lube.... 3.2lbs!! No more grit, not the best trigger, but I think it'll work fine for now.. I hope to get back out today and really dial in at the 100yd marker..

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Jack C