Hello Everyone.. and thanks in advance for not picking on the newb here too much if I ask some basic questions.

I've gone and placed my order for the M&P 15 sport tonight and pick it up on Thursday and am very excited. The guys at the shop were all very knowledgeable and helpful. I didn't get robbed on the price, I did my online comparisons before going in.

One thing I want to be sure of is which caliber is best to run through it. I noticed many models state both 5.56/.223 whereas this one only states 5.56. The guys at the shop assured me I can run both. Do you run both? Which do you prefer? What difference do you notice?

Please understand, this is the first rifle I have ever purchased.
I've always been partial to handguns as rifles have always been larger, heavy and awkward for me.(woman) A friend came over recently and he let me shoot his AR and I loved it and decided I had to have one. I feel I've made a good choice with this model and am planning to mod it just a little in the future. Rail, Light, Grips are my basic plans.

Thanks for any input!

I just read the post regarding 5.56 vs .223 and it addresses the sport model specifically.. looks like I'm safe with either.

I'm still curious what differences you notice.. I'm expecting just a lighter kick with the .223

The AR belonging to my friend that I shot was running .223 and the recoil was not bad at all

the 5.56 round is .224 of an inch and the .223 is well .223 plus the 5.56 has a little more power its the original military round .. you can shoot 5.56 in a 5.56 gun and .223 out of that same gun ..BUT you CAN'T SHOOT 5.56 OUT OF A GUN STAMPED .223 on the barrel ......
hope this helps ..

chris

PS: i shoot both out of my AR , as long as your AR is stamped 5.56 your good to go with both .....they are just about the same in price so the choice is up to you .

chris

There is no real difference in felt recoil. The actual FPS, and energy are almost a dead match, as is powder charge.
NATO designation means more that the ammunition has to meet NATO standards, mostly for standardization between multiple countries.

Good to go with either as you suspected.

The general rule of thumb is to look on the barrel. If it specifically states 5.56, you can shoot either .223 or 5.56. If it does NOT have the caliber engraved on it, or only says .223, the only ammo that you can safely use is .223.

I believe all S&W M&P15 models are compatible with 5.56.

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*Aim small, miss small...

you wont notice a difference in recoil at all. and then........... what everybody else said.

I laugh whenever I hear folks talk about recoil in the AR platform. I howl when they start talking about muzzle brakes!

Go out and shoot a 7mm Rem. Mag. (or even .30-06, .308, or .270) hunting rifle and compare that to the recoil of 5.56/.223. You'll quickly come to conclusion that 5.56/.223 is a delight!

~Dan

I know my .06 can kick some arse, not so much with the M&P though.

I shot my friend's bolt action Savage chambered in 30-06. That thing kicked my butt. I wasn't prepared for the recoil & blast. That 30-06 recoiled harder than shooting 12ga magnum slugs.

A .223/5.56 AR is a pussycat.

Thank you for those answers. I have shot an AR loaded with .223 but not the 5.56 and was curious if there was a noticeable difference. Apparently not is good to know.

I have experience with .357 and .45 pistols, but am new to the AR world and am excited to pick mine up tomorrow.

I can shoot both with my Bravo and Colt ARs.
I mostly run Federal brass American Eagle .223 from Walmart because the price is good. No reason to waste $$$ just plinking.

Yes you can feel a slight differance between the .223 and 5.56, but not enough to use that as a decision on which ammo to shoot. I use brass as mine runs brass great. Cheap steel tends to have issues in my Colt.

Thank you for that info. I have some brass waiting to go... I will be curious to see if one makes a noticeable difference.

Ya gotta try the 338RUM. It will change your outlook on life..... and introduce you to a chiropractor if you give it a 10 shot session!! (For perspective, with no muzzle break, it makes a 30-06 feel like a .223................... )

I agree.

I can shoot my AR all day long with no problems....but after 20 shots with my Mosin Nagant and my shoulder is hurting for sure



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I have 3 custom Mauser's in 8x57 and have muzzle brakes installed on all three, I can shoot them all day long also. My wife love's the one that she has laid claim too because of the reduced felt recoil. I have been looking at some extended muzzle brakes for my Sport just for the aesthetic value but haven't pulled the trigger on that decision just yet.

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Grover Oathkeeper

I got it out back today and fired a few clips through it.
Had a blast and the dogs are thoroughly shaken!