Hello. I purchased today my new AR MP15 811036 after weeks of researching and deciding on the SW. I get it home and realize that the barrel isn't the 1/8 twist but a 1/9 twist. Is this a good thing or bad thing? Doesn't this make the MP any less. SW website until today didn't have a price nor the new spec listed on their website . Looking at the site today it's updated with price and spec at 1/9 Very disappointed on this feature. Any advise? Is this the same AR as the famous review test to failure MP sport review?
I paid $629 for NIB at my gun shop. Can I add to the out of the box hand rail or should it be replaced with a quad?

You paid a good price and got a fine firearm. The 1/9 twist helps with shooting 55-69gr bullets which is what most civilians shoot. Your rifle is no worse for having it. Hell, mine has the 1/9, several years old and still shoots great. If you can find any ammo, shoot and enjoy.

I have a sport with a 1/9 and it pokes holes in stuff i shoot at just fine.

You got yours $100 cheaper then I did!

I'm going to be the voice of dissent and tell you that yes, that rifle is less desirable with the 1:9 barrel...not so much because of the twist, but due to the fact that it does not have the 5R rifling.

Many of us who have the 1:8 5R barrel bought the Sport because of that feature. Otherwise, you may as well have bought a rifle from PSA or Spikes that is "mil-spec", complete with dust cover and forward assist.

I'm not saying that you have a bad rifle. Shoot it and enjoy it. I just feel that it does not represent the value that it once did, especially since S&W moved to a cheaper, easier to produce barrel and raised the MSRP at the same time.

ETA - If you want the 1:8 5R barrel and a quad rail, then the M&P 15T would be the way to go. Folks have reported on here that it has also changed to the 1:9 twist, but the S&W industry rep on another board is telling me that is not true, and it still has the 1:8 5R barrel.

I view the 5R rifling like the micro groove rifling on the rimfire marlins back in the day. Supposedly better or more accurate or something, but the barrels on competing rifles didn't seem to really notice. Despite all the claims and testimonials that micro groove rifling is superior, it's not around today. We'll see how 5R rifling does.

I think the value of the Sport is in it's price for an M&P15. In that regard, nothing's changed.

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686/M&P9 Pro/M&P15X/M&P15-22

Thank you for the info. Imy choices were the Stag Model 2 . dPMS Oracle or the Bushmaster CAAr 15. Ad well the 5R feature 1:8 twist was my factor along side lifetime warranty. I will enjoy... Any good advise on where to get some decent upgrades. I don't believe you can hook up anything to the factory hand rail/shield.... Thank you

The 5R rifling has already been around for years. Many competition shooters have been using it, as well as the military, in some platforms. There is a gentleman who does not post here as often anymore, but with his handloads and the 5R barrel, he shoots very impressive groups. I've been waiting for him or a couple of other guys to get a chance to shoot a 1:9 barreled Sport side by side with a 1:8 barrel to see if there is any difference.

One gentleman, I believe it was don5, has reported that his son has the 1:8 Sport and he has a 1:9 M&P (can't recall model, possibly the OR?), and the Sport did outshoot the other side by side.

There are rails made to attach to the handguard so that you may use vertical grips and lights. The ones you are looking for are made to fit a tapered profile handguard.

However, you could also spend $30 and purchase a Magpul handguard, and then buy some rail segments that attach to it and you would gain heat shields in the hand guard. Or buy a quad rail handguard, either a drop in or one that free floats the barrel.... the possibilities are endless!

What do you need to add? By the way, of your choices, you made a good one and the price you got is superb. Add a good light and a sling and you'll be in great shape.

I have the OR with a 1/9 barrel and my son shoots a Sport that I bought last year. The sport has the 1/8 5R barrel. My son outshot me with his. We shot both of them back to back. I also shot his sport as well. It did not matter who shot the sport, it still outshot the OR. Now when I say it outshot the OR here was the difference. I was using the same bullets in both guns. They were reloads. I was shooting Hornady 55 gr Vmax with Varget powder. At 100 yards the sport put 3 shots smaller than a dime. The OR put 3 shots slightly larger than a dime at 100 yards. Both guns are topped with Nikon P223 3x9 BDC scopes. I was able to compare both rifles and my findings indicate that the sport is more accurate. I also felt that the test was very fair in regards to using the same ammo, same scope and I was shooting with a Caldwell lead sled also.

I will also say that I am happy with my OR and the 1/9 barrel. It shoots good enough for me. There is a difference between the two barrels, with the 1/8 5R barrel being more accurate, but I still enjoy the OR. OP do not let the 1/9 barrel put you off of the gun. BTW, both rifles have had Magpul furniture installed on them. The sport has OD green and the OR has foliage green on it. I hope this helps.

OP, cyphertext is correct. I found the rails at Walmart and they are made by Blackhawk. These were tapered and full length. If you order a vertical grip from Magpul, they enclose a section of rail that is the same color as the vertical grip with it. Btw- I ordered my magpul furniture from http://ottofirearms.com

I'd recommend buying a bunch of ammo and putting it downrange before you start thinking about accessories. Otherwise you won't know if the accessories improved anything.

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Minimize the variables

I have one of the post Jan. '13 15T's and can confirm they are infact 1:9 twist. There have been some conflicts between what various "reps" have reported and whats on the SW website but unless they have again switched anything assembled after Jan of this year is a 1:9 w/ standard rifling. I should still have the email from SW stating as much some where as well as the rifle to support it.

Thanks for posting thetalon....I know we had several threads regarding the barrel changes and I will probably point the rep to this thread and a few of the old ones.

Np, the 1:9 still shoots great btw. It's also melonite treated which I personally consider an upgrade from the older chrome 1:9. I can try to find that email if youd like to reference who I received it from.

How do I know when my 15t was made. I bought it about a month ago and it has the 1:8 5r rifling

Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

You can try emailing SW with the serial number. If you got a 1:8 then perhaps they switched back. I always kinda figured they were just throwing the 1:9 barrels on cause they ran short on stock when people were buying them like crazy. If so really make me think those of us who got the lesser barrel should be able to send it in for replacement. Not very cool to say a model has one spec then ship it with another. Kind of accepted it as the website just hadnt been updated but may have been a load of ****.

Last year I bought a S&W Sport with 1/8 5R rifling for my son’s upcoming High School graduation and liked it so much I kept it for myself, a few months later I bought a second Sport that came with the 1/9 standard rifling. Living in the city we are limited to shooting at an indoor 25 yard range, at this range we cannot tell the difference in accuracy shooting 223/5.56 55gr or 62gr ammo, both easily shoot inside 4cm. However, were I can tell the difference is when I use my CMMG 22lr conversion. The Sport with the 1/9 rifling will out shoot the Sport with 1/8 rifling all day long.

Both rifles shoot to point of aim with clean cold barrels and continue to shoot to point of aim as they heat up and become fouled, unlike a Mini-14 I owned who’s point of aim wondered all over the place.

While I have upgrade (pimped out) the furniture on my rifle with MagPul MOE and added an Aimpoint PRO, we went for a RETRO look on my son’s by adding surplus USGI COLT M-4 furniture and carry handle / site.

Cheers,
W-W

Thetalon, the S&W rep on the other board responded to me and said "Hi, The 15T model has not changed, and is still shipping with a 1/8 5R barrel. If there is someone stating that theirs has a 1/9 non 5R barrel, they should contact customer support."

Thanks for that, I contact them again and see whats up. Going to search my email for the rep that told me otherwise, could I bother you for some identifying info for the rep you've spoken too so that i may reference them.

just enjoy

My 15 OR has the 1/9 Twist barrel and shoots beautifully. Wouldn't change a thing!

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Cliff

Except for everything you have changed already!

LOL! Yeah. Couldn't help myself.

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Cliff

I bought a M&P15T with a 3074 build date (74th day 2013) and its got a 1/8 5R barrel.

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M&P15T, HK pistols

Just got an email back from S&W, they didn't say it in so many words but basically in my earlier contact w them the rep seems to have confused the T with the sport and the information he gave about the barrel change was indeed for the sport. They have now sent me a shipping label to have the barrel replaced. I believe there were a couple others around here w the same issue if so you should be able to do the same.

I appologize for spreading the missinformation. Best guess until they say otherwise is they just got sloppy during assembly trying to keep up with sales rush.

I like!!

I just agreed to a deal with a soldier from Ft Hood for a M&P 15-22. Next will be something in .223/5.56 and that one above looks sweet.

Very cool! Not that your rifle isn't functional as it is, but great to hear that you are going to get what you researched and thought you paid for. Guess I also owe an apology on the other board as well. Keep us posted on your rifle.

How can you tell if the barrel is melonite treated?

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Cliff

Just out of curiosity, why do you consider the melonite an upgrade from the chrome? Yes, chrome is an old technology but that in and of itself doesn't make it inferior. Melonite is a very durable finish, yes, but from my experience chrome is easier to clean and keep clean and isn't really lacking in durability.

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686/M&P9 Pro/M&P15X/M&P15-22

Chrome is a layer that is added on top of the steel. It is impossible to lay down a perfectly even layer of chrome. It is good enough for most applications, but you won't find chrome in target barrels. It creates small inconsistencies. Melonite is not a layer, it is a treatment which brings the carbon already imbedded in the steel to the surface to create hardness at the surface. Since you don't layer anything on top of the steel, you don't change the dimensions. S&W (Thompson Centers) 5R melonite barrels are notoriously accurate.

First thang I did when taking delivery of my 15T was make sure it had the 5R rifling after reading your post. It did. Just got it, too.

I purchased a 15T in March of this year that has the 1/9 twist. I got a good deal, so the 1/9 twist wasn't a deal breaker, even though I wanted the 1/8 5R rifling. After reading recent posts about the 15T showing up with 1/8 5R rifling I decided to call S&W customer service. I just got off the phone with a rep. (didn't get a name) and was told that they are no longer making the 1/8 5R barrels. The rep. said that once the decision was made to switch to 1/9 barrels all old stock was used up and is no longer available.

Call back and try again...if you get the same answer, please get a name. I would like to share that with the S&W rep on the other board. This is the same problem we had last time...call and get different answers.

I sent an email with the same question, I'll let you know what answer I get and who it's from.

I just got off the phone with Jason at S & W customer service. He told me that they changed from 1/8 twist barrels to 1/9 twist in January, and the 1/8 twist barrel is no longer available. He also said that any 1/8 twist barreled guns that are currently showing up in stores are "old stock".

Lol, just keeps getting better. Was he clear that he was refering to the 15T and not the sport? In the email response I recieved they included a blurb about the sport switching to a 1/9 as if it refered to my rifle but that they would switch it out any way. I'm kind of afraid to send it in. Who knows what would come back.

Were you clear that you were speaking of the 15T, and not the Sport? I'm going to post this back at the industry forum on AR15.com. I simply do not understand why we get different answers from support on this.... do they not know the products that they support?

My primary reason for buying my 'T' was for the 5R barrel.

The place I bought it from must have a large, very large stock of older weapons if they do not come with the 5R barrel.

Info sheet on S&W website STILL states they come with 5R's.

I think like the general concension, somebody (a rep) has the model numbers screwed up when talking about the barrel change over. They oughta talk model numbers, not names.

Seems if the S&W website is giving false info they'd be opeining themselves up to all sorts of nasty litigation. I believe the web-master's info, not a salesman's or rep or Tech or wudevah.

I told him that I had purchased a 15T in March, and at that time the website stated that it came with a 1/8 5R barrel, but I got a 1/9 barrel. I also told him that the website still lists the T as having the 1/8 5R barrel and asked if that barrel was available and if so how could I get one. That's when he told me that barrel was no longer available and made the "old stock" statement.

I actually asked him if the 1/8 barrel was available on any model and he said "no".

Might as well send it in...worst case is that it comes home with another 1:9 barrel on it.

Name, model number, no difference...if you confuse the Sport name with 15T, chances are you won't keep model numbers straight either.

When the changeover happened to the Sport, the website showed it with the 1:8 barrel for a while too. Customer Support should have the most current product data.

They should have just left well enough alone. Funny how the non-milspec barrel on the budget gun is now sought after and considered "premium"...

Wow....this has dang sure gone the entire gamut of one thing or another. If you have any questions up in the notable thread index is a thread, "Barrel Specs for Sport" http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-w...ecs-sport.html...it gives a ton of engineering information on why melonite surpasses chrome and the testing that proves it......When I first got my Sport with the 1:8 5R barrel I expected it to be like any other AR platform rifle I had ever fired so I took it out to sight in. It was amazing to me. Then I took out my Dads Colt Hbar, a friend and his new Bushmaster and my Sport. With me pulling the trigger and all of them shooting the same ammo, silver bear or tulammo I cant remember the sport shot rings around the other ones. So I did research. Thompson Center makes the barrels and all of their rifles have 5R rifling, the top tier Remington rifles have 5R rifling and as Cyphertext pointed out a lot of competition shooters use it. I ended up making my Sport my prairie dog gun with regular shots in the 250yrd range....kept switching back and forth between a 6-24x50 Bushnell and an 8-32x42 Optronics...right now its running a 6-24x42 Bushnell and is my favorite shooter.....about a month ago I went with GFarmer and his wife as their guest to a real shooting club in Topeka Ks. I got the opportunity to shoot the 9twist barrel on either a "t" or an "o" with a bushnell red dot. I didnt shoot it for accuracy on the paper targets at the 100 yard mark, without magnification all I could see were rings but there were gongs at 200 yards and 300 yards, 10" and 12" respectively. I was ringing them right and left and finished the day with a new respect for the other barrel. Without my big scope I cannot tell you how small a target you can hit at those distances with the 9 but I believe it shoots tremendously well. Laser straight I dont know but danged good.
I really wish S&W would get themselves together as far as barrels....dropping the 1:8 5R barrel just makes them another rifle maker in a crowded field of makers. A lot of them are starting to use Melonite, they may just call it something else. Glock calls it Tennifer. They did give you something special with the other barrel, without out its just another AR.

p.s. and the 8 twist barrel shoots 55gr bullets beautifully....I am playing around with 40gr and 45gr and it is shooting them beautifully also.

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Grover Oathkeeper

Reply from S&W support...

As I had mentioned previously, all models that are listed on our website with 1/8 twist 5R barrels are still being made and have NOT changed. The ONLY model that has changed is the Sport, that now uses standard 6R rifling and a 1/9 twist. Customer service has been contacted to let them know that incorrect information was accidentally given out. If someone comes across a 15T that has a 1/9 twist non 5R barrel, call customer service. If for some reason you are given information that contradicts what I am stating, please contact me directly.

I don't know about information posted on other boards, or others post. There are no other authorized S&W reps on any other board right now except for here on AR15.com.

Thank you, S&W

I think it would be interesting to do the same test, but with a few different types of ammo. Otherwise you just know that the sport shoots that particular ammo in tighter groups. Or, to be more precise that your sons sport shoots that ammo more accurate than your OR.

Anyway it would be interesting to see if the OR ever had better results over the sport with a different round.

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686/M&P9 Pro/M&P15X/M&P15-22

Smith and Wesson only dropped the 1:8 5R on the sport, other models of their M&P15 still come with it. It's just that now if you want it you have to pay a bit more than the sport's asking price...

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686/M&P9 Pro/M&P15X/M&P15-22