Ok, ready to pick up my Sport today. Wanted to ask the forum....I read a few posts on other forums that say the Sport is ok, but it's definitely not good enough to be a "duty" weapon. I can get the Sport for under $600 and will mainly use it for range time and home defense. I'm not in LE, but would like to know that my AR will perform just as well as more expensive ones in a SHTF situation.

Thoughts?
Thanks for all your help!

The Sport is just as capable of being a duty weapon as the rest of the M&P lineup, IMO. It lacks the forwards assist, but that isn't a show stopper.

What "SHTF" scenario do you imagine yourself being in where the Sport might fail?

Thanks Cyphertext. Good question, I guess I shouldn't pay too much consideration to all the keyboard know-it-alls and AR snobs on other forums. SHTF scenario? I was just referring to your run of the mill civil unrest...you know, Ferguson MO, LA riot type of thing....

Thanks again

Perfectly fine. Don't listen to the drivel you hear out there. Some people believe you "need" this spec or that or only trust certain manufacturers at higher price points.

If it's made well it's made well

In a case of rioting and looting, nobody is going to look at you and think "It's just a M&P Sport, get him!"

Most of the differences in specs between a Sport (and most of the M&P 15 line) and a Colt make more of a difference in a select fire weapon. For example, 4140 steel in the barrel is fine for a semi auto, civilian rifle. You aren't going to lay down enough suppressive fire that the extra .05 of carbon makes a difference.

Same with the 7075 vs 6061 aluminum for the receiver extension. If I am not bashing skulls with the butt of my rifle, does this make that much difference?

It is a cost / benefit type of thing... If it does not provide me with a tangible benefit, then why should I pay more for it?

There are some things that may make a difference though, like heat shields in the hand guards. The Sport doesn't have any, so you might want to plan to change those out.

You will need to learn about the differences, and determine if they will come into play with they way you will use your rifle.

"In a case of rioting and looting, nobody is going to look at you and think "It's just a M&P Sport, get him!"

Ha! That's what I think when I see someone with a M&P Sport!

I don't understand people looking down on the M&P 15. I have the Magpul mid version and I cannot imagine what more I'd need from that rifle to make me any happier. It's basically the same as the Sport so buy it if you like it. You have nothing to prove......

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Webfarmer

YOU ARE GOING TO BE SO EFFIN EFFIN HAPPY WITH THE SPORT-15. You better be sure and come back and tell us that you are in love with your rifle after a week ok....get magpul everything, carbine hand guard, CTR or STR stock, MOE+ grip just for starters and then you can hold right there....

OPtics? sky is the limit.....I almost bought the TRS25 but went with the SPARC-2......

for starters.....

YOU WILL EFFIN LOVE THIS RIFLE.....screw what else ya read ok.

Don't always believe what you read. It may or may not be up to requirements for use in a combat situation in the "sand box." Then again, if you go there, you will be issued a rifle for that purpose.

As to the 15 Sport, it has everything you need for plinking, competition, home defense, and even LE work. The lack of a forward assist is probably a good thing as the solution to a cartridge that will not chamber is not to shove it home, but to remove it. As to the dust cover - big deal. Here in the US for the uses indicated, the lack of a dust cover is of absolutely no consequence.

The "armchair warriors" who have $3,000.00 in their home defense rifle are usually not shooting it, but instead they take nice photos to post online to impress everyone.

My advice: Get a 15 Sport, a couple dozen Magpul magazines and buy as much 5.56 ammo as you can with the amount you saved.