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Old 11-20-2015, 09:43 PM
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Question Barrel replacement

Hello everyone,

Just joined the rank & file as a proud new owner of the M&P15 Sport. Great buy! I only have one issue (go figure). While it was a new purchase from a reputable dealer, it IS a post 2012 model. I was hoping for a Melonite 1/85R barrel but got the 1/9 twist with MCR. Not sure why they changed. So my request to the group is how/ where do I get my hands on a 1/8 5R Melonite barrel?
Any help would be great.




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Old 11-20-2015, 10:21 PM
MistWolf MistWolf is offline
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It would be best just to shoot what you got before spending money on a barrel swap. It might be that the barrel you have will work just fine.

In the meantime, check Faxon Firearms and Black Hole Weaponry
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Old 11-20-2015, 11:01 PM
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A point of note, if you change out the barrel, S&W may not honor your warranty. I know they won't with the M&P10 if you do any modifications to it.
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Old 11-21-2015, 12:03 AM
cyphertext cyphertext is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MistWolf View Post
It would be best just to shoot what you got before spending money on a barrel swap. It might be that the barrel you have will work just fine.
Agree... unless you are handloading and are a very proficient shooter, you won't tell any difference... especially with XM193 or
XM885.
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Old 11-21-2015, 06:45 AM
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Your barrel is Melonited. S&W just cant call it that any more. Same heat treat process. This is as stated by S&W.
There is not a thing wrong with 1/9 twist Sports. It is not worth changing out the barrel, for all practical purposes.
Jim
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Old 11-21-2015, 03:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brokenpriest View Post
Hello everyone,

Just joined the rank & file as a proud new owner of the M&P15 Sport. Great buy! I only have one issue (go figure). While it was a new purchase from a reputable dealer, it IS a post 2012 model. I was hoping for a Melonite 1/85R barrel but got the 1/9 twist with MCR. Not sure why they changed. So my request to the group is how/ where do I get my hands on a 1/8 5R Melonite barrel?
Any help would be great.




Illegitami Non Carborundum
Hello! Please allow me to add my 2 cents. If maintaining your warranty coverage is a paramount concern, I would stick with the barrel you have. That being said, we can now move forward.

What type of shooting do you plan on engaging in with this rifle? I have built a few, and one in particular is used for NRA Mid-Range and Long-range F class matches. A stock, GI taper 1:9 barrel should be good for grouping up to 72 grain bullets in acceptable groups out to about 450 yards. A 1:8 barrel can launch up to 77 grain bullets loaded to magazine length, or 80 grain bullets loaded long with 1 MOA or less groups out to 600 yards. With a 28" barrel and 80 grain bullets loaded long, you could reach out with sub-MOA groups at 1000 yards.

If I could offer a suggestion, you can obtain a spare upper receiver for under $100, which you can equip with the barrel of your choice, and still maintain your warranty. Honestly, if you can change a light bulb, you can build an upper. The last upper that I built cost under $200.

Good luck.
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Old 11-21-2015, 03:39 PM
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Hi
I just joined the ranks, also but with the S&W M&P14OR. Agree that any mod will void the warranty...

I've done a few mods and wanted free floating handguards. I settled on the Sampson Evolution series which are nice, but proprietary. I found out the hard way that S&W does not like people "messing around" with their products. Both the gas block and barrel nut are #%$*... to remove.
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Old 11-21-2015, 07:05 PM
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Ed, sounds like good advice. I appreciate the tip on a complete upper. Hadn't really given it much thought. Mostly a shoot and scoot type but always looking to stretch the reach of the platform. Will keep trying new combo's.
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Old 11-21-2015, 07:48 PM
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@ Brokenpriest:

I have 4 AR platforms, my competition service rifle, a long range AR I built post accident for 1000 yard F class matches, a pre-accident space gun I am still working on, and my biggest accomplishment, a CQB M4 type I built from scratch post accident. The CQB cost me $500, including transfer fees for the lower. For when my kids get introduced to high power, I plan to just swap uppers.

As an example, I picked up a "blemished" stripped A4 upper for about $30 from PSA. I have purchased upper parts kits on eBay for about $20, and railed floating forearms for about $30 (also on eBay). Gas blocks and gas tubes can be found there at comparable savings. Barrels are available from $80-600, depending on what you want. It took all of 20 minutes to assemble the uppers.

If my plans come to fruition, I will have each child firing a 24" match rifle for the minor expense of $200. Bolts can be interchanged as long as they are parkerized. You can also do cartridge conversions. Your base '15 can be chambered for the 223, 300 Blackout, I think 300 whisper, 6x45, and the hot upcoming round I saw at Camp Perry being the 6mm Fat Rat.

By building extra uppers, you can have multiple rifles using the same lower.
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