So going off a thread I had started on a different forum about the best backup 556/223 rifle I decided to go buy what most posters advised and got a second AR. Seeing this was going to be my backup I bough a "cheaper" AR to save on cash. After some searching the cheapest I could find, with the features I wanted, was a S&W M&P15 Sport II. To see how she runs I went to the range yesterday and set up a target at 75 yards and did some bench shooting to see how accurate she'd be. Figured at the same time I'd take my Anvil Arms AR15 with me and match them up.

Here's the uuuummm part. The $625 M&P15 ran just as good and as accurate as my Anvil Arms AR that I spent almost double that price putting together. I was actually pretty surprised as I wouldn't consider the M&P15 a backup now as that seems to indicated a lesser firearm. Not really the case. If anyone is looking for a good starter AR give the M&P a shot. In full disclosure the M&P's trigger could use some help as it is heavy, but that's the only negative I have and it's not that big of one.



Also, I saw no advantage or disadvantage between my AR with a muzzle brake and the M&P without a muzzle break. Accuracy, recoil, noise and follow up shots felt basically the same to me. Though I'm not an expert here and can only go by my perception. At this point I see no reason to add a brake to this bbl.

Rock,
Awesome review. I purchased a gen1 version a while ago. Dumb question, but any need for the FA or DC as my version doesn't currently have those features.
Thanks!

S&W does make a nice AR. I think the heavier barrel helped compensate for the lack of a muzzle brake. Not that the 5.56 NATO/.223 Rounds have much kick to begin with.

Think of it this way, now you can configure one of your rifles for close quarters and the other for long range!

To Miles2014. The dust cover is a nice feature to have, especially if your rifle is going to see a lot of mud and dirt but it isn't a must have.

The Forward Assist was put on the rifle at the request of the Army back in the day as a feel good measure and as a response to the Army ignoring Armalite and Colt's powder recommendation. At the time, they were using a much dirtier powder that really fouled up the action in the M-16.

With that being said, it is not completely useless. If are in a situation where you have the let the charging handle ride with the bolt carrier back into battery. The FA will allow you to make sure it has gone into battery. However, the cut out in the carrier where the dust cover is/would be will allow you to do the same thing. So, you still have the ability to make sure your bolt is properly seated on your Sport.

Good to hear! I just picked up a Sport II last week. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet.

Miles,
I bought a Sport in 2011. No dust cover. No forward assist.
The rifle shoots very well, sub MOA when I do my part and has been 100% reliable with all the ammo it`s been fed.
This rifle has been more than I could have expected.
I do not worry at all about it not having the FA or DC.
I hope you feel better about your Sport. Just shoot it, clean it and repeat as needed.
I did add a Nikon P223 and soon a trigger is going in. Im looking forward to that.
Jim

I'm trying to hold off spending the money on the Sport right now and then I read a review like this and I'm making plans in my head to go to my gun store tomorrow and order one. Great review and picture.

I've had my Sport for over 2 years now. It's reliable, accurate and just overall a great rifle for the money.....even without the dust cover and FA.

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Still carrying my S&W 642

I've only had my Sport a couple of months now but I've been shooting for over 50 years and I know a good rifle when I see one. There isn't a thing wrong with this one. Not IMO anyway. Yeah the trigger could be better but that's true of practically every rifle sold over the counter. It can be updated like most can. Mine is very accurate. I bore sighted mine when I mounted a laser sight for close quarter action and now I can shoot from the hit and cut pieces of grass in two at 30 yards. I'm still waiting to get a long range optic but I could live with what I have for a long time if I wanted. It's not my only battle style carbine but it's as good as any other rifle of that nature I own or have owned in the past. It won't win any accuracy competitons but that isn't what kind of rifle it is anyway. I have a bolt action .223 that could easily win a competition or two.

I bought a S&W M&P 15 Sport II today as a second AR 15 as I already have a DPMS AR 15 so I'll be comparing them side by side when mine comes in hopefully next week. I have a Ruger Mini 14 and a Browning A Bolt in 223 also. I got the S&W Sport II for $579 which seemed OK to me.

$579 is an outstanding deal for the Sport II. I have a friend looking for one at a good price, can you post or PM me with the site you got it from?

Thanks!

Rockrivr1, what happened to the A2 birdcage on your Sport II? Took it off or it didn't come with one?

It is a compliant model for states that do not allow evil features such as a flash suppressor.

In my state we can't get a flash suppressor, but can an evil looking compensator, no bayonet lug either. I think MA. has the same requirements.

Yep, we do. Stupidest law, but it's what you get when living in a state run by loons. Honestly though when shooting against my Anvil Arms AR I found no discernible difference when it came to recoil and accuracy so at this point I don't see any reason to put a compensator on the Sport II. Think it's fine the way it is there.

I agree that $579 is an excellent price. Mine cost $625 and that was rock bottom pricing I could find locally. When looking online shipping and FFL fees put it at a higher price.

When it comes to the Ruger Mini 14 I hope your luck was better then mine. Accuracy with mine was terrible and I ended up getting rid of it. I've heard this is an issue with many of them.

What about the scope? do you have to mount it higher to clear the front sight?? I would think that it would obscure the sight picture trying to look through it.

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Forum consigliere

With the scope set to 3x or higher, you won't see the front sight. The focal point is further out, past the front sight, so it ghosts out.

If you shoot unmagnified optics, like a red dot, you should be focusing on the target, with both eyes open. The dot will appear to float on your target and you won't notice the front sight.

My PSA AR10 has a fixed front sight. I mounted a Leoupold 4-12 on it. The front sight completely ghosts. I can't see it at all through my scope on any power.

I don't know about the original posters gun. But I have no problem with mine.

I'm using an Aimpoint ML2 on mine and with the standard mount the front post takes up 3/4th of the view. I'm looking at a LaRue, ADM or Bobro 1/3rd Cowitness Cantilever mount for the Aimpoint that will put it higher on the rail. I've heard good things about all three.

Not that there aren't a few handcrafted, expensive-and-worth-every-penny AR15 rifles out there, but the fact of the matter is that the vast majority -- even some very pricey ones -- are in fact "parts guns", the equal of which can be put together by almost anyone with rudimentary mechanical skills, a few specialized tools, and a good set of instructions. It doesn't surprise me in the least that your S&W equals your custom.

It's also no surprise that you can't detect much difference between the two when it comes to recoil. Most "muzzle brakes" on ARs are not in fact brakes at all, but only flash hiders which have very mild if any effect on recoil.

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Pisgah

Putting together a gun is completely different in terms of money. You are sourcing parts and you may or may not always find the cheapest and cheapest isn't always a good thing. Also time frame of the parts source plays a role. In recent times parts have gotten more expensive or cheaper depending on who said what on the news. Both of us can build identical guns with parts from the sane vendors one year apart and have completely different final costs

You have a different stock, different handguard, a flash hider....none of which are on the M&P.

PM sent today

Got it, thanks fyimo!