My LGS recently posted on their website that they have sold out of all of the 15Ts they had in stock and stated that S&W had discontinued the 15T for 2016. They said to watch for a replacement.

Has anyone heard what that might be and the timing of release?

Thanks,
Chris

It's not archived yet and still shows on the current list of M&P15 offerings.

That said, my local FFL told me in January when I bought my TS that he had just come from a private showing and was told by S&W that there were going to be significant changes in their lineup. (What those changes were was not disclosed as he had just got back from his trip and was still road weary.)

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642-1, M&P15 TS

I'd figure that they'd have released info during shot show at least

Good point.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess we just may have to wait. The source is credible, the shop is one of the biggest in terms of volume here in Mass (AKA The Socialist Republic of Massachusetts). They gave a similar heads up in November about the Sport II.

It's definitely not impossible or anything for them to change stuff up, I just don't get why they waited until after shot.. Then again, with a company as big as S&W, they don't need an event to release new products to gain attention.

Wonder what they're going to change on the M&P T ? Hope they don't do like they did to the original M&P Sport and take away all the "goodies" we liked. I like my old Sport and T just the way they were/are. I don't plan on getting rid of either one.

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THIS WE'LL DEFEND ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

As my grandfather always says, "Change is always for the better...." (of course sarcastically)

Agreed - Hoping it's not like the original Sport update where they removed the 1:8 twist 5R barrel but more like the Sport II where they added the FA and dust cover for the same price.

Why do I have this feeling S&W is going to get rid of the 1:8 5R barrel all together. That's the real advantage of the T.

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Still carrying my S&W 642

Funny you mention that...That is the main reason for starting the thread, I have the same feeling. I was planning on buying the T last Saturday when I was made aware that it is no longer available at my primary LGS. I'm sure I can find a shop that has one in stock but the shop I usually go to has the best prices around by a country mile. So I'm worried I may have been about a week late to get a T in its current configuration. Hopefully it will be a true upgrade and not a de-contenting exercise for cost cutting reasons. If that's the case, bye bye 5R barrel. As you said, without that barrel, what differentiates the T from the sport aside from the Magpul sights and quad rail (which can be added to the Sport later)?

Maybe they removed the dust cover and forward assist.

My question is, how does the rifling change the cost of the barrel to produce? I mean, if you already have the equipment to do it with which obviously S&W has (or Thompson Center) I fail to see how it's "cutting cost" to manufacture.. I know people will always pay a bit more for better rifling though.. Beats me

It was also the reason I bought the Sport in the first place, 1:8 5R. ...besides getting one heck of a deal after already buying the T. Dicks ran a special, next day they pulled all Modern Sporting Rifles off the shelf.

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THIS WE'LL DEFEND ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Less different types of barrels to keep in stock to build with. So, less over head and they can sell off the machines they no longer need. It's all about money.

Well, after all that another LGS ended up "finding" some of the current MA-compliant 15Ts and dropped the price to about the same as my primary LGS, so I pulled the trigger on Saturday and picked one up. I figure that the likelihood of them "upgrading" the barrel is slim. As discussed previously, they will most likely either stand pat and keep the 5R barrel as the differentiator or move to the 1:9 barrel vs. going to something like a 1:7 etc. I just saw that they released a new 15-22 in January and it appears to be an entirely cosmetic change from gen 1 to gen 2. Same major components but new M-LOCK hand guards, Magpul flip-up sights, etc. Thinking the T may undergo a similar change for Gen 2...but who knows.

I think you hit it. I bet they go to a 1:7 twist for the T and TS. That leaves them 2 barrels options for their line, the 1:9 and 1:7. Lots of manufacturers are using the 1:7, that's what I think S&W is moving to. Just a guess though.

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Still carrying my S&W 642

Ive have been trying to pick up the 15T at LGS in Woburn where i get all my Smith and Wessons since January. Like you say best prices! Which other LGS did you find to have 15T's in stock? Not sure i want to wait around for the new model.
Thanks

Since we are all just guessing what they might change, I think they will change the hand guard. Get away from the quad rail and go with a slim MLOK type.

Makes sense. That would dovetail with the recent M&P 15-22 handguard change.

Good guess on FS in Woburn for my primary LGS

MFS in Holliston has them in stock. Same price as FS including 2% cash discount.

Hope they keep the 1:8 5R barrels. Didn't think much about that when I bought my rifle but I'm sure glad it had that nice barrel.

Come on man, 1:7 is the only way to go, if you don't have one, your rifle is useless, horrible, waste of money, and needs to be thrown away. It's mil-spec or nothing, because the Government ensures they always get the best..

Guess I'm glad I already own one.

I ordered a 15T in January and it just came in a couple weeks ago. It has the 5R barrel and the Picatinny rail.

I found the following info for anyone interested; looks like we are getting an MLok handguard and the same 1:8 barrel. Below is some info such as price, UPC and Model Number.

SMITH AND WESSON M&P15T 223 REM | 5.56 NATO
SM11600
M&P15T 5.56MM 16" MLOK RAIL
11600 FLIP SIGHTS/6-*** STOCK
223 Rem | 5.56 NATO
UPC: 022188869385 MFG MDL #: 11600


MSRP: $1,189.00

Found a single stock image, appears to be "out of stock" here:

Smith & Wesson M&P15T 5.56 16 MLOK 30 - 11600 | CenterfireGuns

On another site I saw an availability of "allocated". Seems to be popping up on a bunch of sites as "out of stock" with no pics or details. Seems like it should be arriving soon.

It also looks like the MLok handguard is at least 12" as opposed to the 10" quadrail on the previous one.

I wondered if the barrel is shorter... look at how long that flash hider is.

Looks like the same Patented Smith & Wesson Flash Suppressor that is on the M&P MOE & VTAC II which also have a mid gas system so I am guessing it is a 16" barrel. Not a fan of the additional length.

M&P(R)15 MOE(R) Mid | Smith & Wesson

In the end it is a good move to go towards a free floated Mlok tube. I personally prefer Keymod but both work and both have strong industry support.

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Use should dictate gear!

I bought the M&P-15T specifically for it's 1:8 twist and the quad rail- I'm happy I was finally able to buy one. mine gets out of CA gun jail this Saturday.

Geno

You are right. Guess I never paid attention to the flash hider on those models.

I am new to AR15s and really to guns in general, so I recently found a video discussing pros/cons between MLok and Keymod. They suggested that one is likely to overcome the other in market share, and that since MLok has been adopted by companies such as Magpul, it is more likely to succeed. So if that's accurate, I'm glad S&W is a adopting it here. The additional length(I think I counted an extra 6 rail positions vs the quad rail) looks better to me, and I would assume makes shooting easier when you can grip the handguard further out. Really excited to see this in person!

Found this website today. No idea if it's a reliable note, but it suggests these might be available in the next few days.
S&W M&P15T 5.56 SA 16B 30R - Sam's Locker

Honestly I think both will survive. Keymod was developed by VLTOR and Noveske. Companies like BCM, Daniel Defense, Aero and others have adopted Keymod.

Magpul developed the Mlok which accounts for the higher sales numbers. Even novice AR15 shooters are aware of the Magpul brand name.

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Use should dictate gear!

I didn't realize MLok was a Magpul product, my mistake.

The other reasons I heard for why Keymod might not last were that the machinery to make it is more complex and expensive, and that the design itself requires a license to duplicate. But with names like BCM and DD behind it as you said, and apparently a good aftermarket presence, it makes sense that Keymod probably isnt going away either.

Everyone prefers their choice of handguard for different reasons- when I told a shooting buddy I was putting a free-floating quad rail on one of my AR's, he told me don't do it- they were obsolete. I still did, and am very happy with the choice I made. Sure, switching to a keymod hand guard will appeal to many, but S&W needs to ask themselves why the M&P-15T was so popular in the first place- it wasn't just the 1:8 twist. Many people want the quad rail and add it to the ARs all the time.

Speaking of Magpul, I wish S&W would have offered the M&P-15T with a better stock and grip- I'm putting a CTR stock and MOE+ grip on my 15T as soon as possible. Those two items make any AR more comfortable to shoot, at least for me.

Geno

I agree. I think that is why OEM models are as popular as they are.

I have two 15Ts. One is completely stock and my girlfriend uses it. The only modification I've done to the other one is a CTR stock and MOE pistol grip. I would have went with a MOE+ but couldn't find it in Foliage Green.

I do have a CTR , MOE+ grip as well as a MOE for end on another AR15 carbine I first bought years ago.

All three have a Magpul ASAP..

Obviously I do like Magpul stuff.




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I finally got my M&P-15T home last night (10 day wait in CA gun jail- 5:10 pm and not a minute earlier). The 15T's Melonite barrel does have a nice finish on it, but as expected, the stock and grip are fill and are basic spare-parts items.

I'm betting the 15T will be downgraded with the 1:9 twist barrel found on the Sport II.

Geno

Quad rails were popular, but that is changing. Many folks seem to want what the military uses, and with the Army adopting MLok for a rifle I think the quad rails days are numbered. Factor in that with MLok or Keymod both allow you to attach gizmos to your rifle but do not have the cheese grater effect of the quad rail, and you can see that these are the future.

I'll take that bet! I would be very surprised if S&W changed the barrel on the 15T. The 15T is one of their upper-middle range rifles. If they change the barrel to match the Sport 2, then they would lose sales due to folks just buying the Sport 2 and adding the free float rail themselves.

They kept that 1:8 twist, 5R barrel on the 15T so that it would be considered as a premium rifle over the Sport. Product differentiation.

While I have no plans nor want to change the quad rail on my rifle, the M-LOK and Keymod are definitely the way to go I think for most applications. Smaller in diameter, lower profile mounting, lighter and they got to be cheaper to make than cutting out a quad rail, ya think?

I have no idea how these are made and how much they cost. Another reason is the 2 new ones are much easier on the hands. Quad rails need rail covers if you are not wearing gloves.

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Still carrying my S&W 642

Lighter, slimmer and with no sharp edges, not sure why anyone would do with a quad rail over an m-lok/keymod handguard at this point, but horses for courses as they say.

New M&P15T is now listed on S&W's website:

M&P(R)15T Tactical with M-LOK(R) | Smith & Wesson

and available for sale here:

Smith & Wesson M&P15 223/5.56 30+1 Rifle - 11600 | CenterfireGuns

Looks to be largely unchanged, other than the handguard and flash hider.

It's 2017 and I see the gun stores I patronize have the M&P-15T in stock- I would imagine any LGS could get them too. The keymod and M-Lok guys are always quick to bash any rifle with a quad rail, but it works for me and I don't have to mess around with screws, etc just to mount covers or accessories.

As for the rails being "sharp", put some gloves on those soft hands and deal with it. I shot my M&P-15T before I got my Magpul XTM rail covers and it wasn't that bad. Truth be told I put the covers on more for looks.

Geno

The handguard and flash suppressor are new but it also looks like the new T (2017) also has a mid-length gas system. Doesn't the original (pre 17) have a carbine length?

Yes, the quad rail T models have been carbine length gas. Mid length gas is new with the M-Lok 15T.

M&P 15T M-Lok down to $869 + 7.99 shipping to your FFL.

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Use should dictate gear!

MSRP is $1,189. Please tell where you're finding for $869?

Use slickguns to find these kind of deals...

S&W M&P15T Black 5.56 16-inch 30rd

The first things I did with my 15T was add a ACS stock and a geissele SSA-E trigger. Stock trigger and but stock I really didn't like.