I've been wanting a solid entry level AR platform for around 5 years now and have the opportunity to buy a brand new Sport 2 for under $500. I will not be using it for home defense, but for fun at the ranch plus any Hog hunting if the opportunity presents itself. I keep trying to talk myself out of buying this gun, but would it be crazy to say no because of the cost and upcoming election? Would this be the perfect time to buy in the foreseeable future?

One word...
YES!!!!!
M&P15 Sport 2 was my first AR and I love it...

In my humble opinion it seems like a good fit based upon all of your considerations. I can't see the price getting much better especially with a warranty as strong as that which S&W offers.

If you really want one, this seems like a perfect opportunity for you to get a great rifle at a great price.

__________________
642-1, M&P15 TS

Good rifle, great price. I wouldn't hesitate.

What he said

Why are you trying to talk yourself out of buying it? What are your concerns?

First off, thank you for the quick responses!

That it's a total want and not a need. Initially, I was saving up for a Colt but quickly realized I'd only be paying for the pony. Also, the one upgrade I plan on putting on my AR one day would be a quality optic. That being said, would this rifle hold up over a lifetime without any modifications?

Easy answer. Yes.

Now go buy it.

__________________
Still carrying my S&W 642

The Colt is a very nice rifle, my son has one. Is it better than the Sport 2? I would say not. Down the road the Colt will likely be worth more should you decide to sell so that would be something worth considering. I think the Sport 2 has more than proven itself to be a reliable, quality built rifle and unless you shoot thousands of rounds a month it will last you a lifetime.

My wife and I both bought an AR last year due to the political climate. Ours are the upper end models from PSA which totaled around $650 each. My father-in-law bought the Sport 2 for a little over $500. Compared to my son's $1,100 Colt they all group the same, shoot the same, and all have been 100% reliable. My suggestion, find the one with the features you want at the price you're comfortable with and buy it. They are definitely a blast to shoot!

Yes, with proper maintenance, it will last a lifetime. One of the differences between the Colt and the Smith is the barrel, in material and treatment. The Colt comes with a harder steel and is chrome lined, vs. the 4140 salt nitrided barrel in the Smith. I would assume the Colt barrel will outlast the Smith, but I don't know by how much. However, with the cost difference between the two, you could rebarrel the Smith twice... if you ever shot out the barrel. As a recreational use rifle for the ranch and hunting, that is highly unlikely.

I was on the fence as well between buying the Colt or the Smith Sport 2 .
Went with the Smith due to the outstanding warranty, plus with the savings I was able to put on a Vortex Strikefire optic as well as a Magpul furniture kit and I still had enough left to buy a good chunk of ammo..
For me it was a no brainer...

You won't find a better deal on an AR. I looked for many years trying to find the right combination of value and quality. I saw a lot of entry level AR's that had serious issues to be honest. The Sport changed that. They work very well and they don't cost a fortune. I felt like AR's were over priced because of hype for a long time. Still do when it comes to many AR's. The Sport and now the Sport II breaks that pattern in a big way. I knew someone could build a good one for not a lot of money. I saw where lots of people built their own for not a lot of money and those often worked well. So I knew it could be done by a company with an actual warranty and a reputation for support.

To me the Sport was the perfect choice for my needs. I have lots of rifles including some far more expensive than my Sport. But there were reasons those were more expensive other than hype. I just felt I could get a better deal on an AR than was being offered for a long time so I waited and it was worth the wait.

Well if you need my blessing..

I have one and I love it. It's an original Sport. Great rifle. Get one while you can.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With apologies to the Bard...

To buy, or not to buy- that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
Or to take up Smith & Wesson's arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them.

Verily, I prithee good sir, take up those arms or thou shalst rue the day!

__________________
642-1, M&P15 TS

5 year itch heh, time to be scratched, get it at a good price before the next ban hits the fan

That's about the best price I have seen on the Sport II. I'd buy it in a heart beat if I didn't already have a couple of ARs.

If you don't buy it I will, where is it for sale that cheap?

Exactly. We could be looking at President Hillary who has called not only for bans on everything but an Australian style confiscation. Buy now or forever wish you were holding your piece. Hmmm.... maybe I love my AR a bit too much - sounds like I want to marry it.

From a former 15-Sport V1.0 owner that didn't have a full featured upper, yes but with a caveat.

If you want a good AR-15 that provides high value for the low dollar AND you don't have intentions of modifications past topping it off with a dot + a trigger upgrade, buy the 15-Sport V2.0.

If you know you want an AR-15 with this-that-and-the-other on it beyond what is on the 15-Sport, then save up a few bucks and go get the AR-15 you envision in your mind.

__________________
-John

Well, I went ahead and bought the Sport 2 and cannot be more excited. My bank account wants to thank all of y'all for making it hard to say no.

Next on the list is ammo and I've noticed a few threads on here have some quality insight on what to choose. I'll probably buy it in bulk online and go from there. Also, I'll be buying a few pmags online.. As for the optics, I'll just keep the rifle as is for now and eventually buy one down the road.

Thanks again everyone! Can't wait to shoot it for the first time.

Congrats. I'm sure you'll be well pleased.

__________________
642-1, M&P15 TS

Check out SGAmmo. They have good prices and are cheaper on the shipping than most places plus they ship fast. The Wolf Gold is some of the best out there for the money. The PMC X-Tac is good too if you want M855 stuff but check with your range to make sure they allow magnetic projectiles.

PMags are always good. I've got a bunch of 30 rounders just in case and a 10 round is nice for bench rest shooting.

I went with the A2 carry handle on mine with iron sights and really like that set up. For whatever reason I'm not very good with a red dot.

Congrats on the new rifle. You will not be disappointed. Do indeed check out SGAmmo and look for Wolf Gold. Very low price on some quality ammo.

Now, about this...Yeah, one upgrade, that's rich! Brother, I hope you can keep your urges down to just that one. But, in the real world, you'll be doing more than one.

I'm not trying to drag you down here. Just trying to prepare you for the eventuality. They don't say the AR is "Barbie for men" for nothing. There are several, or many, upgrades in your future. Just ask blues7 or JPes.

__________________
Freedom isn't free.

Congratulations on pulling the trigger and buying your S&W Sport II

Did some research too and definitely seemed like the best overall choice in value and quality. Got it about three weeks ago. Few things added, before and after. Happy camper here too!







Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

Wolf Gold + SGAmmo.com Great price + great service.

__________________
-John

If your local Wallyworld has Perfecta, give it a try.. Runs less than $15/50 55gr fmj.. I have 0 complaints with it and have been stocking up on it.. Then again, every rifle is different.. Enjoy your new rifle

__________________
Isaiah 43:1-3

Nice rifle & nice price, congrats! While it is a fine rifle, and I wouldn't mind to add one to my collection, its by no means a Colt. regards Ernie

__________________
Rimfires Makes me "Insane"

whittakers guns has it right now 499. I already got mine comin

Congrats. Seen that price, crazy good!

__________________
Still carrying my S&W 642

I bought maybe one of the last Sport's right before the II came out and I have been impressed with the fitment of the gun (upper to lower) is very tight and even the trigger is better then I thought it would be and I can tell that the gun was put together by someone who really cares about what they do..

To me the S&W logo on the side is as good as the horse logo and the only thing I would change on the gun would be a full auto M16 BCG..

I have a Daniel Defense ddm4v7, Colt 6920, and Doublestar DS4, and the M&P sport is still calling my name. I think i might get something int eh AK platform first though. So, get it !!

I have a cheapo AR still plain jane except for a scope. It's not a Smith, but I wouldn't have hesitated on a Smith if the price had been as good. Mine will shoot any ammo I've tried so far. I've shot more Wolf Military Classic and the Wolf black box than anything else. I'm cheap, but I've never had an issue with steel cased ammo. I can easily find it online for less than .25 a round including shipping. I have shot brass cased PMC, American Eagle, and commercial reloads, too. I can't really tell a difference in performance for plinking, so I just go with the lower price. Brass cases cost at least 7 or 8 cents a round more (even commercial reloads). Over thousands of rounds that few cents a round adds up quickly. We've put about 5000 rounds through the AR thus far, and haven't experienced a single malfunction.

For mags take a look at Palmetto's D&H aluminum mags. They are excellent quality, and often on sale for $6.99 each. Right now they're 7.99 (still a good price), but I can almost guarantee they'll be 6.99 again soon. P Mags are great, too, but several dollars more. I have both. They both work reliably.

I love my Smith and Wesson M&P Sport 2. It was a great experience walking out of the gun shop with it. It is my favorite toy and even eclipses my 1911.