You and I agree on the configuration part but disagree about the 6061 tube and the bolt. I have seen enough bent 6061 tubes to believe that the small cost difference is worth it for my rifles. The bolt is one of the most important parts of the AR15 platform and spending a little bit more for a tested bolt again makes sense for me. Clearly YMMV but to say that these things are meaningless is a misstatement. IMHO It is meaningless to you which is a subjective opinion not a universal fact.

You still have a Sport II with a better bolt carrier but that rifle is still worth about $400 in the used market unless we have another complete panic. It will still be viewed as a Sport II mainly because the rest of the build is what it is. The better bolt is not enough to change that and yes I believe that the BCM bolt is a better bolt.

The only substantial value add you can put on a S&W Sport II that will make it more desirable would be a better trigger. Even am ALG QMS or ACT would an improvement over stock. Go with something like a LaRue MBT or a Geissele G2S and you have a vastly improved rifle IMHO. Again these are my opinions and you are feel to free differently.

I've been following this argument with great interest though much seems to turn on semantics.

I have refrained from joining the fray thus far but semantics or not, I just have to draw the line at a testes bolt.

I feel that my position is not merely a subjective opinion but in total accord with the 8th Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

__________________
642-1, M&P15 TS

I'd be glad to hear the facts.

Who manufactures the bolts BMC sells?

What is the method of MPI testing you spoke of, batch testing or otherwise?

What is the reject rate?

What are the specific differences between the bolts that BMC sells and S&W sells?

What are the failure rate differences between the bolts BMC sells and S&W sells?

------------

As far as value... I was talking about the value of reliability, not the value of resale. Buying the BMC bolt was just erasing one of the stated reasons why the the Sport is considered a budget rifle for reliability concerns for a mere $80. BMC $40 receiver extension tube, ok. So now we have a $499 Sport with an $80 bolt and $40 receiver extension tube. And now we have a spare bolt for when that BMC bolt fails. Does that about cover the main budget rifle reliability deficiencies?

LOL stupid fat fingers.

Would like to think those that tried to answer my questions on what I needed when buying the S&W AR 15 Sport II .. And some of the pros and cons for a optic to mount on it ..

Those who argued between themselves really didn't help someone like me who had decide on buying an entry level AR and was unfamiliar to them ..

I already own a Sport 1 so the Sport 2 was not even considered a strong candidate in me choosing another AR.
But, I am glad I bought the Ruger AR-556. If GRABAGUN had the CORE 15 M4 SCOUT on sale when I bought the Ruger's, I would have bought it. GAG has it for $625 now, but, it was $749 at the time I bought the Ruger's.
I will say this though, if you put the Sport 2 next to the AR-556, I bet you could not tell them apart. They look identical.
Anyway, enjoy your Sport 1 and Sport 2. LOCK AND LOAD!
HOOAH & SEMPER FI!