I built my Sport the way I liked it, and it was perfect. I sold it to a very good friend in favor of returning to bolt guns. Well, my back and knees just don't allow me to do much critter gettin' any more, so my 22-250 has come to set and collect dust. Not something I can justify, it should be used for its intended purpose and enjoyed.

So, the Sport II has been out long enough to have the bugs shaken out, and I'm thinking about putting together another AR. What does everybody think about them? I know I can piece together a decent AR for probably less money, but I want to start with a solid base, with factory support that requires me do little other than dress up to meet my requirements. My original Sport was that base, so I'm hoping a Sport will fill that need here. The list of goodies is already growing, so now it's time to settle in and get the start up.

I should mention, it would be used for HD and just about anything else I might need or want a rifle for.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

Either that or find a model that is closers to what you want.

Sent from my SM-T377V using Tapatalk

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Improvise, Adapt, Overcome

With the Sport II being available at $500 or less, I don't think you can "piece together a decent AR for probably less money"...

However, I would start with something as close as possible to what I wanted, unless I already had a pile of parts available. If I already had a free float tube, sights, stock and grip, etc., sitting in a box, then buying a Sport II as the base might be economically feasible, but I would also look at OEM type rifles that don't a stock or forend from the factory.

I've been very happy with mine so far. It's my first AR and I didn't want to spend a lot, but still wanted a quality rifle. I believe that is what I got. I'm looking forward to slowly customizing it to my liking. For the money, I don't think you can go wrong.

The S&W Sport II is an excellent entry level rifle with an excellent warranty behind it. Mine shoots about 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards and has never had any feeding problems. Mine has a Nikon P223 3-9x40mm scope on it and that works fine for me. I added a Magpul CTR stock that has a friction lock eliminating any wiggle of the stock and it has a quick release sling attaching point.
Picture before the CTR stock was installed.

As much as I love the Sport and think it's great value for money, if you want to customize it a lot I would recommend going with a Colt LE6920 OEM2 for that. $690 at G&R tactical, colt resale value and quality, and no parts to throw away.

yes, you'll be happy with the sport two, if you were able to make the sport one, perfect for what you wanted..

Barrel twist is the only real difference, shy of the dust cover and forward assist..
no QC issues with the Sport II..

You can pick up a tactical model under a grand, add a trigger .. red dot or scope ..light maybe .. if you don't go crazy your at 1500 to 2k

The Sport II is a great rifle. But, IMO, and others, the AR-556 is also a great rifle, and is at an all time extremely low price. Even priced lower than the Sport II.
I currently own a Sport I and a AR-556. I am also building an AR-15. I have about (5) major parts of the build. If I could just stop buying hand guns and so much ammo, I might get it built before the 22nd century.
Seriously, the Sport II would be a great starting point. If you want to save a few $$$, then the AR-556 is also a great starting point.

I knew someone would throw Colt in the mix. Thanks for the suggestion, but no thanks. Just not a Prancing Pony fan. Unless there are any issues, the Sport is more than adequate.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

I'd say figure out the top amount of $$$ you want invested in it in the end and go from there. I bought my Sport II as a base to change up the handguard, stock, grip on. The ones I was going to get were not available on another production rifle so looking at buying a different rifle with that particular stuff was out of the question. And I was set on a specific handguard and stuff. I built up carts on Palmetto and probably another place to see where I'd be building up rifle from ground up as opposed to buying a Sport and changing out the few things I did. It was going to be more for me, so thats why I went the way I did. This was a 2nd AR, and was supposed to be the lesser of my 2. I changed the stock, grip, flash hider/suppressor, and the handguard, and for the trigger, I just took the cheap chance on the JP spring set which has worked out so far. I'm shooting nothing but 55gr bulk, so the 1:9 twist didn't matter to me. I'm never going to do anything with it besides shoot it in my backyard anyway. But that was my scenario, and others will differ, so I just say look at where you want to be in the end or where you might decide to go with it someday and draw your conclusions from there.

What are you planning to do with your new AR?

(See my signature)

The sport II is about as good a general purpose starting point rifle as is out on the open market at this point in time. You could spend more for a rifle but if all you want to do is bench plink, why would you?

Windham, PSA, RRA, etc... are cheaper - and in my experience have less QA than S&W - they don't have the reputation either. However, that said, they work perfect for the guys that want a range plinker or a window gun.

Colt, and Springfield Arms with their Saint are roughly $200 higher for similar level firearms. I'd say with experienced confidence that they are similar in quality, fit, and functional durability. (*someone will debate this, fine - again refer to signature)...

From what I have seen, you could put a Ruger AR556 down next to a Sport II and you would find about identical fit form and function all things else being equal. The only difference here would be the twist rate chosen for the barrels. (IMHO) At the moment, Rugers are easier to find under $500 bucks.

The twist rate if the Sport II is good for the lighter-weight 55gr M193 surplus. Which is plentiful, and getting down in the low 30c/rd level. At that price, that's typically been where the foreign steel cased stuff has had a monopoly. Also, add to that the fact that the steel cased stuff I just mentioned is in mountainous stock levels right now all over the world. I predict the market recipe means steel cased 223/5.56 will be in the single digits per round soon; which the Sport II will digest with vigor.

Want to shoot your Sport for single hole groupings at the local range with 68/77gr SMK or "Razor core" stuff? Buy a 18/20" shillen/lilja barrel and swap it in with a hand guard and you're still ahead of any purpose built match AR by a few hundred bucks.

All in all, if you're wanting a rifle you can zip into a case, take to the range and put mags of ammo down range simply for the pleasure of shooting, I don't think you can go wrong here. And it's an AR, the most recognizable and modifiable firearm made in America. (And, find a smitty close to you that will color fill that S&W roll mark on the lower, and I believe a DAMN fine looking AR at that.)

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Here, a grain of salt.

There will be replies where some will TELL you what you NEED to buy. And, there are those that will SUGGEST an AR (like I did). But all that matters is what YOU want. Don't let anyone persuade you that YOU NEED this, or that, or you can buy this AR already with the parts on it, etc., etc., etc., I am seeing it already!
You came here asking opinions on the new Sport II. Well, it's a great AR that continues to get great reviews by everyone that buys one. Also, enthusiast that do a torture/dependability/longevity test on it for firearms magazine articles find it to be a great rifle for doing so.
IMHO, I think you know what YOU want and you will be modding your new AR very soon. Good luck!

I just got my Sport II at a gun show Saturday for $519. Spent most of Saturday afternoon/evening cleaning it and installing some accessories I've been accumulating. A few other smaller items are still on the way but it's ready to throw some lead down range.

Added So far ;
ATN X-Sight II HD 5x20 with IR850 Illuminator.
10000mAh Power Pack in a Butt Stock mag carrier.
Extended Quad Rail.
Compact Red Laser with remote. (For emergency close shots)

The X-Sight adds about 2.5 pounds so I'm definitely adding a sling. This is primarily going to be my hog and coyote sniper rifle so most of the time I'll be parked in a chair with a monopod stick or tripod. But will still get out and hunt or change locations.

I got a really good deal on the X-Sight then had a $50 coupon code but it was still about $20 more than the Sport II.

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Si vis pacem para bellum.

The Sport II is a great rifle that looks good and is reliable. Not sure why it is referred to as an "entry level rifle". When I take mine to the range it does not look much different then all the other ones I see there.

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USAF Retired/VN Vet

I think entry level because of the price but certainly not performance or utility. But that's all relative and just a point of view. The view changes depending on what direction you're facing. I really like mine and can't wait to get the range mowed and hang some targets this weekend.

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Si vis pacem para bellum.

I prefer Colt rifles. My latest buy is an LE 6940.

I bought a Sport II for my older son. Neither he nor I were satisified with the pop-up rear sight, so he went for the "retro" look and put a carrying handle on it. He now shoots groups at 100 yards that you can cover with a quarter.

I was impressed enough with the first Sport II that - at my wife's insistence - I bought a second one for our younger son.

For an all-around rifle, I was impressed enough with both of them that I'm giving serious consideration to retiring my Mini-14 and getting one for myself. Of course my wife has responded to the Sport II like no other rifle since the AR-7 so she will probably "steal" it for herself, so I may be carrying my Mini-14 for a long time.

Easy solution. His and hers

funny, I got rid of my mini 14 when I bought my first AR 15 and since then I've never looked back on the mini 14. The AR 15 is way more accurate and meets my needs much better.

I don't have the experience with different AR's some here have. But I do have experience with guns. Lots of that in fact. I've been a dedicated shooter for well over 50 years. I always liked AR's but for a long time they weren't worth the price they were bringing IMO. When Colt was the major player and there were few other players they just cost too much. I invested in an SKS and loved every minute of it. Mine was insanely reliable and pretty accurate too. And I had it set up to work great with detachable mags but it was never going to be as easy to swap mags as an AR was. Still that rifle served me well for many years and I still have it and thousands of rounds of ammo for it.

I wanted an AR all along and when the price started coming down to being really a good bargain I started looking for the one I wanted. It had to be as reliable as my SKS and more accurate or I figured it would be going backwards to be honest. And I shot quite a few entry level AR's (by entry level I just mean the cheapest priced rifles) and while the accuracy was there and swapping mags was a breeze they just didn't have the reliability I needed or wanted I guess. My SKS hasn't misfired because of a fault of the rifle more than a dozen times in 25 years. I made a modification once that caused problems. I swapped it back to the OEM setup and the problem went away. That gun still is insanely reliable.

So I waited some more to find the AR I really wanted. I wanted a great shooter for a great price and great reliability. I also wanted a brand name company behind the rifle supporting it if troubles came up. I've seen too many entry level AR's from upstart companies that were down more time than they were up at the range.

When I started hearing about the Sport I immediately took notice. It had everything I was looking for in an AR. Again I've always liked the platform but buying one at 12 times the price I paid for my SKS (I bought mine when they were $100 each) and getting one that didn't work as well was just not in the cards. But the Sport changed all that for me. It was everything I wanted in a rifle. And I haven't been the least bit disappointed.

I can shoot a 3' group at 200 yards with that SKS from a standing position. I shot groups of about 1' at 150 yards just the other day with my Sport. And that was standing position too. No rest of any kind. It hasn't failed me in any way so far either. And at $500 per they are a true bargain. I just paid a lot more than that for a bullpup shotgun. I find the Sport to be an incredibly good value.

I realize there are now other brands that are good and have that great company behind them. Ruger is hard to beat for service. But I have always been a S&W fan. I got that bug from my dad I guess. He had dozens of them - all revolvers of course but still.

Again I am VERY happy with my Sport. The SKS sits in the safe now and the AR sits in the corner where the SKS once sat. It's my go to gun if the zombies attack - or whatever. That may change since I bought a Kel-Tec KSG. I really counted more on my shotguns for HD in the past because 7.62 x 39 ammo just penetrates too much. But I have more faith in .223 ammo especially the kind made to expand a lot. That was a big reason I wanted an AR too.

So IMO I don't think you can go wrong with a S&W Sport II. I think the world of mine and it didn't break the bank to get it.

I bought my Sport I almost (5) years ago. The only major players back then were Colt, Bushmaster, and Delton. There were others, but those stated were selling More AR's than anyone else. S&W was kind of a dark horse in the race. I was wondering why they were wanting to get into the AR race when they were only known for their revolvers and some semi auto pistols.
Well, I decided I was going to take a chance with one and I have NEVER regretted it. I did do a trade with my cousin, but that didn't last long! I told myself, NEVER AGAIN!
I bought my AR-556 because I thought S&W's QC was going downhill. Also, the Sport II I was shooting at the range was very sloppy and loose. To be fair, I found out that it had been a rental for over a year and was very used! Had I shot a new Sport II I might be writing about it instead of my AR-556. Don't get me wrong, I really do like my AR-556 and would put it up against ANY other AR out there. But, you still can't beat a S&W Sport II for dependability and realiability!

1' (ft) and 3' (ft) groups offhand from that distance or 1" (inch) and 3" (inch)?

I wish I could shoot 1 inch groups from a standing position at 150 yards. Some people might be able to do that. I'm not one of them. And 3 feet at 200 yards for an SKS isn't all that bad. I don't think a foot at 150 yards with an AR is all that bad either considering how I was shooting. For one thing my back isn't what it used to be. I get shaky holding a rifle compared to how I was just 10 years ago. That's not an excuse though. I don't think that kind of grouping is bad at all for off hand at 150 yards. It isn't for me anyway. But there was a time I could have done a little better. BTW I guessed at the size of those 150 yard groups. I was shooting the far side of a small creek with a high bank on the other side. I knew any ricochets would hit that bank as long as I was within a few feet of the bank. I was actually very close to the bank on every shot. It could be the group size was smaller than I guessed but I'm not making that claim. I'm sure it wasn't any bigger than that though.

I do have a rifle that will shoot 1" groups at 200 yards all day long but not from standing up. That thing is way too heavy for me to fire from that position. I shot a 1" group at 500 yards with that rifle. But only one. But at 200 yards it's a breeze to shoot 1" groups. I shot this group at 125 yards with that rifle shooting off a table. And I was out of practice with it at the time.

What's funny is the Sport I got lambasted for no dustcover and forward assist, so much so they dropped it and replaced it with the Sport II. So guess what? Guess who is now making an upper with no FA? A no-name manufacturer? Nope Noveske is doing it. Truth.

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Still carrying my S&W 642

Haha, when I first read that I was seeing inches. Then I read it again and it made sense. Thought about it, and I won't go 5 for 5 on a 12" gong at 100yds offhand very often even with a red dot. Kind of related, the old "shootin stories". Had some kid in high school that was full of it tried to tell me he could hit a quarter every time from 150yds with his Marlin .357 lever gun. I told him I can't even see a quarter at 150 yards.

Me either unless I have like a 36X scope. I've seen people that can shoot really small groups with iron sights at long distances but it has to be something you can see. A guy I knew when I was a kid told me that if you can see something you can shoot it. I don't know about that but I saw him drop a hawk at about 250 yards with iron sights (it was the 60's and some people thought killing the competition made for more rabbits to hunt - it didn't work). That guy was a sharpshooter in WWII.

Hey everybody, thanks for all the replies. You pretty much confirmed what I assumed from the start. And yes, I already have an idea what I want and where I'm going with it.

I plan on replicating my Sport I, only with the II. Some things will be a 15" FDE Troy Alpha, Lantac Dragon muzzle brake, YHM gas block, a set of anti walk pins, Magpul FDE CTR stock, Magpul Pro sights, 3 point sling, and an Aimpoint red dot.

When all is said and done, hopefully it will look and perform like this one.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

Very nice. I own a SportII , it's a "GO".