Thinking of getting first AR. I have never been an AR fan. But Im lookimg to diversify my collection and home defense. I was leaning towards a s&w revolver. But I already have revolvers and a S&W shield and shot guns. So in this day and age, I thought an AR made sense.

I am complete newbie to AR so want a off the shelf simple AR on a budget (under about $600).

My nephew has a sport 2, and it appears the main competitor in the market is the Ruger 556 at about the exact same price point. I realize this is a Smith site, not Ruger, but I thought I'd get some opinions here what others thought.

So what say you AR folks?

Buy the Smith. No regrets. Warranty and service after the sale.

Mine so far in the first 100 rounds is operating flawlessly. It's the Indian that needs work, not the arrow.

Too many proprietary parts on the Ruger. I'd go with the S&W.

Ruger uses an old design for their bolt carrier group that was driven by Colt trying to appease the anti gunners... They use an unshrouded firing pin, which overtime and use will cause excessive wear on the firing pin and can damage the firing pin retaining pin. S&W uses a shrouded firing pin.

You do know this is the Smith&Wesson forum, right?

Just kidding.

In my opinion, flip a coin or buy whichever you can get for the lowest price. Either one will do the job, and both makers will stand behind their product.

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Or something like that . . .

I've had both, currently have the Sport II. Ruger isn't a bad gun but proprietary parts make small upgrades a hassle.

I need another AR-15 like I need a hole in my head, but the other day I was in my LGS when I was comparing the S&W, Ruger, and the SA Saint. The saint was better built ,but way more money. Out of the S&W and the Ruger, I would pick the S&W. It felt better was a little cheaper, and I still haven't forgiven Bill Ruger or his company for his letter to congress that helped fuel the AWB.

I recently got my SWmp15, and i looked at the ruger as well. I chose the SW. like others said, proprietary parts, firing pin etc... But to me it was the reviews i watched on line and here. There is very little negative on the SW. Seems everyone thinks its a great AR. I have read a few negative on the ruger.

I have a Sport 1 and have had no issues with it at all. I have an anderson lower on it, with some unknown trigger, and it is just sweet. The Sport II is nicer than mine, but I have no reason to upgrade.

I look at both. Both looked cheap to me, so I saved my money and bought another COLT. It is a model 6940 LE. You do get what you pay for.

Yup, this ^.

I would say to look at both in person if possible and see if there is anything you like better about one over the other. I have seen and shot both at the range, and you can’t go wrong with either rifle. They were both good deals two years ago at $599; today at less than $500 they are both steals.

As for some of the previous comments, yes, the Ruger does have some parts on it that are different from “standard” basic AR’s, but all of them are just that-parts that can be switched out for other AR parts.

The Ruger has a pistol grip that’s more like a Magpul grip. It also has a nicer front sight/gas block. The Delta ring is proprietary, and is actually pretty cool, as it makes for much easier removal of the handguards. Again, if a person doesn’t want/like it, they can easily put a “milspec” one on the rifle.

The Smith has a trigger guard that’s integrated into the cast lower, while the Ruger has a removable one that’s pinned into “ears” and is actually more “standard.”

It’s probably kind of a Ford/Chevy thing in the end. If you like Smiths, you will likely prefer it over the Ruger, and vice versa.

First, let me congratulate you for looking to get your first AR as a completed rifle rather than trying to do it as parts. I think you'll be happier in the long run. After you are familiar with the platform, then you can start playing around with building them yourself.

Second, yes, this is S&W forum and I bought S&W ARs for both of my sons. I am an S&W fan and would not hesitate to recommend them to you. You probably won't have any issues with the rifle, but S&W's customer service is very good if you do.

Still, I can't really say anything against the Ruger. Yes, it does use some non-standard parts that will cause some problems if you decide to start modifying it to make it look more macho. But, if you wanted more than an "entry level" AR, why didn't you just buy one in the first place?

If you are just going to take them out, shoot them and enjoy them, then the S&W Sport II or Ruger 556 should provide you with many years of safe, reliable and (to the limits of the platform) accurate service.

Why would I buy a rifle like the Ruger to just spend $100 more to replace the BCG, when I could get one with a shrouded firing pin to begin with?

I'll be honest though... I'm fairly interested in the new Ruger AR-556 MPR... that one I could see buying, even with the unshrouded firing pin.

My Sport has amazed me with the accuracy it has. I haven't shot a Ruger but I would be very surprised if it shot better. I had my Sport out shooting groups of about 6" at 200 yards standing and shooting off hand. I have to tell you that's very good for any rifle. I have rifles that will shoot better but not off hand. That's a whole other thing. I have another AR that was built of quality parts. It won't shoot nearly as accurate as the Sport will.

I normally have a Vortex Spitfire 3X on my sport 2, but I tried a friend's Vortex Crossfire 3X12 on it, just to see what it would do. I have done some trigger work on it to get it to break clean at 4 pounds. I was able to bench rest nickel sized groups, with no flyers, at 200 yards, using IMI 55 grain FMJ on a near zero windage day. Target accuracy from a low cost rifle, with factory ammo.

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I'd point out that the SPORT series from Smith has a longer track record than the Ruger. The late Pat Rogers of EAG tactical, know for being hard on rifles, commented on several occasions on how surprisingly reliable the Sport was for a budget rifle. No knock on the Rug

In the past I would have said that you were nuts and should look at other models than the Sport... However, with prices where they are, you can come out ahead buying the Sport and changing everything... But if you are planning to change out the BCG and furniture anyway, have you looked at the Ruger AR-556 MPR? Gets you a free float rail, plus Magpul furniture.

OK,

So I went to LGS and held several base models. Dpms, ruger 555 and sport 2, as well as a few higher priced AR's. I did like the sport 2 the best until getting over $300 plus more than the sport 2.

So...

Has anyone ever ordered, or did busines with, Smokey Mountain guns and ammo?

They have current price on the sport 2 of $490 and free shipping!

Smoky Mountain Guns & Ammo - Smith and Wesson 10202 M&P15 SPTII 556NATO 16" 30RD BLK

Unless someone can find a cheaper or more reliable source.

This is not necessary. I felt the same way when I bought my Sport II and bought a fancy WMD NiB BCG to replace the semi auto stock one. I fired both and could not tell any difference.

I replaced the stock one and somehow the WMD grew into a new rifle I built myself with specific chosen parts. Weights less than 6 pounds and will shoot perfectly, just like my sport II.

The Sport is now the HD rifle, (since it's so reliable), and my home built is on a stand in my office to show off how good I am at building an AR15.

I mixed and matched. Magpul buttstock and forend and BCM grip. Whatever you want is the way to go.

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NRA R.S.O. & Life Member

So has anyone have any experience with smokey mountain guns and ammo?

They have a great price on the sport 2 but not so great of price if they never ship it.

I purchased a Kimber Raptor from them 2 weeks ago. I was very skeptical, but 3 days later was very happy.

I will buy from them again. Maybe an AR like you. I've been looking as well and glad you started this thread.

Good luck with your purchase. If I do the same, we'll have to compare notes.

Well I did decide to buy a sport II. Ordered it last night.

I decided to buy it from "grab a gun". Same price at $490 but had to pay $8 shipping. I mainly went with grab a gun because I have heard of them and the FFL was already in Their database making it that much easier so I decided to pay the "extra" $8.

I'm excited to get it.

Now I have to figure out what and how many mags to buy. And of course some ammo.

So what mags are recommended? If magpul. Is it worth the few dollars more for the gen 3 mags?

The gen 3 was made available, because the gen 2 had problems handling the military's newest steel core round, which is not available to civilians. The gen 2 should be fine for any ammo civilians can get.
M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round | Military.com

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