After reading many of the threads here on the M&P 15....I wonder WHY did you buy one?
Barrel changes. Sights. Mags. Lowers. Trigger pull? 100,000 rounds? Why upgrade?
I understand many people want to "evolve" a weapon to fit their desires. I've scoped more than a few Mausers.
I just want reliable function...accuracy...and lethal.
PLUS available ammo. The M&P fits that requirement. I'm not changing anything.
Had I intended to spend $2000 plus, on an AR....changing/adding parts...I would not have gone with the M&P.
However, for the job intended, I figure it is more than enough.
If not, I have these ratty AK 47's....bountiful 7.62x39 ammo...and know them well....
Still, I like my MP very well....

Well every party needs a pooper and that's why we invited you
The Party Pooper

: )

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

I see the same thing with folks and their Ruger 10/22s. Granted there are as many aftermarket things for that as there are for Jeeps, but changing out EVERYTHING except the serialized aluminum receiver shell and then bragging how accurate Ruger rifles are? For what they spent, they could have bought an Anschutz and a lot of expensive Eley target ammo.

I bought my Sport to be competitive in IDPA 3 gun.
Shot it stock but later added a better charging handle.
I cant shoot IDPA anymore due to health but I find it to be an excellent 100yd target rifle.
Having been an M1 Garand shooter and reluctant to move into the new century, I am now glad I own the Sport.
Jim

I keep factory complete guns as received, they sell better when it's time to get rid of them.

I get that...but I've never bought a gun for the next guy. Houses follow the same rule. Hey! Cars, too.

But with guns, I keep all the original parts. So, good both ways.

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Fight socialism. Never stop.

Maybes its like buying an old chevelle thats looking a bit rough, needs some work, paint and a few other things..
$$ to get it..
You know you can nickle dime it as you go.


VS.

Going out and buying a nicely fully restored Chevelle with the color you like, rims yada yada.
$$$$$$ you don't have..

why do people buy used homes that needs fixed up, instead of just buying a brand new house exactly how you want it?..

And of course, there are those who just like the Sport II, and the fact that is it a S&W etc, but they want to tweak a few things....

I don't understand this concept, Sell.... get rid of.

While I agree with the OP, I figure your gun, your money. Do with it what you want.

The only thing it needs is a red dot.

Buyers can certainly do as they please with their purchases, but many are probably unaware that a lot of guns are well-designed, accurate and reliable straight from the box.

As for potential resale value, some here say never buy a gun with that in mind. In the realistic world of classified ads, gun shows, Internet auction and sale sites, etc., lots of guns of all kinds are sold and traded quite regularly. The best situation exists where one wants and buys a gun that other people also want now and will continue to want in the future. That is not the same thing as buying for resale. The initial purchase may require a few dollars more than some clone or lesser gun, but it's usually worth it. Their are exceptions, but quite often, unmolested, original condition guns hold value far better than ones that have been modified.

Some folks just like to tinker. Some fancy themselves gunsmiths and want to "customize" their rifles, despite the fact that the level of "skill" needed to customize an AR is about equivalent to that required to change light bulbs. But if you really want to see the phenomenon at its absolutely ridiculous height, go over to the Savage owners' site and check out the fellows who buy a $250 Axis then, having heard that the barrel's too skinny, the stock's too flexible, the bolt handle's too small, and the trigger is awful -- and without even firing the gun -- go out and spend $1500 to convert it in to a "long-range tackdriver" that often doesn't shoot any better than my two stock examples -- which out of the box are exactly what they are meant to be -- inexpensive, accurate hunters.

If you have the money to burn, be my guest, but to me it makes better sense to spend it on a gun specifically built for the purpose you want to use it for, and not expect to be able to turn a sow's ear in to a silk purse.

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Pisgah

Oh, that's a good one!


Nothing? Not one thing? Surely there's something you'll change. I've never met anyone that hasn't changed something. AR's are like Harley's. They all come from the factory the same, but you'll never find two the same on the street.

You'll change something. It might just be an optic or a grip, but something's changing. It's the nature of the beast.

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Freedom isn't free.

When I bought my Sport II, it was everything I could ask for and fit the budget. Yes, I've made changes. However, some were due to the fact that I refuse to register it as an assault weapon-new state laws. So it now wears a fixed stock, has a fin grip instead of the pistol grip, and the flash hider was replaced with a comp. Since I've gone featureless, the stupid bullet button was replaced with a normal mag release. And because of the grip, replaced the normal safety with an ambi one.

As far as other changes, they were done to fit me better. The stock fore-end was replaced because it didn't feel right. Replaced the stock trigger, which wasn't bad, for an after market one, because I'm used to tuned 3lb 1911 triggers. Finally, been wearing bifocals for a good 30yrs and iron sights just don't work. So, now it wears a scope.

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Peace was my Profession

I bought mine for enjoyment, just like my motorcycles and cars and trucks.

If your happy with your stock rifle and stock motorcycles and cars then you probably save a lot of money.

I'm retired and buy guns as a hobby, and like everything I own, They get the full treatment of customization to my wants.

Even though I have changed most of the parts on my sport II it is still the budget beater rifle of my collection, for anyone that owns one and thinks it's the best rifle out as is than I'm happy for them.

What I never understood is why anyone would be so concerned at why someone else wants to spend their money on their rifle.

Quit AR shaming us already.

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M&P15 sport II, Retired Army

I bought mine because it was the quickest and cheapest way to get started on the AR platform and learn how they worked. I knew when I bought it that I would use it to experiment and find out what other options and changes I wanted. I also had two ulterior motives: I wanted a SHTF tactical defense weapon, and I also wanted an accurate, sub 30cal round to hunt coyotes with. I ended up putting my Sport II back to stock, other than a couple quick mount goodies, and it is my SHTF weapon. I built a second AR-15 to do my coyote killing. It has many of the modifications I realized I wanted after buying my S2 such as free float hand guard, 1/7 barrel, BDC scope, and some other bolt-on accessories.

Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful input!

I wouldn't consider this post any big party-pooper. I was expecting a rant on a rifle that crapped the bed, and S&W wouldn't stand by it, or something like that.
I think the OP is making a fair point, and one that applies across the spectrum, not just to M&P Sports.
Gun owners largely DO seem to have this irrational obsession with goobering up their toys with expensive, often un-neccessary extras, often defeating the purpose of the budget weapon they bought in the first place.
But, that being said, there are degrees of upgrades, and not all of them are over-the-top, complete overhauls.
Personally I think these rifles benefit heavily from replacing that rinky,abrasive, all-plastic handguard with a Magpul guard.
They're vastly more comfortable and ergonomic, provide greater surface area for the supporting hand, and are heat shielded. And, they ain't real expensive.
Also, the rifle benefits from one of those rubber Tapco slip-on buttplate covers. Obviously recoil isn't an issue, but these little rubber Tapco units add more surface area to the stock buttplate, rounding out the uncomfortable corners, and shouldering much more comfortable and effectively.
They're solidly constructed, stay on very well,and for the mere $10 they cost, they're a very worthy upgrade for these plastic M4 type stocks, IMO. Try one and I'm sure you'll agree.
Other than these, I think the rifle is exccellent, as is, and the OP is correct: if you feel gotta change out half the rifle, you shoulda just bought a higher-end gun.

Buy a bargain, entry level rifle and put premium parts on it? I understand changing grips and furniture that better fits your hand, but $200 triggers, free float rails, etc... on a Sport/Sport II makes no sense to me. This is not to be confused with their standard "non Sport" line. The OR, T, X, models are as good as anything out there in their price range.

Yeah I bought mine as a first AR. I love shooting it!
I did put a Magpul hand guard on it. I am looking at a slip on rubber stock of some sort to add. I did get a RDS to maybe put on it, but I may save it for my next AR.
I want a mid length, with a different barrel twist and a FA bolt.....really some upgraded parts from the Sport 2.
Just for kicks and giggles really and maybe some deer hunting.

To sum it up, I got a smoking deal on the Sport 2, that combined with the warranty and company I just had to do it!

Glad I did!

These aren't the best deals on it, but this is the one I got, and it's outstanding, I can't imagine anything being discernably better.

I was looking for a basic AR platform rifle from a reputable manufacturer with good customer service at an affordable price. After looking at what was available, I decided that either the S&W or the Ruger would fit the bill and both times I went looking for one, the S&W was a little bit less expensive.

Back in the day, when the 1st generation Sport had the 5R barrel, they changed the 15T... The T started to feature the same lower as the Sport, the same barrel as the Sport, the same BCG as the Sport... In fact, the only difference was the 15T upper had a free float barrel, an ejection port cover, and forward assist.

Today, there is a Sport OR and there is the standard OR with about $300 difference in MSRP. Other than the barrel profile, I wonder what the differences are... The OR was chrome lined, but the S&W page now says "Armornite finish"...

Naaah-I'll take the ratty 7.62X39 thanks.

Why, the only parts that are different than the tier I rifles are the triggers and barrel. Excluding furniture of course, but many change that out no matter what they paid for the rifle.

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M&P15 sport II, Retired Army

Hahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Ahmen! Brother.....

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I'm still happy with my old school Colt ar 15. Had it for years and only thing I changed was mags. One after the other. It works just fine as built.

Why did I? Wanted an AR-15 that was affordable. Back in the day, purchased a M&P 15-Sport (1st Gen). Thompson Center, 1:8 5R, progressive gain twist, Melonite (when they could use that name) treated barrel. It had a chopped A2 rear sight that provided both windage and elevation adjustment. Then I got caught up in the modification spiral.

Then I woke up and got out.

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-John

I purchased a Sport II recently because the price was too good to pass up! I just wanted a 556/223 for targets and varmints. It's such a great round-fast, flat shooting-just a great platform altogether. Deadly accurate right out of the box with the open sights. The only thing I will add is an optic, maybe a sling. Good times!

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Reach out and touch someone.

Why buy a Sport and then 'upgrade' some parts?

I'll pluck just one from your list as well as use your mention of a $2,000 rifle.

Trigger.

I'd rather shoot a $500 Sport with my Wilson Combat trigger than a $2,000 Wilson Combat rifle with a standard GI trigger. Not only does the tigger allow me to shoot the rifle more accurately (one of your criteria) but also faster and more controlled. Personally, I consider using a GI trigger a waste of ammo. But a lot of guys find that a GI trigger suit their needs fine.

These type of things aren't as easy to digest over the Net as they are with personal experience.

Cheers

I bought my M&P-15 (not Sport I or II) a few year back because it was $300 less than a Colt 6920. Then, a year later, the Colt dropped in price by $300, so I bought one of those, too!

NOT ONE THING!.....Yet

I hear ya bother! Keep the faith!

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Freedom isn't free.

I believe every Sport needs a heat shield but some may not even want that. But for the most part mine is bone stock and plenty accurate. I can stand up and shoot a 12" group at 200 yards with no rest of any kind with an entry level AR. It shoots more accurate than my considerably more expensive AR. Not that my other one is bad but the Sport is amazing for what I paid for it.

Actually, what you ask (and are ostensibly being a "pooper" about) applies to some people and virtually every firearm ever made. There is nothing unique here to S&W rifles or S&W rufle owners.

It is much like asking the mountain climber why he (or she) climbed a particular mountain. People change things because they can, because they change their minds, get bored, or are merely fickle.

For many, the question is not why, but why not?

I've shot it....It shoots...every time.
Accurate? Better than my 60 year old eyes.
Add on's? NOPE! It's ah "Grab-n-Go".
Ammo? Got plenty.
An AK on one shoulder....M&P on the other....carrying the CETME 7.62....with Makarovs, Rugers,and an obscure P-38....on the "fly"....I'm good....
Family Farm is "rural" in Alabama....I have squirrels....an' Deer...an Hogs...an' herbs....

Because it says Smith&Wesson on it.....

....and we had purchased three of the M&P line right before considering an AR so momma said "Well, we have been happy with M&P's so far!"

No changes other than a cheapo redot. Havent even polished it or anything.

Lovin it.

EDIT: I touched a Ruger the other day. It had a 7.5 lb trigger. Slick and nice though. Set of JP springs took it to 4lbs.