Smith and Colt differences...

[4506SHOOTER]

Hey guys, I'm going to be picking up a rifle soon and am stuck between the Smith and Colt offerings. Can some of you who have unbiased opinions and possibly own these comment. I'm looking for objective opinions only. Are there any recent changes that haven't been posted yet?

 

[Breechloader]

There are a lot of s&w models.
Can you be more specific in what model colt and s&w you are considering buying?

 

[oneyeopn]

that leaves out my opinions, they are both good choices, enjoy whichever direction you go.

 

[GMC man]

the only question other then price is how well does colt back their warranty? S & W are outstanding as far as that goes but stink on communication. my 2 cents lol

 

[4506SHOOTER]

.223 some are LAW ENFORCEMENT Models; all with a 16" barrel. If that doesn't help, I'll dig up specific numbers and post up later.

 

[Breechloader]

The s&w I have functions and shoots the same as my colt. The main difference is the barrel twist rates.
I like that S&W is US made still.
I like that Colts tend to have great resale value.
The Colt will probably cost you a little more for a similar S&W model.
Either are fine firearms in my opinion

 

[4506SHOOTER]

Thanks for the advice. Anyone else have any tech advice on durability?

 

[oneyeopn]

The Smith Melonite barrel will outlast the chrome lined colt barrel, but unless your just throwing thousands of rounds down range you will probably not wear either one out. The smith barrel also is inherently more accurate than the colt, just due to the manufacturing differences, but as the other poster said the resale on the Colt maybe higher in the long run.

 

[Gatorade]

When buying my M4, I was choosing between a Colt 6920 and a M&P15. Ended up going with the M&P15 (I bought the OR variant, the most direct comparator to the 6920 would be the M&P15 Rifle) because I couldn't find any substantial difference between the two except the 1:9 vs 1:7 twist rate on the barrel, and the Smith was about $100 less expensive. Both have chromed chambers, bores and BCGs which should give you comparable (and excellent) durability. They source their receivers from many of the same forges. Both have generally good reputations for quality and customer service. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

The Smith Melonite barrel will outlast the chrome lined colt barrel

It's my understanding (and I could be wrong) that the only Melonite barrel that S&W sells is on the Sport - I think all other M&P15 variants have a chromed bore (mine does), and the quick and dirty way to tell the difference is to look for the M203 cutout on the barrel - the Melonite versions don't have it.

 

[4506SHOOTER]

Nice info.... Are the trigger pulls much different? Reset?

 

[oneyeopn]

It used to be that way but more of their models are starting to wear that barrel. They are not vying for a military contract and they hit a home run with the barrel so why not. Also I have been looking for a barrel for my next build, and have one purchased it is a 1-8 melonite treated and not coming from smith....a lot of barrel manufacturers are going to it because of its out performance of chrome lined barrels. No disrespect intended to you or the OP.

 

[Curt Blunt]

The Smith also has the integral trigger guard on some of their models. I would think that it would make for a more rigid lower since its pretty stout.

 

[CENTURION24]

I went with s&w because of there warranty and low cost. That left me with enough $$ for the furniture and optics I wanted.

 

[Jswiney9]

Colt MAKES the M4, S&W and all others make an M4 clone.....

 

[Splittiebus66]

Colt from the factory ( main items )

1/7 twist chrome lined barrel High Pressure and Magnetic particle inspected and marked ( each ) of Mil spec 4150 CMV steel

Full auto bolt carrier group ( chrome lined ) extra weight slows the cycling rate of the carbine length system

Heavy or Heavy 2 buffer

High Pressure and Magnetic particle inspected/marked bolt ( each )

USGI trigger

Milspec level III anodizing

Milspec buffer extension

vs

S&W


1/9 twist chrome lined barrel

or 1/8 twist 5R rifled barrel ( melonite treated) of 4140 ( non milspec but still good for s/a weapons) Magnetic particle inspected in batches ( individually looked at from what I understand) non marked as so/ no info on High pressure testing

Newest high end S and W models * VTAC II and MOE spec have a 4150 CMV ( milspec ) barrel w/ the 1/8 twist and 5R rifling melonite treated

LM&T semi auto bolt carrier group ( chrome lined)

MP marked bolt ( no hp testing info available)

unmarked carbine ( light ) buffer

USGI trigger ( except VTAC that has the new Geiselle super V)

Level II hardcoat anodizing.

Milspec buffer extension

Basically out of the Box the colt has all the "milspec" boxes checked off. These bits can add to the reliability of the weapon in heavy use. It may offer you a higher resale value because of the branding. ( see clone comment) Is this stuff necessary for your uses?

The S&W though not milspec offers alot of great features at a good price point.. especially the melonite barrels as mentioned above. Good luck

 

[Splittiebus66]

It's my understanding (and I could be wrong) that the only Melonite barrel that S&W sells is on the Sport - I think all other M&P15 variants have a chromed bore (mine does), and the quick and dirty way to tell the difference is to look for the M203 cutout on the barrel - the Melonite versions don't have it.

The M&P 15 T ( tactical ) wears the same barrel as the Sport. Also the new VTAC and MOE Magpul spec wears the new Melonite treated 1/8 twist 5R rifled 4150 CMV milspec steel barrel.

 

[ikor]

AFIK Colt (and soon, apparently, Remington) is the only manufacturer to have the actual M4 data package. The 6920 is a 16in semi auto version of the real M4. S&W makes some nice rifles but stay away from the ones with Mossberg barrels. There is not much cost difference between the high end LE S&W models and the Colt. I will take the Colt every single time.

 

[Splittiebus66]

AFIK Colt (and soon, apparently, Remington) is the only manufacturer to have the actual M4 data package. The 6920 is a 16in semi auto version of the real M4. S&W makes some nice rifles but stay away from the ones with Mossberg barrels. There is not much cost difference between the high end LE S&W models and the Colt. I will take the Colt every single time.

Serious end user grades LMFAO

Above milspec ( boutique)

Larue Tacitical, Noveske

Milspec TDP

Daniel Defense, Bravo Company, Colt, Lewis Machine and Tool

Below milspec/ high quality

Smith and Wesson

****

Rock River, DPMS, etc.


S&W barrels are made by Thompson Center ( an S&W company ) no Mossberg Barrels

The price point issue is debatable. Depends on the barrel choice or other features THAT YOU WANT. For example the 15T comes with a nice FF quad rail for the same price as a basic Colt out of the box. Is that important to you or is all the milspec stuff important? Make your own decision.

buy what you can afford to shoot and shoot alot. Otherwise its all moot

 

[oneyeopn]

Colt MAKES the M4, S&W and all others make an M4 clone.....

Unless you are on Active Duty or have a class III license or one of a few Police Departments, Everyone is an M4rgery, Colt does not sell an M4 to citizens and as I understand it Remington now has the contract!

 

[oneyeopn]

AFIK Colt (and soon, apparently, Remington) is the only manufacturer to have the actual M4 data package. The 6920 is a 16in semi auto version of the real M4. S&W makes some nice rifles but stay away from the ones with Mossberg barrels. There is not much cost difference between the high end LE S&W models and the Colt. I will take the Colt every single time.

Thompson (owned by S&W) makes the barrels for the M&P15 line. Would you show the link for the Mossberg Barrels on an M&P15 please. This is the very first I have heard of that.

sorry for the edit:
MOSSBERG barrel on a S&W M&P15 are you out of your freakin mind!!! Thats as bad as the Rifle Salesman claiming M&P15's have cast uppers. This disinformation all comes because some people have to justify spending twice as much as they need to for a fine functioning rifle.