A little encouraging or otherwise

[MPOT]

I joined this forum when I placed a new MP10 on layaway. I must say that most of the comments I've been reading here have been negative. From short cycling problems when changing the stock, to difficulty changing the forend to proprietary parts that make things difficult to say the least. And worst of all ammo feeding issues (picky eater). I need to hear something positive and encouraging about this weapon. I really wanted a AR10 and I thought Smith and Wesson was a great company making quality products. I know this might not be the place to ask for discouragement but it already has done that inadvertently. I'm open minded and can take constructive criticism. Help me out.

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[copemech]

A racehorse needs good food, and lots of it!

Although my gun has had problem with cheap ammo, it has performed well using better. When I say better, I mean BRASS!

Reports are US made commercial brass 308 works best, and I have had no issues with Rem 150. At the same time, Monarch(PPU) foreign made 150 has worked as well. I would stick with 150-180gr range.

At $1 per round or so, it still makes me quiver a bit, and my butt puckers with the upward of $2 per rd for high quality match grade stuff.

It is all relative, you know! I read a piese today about some guy with a DPMS who was totally bashed about the fact his his would not do 1" groups at 200 like his bolt guns! Well, aint that special!

 

[MistWolf]

If ya wanted an AR10, you would have bought an Armalite. Only Armalite can build an AR10, like only Chevrolet can build a Camaro

Installing a free float handguard on an M&P-10 is no different than on any other 308 AR- you've got to know what fits and what hits.

I wish I could tell you that running quality commercial pressure ammo will ensure the big Smith will run reliably but I can't. Not because the rifle won't, but because I haven't run enough commercial rounds through one to make that assertion. However, others have. I've run NATO spec ammo through mine but I didn't start having problems with short stroking until I started experimenting with heavier buffers.

Get your rifle and shoot it without changing anything. Making changes without making sure the rifle works in it's original configuration is just an invitation to trouble because if a problem crops up, you won't know what's causing it

 

[LASigmon]

I haven't had any problems with mine. It is still stock except for the Magpul forearm. I have used Fiocchi 308 and Lake City 7.62 NATO. I got the Lake City for $300 for 500 rounds. The Fiocchi wasn't that cheap but still not too bad. Hope this helps.

 

[sgtsandman]

Keep in mind that .308 caliber ARs are not built to the same specifications like the AR15 platform is. SR25 and LR308 kinda follow the same specs, sort of. DPMS is a little different and Armalite AR10 different.

Think of it this way. Everyone is getting spoiled over the interchangeability of the AR15 platform. You don't expect the same from a bolt, pump, or lever gun platform do you? The fact that the .308 AR platform gives a much interchangeability as it does is a nice perk.

 

[obgjedi]

I can only speak from my own experience and my mp 10 has preformed flawlessly . I have fired off the shelf factory rounds ,hand loads, and old military NATO from the early 90,s. All feed perfect. I love my mp 10 and I think the majority of owners do too.


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[Maddmax]

I'd take most of the complaints with a grain of salt. Over the years I have run across many a "New-be" that has problems and complains about everything, reguardless. Not all, but most of the time it's the operators own fault. FIRST,they didn't read or follow the manual. SECOND,they didn't clean all the storage lube from the weapon and lube it properly while getting to know and understand it better. THIRD,they skip on buying reasonably "good" ammo and try shooting cheap junk (That the manual more than likely didn't recommend in the first place). FORTH,they start adding parts because "some one" said they work better before they even saw the range and test fired the new weapon.

There "could" be bugs to work out, it's called break-in. I wouldn't worry about it or loose much sleep over buying it quite yet. IF there is a problem, S&W are the best at backing up their products and WILL take care of it.

Chances are better that you won't have any problems. I own more than just a couple S&W M&P handguns and MSR's. I'm one of their happier customers and have had zero issues over all the years I've delt with them.

 

[idahojess]

I haven't had any issues with mine. I have not shot a lot of volume with it, but probably between 200-300 rounds since last summer. The ammo mix has been either PMC 147-149 grain (can't remember what their standard is) or Federal Fusion 150 or 180 grain. I went hunting with the Fusion 150 grain, but didn't get anything.
Like others have said, shoot it before you change anything (with one caveat). The only thing I changed immediately was the buttstock, so I could put an MOE buttstock with a rubber recoil pad on it from limbsaver. I did not change the buffer tube or any of that, just pulled the buttstock off and put the MOE on.
Clean it well and oil it well, before you shoot it. Load one round in the mag, and shoot one round at a time to make sure it locks back on an empty mag properly. If it doesn't do that, then contact Smith.
I eventually changed the trigger with a geiselle, and put an MOE for grip on it (which didn't go on very smoothly, but I got it on). Other than that, and a scope, those are my mods...
Good luck, and enjoy your new rifle!

 

[rojodiablo]

If it's any consolation, the ones I have worked on had issues primarily from some things previously mentioned; not cleaned and gone over before taking out shooting. Shooting a box of ammo thru it and deciding it is broken in and ready/ up and running. And, the biggest; changing multiple things before ever taking it to shoot it.
Once the bugs were worked out, the rifles have been good working rifles. So, FWIW, they have good accuracy, and for the most part, have been pretty dependable. The warranty work has been good, per the expectation of S&W. And, when tuned, they have been stone-axe reliable.

 

[idahojess]

One other thing that I noticed, that I left out earlier:
My first outing I ran about 20 rounds (hey, ammo's expensive). The gun felt really gritty after that, and had some resistance in manual cycling.
I took it home, cleaned and oiled it well, and it smoothed up. I think there is a lot of breaking in in the first few boxes (maybe more), and I think cleaning regularly and between short intervals is a good idea, at least in the beginning. (I have not done a high round count session with this rifle -- not saying you can't do that, I just have not.)

 

[Vermont]

When browsing any forum, remain aware of the fact that people are much more likely to post-up when they are having problems - i.e. the squeaky wheel gets the grease. There are a lot of M&P-10 owners out there having no problems whatsoever. I am not saying that there aren't a fair number of people having issues with their rifles, but just be careful about listening to generalizations like "Reports are that the M&P-10 only likes x type of ammo, etc.." Because, at least for my rifle, there are no such reports. I broke in with Lake City XM80, and since then have intentionally tried a whole bunch of different stuff, some good, some **** ammo, with every single round going bang. Don't count your 10 out until you get it, clean it (really well) and shoot it. If it isn't everything you expected at that point (which I suspect it probably will be), then come back here and rojo will fix it for you...

 

[diyj98]

When browsing any forum, remain aware of the fact that people are much more likely to post-up when they are having problems - i.e. the squeaky wheel gets the grease. There are a lot of M&P-10 owners out there having no problems whatsoever. I am not saying that there aren't a fair number of people having issues with their rifles, but just be careful about listening to generalizations like "Reports are that the M&P-10 only likes x type of ammo, etc.." Because, at least for my rifle, there are no such reports. I broke in with Lake City XM80, and since then have intentionally tried a whole bunch of different stuff, some good, some **** ammo, with every single round going bang. Don't count your 10 out until you get it, clean it (really well) and shoot it. If it isn't everything you expected at that point (which I suspect it probably will be), then come back here and rojo will fix it for you...

I agree. I haven't taken the time to post "Mine works great", but I'd have probably posted with any problems seeking advice or just to gripe.

 

[vfin]

I LOVE MY M&P 10...

Best AR I've ever owned and/or operated.

Nuff said

vfin

 

[fstkmaro]

Reading forums is not a good indication of whether a gun is good or bad. In forums you will find mostly complaints, those who dont have issues rarely post to forums. I have had some issues with mine but regardless of that none of my AR15s have seen the range since I got mine. A 308 rifle is a different monster than a AR15. I'd say buy it and shoot it like you stole it. Once you find the groove, you will love it!!!!

 

[Gun pup]

No problems whatsoever, and have run several hundred rounds both stock and with gas block/APEX handguard upgrade. I have only shot .308 (no 7.62) so cannot speak to issues with that ammo. This gun rocks!

 

[MPOT]

Thanks for all the input. I'm going to go ahead with the purchase. It's a 311308 I got for $999. I plan on leaving it stock (no mods) at least until I get 500 rounds through it. Then I will look into adding a free floating forend and changing the stock.

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[Brian912]

Took my MP10 out first time fired around 60 rounds of PMC 147 FMJ-BT not one ammo issue. Nice neat pile of brass didnt have to go hunting Forgot the loctite on the scope mount so I didnt get any valid groupings other than center mass at 100 yds (prone no sling of bipad) next trip ill try some 168 fed and a rest

 

[copemech]

Thanks for all the input. I'm going to go ahead with the purchase. It's a 311308 I got for $999. I plan on leaving it stock (no mods) at least until I get 500 rounds through it. Then I will look into adding a free floating forend and changing the stock.

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Yea, you say that now! I had to change the factory stock after the first outing as the hard plastic just plain HURTS!

 

[red dragon]

500rds through mine with zero malfunctions.I've only used pmags. 200-PMC brass,200-Herters steel cased,100-Hornady brass.Switched out all the furniture for magpul. Mine has been accurate,reliable and a lot of fun to shoot. I wouldn't worry to much about a problem you don't even know you have yet. Get it and enjoy it. I own several s&w rifles and haven't had the first problem out of any of them. Also welcome to the forum.

 

[Gischileu]

I was first exposed to the AR platform in the military, and understand fully what many here have already said - clean it completely, lube it properly, and run good ammo. I've found the surplus NATO 149 Grain ammunition to be a good starting point for use during break-in, and then expand from there to find a good hunting round - and avoid soft point ammunition like the plague.

Get your M&P 10 and enjoy it...