Helping picking out a M&P15.

KEwer

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Hello everyone. :)
I'm going to go ahead and admit that I am COMPLETELY lost here! So, please bare with my general and probably annoying questions as they come up.

I am hoping to purchase a M&P15 for my husband for Valentines day. The catch is I don't want him to know so I can't ask him too many questions.

I know he wants ease of adding accessories. Adding on rails, red dot sights and a extra grip. Probably more I'm sure... He likes the tactical look.

He is an experienced shooter, and has worked with many rifles, shotguns and handguns. I've decided on the M&P15 because the S&W M&Ps are the most popular firearms in our house, we have a ton!

So. Opinions, thoughts? What would be a good M&P15 to get that he could easily add onto? I'm not hugely concerned about price, but I guess not too high would be nice since he's going to turn around and buy parts too.
 
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If he wants to "build up his own", then you don't start with a M&P... you will be paying for stuff that he doesn't want. You start with a stripped lower. If he doesn't really want to "build" but he wants certain rails, grips, etc., then you should look at rifles that come without stocks, handguards, sights, etc.... You buy what you want and add to the rifle. These are referred to as OEM models. Aero and Colt both have these kind of offerings. Unfortunately, S&W does not.

While this is a great gift you are wanting to get your husband, you should probably talk to him about it and let him pick what he wants.
 
If he wants to "build up his own", then you don't start with a M&P... you will be paying for stuff that he doesn't want. You start with a stripped lower. If he doesn't really want to "build" but he wants certain rails, grips, etc., then you should look at rifles that come without stocks, handguards, sights, etc.... You buy what you want and add to the rifle. These are referred to as OEM models. Aero and Colt both have these kind of offerings. Unfortunately, S&W does not.

While this is a great gift you are wanting to get your husband, you should probably talk to him about it and let him pick what he wants.

Maybe build was the wrong word to use. But I know he would want to add specific things to it.

He also has a huge obsession with the M&Ps, I'm fairly certain I recall him saying he wanted a M&P15 when talking to his friend.

But you don't think the M&P15s would be a good idea if he plans on adding things to it?
 
But you don't think the M&P15s would be a good idea if he plans on adding things to it?

You would want to get a configuration that is close to what he wants straight out of the box... otherwise it is a waste of money.

For example, Jagular recommended one in the post above. But if your husband wants a quad rail or prefers Key Mod over M-Lok, you wasted your money paying for a rail system that he is going to replace.

I'm sure some will recommend the Sport, since it is inexpensive... but if he wants a free float handguard, he will have to remove the flash hider and replace the A2 gas block (front sight) with a low profile gas block to get the rail system to fit.

There are just too many variables for anyone to recommend one without knowing exactly what your husband wants.
 
Just sent you a PM with what I would recommend. They aren't S&W, so I'm not posting them here.

If you get more info on exactly what he would like, then come back and maybe we can match up a S&W that is close.
 
Or go with the top of the line... M&P 15 VTAC II. I don't know any husband that wouldn't be happy with that rifle! :D
 
Based off of his shotguns, he likes the quad rail. He likes to put things on and take them off all over those things. Not to mention it makes moving the grip easier when he takes me shooting(significant size difference between us).
 
Based off of his shotguns, he likes the quad rail. He likes to put things on and take them off all over those things. Not to mention it makes moving the grip easier when he takes me shooting(significant size difference between us).

Ok... the quad rail is actually being replaced by the M-Lok and Key Mod systems... However, if he already has a lot of quad rail accessories such as vertical grips, lights, etc., he may not be interested in the latest and greatest rail systems.

If that is the case, you would be looking for the M&P 15T with quad rail that has been discontinued. But you should be able to still find it in stock. Like at this link...

S&W M&P15T 30+1 223REM/5.56NATO 16" $909.00 SHIPS FREE
 
Or you could go with the M-Lok system and add pieces of quad rail where you want them. Not really the idea behind the M-Lok system, but it does allow you to use your older accessories with the newer system...

just more to think about.
 
Oh goodness. Really? I guess that would make sense though. He's had those shotguns for oh 7 or so years now. And I know how he is, he would rather have more options for attachments. So since there are rail attachments you can get for the M-Lok, that would make more sense. I'm not concerned on weight either.

I really want this to be something he can have fun with. He's only been asking me for a AR15 for six years! Lol.
 
I am with cyphertext on this one. If I were buying this for someone else I would not get a M&P unless you can get more information. You will be paying for parts he will not end up using. Some of those might be costly depending on what you purchase if he is going to strip the rifle down and build it back up. That however might not be what he is going to do. It sounds like he is an accessory oriented guy. Some clarification is necessary and it might help us help you. When you say this...

I know he wants to build up his own. Adding on rails, red dot sights and a extra grip. Probably more I'm sure... He likes the tactical look.

What do you mean by build it up? For example this M&P 15T has a quad rail with nothing attached to it beyond BUIS, back up sights.

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Now this is the same base gun which someone has accessorized.

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If you look closely at the 2 pics you can see that the buttstock has been replaces with a Magpul CTR stock. They added and Eotech red dot with a 3X magnifier on a flip mount, a surefire foregrip and a tac light. It is pretty loaded down. Is this what you mean when you say he will "build it up"?

If it is do not I repeat do not get a Sport II. As cyphertext he will have to swap out the flash hider, the A2 gas block and replace it with a low profile gas block to get the rail system to fit and he will still have a lower end barrel vs a 15T or a Vtac.

The sport is not setup with rails to allow your husband to attach things to it without the above modifications. Those modifications are not hard but require about $150+ worth of tools to do quickly and properly IMHO. Plus you are getting a lesser barrel in the Sport. He could buy Mapul drop in furniture but really they are a bit of a compromise and are not made to be loaded down. IMHO

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If you believe he really has his heart set on a M&P I would look at 2 rifles. First the new M&P 15T Tactical with M-LOK rail and the M&P VTAC.

I personally would recommend the M&P 15T M-LOK because of the following which I will detail below. You can get it here for $969 and will have to have it shipped to a local dealer who will transfer it to you. Don't get the older quad rail version unless you can get it cheap, $799 because most people are moving away from quad rails. Most people charge between $10 and $25 for this service. Online is often cheaper but you could also order one from the local shop and save the hassle of the transfer process.

Smith & Wesson M&P15 223/5.56 30+1 Rifle - 11600 | CenterfireGuns

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This gun will have a 1 in 8" 5R barrel which is desirable and a meaningful upgrade over the 1/9 twist barrel found on the budget sport. It has the Magpul M-LOK system which allows you to put rail sections only where you need them to attach lights, foregrip etc.... and none where you don't. It leaves the rail slimmer, lighter and easier on the hands than the older quad rail.

This gun is ready to go right out of the box but there is tons of room to accessorize. He will add a red dot, foregrip, light if he chooses. It has attachment points for any sling he chooses. He can also swap out the grip, the stock and the trigger without loosing too much $$$ on that process. These are much less costly vs the rail system IMHO because they do not require $150+ worth of tools to do them. This guns is a solid base to build on.

If you buy the VTAC S&W along with Viking Tactical has specd out a lot of the goodies for you. You get an upgraded trigger, stock, grip, rail, sling & light mount. If you love the configuration it is a decent deal around the $1500 mark but if you want to change out any of those you are wasting money which is why I don't recommend it for your husband in this instance unless he was picking it out himself. Chances are there is something he would do differently if that makes sense.

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Now with all of that said. If it were me buying this rifle for your husband this is what I would buy him. It is not a S&W M&P but it will allow him to build a high end rifle exactly to his spec. It is a BCM OEM rifle. It does not come with a stock or a rail. It will cost you $899 give or take. Look out for Brownells coupons which could save you $25-$50 with free shipping. They have been running a lot of coupons these days.

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AR-15 OEM RECCE MID-LENGTH LIGHTWEIGHT 16" RIFLE | Brownells

This is a RECCE specs lightweight mid-length gas premium AR15. I am a little bit of a BCM fan boy but they put together a nice rifle. Everything about this rifle is premium. This base will allow your husband to put the exact rail & stock he wants on the gun without wasting $$$ on parts he will not use. This give him the maximum flexibility IMHO but it comes at a cost. You are looking at another $300 to $500 to complete this rifle depending on what he chooses. It does not come with BUIS which the M&P 15T M-LOK does. Remember that is before he will add all of the same accessories I mentioned he could add to the M&P 15T M-LOK. You will have to go through the transfer process with this one because it is doubtful your local shop can get these.

The M&P 15T M-LOK will be a better value but the BCM OEM will give him more flexibility. Good luck... I am sure he will love whatever you get him.
 
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I'd say either the 15T or maybe even an M&P 15 OR. That way he can choose his owns sights too on the OR. This is all based on the fact that you do want to stick with the S&W line....which is a very solid choice.
 
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I'd say either the 15T or maybe even an M&P 15 OR. That way he can choose his owns sights too on the OR. This is all based on the fact that you do want to stick with the S&W line....which is a very solid choice.

I wouldn't go OR, simply because she knows that her husband wants to hang stuff off the rifle... and I am going to assume that he wants free float vs. a drop in, so the gas block becomes problematic.
 
In this instance, yes I believe I used "build up" wrong. When I posted I didn't realize you could literally build an AR15 with pieces. Lol. He is definitely an attachments kind of guy. And to be perfectly honest I don't think he would go heavy into parts replacement even if I got him something he wouldn't have gotten himself.

I believe I'm going to go with the M&P15T with M-Lok. It has the esthetics he likes, and if I get the rail attachments he can start off with the items he already owns, and pick out new ones whenever he wants.

I'm actually really in love with the price point in this too. I set aside $2,000 so even if he does decided to swap the actual parts, it won't kill the budget.

Thank you everyone. Y'all have been incredibly helpful. I'm sure this is going to be his best Valentines ever.
 
Also. Yes. He has an obsession with the M&P line. We have SEVERAL. To the point that when I picked out my own pistol I ended up with a M&P Shield 9mm.
 
In this instance, yes I believe I used "build up" wrong. When I posted I didn't realize you could literally build an AR15 with pieces. Lol. He is definitely an attachments kind of guy. And to be perfectly honest I don't think he would go heavy into parts replacement even if I got him something he wouldn't have gotten himself.

I believe I'm going to go with the M&P15T with M-Lok. It has the esthetics he likes, and if I get the rail attachments he can start off with the items he already owns, and pick out new ones whenever he wants.

I'm actually really in love with the price point in this too. I set aside $2,000 so even if he does decided to swap the actual parts, it won't kill the budget.

Thank you everyone. Y'all have been incredibly helpful. I'm sure this is going to be his best Valentines ever.

That will be an excellent choice. With your budget he should have enough to get a few accessories and start down that never ending road.

I pick up the rifle and then give him the rest of the $2000 on a Amex gift card so he can then shop till he drops! :D

This is my go to AR15... I am more of a light clean look kind of guy.

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I pick up the rifle and then give him the rest of the $2000 on a Amex gift card so he can then shop till he drops! :D

That's the idea! I wouldn't dare take away the fun of shopping for parts from him. I remember how much fun he had just picking out Tritium sights for his M&P 9mm. Lol!
 
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