Helping picking out a M&P15.

[C J]

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

I think some people are making this overly complicated for you. Buying an M&P 15 is an excellent place to start if the mods your husband wants to make are what you listed. I did pretty much the very same things to my M&P 15 Sport and except for the red dot I have less than $100 in parts. I have the M-Lok system on the front hand guard and I added a rail and a hand grip to that. Simple. And pretty cheap really.

I think you're right to stick with the S&W brand. Just jumping in to build your own weapon is going to require extensive input by your husband before any parts are bought. And then there's the warranty you get with Smith And Wesson stuff. I waited years to find the right rifle for me and this M&P 15 Sport was it. And I waited just so I could do the things you mention and do it with a name brand with a good reputation for the particular rifle.

So I would suggest finding the best price around for an M&P 15 Sport and then let your husband decide what parts to add. He won't be tossing that much IMO. Not for the mods you list. You should be able to find one of these rifles well under $600 these days. Here's an example for $500:

Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport 2 AR-15 556 nato 16″ 30rd Black – GUNPRIME

 

[samnev]

I'd recommend this one. Good luck.

M&P(R)15T Tactical with M-LOK(R) | Smith & Wesson[/QUOTE

I have one of these and that would also be my recommendation. It has all the bells and whistles he would want. All he would need is good scope and mount and some rail guards to protect his hands from the picatinny rail.

 

[KEwer]

Okay. So another question. If I were to order online, what would be some good, reliable sites? So many online I don't know what ones to trust.

 

[cyphertext]

Okay. So another question. If I were to order online, what would be some good, reliable sites? So many online I don't know what ones to trust.

Guns for Sale | Online Gun Store | Grab A Gun

Home Page

Discount Guns for Sale - Buds Gun Shop

There's a few... I'm sure there are many others. When I ordered my Sport many years ago, I went with who had it in stock. I don't even remember the name of the place...

 

[cyphertext]

I'd recommend this one. Good luck.

M&P(R)15T Tactical with M-LOK(R) | Smith & Wesson[/QUOTE

I have one of these and that would also be my recommendation. It has all the bells and whistles he would want. All he would need is good scope and mount and some rail guards to protect his hands from the picatinny rail.

This one does not need rail guards, as it does not have picatinny rails on it... new model, M-Lok system replaced the quad rail.

 

[BAM-BAM]

AR's are like tinker-toys......... or Barbie's........ for men......... with almost unlimited options.........................


OK my suggestion; ...... not as sexy as giving the gun itself..... but a gun is not generally returnable ...... you loose big $$$s on a "used" sale or trade, or he gets a bunch of features he wants to change but will cost him extra $$s!



Make and print your own "Gift Certificate" for $XXX.xx towards an AR-15. (It can state it's limited to the purchase of an AR and/or accessories )

Redeemable by you..... not a specific store...... so he can spend $XXX.xx to get exactly what he wants...........from anywhere!!!!
Hey; you can throw in a dinner ......or he has to take you with him for the purchase....... or take you shooting with him afterwards!!!

I did a version of this with each of my boys for Christmas.

Each Boy's "Gift Certificate" had clip-able coupons.......

One had 5 coupons he could clip and redeem for $XX.xx each;"one at each home visit" (his mom like that idea)..... the idea was to give him a little extra cash for date nights spread over the next Semester at College

The younger got one with 5 coupons he could clip and redeem towards video games during the course of the year. (one coupon/game); each coupon is worth about half what a game will cost ....... so he will have skin in each game purchased.

You can have fun with the actual wording and layout......... my boys were happy and it's was/is a lot more fun than giving cash!

 

[jagular]

Helping picking out a M&P15.

Okay. So another question. If I were to order online, what would be some good, reliable sites? So many online I don't know what ones to trust.

I usually start at firearm conglomeration websites such as slickguns.com or grabagun.com. They'll list the firearm and a large chunk of online dealer prices. This will help you get the BEST price while also showing all the sale details such as shipping costs (if any). Most of the dealers will be reputable but you could always ask us here if you don't recognize the name. You could also go to your local gun shop and see if they can order it. When doing this ask for the "best cash price" and see what they come back at. That is if you're gonna pay cash. If your husband frequents a certain shop go there. I know I get "special" pricing by always using the same shop. Big box retailers like sportsmans warehouse, cabelas, etc. won't do this. Sticker price is the price.

 

[WVSig]

Right now for that particular gun, S&W M&P 15T M-LOK, since it is brand new the pricing will be pretty consistent. I personally think this is a good price from a good dealer. I have bought from them in the past and they are good to go. They also do not charge you extra for using a credit card like a lot of dealers do.

$943 + $7.99 shipping.

S&W M&P15T Black 5.56 16-inch 30rd

When you order just make sure you are getting the new M-LOK 15T not the older Quad rail 15T.

 

[cyphertext]

Right now for that particular gun, S&W M&P 15T M-LOK, since it is brand new the pricing will be pretty consistent. I personally think this is a good price from a good dealer. I have bought from them in the past and they are good to go. They also do not charge you extra for using a credit card like a lot of dealers do.

$896 + $7.99 shipping.

Smith and Wesson M&P15X Black 5.56 16-inch 30rd MLOK handguard

When you order just make sure you are getting the new M-LOK 15T not the older Quad rail 15T.

Not the right gun in the link... This is what WVSig meant to link...
S&W M&P15T Black 5.56 16-inch 30rd

 

[WVSig]

AR's are like tinker-toys......... or Barbie's........ for men......... with almost unlimited options.........................


OK my suggestion; ...... not as sexy as giving the gun itself..... but a gun is not generally returnable ...... you loose big $$$s on a "used" sale or trade, or he gets a bunch of features he wants to change but will cost him extra $$s!



Make and print your own "Gift Certificate" for $XXX.xx towards an AR-15. (It can state it's limited to the purchase of an AR and/or accessories )

Redeemable by you..... not a specific store...... so he can spend $XXX.xx to get exactly what he wants...........from anywhere!!!!
Hey; you can throw in a dinner ......or he has to take you with him for the purchase....... or take you shooting with him afterwards!!!

Not to hijack the thread but you have to be careful doing it this way. One issue with this approach with gun is that you are possibly putting yourself in the position of making a straw purchase. The ATF typically follows the flow of the $$$ when determining who the is the "actual purchaser" of a the firearm on the 4473.

You are the actual purchaser if you are buying it with your money with the intention of giving the gun to someone as a gift as long as that person is not "prohibited".

You however are not the "actual buyer" of the firearm if you fill out the 4473 and then someone else pays for the gun with their $$ or you pay for the gun with the $$ they give you. If money changes hands in front of the dealer they have every cause to reject the sale.

If you want to go this route I suggest letting the husband purchase the gun with cash in his possession before you enter the store or with his own credit card which the wife can later pay the bill on.

 

[WVSig]

Not the right gun in the link...

You are right it is the shorter M-LOK version. This is the correct one at $943.45

S&W M&P15T Black 5.56 16-inch 30rd

 

[KEwer]

That is a pretty good price! I went to my normal gun place. They said they didn't have one in stock but that they could order me one, and price match what I find online. And with that there's no transfer fee. They also have the Sport II on sale for $599... which I may get for myself since I don't ever modify my weapons. lol.

 

[WVSig]

That is a pretty good price! I went to my normal gun place. They said they didn't have one in stock but that they could order me one, and price match what I find online. And with that there's no transfer fee. They also have the Sport II on sale for $599... which I may get for myself since I don't ever modify my weapons. lol.

If they can order it and match the price I would go that route. Their price on the Sport II is about $75 to $100 to high unless it includes the tax. Grab a gun at $525 $7.99 shipping.

Smith and Wesson M&P-15 Sport II Black .223 / 5.56 NATO 16-inch 30Rd

 

[BAM-BAM]

Not to hijack the thread but you have to be careful doing it this way. One issue with this approach with gun is that you are possibly putting yourself in the position of making a straw purchase. The ATF typically follows the flow of the $$$ when determining who the is the "actual purchaser" of a the firearm on the 4473.

You are the actual purchaser if you are buying it with your money with the intention of giving the gun to someone as a gift as long as that person is not "prohibited".

You however are not the "actual buyer" of the firearm if you fill out the 4473 and then someone else pays for the gun with their $$ or you pay for the gun with the $$ they give you. If money changes hands in front of the dealer they have every cause to reject the sale.

If you want to go this route I suggest letting the husband purchase the gun with cash in his possession before you enter the store or with his own credit card which the wife can later pay the bill on.

WVaSig.......I was focused on helping KEwer ( the very thoughtful wife) assure her husband gets the "AR configured as he wants"; without just giving him an envelope of cash.

Always assumed the husband would shop for and buy the AR he wants ( LOL within the gift budget) and do the paperwork ( 4473/ in Pa we also have a state form ) as the buyer......

With KEwer reimbursing him later, putting the money in a joint account prior to the purchase, or giving him cash ...

Also keep in mind most LGS and big box store sell "Gift Certificates" which are given as gifts..... and later used by a 3rd party toward a firearm purchase.........

But your warning is appropriate and timely.


In my experience red flags go up when "the Guy" ..... shows up with his "Girlfriend".......says "buy that one!" ( Glock 17/19) and then has the lady friend start the paperwork. Seen numerous "Gift purchases" over the years with Wives , Husbands and Grandparents......especially where the couple are known...... as KEwer seems to be.

 

[WVSig]

Also keep in mind most LGS and big box store sell "Gift Certificates" which are given as gifts..... and later used by a 3rd party toward a firearm purchase.........

But your warning is appropriate and timely.


In my experience red flags go up when "the Guy" ..... shows up with his "Girlfriend".......says "buy that one!" ( Glock 17/19) and then has the lady friend start the paperwork. Seen numerous "Gift purchases" over the years with Wives , Husbands and Grandparents......

Gift Cards work because the money was given to the retailer and the possession of the card denotes ownership according to the ATF so when you give the gift card the $$$ is theirs. Same as giving cash for the present which is then used to purchase a gun.

I agree that the scenario you stated above is the "typical" example but a wife "paying" for a AR15 at the register after the husband has picked it out and filled out the 4473 + other forms is no less illegal and I have seen dealers at gun shows and stores refuse a sale because of this exact scenario. I am just trying to help avoid an issue or the OP.

Back on topic. Wives who buy husbands guns are awesome!

 

[KEwer]

Thank you! I try to be awesome.

I will be purchasing it without him, but it will be noted that it is being purchased as a gift.

My very first pistol was a Valentine's Day gift from him three years ago (Sccy CPX-1). I thought it would be nice to return the favor. Especially since he's wanted an AR15 for so gosh darn long.

 

[Kadonny]

Boy after seeing a pic, I love that new M&P15T! Great rifle for the money.

 

[CBStuard]

Now that you have settled on the rifle and found that your local store can order it for you, ask them how best to do the transaction so the ATF is happy. My thought would be that you give them maybe $200 to order it and hold it. And have the order done in his name. Give your husband a home made gift card w/ the cash inside and a downloaded pic of the rifle, and then both of you go to the store. Then he can fill out the forms and pay the balance. I know he bought you a pistol, and it will probably never be a problem, but you know how too many people are about black rifles. Seems it would be best for it to be in his name.

 

[cyphertext]

Now that you have settled on the rifle and found that your local store can order it for you, ask them how best to do the transaction so the ATF is happy. My thought would be that you give them maybe $200 to order it and hold it. And have the order done in his name. Give your husband a home made gift card w/ the cash inside and a downloaded pic of the rifle, and then both of you go to the store. Then he can fill out the forms and pay the balance. I know he bought you a pistol, and it will probably never be a problem, but you know how too many people are about black rifles. Seems it would be best for it to be in his name.

There is no federal registration, so from that standpoint, there is no such thing as "in his name".

She doesn't need to jump through any special hoops. She can legally purchase the rifle as a gift for her husband. The directions on the 4473 even state that if you are "buying as a gift" then you are the actual purchaser. The only thing I would recommend is that she go to the store by herself so that it does not appear to be a straw purchase of any type.

 

[WVSig]

Now that you have settled on the rifle and found that your local store can order it for you, ask them how best to do the transaction so the ATF is happy. My thought would be that you give them maybe $200 to order it and hold it. And have the order done in his name. Give your husband a home made gift card w/ the cash inside and a downloaded pic of the rifle, and then both of you go to the store. Then he can fill out the forms and pay the balance. I know he bought you a pistol, and it will probably never be a problem, but you know how too many people are about black rifles. Seems it would be best for it to be in his name.

This would be a violation because he would be filling out the 4773 but the rifle would be purchased with $200 of "her" money. The ATF follows the money trail.

She either has to buy the rifle with her money filling out the 4473 and then gift it to her husband. In this instance the gifter of the rifle is the actual purchaser as defined by the ATF. This would be the way I would do it.

or

She can give him the money as a gift which he then uses to purchase the rifle. To be on the safe side the money should be gifted prior to going to the shop. In this case he will be supplying the $$$ and filling out the 4473.

The point I will stress is that the person supplying the money must be the one who is filling out the 4473.

This Christmas I was given a Glock 19 by my mother in law which she purchased and I then transferred into my possession. We live in different states so it had to go through and FFL.

My wife bought me a Beretta Pigeon I for my birthday and because we live in the same state she simply purchased it and gave it to me. No fuss no muss.