I've been wanting to get an M&P15 for some time. I've only ever owned revolvers. I just shoot for fun. What would a good model to start with? I was looking at the M&P15 or X. Any suggestions? For those who've had theirs for a while, is there anything you would've done differently?
Getting my first M&P15
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TripLeader
Member
I think it just depends on your budget. S&W makes a whole line of AR-15s. The base is the Sport 2. You can get it with a front sight post or completely flat topped, for an optic. The Sport 2 was available some places for as low as $499, until recently. It is probably the best budget friendly AR out there. Now they are out of stock at those prices due to concerns over possible new legislation.
I think availability might be the driving factor as to what you will buy in the near future.
I think availability might be the driving factor as to what you will buy in the near future.
Thank you. I was looking to spend less than 1k. $499 would be nice! The internet has so much info on these rifles I've been overloaded.
Can all of them be customized, I guess I'm looking for something that already has the most common customizations already done.
TripLeader
Member
They can all be customized, but, some only so much. Just buy something of decent quality. The M&P has a warranty and I've only heard good things about them, at all budget levels.
Here's what I suggest with your first AR:
Don't worry about things like the twist ratio of the barrel. Don't worry about the construction of the internal parts. Don't worry about the factory hand guard or butt stock--they can be easily changed.
Worry about the sights--Decide if you want a completely flat stock or a fixed front sight post. I suggest fixed for durabilty, unless you know you're going to put an optic on it.
Decide on the type of front rail & barrel. The best thing to get is a free floating barrel, as that way resting the barrel on something won't introduce error into your shot. But, for recreation, it's not that big of a deal. (And it will cost more.)
There are also several caliber options. I suggest you get one chambered for 5.56. That way you can use that as well as .223. Some ARs are only chambered for .223 and shooting 5.56 in them will cause damage. (Then, of course, there are many other caliber ARs to choose from.)
You might consider if you want a mid-length or a carbine length barrel, meaning what position the gas port is at. Mid-length is more desirable in some people's opinion. It's not a big deal for recreation though.
You can add other things later, like rails, lights, new triggers, different butt stocks, etc.
Here's what I suggest with your first AR:
Don't worry about things like the twist ratio of the barrel. Don't worry about the construction of the internal parts. Don't worry about the factory hand guard or butt stock--they can be easily changed.
Worry about the sights--Decide if you want a completely flat stock or a fixed front sight post. I suggest fixed for durabilty, unless you know you're going to put an optic on it.
Decide on the type of front rail & barrel. The best thing to get is a free floating barrel, as that way resting the barrel on something won't introduce error into your shot. But, for recreation, it's not that big of a deal. (And it will cost more.)
There are also several caliber options. I suggest you get one chambered for 5.56. That way you can use that as well as .223. Some ARs are only chambered for .223 and shooting 5.56 in them will cause damage. (Then, of course, there are many other caliber ARs to choose from.)
You might consider if you want a mid-length or a carbine length barrel, meaning what position the gas port is at. Mid-length is more desirable in some people's opinion. It's not a big deal for recreation though.
You can add other things later, like rails, lights, new triggers, different butt stocks, etc.
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Westie1
Member
Add one more thing, prior to doing any mods, and that is buying ammo and shooting. The more you shoot, the more you are able to decide if you want to mod and what mods you really want.
There is nothing wrong with a S&W Sport. I suggest starting with one to see if you really like AR's. If you spend more money you will need to spend a lot more to get a lot better rifle. My Sport is very accurate and reliable. The only thing I changed was the handguard because they come without a heat shield. Don't worry about a free floated barrel. It won't make a whole lot of difference and it will cost considerably more. Don't worry about twist rates unless you plan on shooting very heavy bullets for target shooting or hunting. The most common twist rates shoot a lot of bullet weights. You won't have trouble finding ammo for a 1:9 barrel unless there is another panic, which may be starting so I would buy soon just in case. Very soon. Prices could increase very quickly. Some say the cheap AR's have already sold out. With Trump threatening sanctions against buying AR's the price could go very high.
To be honest it appears you are too late already. I just checked the gun search engines and there are no Sports available anywhere. They are sold out everywhere. Good luck finding one. You may want to wait a while at this point to see if anything comes of what Trump said. My guess is he will see that he will lose substantial political support for what he said and he will back down as he has on other issues. At that point prices will come down and guns will be available.
To be honest it appears you are too late already. I just checked the gun search engines and there are no Sports available anywhere. They are sold out everywhere. Good luck finding one. You may want to wait a while at this point to see if anything comes of what Trump said. My guess is he will see that he will lose substantial political support for what he said and he will back down as he has on other issues. At that point prices will come down and guns will be available.
Rastoff
US Veteran
You've only ever owned revolvers, but what experience do you have with rifles? Have you ever shot a .223Rem rifle before? Bolt action? Lever action? Just what is your experience?
Also, what is you goal with this gun? Will it just be for fun at the range? Competition? Self-Defense?
Answer these questions and we can help better.
Also, what is you goal with this gun? Will it just be for fun at the range? Competition? Self-Defense?
Answer these questions and we can help better.
agksimon
Member
MichiganScott
Member
I've heard AR-15's referred to as tinker toys for adults. You can modify them to almost any configuration you can imagine if you have enough money.
CG2
Member
Get the MOE Mid Magpul edition....I got mine for $799. Then take the other $200 and buy mags and ammo.
I grew up shooting .22 semi automatic rifles. Didn't shoot a gun for about 20 years and started tinkering around with a 686. Had loads of fun out in the desert and wanted to get another rifle. Something meatier than my old .22. My goal is to just shoot for fun and learn about ARs
Rastoff
US Veteran
Excellent! They are super fun to shoot.
The next question is iron sights or optics?
You can have a lot of fun with iron sights. However, I prefer optics. If you have young eyes, a red dot makes shooting more fun. Place the dot on the target and press the trigger. If you're like me and could use a little magnification, there are some good scopes for not a whole lot of money.
Buying the gun without thinking about the sighting system is a mistake. So, think about it.
Now, I'm going to talk about optics for a moment and it's going to hurt so, sit down...good optics will cost as much or more than the gun. This is a fact. Don't panic though, this is not the end. Decent optics can be had for less.
Some examples:
The Trijicon MRO or Aimpoint H1 are top of the line red dots. The MRO is about $500 and the H1 is about $700.
A company called Primary Arms makes a very decent red dot called the Advanced Microdot for about $180. For magnified optics my favorite is the Trijicon ACOG which is a fixed power scope. It will run about $1,200-$1,400 depending on model.
For variable scopes there is the very nice Vortex Razor Gen II 1-6x24 for about $2K or the Nightforce ATACR™ 1-8x24 for about $1,720. You were sitting down, right? There's also the Leatherwood Hi-Lux CMR 1-4x 24 for about $330 which is a really decent scope for that price. Then there's the iron sights. The M&P Sport II comes with a flip up rear and fixed front sight post. This is by far the least expensive way to go. The issue comes when you decide you want to add an optic. That front post can get in the way.
As you can see there's a lot to think about when it comes to sighting systems. Just be sure to think about it.
Head spinning yet?
My recommendation? If I were starting over with what I know now, I would start with the M&P Sport II OR and put the Primary Arms Advanced Microdot on it. This combination is a nice rifle and really decent optic for less than $850 out the door.
I'm another one who really has/had no interest in AR's, but I noticed a stack of them (S&W M&P Sport II) at the local gun shop and thought, "Why not?" So now I've got one. I doubt I'll shoot it much, I'm not really a rifle person, but what the heck. I've got one. 
take that gun banners.
The only modification I've considered is a couple of extra magazines, and they're still in the plastic.
take that gun banners.The only modification I've considered is a couple of extra magazines, and they're still in the plastic.
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DocB
Member
I bought a Sport about a year ago when the price went below $600. Why? I already have a mil-spec Colt M4 SOCOM. Well, back in 2012 they were cheap. I didn't buy one. In 2013, you couldn't find one and couldn't afford it if you did. I decided to get one when the prices went back down. So, I did. Put it in a nice soft case with a bunch of loaded magazines and threw it under the bed. There it is if I really need it. There it is if the prices go crazy again. . .never adverse to doubling my money. It's a nice gun and shoots good too. Nothing ventured. Nothing lost.
Tripleader spelled it out pretty well! Especially about getting one chambered for 5.56 and .223.
if you have the patience, wait a while on your purchase. I'd say hopefully prices will come back to earth nlt Memorial Day weekend.
I don't know what they were previously bringing but these don't look like terrible prices for a Sporter 2 (Buy it Now / Gunbroker). But I really don't know. Plus shipping and ffl transfer.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/754207225
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/754081742
I don't know what they were previously bringing but these don't look like terrible prices for a Sporter 2 (Buy it Now / Gunbroker). But I really don't know. Plus shipping and ffl transfer.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/754207225
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/754081742
Excellent! They are super fun to shoot.
The next question is iron sights or optics?
You can have a lot of fun with iron sights. However, I prefer optics. If you have young eyes, a red dot makes shooting more fun. Place the dot on the target and press the trigger. If you're like me and could use a little magnification, there are some good scopes for not a whole lot of money.
Buying the gun without thinking about the sighting system is a mistake. So, think about it.
Now, I'm going to talk about optics for a moment and it's going to hurt so, sit down...good optics will cost as much or more than the gun. This is a fact. Don't panic though, this is not the end. Decent optics can be had for less.
Some examples:
The Trijicon MRO or Aimpoint H1 are top of the line red dots. The MRO is about $500 and the H1 is about $700.
For magnified optics my favorite is the Trijicon ACOG which is a fixed power scope. It will run about $1,200-$1,400 depending on model.
Then there's the iron sights. The M&P Sport II comes with a flip up rear and fixed front sight post. This is by far the least expensive way to go. The issue comes when you decide you want to add an optic. That front post can get in the way.
As you can see there's a lot to think about when it comes to sighting systems. Just be sure to think about it.
Head spinning yet?
My recommendation? If I were starting over with what I know now, I would start with the M&P Sport II OR and put the Primary Arms Advanced Microdot on it. This combination is a nice rifle and really decent optic for less than $850 out the door.
You got my head spinning. Didn't realize optics were so cheap! Lol. I planned on just using the iron sights for a while. I'm sure I'll start looking at optics sooner than later. Thank you for all of the info
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