Talk me out of the M&P 10

Hello whoever is reading this,

Last weekend I fired an AR 15 style rifle for the first time. It was my dad's birthday so I thought let's rent something different while we were at the range. The Wilson Combat 1911 was freaking awesome to shoot and I shoot it way better than my G29. But I digress, I rented an AR 15 with a silencer. It was super fun! We were at an indoor range and the max distance was 25 yards.

I had so much fun that the next day I started looking into buying one. I think I want an AR 10. I hear I could hunt with it even though I've never been hunting in my life. It's a larger round that I hear I can shoot further and with more power than the 5.56 and I think it would be fun to knock down steel plates at 1000 yards. Obviously, the first day I took it to the outdoor range I wouldn't be attempting that. I can pick up an M&P 10 brand new for just under $1300 where the M&P 15 would be about $900.

One of my concerns is cost of ammunition. Ammo is $1 a round (I wouldn't buy the cheap Russian stuff) and that seems like it could get very costly. When I start to think of that though, I don't plan on rapid firing the rifle as I do with my hand gun. I don't plan on going through 30 rounds in under 30 seconds with the rifle. Since I really want to get into distance and accuracy shooting I'd probably only blow through 100 rounds at the range in two hours I would guess.

My other concern is customization. I seem to be reading things on forums that the AR 10 allows for less customization than the AR 15. Probably because the AR 15 is like a Honda Civic, everyone and their mother has one. I've seen some really cool pictures of AR 15's and I'd like to be able to do that with my gun as well. At the moment, I'd like to get a scope, bi-pod, and free float the barrel. Those are the first upgrades I would make.

So to sum it all up, I want to pretend I'm a marine sniper at the range shooting targets 1000yards away, not pay a lot for ammo, customize the gun and have a lot of fun! Also, the silencer was really cool. Do you know if the flash hider is removable on the M&P 10? I know two people with M&P 15's and one of theirs is removable and the other is welded to the barrel.

Talk me out of buying this Smith & Wesson M&P 10.

Mike

thompsonmike82 said:

So to sum it all up, I want to pretend I'm a marine sniper at the range shooting targets 1000yards away, not pay a lot for ammo

-snip-

Talk me out of buying this Smith & Wesson M&P 10.

Mike

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If you want to play Marine Corps Sniper then you might as well play the best.

Gunnery Sgt. Carlos Hathcock .

You will need a Remington USMC M40, not an AR pattern rifle.



Also Springfield Armory makes a Gunny Hathcock version of the M1A called "The WhiteFeather"



So have I talked you out of it????

Can not do it.

I can not tell you to not buy it because I just bought one.
In my case I already had the M&P - 15 sport. Love that gun too.
All ways wanted a M-1A but here in Maryland it can no longer be bought, sooooo M&P - 10 was my next choice . I like the feel of it , but have not shot it yet. I also reload so the price of ammo is a little less concerning for me. Good luck in your choice.

Smith357.... $1800?????!!!! lol Ouch! While the does look kind of cool, the price point is $800 more than I wanted to spend plus the AR platform looks cooler in my humble opinion.

Whoever said money doesn't buy happiness never shot guns! lol

When I bought my first handgun 6 months ago my dad told me it was an addiction and I'd end up buying more. I didn't believe him, I do now.

I must be getting old. I saw the thread title & thought it was going to be about a .38 Spl. revolver.

Have you ever shot at a 1000yds before? I own a mp10 and would consider it a mid range rifle, 300-600yds. With practice and the right ammo you might be able to stretch that out to 800, a 1000yds is pushing it. If you want a long range precision rifle id look into a bolt gun in 300 or 338. I think having such high expectations of any semi auto 308 rifle is only going to lead to a let down or spending a ton of money. As far as customization goes your pretty limited when it comes to the mp10. It accepts standard ar furniture for the most part and the flash hider is removable. The factory trigger is outstanding in mine, clean break right at 4.5lbs. I have over 1200rds through it with zero malfunctions. Half of those rounds were tula and wolf. I'm a southpaw so the ambidextrous controls are a huge bonus to me. If your looking for a ar10 that you can swap barrels and internals on the mp10 is not for you. If your looking for a 1000yd 308 semi auto rifle the mp10 is not for you. If you want a accurate, reliable, ambidextrous, lightweight, 308 semi auto rifle and understand its capabilities, the mp10 is a good choice. Don't forget optics, at that distance you'll need a good scope and mount $$$$. Match grade 308 usually runs about $1.50-2.50rd if you don't reload. The thought of 1000yd shooting is thrown around way to often. It is difficult and expensive to achieve. I'm sure there are plenty of people who can shoot 1000yds with a 308, im just saying that it would be very difficult with a semi auto with a 18" barrel. Hope this helps, good luck on your 1000yd quest.

I'll play. You shouldn't buy the M&P 10. AR10 rifles are not the M&P 10 - owners of AR 10's get feisty when you call any other .308 semi-auto rifle an AR10 (I know, I know). Anyway, your expectations are too high as the others have already said. Don't get me wrong, I really like my M&P 10 and can't shoot it enough. You need to match the rifle to what you want it to do.

The suppressor costs money to buy plus there's a $200 license to own it. I think that's the price as I do not have any. I also believe suppressors are harder on the the firearm. However, I'd love one too.

The rifle can be customized somewhat - all the furniture, triggers, springs, gas blocks (lower for certain free floating hand guards) and the flash hider are the usual swaps.

Based on your comments, I think you'd really like the M&P 15 more than the 10. My Magpul MID version is a really fun shooter and ammo for them is easy to come by. Think about it, you might still join our club

M&P 10 has too many proprietary parts as most ARs in the .308 platform. Could you make hits out to 1,000 yards, it is possible but not all that likely at least without some upgrades and an expensive scope (read several thousand dollars spent here). Buy a bolt gun or if you must have an AR platform check out Larue Tactical rifles and be prepared to spend some big cash and wait for the build to be completed.

Answer #1 - if you want an M&P 10 , no reason not to. In AR-15's ( of direct gas type ) are all interchangeable as to internal parts. In the Large frame type , the are several different designs that are not interchangable. None are clearly *better* than the others , just different.

Answer #2 - Your wish list ( dream list ) is overly ambitous. By all means jump in and persue serious precision rifle shooting , but it's a long journey to get to where you outlined. Knowledegable instruction from a skilled instructor , who is also skill at long range field shooting and/ or F Class competion can jump start you. But it will take a lot of practice , and tweaking of your equipment and (probably handloads ) before 1000yds is in the picture.

You're all jerks! You didn't do what I asked! hah Just kidding

I really think that M1A is pretty cool looking but it's just not in my budget right now. I went ahead and made the purchase and my M&P 10 should be here in a week or two. I'd post some pictures when I get it but I'm pretty sure everyone has seen a stock one before. heh What I will do is post some pictures of the broad side of the barn I'll be shooting at 1000 yards out, there will hopefully be 1 or 2 bullet holes in it out of 20 shots....

I'm pretty excited about it coming and I appreciate the responses from everyone, thank you.

Mike

1000 yards into a barn is easy. You'll do that 20 out of 20 times!

I love my M&P10. It's a pleasant and accurate semi. Realistically the 308 is a poor choice for long range, but the military has used them for years in that capacity. Why? Well it is the military....

Yup, a Remington 40X is an amazing rifle for accuracy!

Good luck on those 1000 yard shots! You'll have a ball chasing that target and when you finally hit it you'll feel great. It's all fun.

.

thompsonmike82 said:

You're all jerks! You didn't do what I asked! hah Just kidding

I really think that M1A is pretty cool looking but it's just not in my budget right now. I went ahead and made the purchase and my M&P 10 should be here in a week or two. I'd post some pictures when I get it but I'm pretty sure everyone has seen a stock one before. heh What I will do is post some pictures of the broad side of the barn I'll be shooting at 1000 yards out, there will hopefully be 1 or 2 bullet holes in it out of 20 shots....

I'm pretty excited about it coming and I appreciate the responses from everyone, thank you.

Mike

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I bought an M&P 10 when they first came out, the LE version. I immediately put FDE Magpul furniture on it, the STR buttstock, the MIAD grip, and the MOE handguard. I added a Weaver V-16, I just happened to have, in a Leupold Mark 2 mount. I have not shot it enough to Judge it, but it appears to be a sub 1.5 MOA carbine. I just got a "G" trigger for it, a SD-E. I plan to shoot it extensively when I get the trigger installed. It is a fun gun to shoot.

thompsonmike82 said:

Smith357.... $1800?????!!!! lol Ouch! While the does look kind of cool, the price point is $800 more than I wanted to spend plus the AR platform looks cooler in my humble opinion.

Whoever said money doesn't buy happiness never shot guns! lol

When I bought my first handgun 6 months ago my dad told me it was an addiction and I'd end up buying more. I didn't believe him, I do now.

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Standard Remington Model 700 ADL in 30-06 or 300WinMag, and you will be truly shooting a rifle built first and foremost to maximize the cost vs. accuracy conundrum. Out the door, with a decent scope for about $700.
As to the M&P10. It's not a bad rifle. Yes, you can find bulk ammo for about .50 a shot, when you buy 500-1000 rounds. That should last you several range days, even with friends.
Hunting ammo is ALWAYS going to be a bit more expensive.
But, it is more accurate, and is built specifically to maximize impact and stopping power on animals.
At $1300, with no optic, you are at the limit of sensibility- better shooting rifles are there for half as much. It really depends on what you are looking for, your budget, and your expected investment and return on said investment.
At $1300, add optics and such, and you can not get back what you put into the rifle. Plain and simple. On the other hand, a good bolt rifle set up for $800; you can usually get that back, or better.
As to the ability to add parts/ accessorize the M&P10, they are pretty proprietary in parts, so if that is your desire...... get a DPMS, or a Bushmaster, or CMMG, or any of a dozen other rifles, all of which cost about the same, or a bit less than the M&P.
But; to be fair- the M&P is NOT a bad choice. Not at all.

I wish someone had talked me out of buying my M&P 10. You cannot buy a replacement barrel but they don't tell you about the lack of parts on the front end...

I like 'em.
Here is mine with silencer.

Want an autoloader .308 long range marksman's rifle? Get an M1A Springfield, and shell out the cash for top notch match grade and trimmings. Want a .308 battle rifle? Get a regular M1A, get a PTR 91, or get a FN FAL. Those three are based on real world military guns with very real battle experience and refinement. The AR-10 is a failed prototype, and people only buy it because Americans are coo-coo for AR-15's, and are to afraid to leave the platform.

Vettely said:

I like 'em.
Here is mine with silencer.

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How well does it cycle with 308 sub's? Curious. I've only seen a couple rifles which could make the switch back and forth from regular rounds to subs that were not difficult to get clean cycling from.

rojodiablo said:

How well does it cycle with 308 sub's? Curious. I've only seen a couple rifles which could make the switch back and forth from regular rounds to subs that were not difficult to get clean cycling from.

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I didn't shoot my M&P 10 suppressed (sold it) but my long stoke piston .308 cycles anything (suppressed, non suppressed, hotter military rounds, or stuff from Walmart). Another reason for an adjustable piston platform.

To Vettely AAC 762-SDN-6? Enjoy!

I was all set to buy a M&P 10 until I added up what it would cost me to configure it the way I wanted. I bought the SR762 instead as it came with the the BUIS, forearm and 2 xtra mags. So for the same money I got a 308 piston AR which also weighs less than the M&P 10.

Post all the Facts.

brokenm&p10 said:

I wish someone had talked me out of buying my M&P 10. You cannot buy a replacement barrel but they don't tell you about the lack of parts on the front end...

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"Know The Facts" As you say in your other post. I am sure if my new M&P-10 needs a new barrel for a warranty issue , Smith and Wesson would have a barrel for it. In your case, I do not believe any gun maker would send a new barrel for you to put on a gun that went Kaboom due to a bore blockage. There are too many possible problems with the remainder of the gun. The gun has a life time warranty so conceivable I doubt that I will shoot out the barrel and need a new one.