I have a chance to buy a brand new S&W M&P Sport for $499. at a local gun shop, only thing is it doesn't have is a dust cover and forward assist other than that it has the 16" barrel with 5R rifling with a 1 in 8 twist, adjustable sight, 6position stock and a 30 round magpul mag. I will put a scope on it tho if I get it. I have a Stag model 1 with a 3x9 scope on it which is great shooting but I ran into this deal on the S&W and thought it might be a good chance to pick up another AR. Just wondering if anyone out there had any good or bad remarks about the S&W Sport?
Thanks
Obie

NOTE: I waited from April to this past week end to get my S&W Sport it took several weeks to come in because they were sold out. Picked it up this past Sat. (June 18th.). Yesterday (June 20th.) I took it down to the range and after adjusting the rear sight I have to say I'am very happy with the results, at 100 yds. using a bench rest its shooting like a champ, I can keep the group in the size of a quarter its a great gun for the price. Going to give it to my son to use when we go shooting down at the local gun club, and Ill keep the stag.

I bought one a few weeks ago and have about 250 rounds through it with no problems. Shoots beautifully. $499 is a great price (MSRP on Smith and Wesson's website is $709). I paid $599 at a local gun store and they have since raised the price to $699.

IMO, the Sport is hard to beat for the price. This is my first AR and it gave me a chance to try out the AR platform without breaking the bank.

For $499 buy it. I just picked one up for $599 and am very pleased so far.

Has anyone tried to change and/or add parts to the M&P Sport?

I replaced the rear sight with a carry handle. That's easy because the upper receiver is a flat top with a rail to attach accessories. As far as I can see, you can replace anything on a Sport that you could replace on any other AR.

Just popped off my handguard, as I'm waiting for my MagPul MOE handguard to arrive. The grip will be next. No issue removing the handguard as you would for any other AR.

I picked one up last weekend and although I haven't shot it yet, I'll mount an EOTech on it on Saturday and head to the range on Sunday. Or maybe I'll sight in the iron sights first, THEN take off the rear sight and put the EOTech on. The the irons could be popped on easily anytime and be fairly close.

I was rather surprised at the decent trigger mine had, right out of the box. Not target quality of course, but that's not really what you want in a rifle like this anyway. The pull was slightly long, but quite smooth. It's all good so far.

Just curious, but why this model has been made without a forward assist or dust cover? Is there a good reason for them dropping these features?

Incremental production costs. They removed parts they thought were not necessary for the target audience for the weapon. I believe that is the entry level AR shooter. The rifle is designed for the range and casual use where critical malfunction in chambering or dirt getting into the bolt area won't likely be life threatening. It is not intended as a "combat" weapon but should be fine for most shooters who aren't working or practicing in tactical situations. In reality, that is most, IMHO.

My one concern about the model, what else is downgraded internally, if anything?

The Sport is my first AR, but based on my inspection, it doesn't appear that they downgraded anything else. Barrel is 4140 chromemoly, melonite treated, 1:8 twist and 5R rifling. Not standard milspec for an AR, but those features would be considered high quality in most applications.

Full M4 feed ramps in the upper receiver, fit and finish are high quality and the lower and upper fit together with no play.

BCG appears to be an LMT - the same that S&W uses in its other M&P15 rifles. Carrier and gas key are chrome lined and the gas key s properly staked.

Lower is 7075 T6 forged aluminum, which is standard. Forging is high quality. Stock is 6 position telescopic. Standard buffer and spring. (I substituted a Spikes Tactical ST-T2 buffer to tame the carbine length recoil a little).

I think that covers all the moving and stress bearing parts.

I am not afraid to buy one. My only reservation is that I dont like the gas impingement system but for the price and the fact that I am willing to trust Smith on this it sure looks attractive. I too noticed the lack of the dust cover and forward assist but I think most purchasers will not miss them and will have a ball with it. It looks a fun rifle and I am sure that it will fine. An AK74 in 5.45X39 is attractive too. I have only rediscovered "fun guns" as for many years I thought a firearm had to have a specific use (hunting, target, bowling pins, etc.) to be considered useful and sometimes I lost the original fun of just shooting a gun you liked and thought was neat.

My brand new "Sport" has no function other than fun..... There's another thread in this forum about the Sport model. Check it out.

Buy one and enjoy!

Based on the favorable reviews I picked up a mp15 sport this week. The rifle looks great, but the accuracy has been less than I expected. Has anyone else noticed that? I've only shot about 100 rds, should I expect accuracy to improve as it breaks in?

Actually, the reviews I've seen praise the accuracy of the Sport model. The bbl. is a very nice design made by Thompson Center, a subsidiary of S&W and maker of match and hunting bbls. for years.

No model is without defective examples but before thinking there is a problem with the rifle, consider your experience with the AR platform. Is it sighted in correctly for the distances you shoot at? Has a known good shooter tried it and concurred with your take?

Not intended as a put down and I have no idea of your experience but since many who buy it are beginners, just dipping their toes into the AR waters, the liklihood of operator error is stronger than that of a defective rifle. Even the type of ammo can greatly effect accuracy IF you have a base knowledge of ammo to compare it to.

Just my thoughts, hope you get it worked out.

Try some different ammo in it. Most commercial ammo will shoot good. Are you shooting some cheap stuff from Indonesia or Nowherestan? Military requirements for accuracy are different than commercial. Also please take no offense but you must get into the groove with your new rifle and make sure you are using proper technique when shooting. Hey I like AKs and they are not known for great accuracy but with a good scope or improved iron sights and using good technique and ammo they can be surprising. I still have fun with mine and I am considering the new M&P Sport. Hey have fun its no varmint or benchrest gun so dont expect that kind of performance. Just have fun.

I appreciate both of your input, I just joined this chat group to get your help. Yes that's what worries me, everything I read talks about how accuracte it is. 1st time out I was shooting at 50yds from the bench with a wooden rest and getting 5 shot groups of 4-6 inches! Took it out the next day and did a little better, used a Hornady rest got most groups of 3-4 inches with one group under 2, but that was only 1 out of 10 groups. Won't try 100 yds till things improve. I've tried a variety of ammo, cheap stuff like Monarch, and better grades such as Black Hills and Hornady, and some personal reloads too. I understand the questions as to ability, I'm sure there are better shooters out there, I go to the range about once a week. For comparison I have a TGI Ak74 and have no problem shooting 1 1/2-2 inch groups with it at 50 yrds, and an early Mini 14 that averages 2-3 inches at that range. I have not shot ARs much, that's why I bought the Sport, I'm wanting it to be more accurate than what I already have. The only issue I thought of is we are in the middle of a heat wave, record temps 105-109 degrees. I was shooting in the late afternoon, very hot both days, so I've never gotten to shoot it when its cool outside. Could this be affecting accuracy? So I'm trying to find out if there is some external cause, or did I buy a Sport with a bad barrel. I called S&W and asked what expected accuracy was on it but the tech I talked to didn't know, so I would be very interested in what size groups other Sport users are getting to have a better idea of what it is capable of.

Seems like states with no lame compliants seem to get reallly great prices on these haha. My local shop is proud of advertising this rifle as $700 everyday price but I notice that the msrp on S&W's site is $709 =/

In my honest opinion, at fifty yards from a rest, the weapon should be capable of groups of 1MOA or better. I can occassionally stack holes with mine at fifty yards (using a 4X scope and stock trigger group) with my 1/9 bbl'd 15OR and XM193 Lake City 5.56 rounds. Your sport should be at least as good, all else being equal. The first thing to check IF you are sure it is the weapon, would be making sure the bbl. is aligned properly with the front sight/gas block (assuming it is zeroed correctly for fifty yards in the first place). Inspect spent cases for unusual marks from the chamber, etc. Whatever the best group you get IS however indicative of the weapons ability.

One method of zeroing easily is firing a round at 25 yds or less and then setting the sight (from a rest ) to the hole of the first round. You might need a scope depending on the distance. Then it is a simple matter of raising or lowering the front sight post for elevation for other distances and making minor adjustments for windage. I know I have actually sighted in this way at ten yards and then used a Nikon Spot on program to adjust the elevation. End result at fifty yard s was to raise the strike of the bullet by about 1.3 inches. Windage was spot on(forgive the pun).

http://www.nikonhunting.com/spoton/

I haven't put mine in a bench rest, so I don't know the absolute accuracy that it is capable of. I went out today to zero a new Vortex Strikefire at 50 yards. Once I got it roughly zeroed, I put 12 rounds in a group that was 1 3/4" wide and 1 1/4" high shooting offhand (elbows resting on the shooting table, but rifle supported entirely by my hands). I had some wobble from that position and the Strikefire is no magnification and a 4 MOA red dot, so I was happy with the group. MY POA was probably varying by an inch or more with the wobble and size of the red dot.

I then shot at 6" metal plates hanging at 100 yards. Hit every shot except for a couple where I got careless.

I was shooting XM193 and I have about 600 rounds through the weapon.

Thanks MPDC and Fabius, that helps a lot seeing the size groups both of you have. I'm going to try it again next week and see how it does, if I don't get much improvement I may put a scope on it and see if that helps. I'm really hoping it is operator error instead of being defective, that would be easier to fix! I would rather just practice more than go to the trouble of sending it back.

The Sport is my first AR and I really struggled with adjusting to the AR iron sights. I found that the dual aperture rear sights are great for quick acquisition and close range "combat" accuracy, but I couldn't get decent groups past 25 yards with the iron sights. Too much margin for error in centering the post in the rear aperture circle. Also, I'm at that age where either the sight or the target is going to be a little fuzzy, making precise aiming tough.

The red dot sight has made a huge difference. Both the dot and the target are in focus and since it is parallax free at 50 yards and beyond, there is less room for operator error in aligning the sights. I see why the flat top AR's have become so popular.

I took mine to the range yesterday for the second time, and was pleasantly surprised by the accuracy I was getting. I have an EOTech with their advertised "1MOA" dot... which I don't think it really is, but that's beside the point. At 100 yards, I was punching a fairly reliable 6" group I'd say. I don't think that's bad considering the dot really does seem to blot out most of the target. I think with a scope that has standard reticles, the accuracy would be just fine, if not better than fine. Besides... it's made for hitting chest-sized targets and it certainly does that.

Everyone keeps saying this is a "starter rifle" aimed at a first time AR buyer.... well, I don't know why you'd say that. I'm far from a first time buyer and it suits me just fine! I'm not crawling around in the mud (so I don't need a dust cover) and I'm not competing with this rifle or using it in combat (so I don't really need a forward assist). It's a fun rifle for the money. If you're looking for target/benchrest accuracy out of a rifle, I don't know why you'd buy a 16" rifle with an adjustable stock anyway.

It's a rifle made for fun, and that's what it is!

Well said, sir.

Fabius I'm getting to that age too, targets not as clear as they use to be.

I'm 23 and can't see ammo prices behind store counters =/

Oh, I was wondering: Is the upper housing a S&W design only? If I can't find the Sport low enough around these parts, I may just build. I really like that it has no forward assist and no dust cover(more so the former). Have found some uppers with no F.A. but do have the dust cover. If I could save a few bucks there, that'd be cool

S&W is the only one making the exact configuration of the Sport with no FA and no dust cover and with melonite treated, 1:8 twist, 5R rifled barrel. I haven't seen any other AR's offered without the dust cover.

The melonite treated barrel was an important factor in my decision to buy the Sport. An untreated chromemoly barrel, which is what you get in many other inexpensive AR builds, has a barrel life that is about 20 to 25% of a melonite treated or chrome lined barrel.

This is true but it is important for people who may be unfamiliar with AR bbls. to realize chromoly refers to the material the bbl. is made of NOT to confuse that with chromelined bbls. which have great longevity compared to most if not all other configurations. The biggest advantage the Sport's bbl. has is the 1/8 twist ratio (allowing heavier bullets than the 1/9 without effecting it's ability to stabilize 40grn varment loads) AND the actual rifling pattern which is judged superior by many.

Oh, okay. I'm kind of familiar with barrel twists but what is the "5R" part referring too? I have never heard of a Melonite treated barrel before looking at this Smith. I'll have to research what other brands offer it for a build.

I think for many people, the Sport is a fine weapon. For most people who are simply shooting AR's, a dust cover and forward assist aren't important. For me, the forward assist is a necessity. I don't use it some for for feeding problems, as I do for a "Quiet Chambering". Not everyone leaves a round in the chamber cocked and locked. Even when I was shooting in the military, I didn't keep a round in the chamber if I wasn't going into a direct threat. But for a situation where there's no round in the chamber, you can quietly chamber a round very slowly, then softly push the forward assist the finish chambering the round. You can do that and never make a sound. For old timers, we did the same thing with our thumb on the BCG before forward assists became popular. So for me, I like the forward assist. Dust cover.... Not a big deal. I do like have shield foregrips. Shoot enough, and it does get hot. "You can buy new foregrips for about $40-$60.

Melonite treated barrel; for most people is fine. I shoot a lot more than the average person. Close to 10,000 rounds a year. I wanted the chrome lined barrel because it will last longer than the melonite. Melonite is better than plain steel, but not as good as chrome lined. DISCLAIMER: The sport wasn't out when I bought my M&P15, but some of the other models did have melonite. I always prefer Chrome lined. Especially the bore and chamber. Both the Sport and the other models have chrome line BCG and Gas Key. But a chrome chamber makes the rifle very forgiving on what ammo you feed it. The dame thing will indeed shoot anything. Most people have had good luck with the sport and ammo; but I like the chrome lined better.

Also, I have a lot of sights from many other guns in the past. I also automatically put on a red-dot sight. I don't want a fixed front sight. I wanted to put a folding front on. I also wanted the option of taking the front off sight off if required.

But overall, for many, the sport is a very good gun. Most of the things that make it a lower model, are things that most people don't care about. The remaining things, make the sport similar in quality as the rest of the M&P15 line.

Well Fabius I found I couldn't get decent groups with the iron sights either, but can with a scope. I strapped a Nikon on there that was too long and too low, but at 50 yds I was still able to shoot 6 groups ranging from 1 1/8 to 1 3/4 inches. So the gun shoots fine, should be able to get it to an inch or less with a better fitting scope. Will move on to a 100 yrds now.

Wtex, I can highly recommend the Nikon M223 1-4X20 to you.

Relatively inexpensive, very accurate and rugged and a perfect fit for 3 gun and the like.

Nikon M-223 Rifle Scope 1-4x 20mm Point Blank Reticle Matte

^What grip do you have there? Looks comfortable.

The Nikon M223 2-8X32 is also a good choice for target shooting as it does not have the 3 MOA dot that blocks the target at longer distances

Attached Images

Smith & Wesson M&P15 P.jpg (69.4 KB, 102 views)

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JR

you cant go wrong for 499$ how many mags do u get with it.you cant build one much cheaper. plus you get the smith and wesson warranty. you can allways buy a new upper with the dust cover and any barrel you want

That is true, especially at longer distances. I find it very accurate at 50 yards. Also, because of that dot, three gun use is much more comparable to a typical red dot at 1:1 magnification.

Thank you both for the scope recommendations, those are really nice settups! I tried a Nikon Prostaff I had sitting around, it didn't fit well using medium rings. I definitely need something shorter and mounted higher. The mounts both of you are using extend forward, that should help with eye relief, what kind is it?

Mattall I got mine for $599, only comes with 1 mag but its a Magpul.

Both rifles have the M223 Nikon mount. For the 1-4X scopes they work well and for all of the Nikon M223 scopes, they give 20 MOA of extra elevation (actually slope down, lowering the point of the dot or cross hair to effect a higher strike) for longer shots with these scopes.



Nikon M-223 AR Mount

The 5R rifling means that the rifling pattern has 5 lands and grooves, rather than 6 like the standard AR rifling. The odd number of lands and grooves means that you don't have raised lands directly opposite each other. With the odd number of lands and grooves, you have a groove opposite each land. This gives a better gas seal and doesn't cut into the copper bullet casing as much, reducing friction and improving accuracy.

The 5R rifling also has contoured edges on the lands rather than sharp, 90 degree edges.

My research indicates that the 5R rifling was developed in Russia and then adopted with slight modifications by barrel manufacturers in the US. It is becoming more common in higher end barrels, such as Obermyer, Kreiger and others. It is the rifling pattern used in the Army's sniper rifle.

Ahh, I thought it had to do with rifling. Man, that sounds good. Along with Melonite treated barrels, I've never heard of ones with 5R grooves! And I've kind of been looking around at uppers/barrels of all sorts.

I am basically the market segment they made this rifle for, and it worked, with you guys helped also. I just picked one up with a local 50.00 dollars off cost me 549.99 and i am looking forward to trying it out.
I have been wanting to try a AR out for quite sometime and when the prices went through the roof, i really did not want to spend so much. Now as the prices have become more resonable i still hesitated since i have gotten tired of researching and still not being able to sift through all the Must have advice on the web. So this fits me purfect.

lesgeaux you got a good deal, was that from Academy? Just saw in the paper they were running a sale on all guns, good time for those looking to go ahead and get one. This was my 1st AR, prices were always too high before. MPDC Thanks for info on the mount, that looks like it will help using a scope with the short stock.

Great deal, man! Hope I can get something close to that soon.

Yes I think it was a good deal. I was going to wait, the normal selling price is 599.99 at Academy, but this week they have a discount schedule according to what you spend and this rifle fell in the 50.00 off, so I just had to do it.

I think I've given 4-6 online retailers my email to notify me when some compliant rifles come in haha.

While I do not have the 5.56 I do have the 22LR version and boy is it fun. I easily have 7000 rounds thru mine, I gotta quit letting others borrow it! I put a Nikon M-223 1-4 Point Blank Reticle on mine and that makes for even more fun shooting reactive targets and doesn't break the bank!Smith and Wesson defintely have a huge edge in this market.

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...P15-22niPh.jpg

I'm wondering; when did the M&P 15 Sport come out? 2011 or '10?

They announced it at the Shot Show in January of this year and started shipping in March. The rifle has generated a lot of buzz in just a few months.