Help me decide M&P 15 Sport, Ruger AR556 or other.

[diverg]

I want to purchase my first AR this week. Probably as soon as tomorrow as there are some great deals on the M&P Sport at the local sporting goods shop. Their Black Friday deal is the M&P 15 Sport, hard case and magazine charger for $599. IS this a good deal?

Still I am trying to decide between getting the M&P 15 Sport or the Ruger AR556? I know this is a Smith and Wesson site so tell me why in your opinion I should get the Sport over the Ruger, or vice versus. This would be my first AR, and usually am not a person that's going to tinker with things. The most important thing well be to add some type of optics as my late 40's eyes aren't the best. Another very important thing to me is reliability and customer service. Preferably there will be no need for customer service, but if there is I want great customer service.

Some things I foresee me using this gun is at the range, maybe(unlikely) hog hunting, home defense.

[MichiganScott]

I've never had any problems with S&W customer service. I can't say the same for Ruger.

I have two S&W AR's. Both have fired over 1K rounds without a bobble.

[boudin]

I have a m&p sport 15. Never had a minutes trouble with it. I looked at other ar's , and the m&p just seemed a better built rifle. It also fit me a lot better than others for some reason. S&W customer service is a plus also

[sgtsandman]

I have firearms from both companies and have not had a problem yet. So, I can't comment on the customer service aspect.

I believe Ruger is a piston system where Smith & Wesson use direct impingement. There are plusses and minuses to both systems. DI is usually lighter. Piston keeps the bolt cooler and cleaner at the expense of weight due to the extra metal. That doesn't mean there is less cleaning. The carbon cleaning is mostly done at the gas block where the piston is instead of in the bolt carrier group.

Both systems work well but it depends on where your priorities lie. Light and faster getting on target or a bit heavier and a little bit more forgiving system.

Also, keep in mind, the piston gas block will get very hot and the rifle still needs to be cleaned. The focus areas are just a little different.

If it was me, I would go with a DI rifle.

[Pisgah]

The AR15 has become such a generic commodity these days that I honestly don't think there's a nickel's worth of difference between the many "name" brands now out there. Sure one may have specific features you want that another doesn't have, but when you are talking about the first-timer's entry level rifle -- truly, they are all pretty much the same.

[Dandecoteau]

DPMS Oracle

Has stuff high end ARs have at fraction of the price.

[Pisgah]

Originally Posted by sgtsandman

I believe Ruger is a piston system where Smith & Wesson use direct impingement. There are plusses and minuses to both systems. DI is usually lighter. Piston keeps the bolt cooler and cleaner at the expense of weight due to the extra metal. That doesn't mean there is less cleaning. The carbon cleaning is mostly done at the gas block where the piston is instead of in the bolt carrier group.

Both systems work well but it depends on where your priorities lie. Light and faster getting on target or a bit heavier and a little bit more forgiving system.

Also, keep in mind, the piston gas block will get very hot and the rifle still needs to be cleaned. The focus areas are just a little different.

If it was me, I would go with a DI rifle.

You're confusing two different Ruger Models. The SR-556 has the piston top-end; the AR556 is just what it says, an AR, with direct gas impingement.

[diverg]

So how has the newer ones with the 1:9 twist and non melonite treated barrels been? Also is the package price a pretty good deal? I'm thinking that according to the add the case and charger are a $100 add on then the gun is $500. Not really sure how much the charger would be used but I could always use the case.

[cccollin545]

The barrels are still melonited it's now a different name called MCR everything is the same but the twist rate and 1/9 isn't that bad. I own an M&P 15 sport with 730 rounds through it and no problems at all. It has been heavily tested unlike the ruger ar556. The sport is proven I would go with that.

[slickracer]

As reference, Kentucky Gun Co. has Sports for $509

[diverg]

I got up early and bought the M&P 15 Sport package.ncame with the rifle and Caldwell magazine charger for 599.99 plus tax. Now I'm looking for ammo.

Do you mainly shoot 5.56, .223 or whichever one you can get the best deal on? What grain?

Also I want to keep my eye open for some good deals optics, but I have no clue about red dots vs scopes. Any help would be appreciated.

[JayC_783]

I got a Sport back in October. I still haven't shot it, but I got some M193 American Eagle 5.56 for it (55 grain). If I can get 5.56, I'll probably stick with that over .223. However, if I could find .223 for a better deal, I wouldn't hesitate to get it. There's really not much difference between the two. Like you, I was down between the Ruger and S&W. I compared the two extensively. To keep it short, I went with the Sport. The forward assist and dust cover mean nothing to me. I got my Sport for the same price you did. Yeah, some people have got better deals, but $600 isn't bad.

I wish I could help with the optic, but I plan on running the iron sights for now. From what I have read, the Nikon P-223 seems to be a popular choice.

[rtquig]

Whatever is cheaper buy. I tend to buy the 5.56 but I have maybe 2,000 rounds of .223 that I am still shooting. Don't go crazy at first, by that I mean don't run out and buy 1,000 rounds of a particular ammunition. Shoot a couple boxes of whats available, then narrow it down to brand and grain size.

I also at first would fire with the irons for a while and in the next couple of months do a search on this forum on scopes and red dots. After you seem to know what you want, read some more reviews, ask questions, people on this site are pretty well versed and polite with their inputs. But know what you want when you are asking for help. i.e. I want a scope what is the cheapest and why? Better question: I will use my sport for plinking out to 200 yds., or I will be gopher hunting on flat open ground, I will use this for a mix of home defense and hanging coats on when I come in the door.

I know you are new to this, help yourself out and read first before asking. You haven't done anything out of line, and I'm not trying to bust your chops, just trying to make it easier for you.
Enjoy your Sport, you will be now drawn into the world of "what else can I buy for this to make it better".

[getoff]

i'm a big fan of Spikes Tactical myself. mostly 'cause they are a FL based company near me and i just like the logo. mil-spec AR's are pretty much the same regardless of mfg. personally, i'd spend a few extra bucks and get a dust cover, and the forward assist.. just my 2 cents.

[Rastoff]

Originally Posted by diverg

Do you mainly shoot 5.56, .223 or whichever one you can get the best deal on? What grain?

Also I want to keep my eye open for some good deals optics, but I have no clue about red dots vs scopes. Any help would be appreciated.

All of this depends on what your purpose is for the gun. Plinking? Target shooting at the range? Home defense? Three gun? Bench rest?

Answer this question and we can help direct your choices better.

[cccollin545]

Originally Posted by Rastoff

All of this depends on what your purpose is for the gun. Plinking? Target shooting at the range? Home defense? Three gun? Bench rest?

Answer this question and we can help direct your choices better.

For general purpose I use xm193. General purpose as in plinking, target shooting, and stockpile ammo.

[sgtsandman]

Originally Posted by Pisgah

You're confusing two different Ruger Models. The SR-556 has the piston top-end; the AR556 is just what it says, an AR, with direct gas impingement.

Thank you for the correction. I wasn't sure.