Hey there! This is my first post in this section of the forum. I've become a big AR fan and am the proud owner of a 15-22. It's the gun that got me hooked on the AR platform. S&W makes an excellent firearm!
In any case, my predicament is this: I'm completely on the fence about trading my seldom used but beloved ruger M77MKII left handed 30-06 towards an M&P Sport.

Now, you should know, I already have an AR-15 that I built, but in my ignorance as a novice, did not opt for a chrome lined barrel. Also because I live in a ban state, I had to get a comp pinned and welded and the comp is way too loud and in the wrong direction.

The sports seem to have an excellent barrel with a twist rate that splits the difference between 1in7 and 1in9 and they have a target crowned muzzle which I actually prefer to have, living in a ban state.

What do you guys think I should do? The 30-06 is a great gun, it was the first gun I purchased for myself, I got my first deer with it and I know despite ammo costs, a 30-06 isn't a bad weapon to have on hand. However, I'd get more use out of a Sport these days, I like the barrel on the Sport and getting another ban compliant upper to put on my current AR would be a pain. It would be easier to just get a complete gun and the sport seems to have the features I want.

Keep the 30.06 and buy the sport. Sell the other ar15.

^^^ This.

You have a left-handed rifle (how many left hand firearms do you ever see?), and was your 1st firearm. Don't let it go.

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-John

BTW, most "match grade" bbl.s are NOT chrome lined. Unless you are shooting full auto or very high round counts, not chrome lined is no big deal. The other stuff, I can't speak to.

Oh and by the way the Sport doesnt have a chrome lined barrel either, it is melonite treated. You are in a predicament, like the others I would be wanting to keep the other rifle. The big question is are you left handed?

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Grover Oathkeeper

just keep them both and buy a new pinned barrel from LMT

Bifistik...why LMT...you can get a nicer barrel from AR Performance for half the cost.

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Grover Oathkeeper

i jave just held and shot their 14.5 fluted barrel and liked it, i wouldve ordered one already but im thinking about a LMT sbr upper instead and i havent looked at AR Performance

Bifistik, I understand, most of their stuff is out of my price range, AR Performance makes some sweet barrels in a lot of different calibers, melonite treated 5R hybrid twist 1-8 rifling, wylde chamber. Right now I can get a 20" for like $160 delivered.

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Grover Oathkeeper

thats a good price, im friends with the general manager of a corporate tactical store so i get great prices, example new m&p9 with night sights for $498 out the door

oneyeopn: I know the Sport isn't chrome lined. I should have mentioned I knew that, sorry. I like the Sport's barrel because of the melonite. I've been hearing good things. Plus as I mentioned the twist rate appeals to me.

Should I really be worried about my non chrome lined barrel? I mean, for trips out to the range, I will usually put around 100 to 200 rounds through it give or take. I know that isn't much but I feel like it's shot differently than one would shoot a dedicated match target rifle (ie rapidly verse taking my time trying to get super accurate). I certainly put more rounds through it in one sitting than I would of the 30-06, just for my shoulder's sake...

And yes, I'm a lefty ...

I myself wouldnt worry about your barrel, it is unlikely that in your lifetime you will shoot it out, and if you do its an hour job and a little over a hundred to change it. AR Perfomance out of Pueblo, Co makes melonite, 5R hybrid 1-8 twist barrels for AR's right now in 16" for about $125, I have shot one of their barrels and it is good. I am wanting to build a 20 or 24" and planning on using their barrel cause I cant get one like the Spot has in the extended length from S&W. It takes thousands of hours to shoot out an AR barrel, especially running it in Semi Auto. There are quite a few trade-ins Military and Police out there that have had tons of bullets shot through them and there barrels are fine and I know they arent all chrome lined. Dont worry about it and enjoy it and when you can afford it then get your sport but I wouldnt get rid of the Ruger. Left handed hunting rifles are hard to get and harder to sell.

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Grover Oathkeeper

I looked at the barrels on AR Performance's Website. They look good. That might be a good option for me. What's with the 5/8 24 thread though?

Thanks for the advice guys. Makes a lot of sense. There is no reason why I shouldn't be happy with what I have. It's that new gun smell I guess... or black gun fever....take your pick.

its for a heavier duty muzzle brake/compensator the reason for the larger threading also the barrel is a little thicker than the standard, less heat warping.

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Grover Oathkeeper