Man, until this ^^^ post all these COLTaholics were making me think my Sports were only useless paperweights. Thx !
I bought a Sport back in May I believe it was and have fired it at the range a few times. Accurate enough for ANY use imo.
I liked it so much, I bought another as backup. I can't see where any other AR would give me a significant advantage over a S&W M&P 15 Sport for any use I would have here in the US be it home defense, shtf or whatever Maybe if I were being deployed to Afghanistan I MIGHT choose a different AR?

The 15 Sport is so affordable, I chose to have a 2nd one as a backup to my first one. Anyone see any mistake in my planning?

I can only see one problem. Which will be the main and which will be the back up?

Buy a "Sport" instead of a Colt..Use the left over money and buy a great scope and p223 mounts..should still be under $1100..the sport I have with 1.5X4.5 scope and p223 mounts still under $850.. Can hit steel plates at 200 meters all day No problems.. I scoped it with a bushnell banner ($68) to see if I liked it ..Going with a p223 scope next

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I agree Bill. Honestly, I didn't see it until recently and thought it was and old thread resurrected when I did.

If the OP is still around, get what you want and can afford. I did and don't regret it one bit.

M&P-15 Sport-----------------------------$600
1k rounds of ammo----------------------$300
Outshooting the high-dollar AR's------PRICELESS

Oh, and count me in as another happy M&P 15 Sport shooter.

The thread was moved from the Lounge. Yes, I bought the Colt over the M&P 15 that my LGS had for the same price. When I posted originally a month or so ago about buying the Colt over the M&P (in the Lounge), I stated that after handling both, I thought the Colt had better balance in my hands as the M&P felt a little nose heavy. I also think the M&P 15 is an excellent choice if that's what you want and the Sport with no dust cover or forward assist is a great idea both marketing and pricewise. And I don't consider myself a Coltaholic or whatever the term someone used. Yes, I have a Colt AR-15 but I also have a Bushmaster. I have a Combat Commander but I also have a Model 19-4. My wife and I both have M&P 15-22s and I'll take them over the 10-22 any day. So am I a Colt snob? No. Am I a S&W snob? No. I buy what I like and if, after buying it I don't like it, I will say so. For instance, I think the Remington 770 is a piece of junk. I'm sorry I ever bought it. The OP asked for advice on an AR-15 and I said buy the Colt. As with everything, YMMV.

CW

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When i first joined the army I was issued a F&N M4. It wasn't to bad, but it wasn't a good either. I had a Missfire or two in the short time I had it. I don't know where your getting that only Colt had a Military Contract, because the F&N wasn't the only one. By the way I don't have a dog in this fight either because my last M4 Army issue was a Colt, and it NEVER failed me. Dry bolt, over oiled, desert. Nothing stopped it. I'm trying to decided between Colt and Smith for my AR to. I'd prefer a Colt just based on my Military experience, but I'm have trouble finding one locally.

Not a fan of the Sports. In my opinion a M4 or AR should always have a dust cover, and should have a forward assist.

You have the right to have your opinion, whatever it is based upon you have the right. FN made machine guns for the Army but according to their history they didn't make M4's, they tried to sue to get the opportunity to but didn't even win the lawsuit. Which is why Colt had the monopoly for a long time. Can you post a link to anything that says FNH US made M4's, I can post links that FNH US made M16's for Colt but not M4's, and they didnt make them for the army they made them for Colt who sold them to the army.

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Grover Oathkeeper

Finally a short straight forward answer to the OP's question!!

I have to admit that it was only after learning that Colt was selling CA-compliant models that I got interested in buying an AR. But my LGS said they don't carry Colt due to potential hassle the dancing pony rollmark can get you with uninformed LEOs. Even a wrongly confiscated gun can cost upwards of $1000 in legal fees to retrieve here in the golden state.

I took a chance on the Sport, which was $500 less than the Noveske N4 they had on the rack, and have not been disappointed in its reliability or accuracy. But truth be told I would have walked out of my LGS with the paperwork on a Colt had they carried them. haha

Funny how things sometimes work out.

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- Bill

I would grab this one from right here on the forum.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sa...4-carbine.html

Did they have dust covers and forward assists like the SPORT does??

Oh wait... the SPORT doesn't, does it?

No DC or FA on the sport.

Nope and I am not living in a tent with a dirt floor and sleeping with by boots on either. When I was living in tents and sleeping with my boots on with my M60 right next to me ready to roll, it didnt have a dust cover or a forward assist. And the very few times I actually carried an M16 or and M16A1 I didnt use the forward assist and wasnt very worried about the dust cover, and yes I was in the sand.

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Grover Oathkeeper

Well, It's a shame that the Govt didn't just save some money and send you over there with a SPORT.

My opinion about the whole situation is based on my time in the Army. SPORTS is why I like having a forward assist. Always having to have the dust cover closed is why I like a dust cover.

I have nothing but respect for the men and women of the armed services and law enforcement. The fact that these individuals put their lives on the line for this country and it's citizens is honorable indeed, and deserving of respect. I also respect their experience with firearms and have learned alot from them by remembering that I don't know and haven't done everything.
My own personal experience with firearms has been hunting and shooting for over 35yrs. Not once did my life depend on the reliability of my weapon, so anything I could say about combat effectiveness or reliability would be opinion not experience, which is just bull...****!
I have owned a Colt and it was a fine weapon, no doubt it. Down to 2 AR's today (and currently assembling another upper), one of which is a sport. For general hunting and target shooting it is more than adequate, and plenty accurate. I don't buy weapons (or anything else for that matter) thinking about the end of the world or how they would hold up in combat, I buy them to hunt and target shoot with. YMMV.

I have said this before. Unless a Red Dawn scenario occurs here in the USA which the odds are against that, I seriously dont believe I will ever be in combat or use my sport in combat so I really dont care about the FA or the dust cover for my AR and I had enough combat games in the Corps I dont need to relive them lol.

So if your like me and target shoot yes the sport is a great rifle and pretty accurate also.

I bought a Sport and later a used Colt Target Sporter with a 20" barrel, both for about the same price. I like them both an both have been 100 % reliable. It's a tossup which one I take out to the range to shoot.

But if I didn't have an AR and wanted to buy one and one only, I'd buy the Sport again and use the $ I saved for ammo and any accessories I wanted.

Like so many have said, most of us are just punching paper for recreation. Don't need no FA or dust cover for that and the gun works fine - I put a carry handle on it cause I like irons but the Magpul sights that came on it were fine really.

Get yourself a Sport!

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I appreciate your point of view. I do kinda feel bad for you thinking that your rifle right now is responsible for your safety. I modified my Sport, it has an engraved M4 upper with FA and Dustcover. The upper says "The Few The Proud, Marines" with the USMC emblem and the dustcover also has the USMC emblem and Marines on it. I got a really good deal or I probably wouldn't have done it. I did use my Sport Upper for another build, it is my close range AR, but because I am no longer in the Marines I do not worry about my rifles being exactly like my service weapons. You can get M&P rifles with FA's and dustcovers and they are very fine rifles. Enjoy your rifle whatever brand it may be, underneath the exterior they are basically all the same.

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Grover Oathkeeper

I don't recall saying I need a AR for safety. I like having a forward assist and dust cover, because I was trained to use them. It has nothing to do with fear or safety. Its probably why I still keep my socks rolled the same way and my clothes organized. My personality took to some things from my military time. Not everything but some things. I feel bad for you that you got a sport then changed it, and got but hurt over my preference. Do you get this upset if someone likes checkered wood grips on their 1911 over Houge rubber?

My opinion what ever you like buy it and be happy with it. This is a free country you have your choice either a S&W Sport without a FA and a dust cover are a Colt with it. To me big deal if the Colt was a military issue. That still did not change my mind about buying the Sport. In plain words to each their own!!!!!

I don't know if this has come up, but what do you want to do with this rifle?

Ever thought about getting a ASA?

ASA-M4A2 AR-15 Rifle M4 Carbine - American Spirit Arms

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Jorge

Not an AR person. Bought an M&P Sport. It is looks good and is amazingly accurate. Shoots without failures on multiple ammo brands and bullet weights. Lots of fun to shoot. I like AR's a little more now.

I have a Stag with a left hand action, cause I'm left handed. It's a good, well made rifle. I bought it on the recommendation of a trusted friend in LE. I haven't been disappointed. I have a custom build with a Noveske upper and lower in a right hand action. Just a thought, though, if the SHTF, and parts become difficult to find, there will be infinitely more parts readily available for a right hand action.

Hog

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Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13

So's my Army opinion and it's REGULAR ARMY. Not drafty,reserve or NG. I wouldn't have a "jam-o-matic-made by Matell,they're swell" over priced piece of junk Colt M-16 Colt AR anything after what I went through in the late 60's early 70's with them. Those Washington wizz kids tossed us a fully untested weapon for those conditions and climate that got many a good person killed because of an unproven faulty weapon. More oil,no oil,wrong oil,too much oil. Not cleaned properly. It's a BAD taste that will never go away. Only good Colt's are the 1911 handguns.

The M-14 stayed in the fight right next to the M-60 and other weapons already combat tested. BAD when the Enemies AK-47 gets to be a prefered weapon of carry in a Combat Zone...

If you want a basic M4-style carbine, it's simple: if you have $650 to spend, get an M&P-15 Sport. If you have $1099 to spend, get the Colt 6920.

If you want Magpul furniture, railed fore ends, or other gimmicky whatnots, don't listen to other's opinions here, or anywhere else on the Internet. Do your own research and buy what *you* want.

CrossRifles2008, I didnt mean to offend your sensibilities, I just in no way believe the colt is the end all of AR's, I have handled lots of the medium and lower tier by price not by function AR's, I have yet to touch my first Noveske, out here in the country I haven't met anyone or know anyone who has one. My experience with LMT's is the same. I will just never promote a colt until I find one that shoots as accurately as my Sport. Not going to say its not going to happen but they have had a lot of years to make it happen and it hasn't yet.

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Grover Oathkeeper

I was reading the book "The M-4 Carbine" (Oliver Rosso) and it stated exactly this. Yes, it is a piece of history but unfortunately not always a good one...

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Jorge

Jorge. Never heard of them anywhere, how long have they been in business. Their "about us" is pretty vague and they say their products are being used by the U.S. government but no proof. All they have to do is have some government employee own one of their guns to make the claim. Their parts seem to be old technology except that side charger looked pretty interesting but $1275 for a 9mm AR is pretty pricey and $225 for a standard barrel not even chrome lined and no melonite. I liked the fact that they claim a lifetime warranty as we all know AR's are made to wear out with individual pieces replaceable as they wear. What do they consider the lifetime of an AR to be. I will have to find some reviews of their line of firearms but they all seem to be pretty pricey for an unknown company. thanks for the heads up.

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Grover Oathkeeper

I understand your concern and honestly, my wife knows somebody who has one and he likes it.

All your questions you might carry directly to ASA, since I don't work for them I cannot answer those.

But the fact that it's made in the USA, lifetime warranty and the option of a side charger looks pretty interesting to me.

ASA was also featured in Guns & Ammo,

http://www.americanspiritarms.com/bl...ns-Feature.pdf

and I like what I see/read.

More print stuff here:
American Spirit Arms | M4 Carbine AR-15 Rifle Firearms Blog

The M-4 rifle I would like would cost $1,374.00 on their website. If I compare the features to other manufacturers it's not that far appart...

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Jorge

Ok you have a valid opinion, but the Colt M4 has beed trust worthy for me in the Army. I'm also not a "Drafty, Reserve, or NG". Unlike you I don't have anything against them though. I'm just waiting for Michael Keaton to jump in here and say "Shake your dicks boys! This pissing contest is over!" (Other Guys reference.). I'm not a Colty. In fact my preference kinda goes to the M&P 15T by cosmetics and taste. Does anyone own one of these? Has anyone shot one next to a Colt? If so how is the comparison? I don't have anything against the sport really. Its just not
my cup of joe. I wouldn't mind having one if I had multiple ARs but right now I'm not looking to own more than one.

Guess I may as well chime in.... I have the Sport and love it. Great rifle for my needs. Put a Matech BUIS rear sight and mounted a red dot on it and that is it. Still pretty much stock. For $650 very hard to beat. Great value for the money.

However, as you climb the S&W ladder, in my opinion, you start to see that value erode some. You can still get good deals on the M&P 15 OR, and they are a good buy, especially when they are found in the $750 (or less) range.

Once you start getting into the higher priced S&W models and the $1000 and up range, there S&W might not represent as good as value to some. S&W tends to have more "upgrades", such as rails, Magpul furniture, etc... to their higher end rifles, but they don't follow the TDP. You will have to study where they deviate and decide if it is innovation on their part, or cost cutting. (Or maybe a combo of both, like melonite treatment of the barrel)

Buy what you can afford and what you like. If you must have a dust cover and forward assist, you shouldn't buy a Sport, because you won't be happy with it. If the pony rollmark makes you smile everytime you see it because it was your trusty friend "over there" then get one. If you want a midlength gas system, with Magpul furniture, and a 1:8 twist, melonite treated barrel made from 4150 CMV, with a couple of Magpul training DVDs thrown in, S&W has got you covered there....Many rifles out there, you have to decide what flavor you like and are willing to pay for.

I appreciate the help. Juggling between M&P 15T I think I found it for about $1,029.00. I also found a Colt Magpul AR15 for $1,199.00. I have time to think about it anyway not pulling the trigger today.

The new M&P 15T is really a dressed up Sport. Same lower, same BCG, same barrel. You get a dust cover, forward assist, and a rail for a little bump in cost. You should expect the same reliability and accuracy. I would buy one over the Sport today if I were in the market.

I have read a report on another forum where an LE agency had 24 of these on the line for a 5 day class. Five days, minimum of 500 rounds per day. The officer posted that he had one failure, and it was operator error when shooting from the support side. He said he holds his rifle at the magwell, and when shooting left handed, his thumb got in the way of the ejection port and caused a stovepipe. Only failure in the class that he was aware of, as the instructors pointed it out as an example and talked about it.

At that price, that sounds like the older version of the 15T, when it had a Troy rail and flip up sights. If that is for the new version of the 15T, with Magpul sights, that sounds pretty high. I haven't priced them in a couple of months though, and I have heard that prices are going up.

I have a S&W MP15, its the only rifle I own and I am more than pleased with it. $1200 will get you a lot of bang for your buck. Its a great rifle I've only had mine for a year and put about 1200 rounds through it. Not a lot but I'm happy with its performance.

There is a colt 6920 brand new right on this forum now for 1060 shipped I believe.

If your waiting for a better deal than that I dont know what to tell you...
http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sa...4-carbine.html

Local Wal-marts carry them for the same price, without the additional FFL fees.

Academy has the magpul Colts for $1,199.00 so between the two I'm leaning Academy.

I ditched all of my Colt AR platforms in favor of the M&P15OR.

What was your reason?

Several reasons ...but...

They were a little shy of being four years old. There has been enough rounds put through them (several thousand a month), and they have been abused enough, that they were showing their age and starting to get picky and increasing in the number of malfunctions. The cost and time of repair to restore the weapons to their original specifications would equal over half the price of the original cost of the weapon which was $500.00. I can get a new S&W M&P15OR for around $400.00 on our purchase contract and with discounts. Since I get reimbursed for my weapon purchases if I use the weapon for work also, when repair and time to restore a weapon to its original condition specifications meets or exceeds half of the cost of the weapons original price its not to be repaired but instead replaced.

We are also in the process of retiring all of our Colts at work and replacing them with S&W M&P15's (picked one of those up yesterday). The Colts; Some of them will be sent to test and the rest will be offered to other departments or agencies, or destroyed and some will be offered for sale to other officers who want them.

I see. So just wear and tear.

The rifle you choose will be the one that fits you best or tickles your fancy. I know alot of people say if its not a Colt its a clone, well let me tell you about my S&W clones. I have attended 2 different 3 day courses where you run your rifle and pistol hard, dry, wet, dirty, about anything you can think of. When I showed up to the first class with my M&P 15T (older model Troy ) and my 108284 1911 some of the students and a couple instructors told me that I would be lucky to last one day. Well 3 days later, 3000 rounds thru the AR and 500 thru the 1911 Not only did the weapons preform flawlessly they out preformed many of the "charts" mil-spec weapons. I saw many other Original manufacturers weapons **** the bed by the second day both their Ars and 1911s, I currently have over 50,000 rounds thru my 15T, and 27,000 thru my 1911. Your choice should not be based on my experience, but it will give you something to think about. One more thing, my M&P 15T will still ring the steel at 200 yards with the flip up Troy sights.

as someone shopping for their first ar, the sport is an awesome deal. but i think i would spend a little more and got with the tactical just for a couple more features. looking at other companies, its harder to find something similar with s&w's reputation along the same price.

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od: xd9 3"&4", 15-22, 1911 .22

Usaadjuster, I think you need to look at 2 things before you buy yourself a rifle. (1. Is this your first rifle? (2. What do you plan to do with it??? Now here's my opition!! I have a S&W M&P 15 MOE( my personnel gun for rec and fun shooting, do to being military I only paid $796 at my local gun shop. Now being military I am issued at work the Colt M4, I have the same sights and extras on both guns and I will tell you the both shoot just about the same, except my home gun does not have the fun setting (full auto).... I can tell you that I would not hesitate to take my Smith and wesson into combat if i had to. I have run about 1000 5.56 nato thru it and it is doing great. The gun is just like your car, If you take care of it and perform preventitive maint it will last almost forever. I hope this helps you in you thought process, good luck and happy hunting!!!

what do you guys in the know think of the newer Armalite rifles ?

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SWCA #2601

Usaadjuster-

Any decisions after all the advice here? Just curious...