I am the proud new owner of an M&P Sport! I decided to purchase a basic rifle in order to learn the fundamentals, learn what I like, and save money for ammo and accessories. I couldn't seem to find any notable negative reviews on this rifle, so I went for it. I found it for $599 including shipping!

My experience getting the barrel above room temp:
I took it to the range today. It was a 50 yard indoor range, but I shot about 40 yards due to the poor lighting. It worked flawlessly! ( I wish I could say the same for my 1911.) My nephew and I shot 6 boxes of various 223 & 556. I didn't check the MBUS sights too seriously because the shots were hitting paper, my skills are suspect, and I was not setup to use a bench.



This was 10 rounds fired offhand.
Is it true that the sights are factory set to 100 yards, or is that crazy internet talk? If it is set at 100 yards, does that explain why my shots were low from only 40 yards? Trust me, I am no expert so any info is helpful. I plan to take it to an outdoor range where I can stretch out more and use a proper bench. Affordable ammo is hard to find, so I was hoping to save some rounds sighting it in. Also, would a laser bore sight be very helpful? I have lurked on this forum for the past few weeks, and this is by far the most friendly forum for AR's, so I feel lucky that I happen to have bought a S&W. I am sorry if I asked too many questions.

Your sights are 2.4" (or there about) above barrel centerline. At 40 yards, the bullet will still be below line of sight if sighted in for 100 yards because the bullet is still rising in the trajectory curve.

The only way to exactly zero a gun at 100 yards is to sight it in at 100 yards. Anything else can only be close.

Sending rounds down range is never a waste of ammo or time, regardless of the purpose. Congratulations on your new purchase.

Absolutely. The line-of-bore and line-of-sight is greatly exaggerated in the AR rifle configuration. It's not a problem, that's just the way it is and we learn to compensate for it.

You did the intelligent thing; invest in a superb basic AR and spend the extra money for ammo. Trigger time is the finest way to learn the rifle and to become a better marksman.

God Bless,

Steve

Thanks for the help and confirmation of what I was thinking. I am excited to make some modifications. I mainly want an optic, light, and perhaps a vertical or angled fore grip. I noticed that the Sport's hand guard was getting pretty warm, so I think I may like an option with a heat shield. Decisions, decisions...

Typically, most shooters zero at 25 meters. You MUST re-confirm at 100 meters or whatever you are looking for. If using the calibrated A2 sight, there is a special setting on the elevation knob.

Good choice on the rifle. The Sport has everything you need, and nothing you don't.

From a short article on the subject and procedure:

"The military has found that the ballistic trajectory for a typical .223/5.56 Nato round hits the same point of aim at 25 meters and 300 meters with a military spec round, 4”-5” high at 100 yards, 12” low at 400 yards and 36” low at 500. Use this zero and you will be stunned at how simple hitting distant targets becomes. One of the all-time best AR15 25M/300M zeroing targets is the free (yes free) printable, BobDBob.com 25M AR15 Zeroing target (PDF). This target has a grid that gives you the appropriate windage and elevation adjustments."

- See more at: http://www.alloutdoor.com/2013/06/11....4IrGSrYC.dpuf

Here is the zeroing target you can download referred to in the article. It has instructions.

http://www.bobdbob.com/~deneb/doc/ta...2-25m-zero.pdf

Some argue for a 50/200 zero instead of a 25/300 zero. Read this thread:

http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.ht...&f=18&t=561949

thats an awesome deal at $599. congrats & enjoy your new AR

Shawn M,
That is great info, thanks for passing that along!

Oli,
I was debating the online price of $629. After a few days, I decided not to stall anymore. I went to purchase and noticed that the price dropped to $599. It was like fate was telling me that I was making the right choice. It was from Guns For Sale Online - Kentucky Gun Co.

timing is everything. picked mine up during the panic & paid a few hundred more. other than that not a single complaint. its accurate right out of the box & not a single issue. shot brass & steel casings w/ no ftfs. wish you enjoy yours like i have mine.

I hear that. I bought a pistol during the panic and paid substantially more than current pricing. At that time, I was nervous about getting into AR's. I was set on getting a Ruger Mini 14 or Mini 30. However, I couldn't find any locally and I wasn't about to spend over a grand for my first sporting/ defense rifle. I am really glad that I waited and did some more research.

I've got a Mini 14 and just bought a Sport a few weeks back. I love my Mini, it's a gun that I know is a tank and will always run. The only reason I like the AR platform more (other than the fact it's a mans Barbie) is that it is far more comfortable to hold off bench. It's lighter, the pistol grip is more ergo and in the carbine size it's shorter over all.

I don't buy into the whole "Mini 14 vs AR" debate. I like them both for different reasons but I'd never pay $1000 for my Mini.

Congrats on your weapon. I recently bought one also, and being a CCW pistol man for many years this " long gun" exercise is great!. Im not so much a "bells and whistles" person but does anyone have experience with a cheek piece on the stock? is it helpfull for you- my big head slides all over the place

I didn't mean to knock the Mini 14. I was really set on a Mini 30 because I love Rugers and the 7.62 is generally more affordable to shoot. I would have had to pay hundreds more for a Mini 30, and it doesn't have the same Barbie/ Lego ability. I may still get one some day, but I am just glad that I opted for the AR first. I already have 2 Ruger 10/22's, so I feel like I already understand the workings of the Mini's. By the way, my favorite pistol that I own is a Ruger SR9C. It has about 500 flawless rounds through it without a hiccup and it is a sweet shooter. Did I mention that I love Rugers?

Sorry I wasn't directing the "Mini vs AR" debate towards you or anyone else on here. It's just a never ending back and forth I see on forums. It's the Ford vs Chevy of the gun world.

If you get a chance pick up a Mini. You'll love it.

I scored that same 599 deal at Ky Gun Co, Trout. I had been wanting a S&W because of all the glowing reviews and the same thing..... I saw that 599 price and said "now is the time!" I haven't picked mine up from my FFL yet because I'm waiting on some other stuff, but I'm looking forward to testing it out.

I too have a Mini-14 Medic. I've got the black tactical one. I agree, I like different stuff for different reasons and my shooting buddy and I both really like the Mini. I lucked up on it right before the panic and got it at a good price.

That's great. I am glad somebody else found that deal. Now I really want to try out a Mini 14! This is an addictive sport.