Hey guys/gals, been doin quite a bit some reading on these forums and others, and keep seeing that people refer to the Sport as "entry level" I myself don't see it as that, just cause it don't have FA or dust cover, it still shoots the same ammo as higher cost guns and just as reliable from what I've read, the bullet doesnt know the difference.. is it just cuz S&W made an affordable rifle so cheaper means entry level? Thanx for your opinions!

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NRA member

You'll find similar opinions here. It's a great AR at a budget price but the quality is heads and tails above "entry level" ARs in the same price range.

As with everything, there can be incremental improvements to a product that make it perform better. The biggest contributing factor to a rifle's performance is the nut behind the trigger. The skill level of the marksman is directly proportional to the performance/accuracy of the rifle at hand. The negative connotation to "entry level" comes from the fallacy that an items price is directly correlated to it's quality. Some people believe that they can overcome a lack of earned skill and experience by purchasing expensive equipment. Put a newbie behind the trigger of a $3k+ firearm, and you'll witness ****** performance. Put a highly skilled, proven marksman behind that $3k+ firearm, and you'll witness some amazing performance. That individual has the skill and experience to eke out every minute advantage of that premium priced and spec rifle.

IMO, entry level priced & featured rifles are a great. Entry level rifles allow more individuals to join the AR-15 enthusiast club. New AR-15 enthusiasts need a rifle to learn on. Casual firearms enthusiasts may only go shoot an AR-15 a few times a year. Experienced AR-15 owners may know the limits of their skills and abilities, and an affordable entry level rifle will provide them with everything they need.

Remember that the AR-15 is built upon standardized dimensions. An entry level rifle doesn't necessarily stay very "entry level" for long. As long as the lower receiver, upper receiver, and barrel are good, everything else can be upgraded over time. My 15-Sport has been through it's share of aftermarket upgrades.

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-John

^^^THIS^^^^

In short, in the case of the Sport, less expensive and lack of a couple features pushes it toward the "Entry" label. Fit, finish, quality, and performance all put it in a class much higher up the AR ladder.

IMO, if all manufactures built their "Entry level" or lowest priced models with the quality S&W has, there would be little need for a multi-thousand dollar AR market. As JaPes can attest, after looking at his Sport, the accessory market is where the money is.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

"Entry level" is a term that gun snobs use to belittle your gun in order to make themselves feel better about spending three times as much on theirs.

Entry level feature wise, but a great gun overall.

They can all be upgraded with all the doodads and nicknacks you want.

I don't care for the term "entry level" when describing the Sport either. I think base model is a better term. Entry level seems to infer that the other rifles in the line do something that the Sport is not capable of. It has less features, but still provides the same function and end result. Entry level describes something a beginner would use, and in the world of rifles, that would be a .22lr to me.

The 15-Sport is a good starting point because it has good bones. I like almost slick side upper receiver. The 15-Sport lower with the integral trigger guard works for me. I'm lucky to have purchased an earlier 15-Sport equipped with the 1:8 5R Thomson Center barrel now found at the higher price points in the S&W line up.

I wanted an AR-15 but didn't want to break the bank. I wanted an AR-15 more to experience owning one than anything else. Being new, I didn't know anything about the platform. At $600 OTD, the M&P 15-Sport fit the bill. As I gained more trigger time & experience, I began to discover my preferences. Because the 15-Sport has good bones (particularly the barrel), I chose to upgrade my 15-Sport and not trade up.

If not for the 15-Sport, I probably would never have caught the evil black rifle disease.

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-John

To throw fuel on the fire, look at other "entry level" AR-15's. In particular, the DPMS Sportical.



This is an example of a true "slick side" AR-15.

• No Forward Assist
• No Dust Cover
• No Brass Deflector
• No A2 F front sight post
• No rear iron sight
• Commercial spec buffer tube

There is no front sling attachment point. Lefties our out of luck because of brass to face. One basic metal magazine, no anti-tilt follower. The rails on the gas block are not on the same plane as the rails on the receiver. Thinner profile barrel. What it does have are standard handguards with heat shields.

Look at a bone stock, factory equipped 15-Sport and tell me which is "entry level".



EDIT TO ADD: I do know someone who owns a DPMS Sportical. It's a good rifle that lacks even more features than the 15-Sport, and they're priced the same.

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-John

Glad to hear all that, as I am in the market for a lower priced AR.

Does the lack of chrome lining in the barrel affect the reliability & longevity?

No, it is a Melonite treated barrel instead of the chrome lining. S&W now calls it Maximum Corrosion Resistance, or something like that as Melonite is a trademarked term, but it is the same process.

They're all melonite (unless specified) now? I was poking around the S&W website and some note barrel finish some don't.

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-John

Good replies guys, I also was lookin into a dpms but now I'm glad I picked up the Sport, i handnt had the chance to shoot mine yet but got what I wanted for it in accessories, kinda lol'd at jldukes comment to, however I feel the quality and name brand of this gun including all the good reviews and reliability excludes it from being entry level . Even tho its not "mil-spec" but its close enough for me without selling body parts to fund higher end guns. Like any car u may purchase I'm sure guns are flwed from the factory just the same regardless namebrand (not saying the sport is flawed but just an example)

Who knows anymore. The website sucks. It doesn't say for the Sport, but I have seen posts on AR15.com from S&W confirming that it is still Melonite. On the 15T, the website says "Durable, Corrosion Resistant Barrel Finish", as well as the MOE and the VTAC. On the others, like the OR, under "chromed components" it states "barrel bore". The Sport is the only one that doesn't say anything.

I understand the melonite actually "penetrates" the barrel steel a few thousandths. Chrome plating in a bore sits on the surface of the bore. Generally chromed bores are considered less accurate than non-chromed bores. Note that there are always exceptions however.

Chrome lined bores in ARs is a carryover from Vietnam when humidity, dirty ammo, full auto fire at higher than designed rates due to a propellant change, and the failure to issue cleaning kits and supplies with the first M16s caused fired cases to stick in hot dirty chambers. Odd to think now with everyone running ARs wet, but the original manual of arms said no cleaning required.

After complaints from the field, and unfortunately a few deaths, bores were chromed, cleaning kits issued, and the forward assist was installed. IMO unless you are going full auto in SE Asia and you wont have much opportunity to clean chrome bores are not necessary. Most of us keep our ARs safe and dry in our houses and clean them regularly. I'll take better accuracy over chromed bores.

My Sport has the 1/9 barrel. I only had the chance to shoot it once -20 rounds- since I got it late last year, but it will put 4 of 5 touching with open sights at 25 yards. I know that isn't a great distance but I haven't been able to get out for further testing due to cold and snow. But, I'm very happy with my 1/9 so far.

The advantages to the Sport that make it more than entry level are the heavy profile barrel for accuracy, proper staking on the bolt carrier, and a chromed bolt. Plus the upper to lower receiver fit is one of the better I've seen. Overall the fit of the parts seems to be better than "milspec". That will mean increased accuracy, reliability, and life. IMO those are the specs to compare against other "entry level" ARs.