Needed some advice in my research between the T and TS models. This will be my first AR. It looks like the T is more popular than the TS. Looks like both will have what I will need in an entry level AR. Not sure what I think about the permanent flash hider on the TS. Thoughts?

Both the 15T and TS are good ARs, not entry level. Obviously the TS is pricey, but you get a better hand guard and flash suppressor. I'm not sure if the prices is worth it to me, but the 15T met my needs. So pick the price you wanna pay and the look your going for and buy it. If you want an entry level AR, go with the Sport. It's fantastic for the money and it will do everything you ask of it. Then spend the $300 difference on ammo.

I have a 15T... it's more rifle than I need but everything I want.

That's a tough one... How much price difference are we talking? I would prefer the 13" Troy rail on the TS over the 10" quad rail on the T. I like the 1:8 twist, 5R barrel on the T, but not convinced that it will make that much difference.

The pinned flash hider will really only make a difference if you plan on changing it out, or if you plan to get a suppressor.


Ya, I'm not much help on this one.

Price difference is about $300 between the T and TS models. I think the Sport is a nice model, which I've considered, but I wanted something that has the upgrades in one package.

What has made you settle on either of those two?

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~ From the Land of Lobstah ~

Not necessarily settled. Would like to stay with the M&P 15 series - went through the Sport, ORC, and recently introduced to the T and TS.

Personally, I don't like quad rails, but $300 difference gives me quite a bit to play with to replace the quad rail on the 15T. I could go with a Midwest Industries key mod rail or the same Troy rail and still come out $100 on top over the TS.

If you want a free floated barrel, mark the Sport and the OR off the list. Yes you can free float these, but it is much easier and probably cheaper in the long run to buy a model that is already free floated.

I know this is a S&W board, but look around at other brands too. I am assembling a rifle for my son and currently have a 16" BCM upper, mid length gas system, with a 13" Midwest Industries key mod rail system on it. I bought the complete upper, to include charging handle, BCG, and mod 0 compensator for a little over $700. I bought direct from BCM and probably could have purchased it cheaper through a re-seller. Add a complete lower and you are in the same ball park as the cost of the 15 TS.

Mark,
I looked at the T's and TS's when I was looking at AR's and I settled on the VTAC II. It had almost everything on my want list. It is not a quad rail, but it is a flat top. It has the 1:8 twist with a 5R free float barrel. I personally love mine.

I bought the TS over the VTAC because I liked the look of it better. The VTAC did come with a better trigger I just didn't like the look of it. I know it's weirded

I was about to buy the TS a while back but decided to build an AR Pistol instead and it looks like the TS but without a stock. And has a Phase 5 Buffer Tube instead. I noticed a TS on the wall at a local gun store right before I was about to complete my "pistol" build and I couldn't resist taking a peak at it. I would still like one. LOL! I like how they are essentially short barrel rifles but because of the pinned and welded flash hider there is no need for the hassle of a tax stamp.

I own the TS and it is a fine AR. Balance, lightweight, easy to handle for CQB engagements and as accurate as my other AR15s (i.e. Colt, BCM, etc). I really like Troy Alpha Rails and the pinned Vortex Flashhider. If you are a veteran or law enforcement you can purchase one at LE/Military discounted price for about $1k. Purchase with confidence.

My vote is for the TS. You'll appreciate the thinner handguard profile, Vortex flash hider looks good too IMOHO.

Guess I feel the opposite of most posters here about the T's quad rail, cuz I really like mine.

After installing Larue's Index Clips over all the unused slots, the quad rail is quite comfortable and I perfer a fatter fore-grip anyhow.

My T came with the 5R barrel too, which I don't believe is offered anymore on the T unless it's older stock. I likey that, too.

I'd buy either of the two you're looking at, but I opted for the less costly so I could afford a few extras. Like ammo and extra mags and an Aimpoint and a Harris bi-bod and a sling and a hard case and a barrel compensator and a new stock and a Raptor charging handle and the list goes onandonandon...................

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AKA: "Strange Tamer"

They dropped the 1:8 5R barrel from the 15T too? I wasn't aware of that... I just looked on the website, as if we trust that, and it still says 1:8 twist but no mention of 5R rifling.

Smith & Wesson M&P15T Upper Assembly



Smith & Wesson M&P15T Upper Assembly
Product Number: SW812010
Item Price: $884.99

Availability: In Stock
Shipping Weight: 6.01 lbs.
• Manufactured on the M&P15 modern sporting rifle platform.
• 10" Free-float, lightweight quad handrail with ergonomic width.
• MBUS® Front and Rear Sights
- Impact resistant polymer provides light weight and resists operational abuse.
- Spring-loaded flip up sights easily activated from either side or by pressing the top.
• Chambered in 5.56 mm NATO
• Barrel twist rate 1 in 8" 5R Rifling (for reduced copper fouling and cleaning times.)
• A2-style flash hider.
• Barrel threaded to 1/2 - 28.

this is an up to date ad for the 15t upper smith sells

Going by MSRP on the S&W site, the T is $400 more than a Sport, and then another $300 for a TS...$400 that would buy addons of YOUR choice, not some engineer's at S&W.

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Bob | KM4DEO
Sport | Glock 22

TEB, That ad, wherever pulled from may read that way, but that doesn't mean that is how S&W is configuring them. We saw the same thing when they changed the barrel on the Sport. The spec sheet online read one way, yet the guns in the store had a different barrel.

The fact that S&W has removed the reference to 5R rifling on the website leads me to believe that they have changed the barrel on this firearm as well.

I believe smith + wesson took away the 1/8 5r from the sport to use as a premium barrel on the 15T and other premium models.

The 15TS now has the 4150 cmv 1/7 chrome lined barrel as listed in the advert where I bought my upper. While the smith website lists it as 4140.

Off topic when I bought the 15Ts upper I was suprised that it came with the bcg and charging handle.

Their specs are such a mess... I guess all you can do is check the rifle before you hand over the money and make sure it has what you wanted on it.

ETA: S&W support just confirmed that the 15T does still come with a 4140 1:8 twist, 5R rifled barrel.