Hello all. Just registered to this great forum that I've been reading incessantly for the past few days. I have owned firearms since the early 80's when I purchased my first rifle. Other than some training on the similar M4 in the military, I am new to the AR world and after researching decent entry level AR15 sporting rifles I have pretty much settled on the M&P15 Sport model. By many accounts a great gun for the money ($528 NIB) although certainly not a "first" choice for everyone before or after the barrel changes (1/8-5R to 1/9).

Things I like about it:
-Price
-Reliability and accuracy (based on reviews)
-"As purchased" configuration with F/R sights, 30r PMAG, 6-position stock, 16" barrel, top rail

Things I don't like:
-No front rail
-No dust cover
-No (more) 1/8-5R rifling (for whatever it's worth) as found on the MOE Spec Series (S&W website)
-No (more) "durable, corrosion resistant barrel finish" (aka "melonite") as found on the MOE Spec series and the M&P15T (S&W website)

The "pros" and some discontinued "cons" are all what attracted me to the gun. If I enjoy it as much as I think I will, I may trade up or keep it and add necessary "Gucci accessories" and "furniture" as you call it. Looking forward to sharing my experience with this model as I move forward.

Comments in general...I am quite a bit surprised and amused in many cases at the "passionate" views you all have regarding the dust cover (especially) and forward assist/FA. Some posts I have read are downright hilarious. I fully understand those people who can't live with out it, and indeed I would prefer to have one, but that is not going to deter me from buying what I consider a great entry level AR. I don't expect the S to HTF any time soon and will improvise a tactical solution if it does.

Melonite coating....I have searched and searched countless web pages and many people as recent as March 2015 are claiming that the M&P15 Sport is still receiving the melonite treatment under a different non-copyrighted name (eg "durable, corrosion resistant barrel finish). The S&W website does not list any type of barrel treatment for the 1/9 M&P15 Sport barrel. It does list it under some other models, namely the 15T and MOE Spec series. Curious if anyone else has definitive proof otherwise on current manufacturing process.

The 1/8-5R twist barrel is also still available (per the website) on the MOE Spec Series (and possibly some others) for those interested.

Just thought I would offer that up. Congratulations to all the "lucky ones" out there that got the Sport model with these features. I'd be pretty happy in those shoes, but at this point in time, still not a deal breaker.

As stated, looking forward to sharing my experience once I get my rifle in hand and on the range. Many many people here with a wealth of knowledge on these firearms and I appreciate you all dropping in to help others out in this hobby.

Regards,
-Kevin

You've done your research and you won't be disappointed. The dust cover is just a milspec carryover. Even if s were to htf most people live in an urban/suburban area and it is highly unlikely that they'll be crawling around in the mud.

I wouldn't worry about the barrel treatment. It is s&w's own version of melonite and it'll last beyond the majority of an owners life. I run Tula exclusively through my sport and the money I'll save over the same 6k rounds of brass will permit me to buy a whole new sport outright.

Furniture upgrades are a personal preference. I just changed out the fore grip, pistol grip and buttstock with magpul bc that is my preference. I will say the stock foregrip does not have a heat shield. It will get warm if you run a hundred rounds through it. Post up some pictures when you get yours.

S&W customer support has a forum on another board specifically about the AR15. They have confirmed in that forum that the Sport barrel is still a salt bath nitride treatment.

I know some Melonites that live down the road a-bit. Very religious farmers, but they don't carry any guns.

__________________
Death? Smile back...

Welcome to the forum. Welcome to the AR platform.
Give your credit cards to your wife and get into a
support group as soon as you can.

First off, WELCOME to the forum. Now go to the picture thread, look at all the neat goodies, and remember.......Only a few dollars.

As for the two items that concern you, the dust cover is open when you shoot anyway, and when it comes to the FA, if a round won't feed on its own, why would you want to force it in there.

Good Luck and good shooting.

__________________
SFC, US Army, Retired

Interesting, another reason I wanted an AR aside from the ridiculous availability of parts and accessories is the availability or brass rounds which is the only thing allowed in ranges around here (I dont have the luxury of a nearby spot in the woods to fire off my gun). Also thinking of reloading. As far as the picture goes...you can bet I'll post one.

Thanks, that is interesting. I assume that is what the "melonite" process did? How recent was this?

They build nice pole barns from what I have seen

All I can say is " I dont have a problem. I can quit any time." Thanks for the welcome.

Thanks for the welcome. A few dollars here...a few dollars there...we'll see how well that goes. As for the missing options, my philosophy in a jam or faulty feed is "tap, rack, bang". No "forceful assist" Similar agreement on the dust cover. (DISCLAIMER: I know there are people that can validate the usefulness of these options I dont want that to be the intent of this thread )

The only upgrade I am planning (for Christmas) straight out of the box is a 1-3X zoom red dot (or similar). I found a few in the $300-ish range but haven't decided on one so suggestions are appreciated.

I shot 300m with an M4 and I can barely see the target. Probably a 100MOA with a 50% hit rate (man size target) in prone supported. A little zoom would go a long way (intentional pun).

-Kevin

I've never understood the concern about barrel life. They make new ones every day.

I hope to live long enough that all my rifles need rebarreling. AR replacement barrels can be had for less than $200.

I agree! Too much belly-aching on forums about this "issue". I say step away from the computer and get out and SHOOT/TRAIN with the thing! It will likely cost thousands upon thousands of dollars in ammo to wear one of these barrels out, and just like MichiganScott said, they make new ones every single day! A couple hundred bux for a new barrel is a small price to pay for all that shooting/training experience!

And I hope there wont be any more "belly aching" here. It's not the intent of my thread at all and as stated, it's a non-issue for me.

BTW: That's not directed at anyone in general. Cheers guys

I wanted to say it was earlier this year, but apparently it was long ago enough that it has been dropped from the forum and they don't appear to archive that particular forum.

So now, your only sure bet would be to contact S&W CS and ask. Sorry...

And yes, Melonite is a salt nitriding process.

If you think it would be fun - do it! It turns out reloading has been 2-3x more fun than I thought it would be.

If your goal is any sort of improved precision reloading really lets you fine turn your ammo so that it fits precisely what your particular gun likes. And although I can't quite put my finger on why - I get a huge amount of satisfaction out of using stuff that I've made.

Enjoy the rifle!

OR

Link please?

__________________
Bob | KM4DEO
Sport | Glock 22

Three Sports, two of these...and saving for the third:
Primary Arms 2.5X Compact Scope PAC2.5X

Edit: Note that the price includes a mount.

__________________
Bob | KM4DEO
Sport | Glock 22

Pretty sure he's referring to this.

Smith & Wesson - AR15.COM

I wouldn't be to sure about that, I just sent mine back to S&W for excessive key holing, (see pic) in that pic I shot 4 mags with brass case ammo that's all I have shot out of it, and now after 2,000 rounds in 1 yr 4 months I guess the barrel is shot. I bought mine in 2014 the serial # starts with SU not sure what that means. I have never had any other issues with it and in that pic is without a muzzle brake and from 25 feet.

Attached Images

Keyhole 001.jpg (79.5 KB, 74 views)

Even if fired full auto, you will not shoot out a barrel in 2000 rounds, particularly a salt nitrided or chrome lined barrel. Your problem is either out of spec ammunition or out of spec barrel, or simple tolerance stack.

Send it back to Smith and let them rebarrel it.

I already shipped it back to them, just wondering how long it will take to get it returned to me. The ammo was factory Federal, PMC and other ammo that I shot in the past with no issues. Also how could out of 4 mags with 4 different types of ammo all .223/5.56 55 gr and 62 gr FMJ, and all of them be out of spec. shooting out of a 1:9 twist rate barrel. If the barrel was messed up why did it take 2,000 rounds to finally see it's failures. I am baffled as a lot of other AR guys I shoot with, that own M&P sport rifles and they got thousands more round through there's with no issues yet.

That is horrible luck man. I'm assuming S&W must've let one get out of the factory with a serious defect. Hope they make it right for you.

I suppose it's POSSIBLE to ruin a barrel in under 2000 rounds. Heck you could probably do it in much less than that if all you do is run mag after mag thru it as fast as you can! Hopefully that's not the case here and S&W will take care of you! Keep us posted

My wife ordered my rifle yesterday. $528 out the door, $30 shipping and $10 FFL transfer. She thinks she may have got 3 extra mags instead of 2 (no complaints there). That would give me one 30rd and two (or three) 40rd.

You'll have to wait a while for the review. I am out of town at the moment. Will update with pics as soon as I can.

Not to hijack this post, but I just took advantage of the rebate program and also bought the sport2. I couldn’t pass up owing my first AR for $529! “Crazy Stupid Deal”, as Beyond Seclusion, calls it!

I too am dissapointed in a few of the changes as the OP is in his list, but I’m also happy with my purchase at that price.

Mine is sku # 10202, came with iron sights. And the first thing I am changing is that handguard, it’s plastic, no shield inside and quiet honestly not enough realestate for accessories. I ordered a drop in VISM AR15 M-LOK Handguard - Carbine Extended VMARMLCE
K2-HZ-VMARMLCE-EE, from optics planet. I know it’s not free floating, but it goes on around the front sight and gas block, so no extra work there!

I haven’t picked up the rifle yet, it’s sitting at my FFL dealer, but after upgrading the trigger assembly on my 9mm PCC, I’m thinking of doing the same to the sport 2, has anyone done this?


TT