Barrel replacement

brokenpriest · Nov 20, 2015

Hello everyone,

Just joined the rank & file as a proud new owner of the M&P15 Sport. Great buy! I only have one issue (go figure). While it was a new purchase from a reputable dealer, it IS a post 2012 model. I was hoping for a Melonite 1/85R barrel but got the 1/9 twist with MCR. Not sure why they changed. So my request to the group is how/ where do I get my hands on a 1/8 5R Melonite barrel?
Any help would be great.

Illegitami Non Carborundum

MistWolf · Nov 20, 2015

It would be best just to shoot what you got before spending money on a barrel swap. It might be that the barrel you have will work just fine.

In the meantime, check Faxon Firearms and Black Hole Weaponry

sgtsandman · Nov 20, 2015

A point of note, if you change out the barrel, S&W may not honor your warranty. I know they won't with the M&P10 if you do any modifications to it.

cyphertext · Nov 20, 2015

MistWolf said:
It would be best just to shoot what you got before spending money on a barrel swap. It might be that the barrel you have will work just fine.

Agree... unless you are handloading and are a very proficient shooter, you won't tell any difference... especially with XM193 or
XM885.

jimbo728 · Nov 21, 2015

Your barrel is Melonited. S&W just cant call it that any more. Same heat treat process. This is as stated by S&W.
There is not a thing wrong with 1/9 twist Sports. It is not worth changing out the barrel, for all practical purposes.
Jim

lrrifleman · Nov 21, 2015

brokenpriest said:
Hello everyone,

Just joined the rank & file as a proud new owner of the M&P15 Sport. Great buy! I only have one issue (go figure). While it was a new purchase from a reputable dealer, it IS a post 2012 model. I was hoping for a Melonite 1/85R barrel but got the 1/9 twist with MCR. Not sure why they changed. So my request to the group is how/ where do I get my hands on a 1/8 5R Melonite barrel?
Any help would be great.

Illegitami Non Carborundum

Hello! Please allow me to add my 2 cents. If maintaining your warranty coverage is a paramount concern, I would stick with the barrel you have. That being said, we can now move forward.

What type of shooting do you plan on engaging in with this rifle? I have built a few, and one in particular is used for NRA Mid-Range and Long-range F class matches. A stock, GI taper 1:9 barrel should be good for grouping up to 72 grain bullets in acceptable groups out to about 450 yards. A 1:8 barrel can launch up to 77 grain bullets loaded to magazine length, or 80 grain bullets loaded long with 1 MOA or less groups out to 600 yards. With a 28" barrel and 80 grain bullets loaded long, you could reach out with sub-MOA groups at 1000 yards.

If I could offer a suggestion, you can obtain a spare upper receiver for under $100, which you can equip with the barrel of your choice, and still maintain your warranty. Honestly, if you can change a light bulb, you can build an upper. The last upper that I built cost under $200.

Good luck.

Twistofer · Nov 21, 2015

Hi
I just joined the ranks, also but with the S&W M&P14OR. Agree that any mod will void the warranty...

I've done a few mods and wanted free floating handguards. I settled on the Sampson Evolution series which are nice, but proprietary. I found out the hard way that S&W does not like people "messing around" with their products. Both the gas block and barrel nut are #%$*... to remove.

brokenpriest · Nov 21, 2015

Ed, sounds like good advice. I appreciate the tip on a complete upper. Hadn't really given it much thought. Mostly a shoot and scoot type but always looking to stretch the reach of the platform. Will keep trying new combo's.

lrrifleman · Nov 21, 2015

@ Brokenpriest:

I have 4 AR platforms, my competition service rifle, a long range AR I built post accident for 1000 yard F class matches, a pre-accident space gun I am still working on, and my biggest accomplishment, a CQB M4 type I built from scratch post accident. The CQB cost me $500, including transfer fees for the lower. For when my kids get introduced to high power, I plan to just swap uppers.

As an example, I picked up a "blemished" stripped A4 upper for about $30 from PSA. I have purchased upper parts kits on eBay for about $20, and railed floating forearms for about $30 (also on eBay). Gas blocks and gas tubes can be found there at comparable savings. Barrels are available from $80-600, depending on what you want. It took all of 20 minutes to assemble the uppers.

If my plans come to fruition, I will have each child firing a 24" match rifle for the minor expense of $200. Bolts can be interchanged as long as they are parkerized. You can also do cartridge conversions. Your base '15 can be chambered for the 223, 300 Blackout, I think 300 whisper, 6x45, and the hot upcoming round I saw at Camp Perry being the 6mm Fat Rat.

By building extra uppers, you can have multiple rifles using the same lower.

Barrel replacement

brokenpriest

MistWolf

Member

sgtsandman

US Veteran

cyphertext

US Veteran

jimbo728

Member

lrrifleman

Member

Twistofer

Member

brokenpriest

lrrifleman

Member

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