M&P15X vs M&P15 sport or tactical

Hello,
New to AR's have been researching and see that the 15x is running in the range of above $700 used (I see one for sale on the site for $1100) and the sport and tactical seem to be priced lower for NIB.

What is the major difference in the 15X that makes it more expensive? I know it has the battle rails (seems to be the same as the Tactical)

Any 'experts' out there to school me on these models? (not the .22 cal.)


Thanks!

It is all about configuration and how you are going to use the rifle. Use always should drive configuration! My advice is buy the complete rifle that matches the mental image of your perfect rifle right out of the box or built your perfect rifle. For newbies I always recommend complete rifles or at least complete uppers and complete lowers which just need to be pinned together. Builds come later.... LOL



The Sport II is a basic no frills M4 A2 clone. It has a a 1/9 twist barrel which will not always stabilize high weight rounds like 69gr. It has a A2 post so if you want a free float rail this is not for you unless you want to take of the post replace the gas block and install the new rail. These used to sell for $499 at a few places but now have moved up to $549-$600+. This is a basic budget rifle if you like the configuration and don't want to change it it is a good value. If you are going to swap things out there are better starting platforms IMHO.

Product: Model M&P15 Sport™



The 15X is little bit of a step up. It comes with a Troy or UTG quad rail, which IMHO are outdated, Troy rear battle sight and a 1/9 twist barrel. Barrel profile is also different it is an M4 mid weight profile. Everything else is basically the same as the Sport II. Unless you are getting a smoking deal on these I would pass. You are better off with the sport and replacing the rail, gas block and sights based on the pricing I have seen in the past. There are better setups for the money.

Product: Model M&P15X Rifle



The Tactical is the real upgrade from the Sport not a sort of upgrade. You get a 1/8 twist barrel which I prefer. You get the similar rail Troy or UTG rail but the A2 front post is gone and your rail is free floating. You go backwards on the sights and get Magpul MBUS. For me the cost of these rifles pushes me in other directions but if you like the configuration and the price is right it is a quality rifle and better than the Sport II in terms of spec. You have to choose if the upgrades are worth it.

Product: Model M&P15T - 5.56 mm, Tactical

Again think about how you plan to use the rifle and let it drive the configuration. Is is a pure range plinker. It is a home defense rifle? Is it a truck gun? 3 gun or other sort of competition gun? Is it combination of multiple rolls?

Thanks for the helpful info....
I have the 15X sitting in front of me and was given the option to buy for $450 (not that I really wanted or 'needed' one) but if the price was right I was going to hold on to it.

Thank you very much for taking the time to post this info

A 15X for $450? Buy!

Done deal...its mine.
I did more research and checked over and cleaned before buying. Purchase was from a friend in need of money.
I was reading about the 'stag' guns prior to 5000 serial numbers... (thanks to all who posted info on this site)
The bolt on this one was stamped MP, The staking on the carrier was correct, The feed ramp was correct. Gun has been used, but definitely not abused from what I could see. I only noticed some slight carbon build up on the bolt. I did the gas ring test, it passed.

Heres the new addition

my first AR..... even came with the original hardshell case. Thanks for the help

Congrats you got a great gun at a great price. Now shoot it!