I'll believe it when I see it. Much to everyone's dismay the 2004 SOCOM pistol trial was canceled. Some even developed new pistols for that contract and some pretty good pistols were designed. I have one so thank you SOCOM.

6.8 is a good cartridge and I'll buy a precision rifle when it hits military inventory. I just hope they don't wait too long tho because I'm not going to live forever.

Edit: As of last month congress has not appropriated funds for a new rifle/cartridge. It's probably a few years away at the earliest. May not even happen.

Congress won'''t give Army extra cash for next-generation rifle - Business Insider

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That's just somebody talkin.

2 more cents here. I chose my Sport II over a Colt purely on price and the fact the Sport II had a rear sight, so I could start shooting right away.
Given that the S&W uses the same receiver forgings as just about EVERY other AR maker, I can upgrade the barrel and other parts as I wear them out. So far, I'm pushing 3k rounds without issue. Since I shoot 55gr exclusively, I have no need or desire for a 1/7 barrel.
Regarding Colts, Chris Bartocci has pointed out several times that Colt stopped making all parts in-house years ago. They shop for them like other makers.
An older Colt would be nice to have; all reports praise them highly, but it's not a need for me.

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Registration? NEVER!

Awesome! Enjoy your rifle. 3000 rounds is nothing down an AR tube for your average shooter. I reckon you'll be 10k in before you'd really be considering a barrel change.

If I may make a recommendation, the 1:7.7 or the 1:8 Twists with a .223 Wylde chamber will digest both .223 and 5.56 in the whole useful range of bullet weights. 1:7 also will stabilize a 55 grain projectile just fine out of most rifles. The whole twist rate thing is a bit over blown at the distances 90% of people shoot with AR's.

From what I've read of your other posts and intended use, the S&W M&P 15 would work just fine, save you some (a great deal of) money and any headaches dealing with manufactures.

S&W has outstanding customer support and a fantastic warrantee. I still have the original Sport and "T" models and have had zero issues over the many years and rounds put through them.

I also own Colts (older models) and can't see anything special about paying extra to have a dancing pony stamped on the side. Never cared for the first assembly line M-16s issued to us in the Military or the early upgrades. Customer support was never their high point. Not to mention wasting the time trying to find an almost extinct version since they stopped production of the civilian version forcing the already over priced versions even higher. Nice thing, mine have taken a big jump in collector value.

I also have other quality lower end manufactures and MUCH higher end manufactures in my collection. Higher end are "usually" above Mil Spec, hand assembled and much more pricey.

The term "Mil Spec" is a joke. It means the minimum quality for the lowest cost, mass produced off an assembly line and the parts are interchangeable.

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THIS WE'LL DEFEND ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

When I was deciding about 6 years ago between the two, I opted to purchase the Colt 6920.

Zero regrets.

I have a buddy that went for the M&P over the Colt.

He also has zero regrets.



Either will work. Buy the one you want.

One thing, if you go to the gun show and buy Smith M&P sport, it comes with the skinny CAR-15 type handguards and no heat shields. Somewhere at the show you will find Colt M4 takeoffs brand new for $10. Buy them.

I changed out my handguards right away, but went with MOEs; the shape just feels better in my hand. I have put the originals back on, but quickly return to the Magpul product.

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Registration? NEVER!