after a lot of digging on the internet i still can't figure out what model of M&P 15 i have or what year it was made. I am its first owner but i don't remember when i bought it as it was some years ago. It is a 1:9 twist 5.56 barrel with a quad rail and a fixed front sight. i have a pop-up rear sight as well as some after market stuff... any help is appreciated. thanks in advance.

If you find the customer service email address at Smith and Wesson’s website they can tell you what year it was made. If you still have the original box, there is a date code on the end sticker that can tell you day and month and year!


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It could be the M&P 15x. These came with a quad rail, fixed front sight, and 1:9 twist, chrome lined barrel. Quad rail and rear sight were from Troy.
ARCHIVE: M&P(R)15X | Smith & Wesson

Call S&W, give them the serial number, they will tell you what it is.

If you still have the box, there should also be an SKU number on it. You should be able to look that up on the S&W website to get the model.

A picture of the rifle would help, but from your description it appears to be an M&P 15X.

I picked one up for myself in 2008 and it's been an excellent rifle that was intended for professional duty use.

They're more robust than the current Sport models being produced these days.

In what way?

I've got a 15x that has well over 5k rounds through it. I have never had a single issue with it at all.

OP- If this is the gun you have, you will be very happy with it.

The M&P 15s are equipped with forged, mil spec lower receivers; The Sport models are not.

The M&P 15s have chrome lined, cold hammer forged barrels; The Sport models do not.

The Sport models, which are in their own right, good rifles, are “budget”, entry level models; the legacy M&Ps are not budget, entry level models.

None of the above is meant to disparage The M&P Sport ll ARs.

Some of your info is incorrect.

The Sport lowers are "mil-spec" and are forged. The only spec that I can find on the 15x barrel is that it is 4140 steel, 1:9 twist, and chrome lined, no mention of cold hammer forged. The Sport has the melonited barrels, also 4140 steel. Back in the day, it seemed the biggest differentiator on the 15x was the Troy goodies that came on it, and those were not cheap.

I don't have a Sport II, but I do have the original Sport with the 1:8 twist, 5R barrel. Many would argue that was a better barrel than what was on the higher priced firearms in the lineup. I will say that it is a much better rifle than it should be from the price paid. S&W really shook up the market by providing a fully built rifle from a well known and respected manufacturer at a home build price.

I'd take a melanite barrel over chrome lined any day.

The OP hasn’t been back here since the first (only) post 4 1/2 months ago.

Thanks for all the help. It is an M&P 15x. I do really love this rifle. it has never jammed, i've never had to use the forward assist, and it is very easy to clean.

It’s an excellent professional duty quality AR 15, best of luck with it.