I know this is a Smith forum but give me your opinion on the 2 in terms of quality. Looks like the 6920 is the same as the M&P? I am told Bushmaster makes the Smith so is there a difference there as well? COlt seems to be about $200 more than the Smith.
M&P Vs. COlt 6920
- Thread starter Sacerdote
- Start date
I know this is a Smith forum but give me your opinion on the 2 in terms of quality. Looks like the 6920 is the same as the M&P? I am told Bushmaster makes the Smith so is there a difference there as well? COlt seems to be about $200 more than the Smith.
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BruceM
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Current Smith M&P rifles are built in house and are nice rifles so I'm not sure the Colt equivalent would be worth an extra $200 to me. I think that very early M&P's were built by Stag Arms.
Bruce
Bruce
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I was forwarded a copy of a post from the AR-15 forum that listed milspec parts on the AR-15 clones. S&W had a fair number, but of course the Colt was the only true Milspec rifle.
I'm not sure how they got that testing information, since I don't believe the Colt specs are public info.
Anyway, I think the brand Colt might have a better long term value, but since there are tons of both I don't that matters much.
The S&W at my dealer is $1079, the Colt is $1495. I bought the S&W.
I wasn't going to buy a cheap AR, and I think the S&W is a very nice looking rifle with a good reputation so far.
Munster
I'm not sure how they got that testing information, since I don't believe the Colt specs are public info.
Anyway, I think the brand Colt might have a better long term value, but since there are tons of both I don't that matters much.
The S&W at my dealer is $1079, the Colt is $1495. I bought the S&W.
I wasn't going to buy a cheap AR, and I think the S&W is a very nice looking rifle with a good reputation so far.
Munster
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jcall
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Hi, There is an article in the current Guns & ammo Combat Arms magazine that Frank W. James wrote. Frank and another person went to a Pat Rogers Carbine Class. His buddy used a S&W M&P15. To make a long story short this was an intense class firing alot of rounds and he said without naming other brands, Franks rifle (Lewis Machine & Tool MRP rifle) and his buddies, the S&W M&P15, did not experience any functional problems or failures of any kind. The other brands did not fare as well.
Good article and great props for S&W M&P15!
Good article and great props for S&W M&P15!
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SiGfever
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I have the M&P15x and have been very pleased with its fit, finish, and function.
Now that's not to say that I would turn down a 6940.
Now that's not to say that I would turn down a 6940.
I don't doubt that the M&P15 is a fine rifle.
For the price difference, I would take the Colt and run.
I'm not basing that on mindless Colt loyalty. I have run the 6920 and the M4 hard. I have no complaints regarding their longevity or reliability. Keep them wet with lube and they'll run all day. I've put as many as 1500rds. down range through a 6920 in a day (no cleaning, just lubing periodically) without a hiccup. Less than some, more than others and probably abusive to the rifle.
I have seen first-hand quality control issues with other manufacturers that result in a rifles not performing as advertised. There is institutional knowledge of what works and what doesn't within Colt Defense-- they have been building the rifle for roughly 40 yrs. With the Colt you know you are getting a good bolt, a properly staked carrier key, a good chrome lined barrel and other high quality parts.
Just to re-state, I am not bashing the M&P... I would just spend my money on the 6920 and not look back.
My .02...
For the price difference, I would take the Colt and run.
I'm not basing that on mindless Colt loyalty. I have run the 6920 and the M4 hard. I have no complaints regarding their longevity or reliability. Keep them wet with lube and they'll run all day. I've put as many as 1500rds. down range through a 6920 in a day (no cleaning, just lubing periodically) without a hiccup. Less than some, more than others and probably abusive to the rifle.
I have seen first-hand quality control issues with other manufacturers that result in a rifles not performing as advertised. There is institutional knowledge of what works and what doesn't within Colt Defense-- they have been building the rifle for roughly 40 yrs. With the Colt you know you are getting a good bolt, a properly staked carrier key, a good chrome lined barrel and other high quality parts.
Just to re-state, I am not bashing the M&P... I would just spend my money on the 6920 and not look back.
My .02...
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Scotter260
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6920 - 1/7" barrel twist rate which is better for bullet weights over 69 grains. Non-milspec hammer and trigger pins - .17". Recent production Colt carbines, the 6920 included, are being shipped from the factory with F/A bolt carriers. I believe Colt also magnetic particle tests its bolts and barrels which I believe isn't a standard procedure for other brands. If you ask me what purpose doing this serves I can't tell you.
M&P - 1/9" barrel twist rate which is generally good up to 69 grains although it MAY work with the heavier stuff. IIRC the M&P has milspec hammer and trigger pins - .154"
Hope this helps,
Scott
M&P - 1/9" barrel twist rate which is generally good up to 69 grains although it MAY work with the heavier stuff. IIRC the M&P has milspec hammer and trigger pins - .154"
Hope this helps,
Scott
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tom turner
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Both are GREAT AR-15s . . . two of the best.
The Colt will run higher based on the name and MAY be a marginally better rifle.
However, the new M&P 15s by S&W MAY be just as good. If not, they are "close enough for horseshoes and hand grenades!"
Or . . . as others might say, "Close enough for home defense and zombies!"
I'd go with the S&W and spend the rest on magazines and ammo . . . and you'll never be able to tell the difference in the performance of the two rifles for their intended mission!
That's what I did, and I have zero complaints or regrets for doing so. The build quality of the current S&W M&P rifles (and their parts) is as good as any of the best, IMHO.
T.
The Colt will run higher based on the name and MAY be a marginally better rifle.
However, the new M&P 15s by S&W MAY be just as good. If not, they are "close enough for horseshoes and hand grenades!"
Or . . . as others might say, "Close enough for home defense and zombies!"
I'd go with the S&W and spend the rest on magazines and ammo . . . and you'll never be able to tell the difference in the performance of the two rifles for their intended mission!
That's what I did, and I have zero complaints or regrets for doing so. The build quality of the current S&W M&P rifles (and their parts) is as good as any of the best, IMHO.
T.
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akviper
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Buy the Colt. If it's a current production gun it will have the .154 trigger and hammer pins.
I know from recent personal experience that the Colt will sell much faster and for more money than a Smith if you decide to part with it later. For all practical purposes the Smith will serve you well, but the Colt has a few construction features the Smith does not.
I know from recent personal experience that the Colt will sell much faster and for more money than a Smith if you decide to part with it later. For all practical purposes the Smith will serve you well, but the Colt has a few construction features the Smith does not.
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i'm with you tom!
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Doug M.
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AFAIK, the S&Ws were never made by BushHampster. One should run screaming from a third tier maker. Early S&Ws had a few warts, but the later production have come out well - check out Pat's SWAT article on the testing done by using them in his classes. I think he owns a couple, which is a message.
I don't have the specific knowledge of the S/N cutoff point at which S&W really ramped up their QC, but if I were inclined to get one, I'd snoop around and get the info and not be too concerned about having the Smith. However, the 6920 is the default. As for Rob's chart, none of the info he uses or compares is secret squirrel stuff.
It depends on your usage needs. If you are buying an EBR to piss off the hoplophobes, do what you want. If you plan to use it seriously, run it in a few classes with Pat, Jeff Gonzales, and other serious folks as part of using it as a fighting tool, invest the time in learning what matters, and consider the $4-500 well spent.
At a minimum, 1/7 twist, true 5.56 chamber, M4 feedramps, FA bolt group, proper staking, etc, are your friends. Look at the chart, and get as close as possible to the 6920.
I don't have the specific knowledge of the S/N cutoff point at which S&W really ramped up their QC, but if I were inclined to get one, I'd snoop around and get the info and not be too concerned about having the Smith. However, the 6920 is the default. As for Rob's chart, none of the info he uses or compares is secret squirrel stuff.
It depends on your usage needs. If you are buying an EBR to piss off the hoplophobes, do what you want. If you plan to use it seriously, run it in a few classes with Pat, Jeff Gonzales, and other serious folks as part of using it as a fighting tool, invest the time in learning what matters, and consider the $4-500 well spent.
At a minimum, 1/7 twist, true 5.56 chamber, M4 feedramps, FA bolt group, proper staking, etc, are your friends. Look at the chart, and get as close as possible to the 6920.
