Accuracy of M&P Sport?
- Thread starter MichSteve
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I don't have a scope, but put a red dot on mine. I zeroed it at 50 yards and then was able to hit hanging 6" plates consistently at 100 yards. This was all off hand. I haven't put it on a bench rest, yet. The group when I zeroed at 50 yards was 1 3/4" wide and 1 1/4" high, which is consistent with the amount of wobble that I had shooting off hand. Rifle seems to be more accurate than I am.
The stock trigger is a shade heavy, but has a clean break with virtually no creep. It seems to have lightened up some after 600+ rounds.
The stock trigger is a shade heavy, but has a clean break with virtually no creep. It seems to have lightened up some after 600+ rounds.
Thanks for the reply, I have seen the Sport in my area for $600, my thoughts at first were to build an AR but at that price I can have another upper with a varmint barrel.
I have done some research on different triggers and will someday want to upgrade the trigger.
I have done some research on different triggers and will someday want to upgrade the trigger.
I don't see any reason why the Sport won't be as accurate as any other AR. In fact, it should be slightly more accurate than a chrome lined barrel because the barrel is melonite treated, which doesn't change the dimensions and the rifling is 5R rifling, rather than 6R. 5R is the rifling used on the Army's sniper rifle.
RainDodger
Member
Melonite is an external finish, is it not? I don't believe it is in the bore at all....
jsimmons
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Actually, melonite is that gooey red/gray brain-matter stuff that splatters your barrel if you're standing too close to your target when you pull the trigger.
Dragon88
Member
Don't buy an AR-15 carbine, especially a $600 one, because you want a super accurate rifle. It will be accurate enough, maybe 2 MOA or so. Yes your particular gun might shoot better, but don't expect it.
Hobie1
Member
I believe you're right
I was going to say "no you're mistaken" but I went to S&W and it does indeed say "barrel finish" not barrel lining.
Oh well, for a starter piece for me, I doubt I'll shoot out the barrel in the near future.
Regards,
Hobie
I was going to say "no you're mistaken" but I went to S&W and it does indeed say "barrel finish" not barrel lining.
Oh well, for a starter piece for me, I doubt I'll shoot out the barrel in the near future.
Regards,
Hobie
MPDC
Member
"Tennifer and Melonite are trade names for firearm finishing processes that involve salt bath nitriding. The heart of the matter is probably licensing rights rather than technology. I do not have any special inside information, but I believe that Glock will not let the supplier of this finish license the Tennifer name to any other firearms manufacturer; therefore, other firearms manufacturers are using a similar finish but from other chemical suppliers or under different names.
Historically, firearm parts were black oxided, which is an oxidation process which is only a few millionths of an inch thick, does not offer much corrosion resistance, and doesn't alter the underlying steel. Salt bath nitriding is a case hardening process that leaves a fairly thick, corrosion resistant, hard surface."
Melonite vs Tenifer on semi-auto pistol slides
Historically, firearm parts were black oxided, which is an oxidation process which is only a few millionths of an inch thick, does not offer much corrosion resistance, and doesn't alter the underlying steel. Salt bath nitriding is a case hardening process that leaves a fairly thick, corrosion resistant, hard surface."
Melonite vs Tenifer on semi-auto pistol slides
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The barrel is melonite treated inside and out, including the bore and chamber.
Melonite treatment is not a lining, like chrome lining. It is a treatment of the steel that increases surface hardness of the steel to a hardness comparable to chrome. Chrome lining can cause accuracy issues because the barrel bore has to be machined slightly oversized to leave room for the chrome lining. Melonite treatment doesn't add thickness and therefore the barrel can be machined to precise specifications and then treated to harden the surface without changing the dimensions.
Testing of melonite treated barrels going back as far as Army studies in the 1960's demonstrate that melonite treatment gives a barrel life that is 4 to 5 times longer than untreated chromemoly steel and comparable to chrome lining.
RainDodger
Member
Interesting information - thanks, all. I've put about 500 rounds through my new Sport and I'll tell you one thing that I've found - it cleans easier, and I don't think it's my imagination. I think it has to do with the shape of the lands - the 65 degree angle of the "sides" of the rifling. It seems that any fouling just comes out easier.
On the accuracy question, I've found my Sport to be more than adequate. It performs its job as-advertised. It's not a bench rest target rifle. It's made for fun... and the M-16 it's modeled after is made for one thing, and one thing only. The Sport would perform to that accuracy criteria quite nicely, so I'm a happy camper. I can easily hit center-mass with a 1 MOA Eotech at reasonable distances. What more can one ask?
On the accuracy question, I've found my Sport to be more than adequate. It performs its job as-advertised. It's not a bench rest target rifle. It's made for fun... and the M-16 it's modeled after is made for one thing, and one thing only. The Sport would perform to that accuracy criteria quite nicely, so I'm a happy camper. I can easily hit center-mass with a 1 MOA Eotech at reasonable distances. What more can one ask?
It may also have something to do with the melonite treatment of the bore. I've read that melonite treatment increases the "lubricity" which reduces fouling and makes it easier to clean.
ultratec00
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Question I'm pondering is if the Sport barrel requires any kind of break in process? I recently picked up a DPMS upper for my Sport and am going through the break in process now. Instead of the "shoot one and clean" for the first 25, then after every 10 for the next 250-300 rounds, I am particular to the Tubbs finishing bullets. Have used them before on quite a few barrels with good results. Not sure how they would work on my Sport barrel with the melonite procedure.
Dragon88
Member
The only "break-in" required for AR-15s is to shoot as much ammo through them as you can afford, then buy some more and repeat. Clean when you feel it's necessary. 
Barrel "break-in" is a myth, especially for barrels with lined bores.
Barrel "break-in" is a myth, especially for barrels with lined bores.
RainDodger
Member
I'm glad that Dragon88 said it first... I think "barrel break-in" is a bunch of BS. My opinion of course. In 50+ years of shooting, I've never worried about it and I've got some really great shooting rifles.
Do what he says... buy ammo, shoot it up, buy more, have fun.
Do what he says... buy ammo, shoot it up, buy more, have fun.
ultratec00
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I think there is some merit for production, non-lined, barrels having seen the improvements first hand. It would come to reason for lined barrels that the bore would be pretty clean before treating, else any residue would be treated as well and possibly cause issues long term.
I plan on slapping a good scope on my sport barrel and taking it to the range to see what kind of groups it's capable of. I hear opinions that short barrels aren't typically accurate, but a lot of it has to do with the load and bullet being used. I tricked my Sport out to be a quick reaction coyote killer, shots typically 150 yards or less. If they take off running, just means I get to shoot more bullets at them before they get out of sight!!!
I plan on slapping a good scope on my sport barrel and taking it to the range to see what kind of groups it's capable of. I hear opinions that short barrels aren't typically accurate, but a lot of it has to do with the load and bullet being used. I tricked my Sport out to be a quick reaction coyote killer, shots typically 150 yards or less. If they take off running, just means I get to shoot more bullets at them before they get out of sight!!!
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