Another M&P Sport thread...

[walkin' trails]

I've been getting the bug to get another AR, and have some questions about the M&P Sport. My AR shooting experience has been with employer-issued Colts and RRAs. I have preferred the RRA LAR-15 to the Colts for the way it shoots, but I'd also attribute my preference to the RRA's trigger. At the time the LAR-15 came my way, the Colts I'd been using had horrendous factory trigger, and because they were issed firearms, I wasn't going to get any trigger work done. I was planning to get around to ordering my own RRA, but saw how affordable the Sport is. I know how to shoot, field strip and maintain an AR, but I'm not real knowledgble of the specifics of "mil spec" and other features I hear some calling for in a black rifle, or how such features apply to a rifle that will be used for recreational shooting and possibly three-gun type competetions, or an occasional firearms school such as Gunsite.

I know that the Sport doesn't come with a forward assist or dust cover. Are there any other major differences between them and the regular M&P line? Are the upper and lower receivers forged?

How compatable are the Sports to any upgrades? Are the dimensions pretty standard with other manufacturers products? Can they be fitted with a different front gas block for a flip up front sight? When using red-dots or optics in my experience, the fixed front sight assembly can be a bit of a nusience, but not something I can't work around. Still, I could fold it out of the way, it would be a nice touch.

I've read some comments that the out of the box triggers leave something to be desired, but how do they shoot? Compared to some of the AR offerings in the $1000+ range such as the RRA?

How would you rate their durability? Barrel life?

How does the polymer MBUIS rear sight hold up compared to all-steel offerings?

I appreciate your input.

 

[oneyeopn]

The Sport other than the lack of a FA or a Dustcover is exactly like any other AR style rifle you have shot. All AR parts will fit a Sport. The Jewel of the sport is the barrel, it is absolutely scary accurate and if you look under the sticky threads there is one that is called barrel specs for sport and it will tell you all about the melonite treatment which according to the people who wrote the reports beats chrome hands down, and no they do not built AR's or AR parts. Once I polished my Sport trigger with a stone it was phenomenal and I am still happily shooting it. No its not 2 stage but I can feel when it is going to break and it has a very smooth take up. Everything else is exactly like any other AR. the parts all interchange plus if you buy one you can customize it plus have money left over for ammo. Even in combat I have never used a forward assist and I have replaced my upper with a standard M4 upper engraved with the Marine Corps all over it and most of the time dont remember to close the dust cover. As I said the barrel is the jewel. its not just the melonite coating it is the 5R rifling also. some of the biggest names in guns and or barrels are starting to put 5R rifling in their top line guns and barrels. I have shot many prairie dogs with mine with the longest shot being 262 yards one and done with many over 250yards. There are a lot of AR's out there but for the money and the performance it is hard to beat the Sport.

 

[walkin' trails]

Thank you. I appreciate the info. I think the only time I ever used the forward assist was on the range with a very dirty rifle and I'm not even sure I needed to at that. As far as dust cover is concerned, I have never remembered to close them, either.

 

[cyphertext]

The Sport is an AR, with the exception of a dust cover, I know of no other after market parts that can not be used.

Yes, the upper and lowers are forged. The other big differences between a Colt and a Sport are in the barrel. The Colt will have a 4150 CMV barrel with a 1:7 twist and chrome lining, where the Sport has 4140 steel with 1:8 twist and 5R rifling, and the barrel is melonite treated. The Colt will have a full auto carrier, the Sport has a semi auto carrier. The Sport trigger guard is integral to the lower, where the Colt will have the replaceable trigger guard.

You can replace the gas block if you prefer. I don't care for the Magpul sights, but others like them. You shouldn't use a Magpul sight on the gas block though.

The trigger out of the box seems fine to me. I don't expect a match grade trigger on any out of the box AR. If you don't care for the trigger though, there is a huge selection of aftermarket triggers and springs.

If you want flip up sights and a rail, you might want to look at the M&P 15T. Has all that the Sport does plus dust cover and forward assist, and quad rail. Real world price is way less than list....
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57785_757784_757784_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

 

[storeyteller]

The trigger does leave something to be desired, but many have done as oneyeopn suggested with positive results. But, you can always get a sport, add an expensive trigger and still come under the $1k mark by a couple hundred bucks!
The rifle is MOA or better out of the box if the operator can do his part.

 

[TangoFoxtrot]

Like everyone has stated, other than no FA or DC the Sport model is equal too or exceeds military standards. I would not hesitate on taking the Sport model into battle if needed.

 

[rebs081]

I doubt there is any other AR more accurate than the Sport. This was at 100 yds

 

[porthole]

When I was searching for my rifle I made up the attached data sheet with the key features. All models are tough to get here so I went to my dealer with a list in order of preference.

If you want the excel version send me a PM with an email address. Can't upload .xls files here.

 

[oneyeopn]

When I was searching for my rifle I made up the attached data sheet with the key features. All models are tough to get here so I went to my dealer with a list in order of preference.

If you want the excel version send me a PM with an email address. Can't upload .xls files here.

Duane, this was very interesting thank you for sharing!

 

[walkin' trails]

Thanks again for the responses. I'm still trying to decide. My currently employer allows a couple of different brands for use on the job, and the M&P 15 is not one of them. While I have an issued AR which has been a pretty reliable weapon, I was getting the bug to get my own anyway. I had read an article on the Sport when it first came out but didn't give it much thought. Then I saw what the Sports are going for, and the activity on this board, and decided to give them a bit more of a look. I've had very good luck with my M&P 45 since buying one after my employer authorized them. 6,000+ rounds and counting without a malfunction... S&W has been making honest efforts to recapture the market and hasn't been offering up excuses like some of the more established products out there have been lately when they're latest offering doesn't work as advertised. Great company turn-around, and I can remember when things weren't going so great in Springfield.

 

[KeithR]

Came about this from YouTube, a review(April 2012) of the M&P Sport from Nutnfancy(it's about 33min long- somewhat thorough):
S&W M&P15 Sport review by Nutnfancy - YouTube
It's a very good review.
Or this on an abused Sport:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwXhm45x3WM