Barrel life of 1/9 twist m&p 15 sport

[cccollin545]

What have you guys been getting out of the barrel and its longevity?

Thanks, Collin

 

[Shootingfun]

Well Smith&Wesson repaired it but I got like 2,000 rounds out of mine, then it started to key hole real bad, I posted pics of it on here not sure if they still are. I will say this S&W stands behind there products and they have top notch customer service, five stars all the way.

I have only heard of 1 other M&P Sport owner with this issue online and he had like 5,000 rounds but also did a lot of mods to his rifle, like free floating the barrel.

I so far haven't had any issues with it yet. But I have read others have shot well over 10,000 rounds through there 1:9 barrels and even shot steel case also with still no issues. I only shoot brass case ammo, not really sure about that steel ammo yet. I guess I just got a bad barrel, but now got it all fixed up and shooting well.

 

[Rick_A]

Like a set of tires, it depends on how hard you run it.

 

[cccollin545]

Fair enough thanks

 

[JaPes]

Depends on your ammo, particularly the construction of the projectile.

Traditional copper jacket = 10,000 rounds.

Bi-metal (copper washed mild steel jacket) = 5,000 - 6,000 rounds.

All you ever want to know about it:

Brass vs. Steel Cased Ammo - An Epic Torture Test

Anticipating the next set of questions and discussion that usually comes from this:

An AR-15 is one giant wear item, including the barrel. It's meant to eventually be replaced. If you have the right tools and an ounce of mechanical aptitude, it's easy to do.

 

[cccollin545]

I only shoot brass and thanks for the honest response

 

[Arik]

Depends on your ammo, particularly the construction of the projectile.

Traditional copper jacket = 10,000 rounds.

Bi-metal (copper washed mild steel jacket) = 5,000 - 6,000 rounds.

All you ever want to know about it:

Brass vs. Steel Cased Ammo - An Epic Torture Test

Anticipating the next set of questions and discussion that usually comes from this:

An AR-15 is one giant wear item, including the barrel. It's meant to eventually be replaced. If you have the right tools and an ounce of mechanical aptitude, it's easy to do.

That test is not quite correct. To be more correct it would be 5000 - 6000 rounds IF you are shooting non stop on a hot barrel for thousands of rounds. So you may need a barrel if you are doing a lot of suppressive covering fire in full auto

 

[cccollin545]

I'm not doing any of that the most I do is double taps no mag dumps.

 

[WR Moore]

The comment on mag dumps is most important. Barrel wear is from heat (from powder combustion) and friction wear from bullet friction. You can expect a barrel to last many thousands of rounds so long as the barrel doesn't get really hot. High temperatures accelerate both friction wear and heat checking of the surface.

The material the barrel is made of can also make a difference. Stainless is generally more resistant to heat related wear. The big difference is that the chrome-moly alloys generally wear evenly and will gradually increase group size. Stainless can decide to go bad without warning. Note: This is per Boots Obermeyer who's worn out (and made) more barrels the rest of us put together.

Avoiding mag dumps is a good thing. Burning through ten mags is going to seriously degrade any barrel.

 

[Rick_A]

Another factor is your standard for accuracy.

Some folks will replace a barrel when groups open up slightly but noticeably.

Some replace a barrel when rounds start hitting sideways and in random patterns.