Best M&P 15 model for first AR?

[jdyer225]

Hey all I'm looking into getting my first AR. I had wanted to get the Colt LE6920 but I don't feel that the extra $ is worth it for what I will use it for. So, that being said, and seeing that I already have an M&P 22 pistol and a model 10 and loving S&W I am going to get an M&P 15. I know there are many different models of M&P 15's so I was wondering which one would be best for weekly target practice, rare/occasional hunting and home defense. I'd like to keep it in the $600-$800 range. I can only afford to shoot about 100 rds per week so it won't see a whole bunch of use. Thanks.


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

[cyphertext]

It really is going to depend on how you want the rifle configured. With your price range, you are probably limited to the M&P 15OR, or the Sport. Both are good rifles, just depend on what features you want.

 

[red dragon]

You can get a sport right now for $550 shipped from Kentucky gun company or for a little bit more from grabagun. At that price it leaves you some money left over for optics, furniture or ammo. I own a moe mid and a sport(1/9), at 50yds they make the same groups. As long as not having a fa/dc doesn't bother you,i'd definitely recommend the sport. I wouldn't worry to much about use or round counts on your m&p barrels. From my experience the melonite seems to hold up extremely well. My m&p9 and my m&p15 moe mid both have over 4000rd through them with no signs of decreased accuracy.Can't go wrong with any of the m&p rifles in my opinion.

 

[JaPes]

Your pricing criteria and desire to own a M&P 15 give you two choices. A M&P 15-Sport or a MP 15-OR.

M&P 15-Sport = No forward assist. No dust cover. Handguards are slim with no heat shields. Comes with a front A2-F front sight post and a Magpul Polymer folding rear sight. The "winter" trigger guard is integral to the lower receiver.

M&P-OR = Full featured upper with forward assist and dust cover. Railed front gas block. Standard issue handguards with heat shields. Standard trigger guard that can hinge open.

If you want a full featured upper, then the M&P-OR is the choice. OR stands for optics ready. You will have to spend extra $$$ for sights. If you are going to shoot iron sights, I highly advise buying a front sight constructed from metal to withstand heat from the gas block. If you are going to shoot optics only and want a quality red-dot on a budget, the Primary Arms MicroDot w/mount bundle will serve you well.

If you don't care about having a forward assist or dust cover for a rifle that will be a range rifle, then the 15-Sport is the rifle to go with. It is ready to shoot out of the box. It already has iron sights. The price leaves $$$ in your budget for extra mags, a sling, a case, and maybe a budget optic such as the Primary Arms MicroDot w/mount bundle.

My advice is not to only think about the rifle's purchase price, but also consider the total cost of ownership. Whatever M&P 15 model you choose, you can't go wrong.

 

[JustAnotherGunGuy]

I live in Saint Louis also. I will be back home in a week or so. I have am M&P MOE carbine length with1:9, M&P MOE mid-length with 1:8 5r, M&P10 MOE and a build from PSA MOE carbine length 1:7. Send me PM if you want to shoot any of them before you buy.

 

[Chew]

Small world. I live in StL as well.

 

[chill99]

Not meaning to hijack, but I've been on this same path with similar questions. I also don't care to spend a mint on a first AR and am focused on the M&P line. I've considered the Sport version, but was also looking at the Tactical version. I have an M&P 15-22, so I guess the Tactical just looks more familiar to me.

Could someone compare the Sport and the Tactical for me in terms of a first AR purchase?

Thanks!

 

[cyphertext]

Not meaning to hijack, but I've been on this same path with similar questions. I also don't care to spend a mint on a first AR and am focused on the M&P line. I've considered the Sport version, but was also looking at the Tactical version. I have an M&P 15-22, so I guess the Tactical just looks more familiar to me.

Could someone compare the Sport and the Tactical for me in terms of a first AR purchase?

Thanks!

The Sport and the 15T both have the same lower, with integrated trigger guard. They used to share the same barrel as well, but now the Sport has the 1:9 twist barrel, while the 15T still has the 1:8 twist with 5R rifling. Both are melonite treated. The 15T has the forward assist and ejection port cover that the Sport is lacking. The 15T also has a free floated barrel, with a quad rail, while the Sport has M4 style handguards. The 15T also has folding front and rear sights, where the Sport has the fixed front and folding rear.

 

[henry1954]

I thought that the M&P 15 ORC was chambered for .223/5.56 where the sport was only .223. I'm not an expert, only bought my MP 15 ORC last November and could not be happier. Put YHM BUIS on it and have shot about 2K rounds though it so far. the 2k rounds also included about 500 rounds of 5.56 and not problems at all, no FTE's no FTF's, no malfunctions at all. Solid platform that one can let their mind go as far as Mods.

 

[KeithR]

My Sport came chambered for 5.56(as marked in the barrel) so it will handle both 5.56 & .223

 

[snubbiefan]

Not sure if S&W made any or not, but a Patrolman's carbine in 9MM should not be overlooked. I have a 9 and the longer barrel on the carbine makes the 9 x 19 a pretty potent little round. It's cheaper to shoot (still), you can plink-around with it and not be as apt to shoot holes thru your neighbors walls and it's a perfect HD gun IMHO. I apologize for changing the subject from gun to caliber, but one needs to know that an AR can be had in many pistol calibers and it's a fun-gun to shoot.

 

[Arik]

Colt 6920LE MOE green $850 Grabagun.com. 120 day layaway with 20% you get the gun. Everything else is due within 120 days.

Yea too many features for too much $$$$

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[JaPes]

Colt 6920LE MOE green $850 Grabagun.com. 120 day layaway with 20% you get the gun. Everything else is due within 120 days.

Yea too many features for too much $$$$

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

I hate to say it, but that isn't a bad deal.

Colt Firearms LE6920MP-OD AR15 Carbine Online Gun Store

 

[Maddmax]

Not meaning to hijack, but I've been on this same path with similar questions. I also don't care to spend a mint on a first AR and am focused on the M&P line. I've considered the Sport version, but was also looking at the Tactical version. I have an M&P 15-22, so I guess the Tactical just looks more familiar to me.

Could someone compare the Sport and the Tactical for me in terms of a first AR purchase?

Thanks!

I have all three. Tactical was my first followed by the Sport. Both are the 1in8 5R. The 15T would be my grab and go if I had to pick. Chances are you will more than likely (in the long run) change out parts on the Sport and have as much or more tied up in the Sport than in the T anyway.

 

[bhayles]

Both are the 1in8 5R.

Not anymore. Sport is 1:9 5R now. As of exactly when I don't know, but its been that way since I got mine about 6-8 weeks ago.

 

[cyphertext]

Not anymore. Sport is 1:9 5R now. As of exactly when I don't know, but its been that way since I got mine about 6-8 weeks ago.

He was referring to the barrel on his rifle, not the current production sitting in the store... The barrel on the Sport changed over a year ago. And it is not 5R rifling anymore... standard 6 land and groove rifling.

 

[Pinger5.56]

M&P15 Sport

I have had mine for like almost 4 months and I shot it about every Thursday since the weather broke, I have got like 600+rounds through it. The more I shoot it the better it gets, I mainly shoot .223/PMC brass. I have shot some 5.56 Federal, Winchester and Independence. I have found that it likes the .223 better but I have only shot like maybe 160rds of 5.56 through it. The .223/PMC rounds are cheaper than that of the 5.56.

So far I like the rifle, I have had some issues with it but they where easily fixed and simple. Mainly just breaking in period issues. A few FTF, FTE, double feeds, but lately it has been running like a champ. I keep it well lubed and it runs like a champ. I was killing Red soda pop cans today at 50-60yrds with my sight mark reflex and just the irons. I changed out the hand guard with a Magpul, Magpul pistol grip and the B.A.D lever. I paid like $740.00 with tax for mine here in Indiana, I wish I could have got one for the prices I have seen on here.

It has the 1/9th twist barrel, mine is clearly marked 5.56 Nato so it can shoot both 5.56/.223 rounds. Again so far has been a great rifle and love to shoot it. My only problem with the rifle is that I am a larger man and even with the butt stock extended all the way out it still is short for me, besides that GREAT RIFLE and fun to shoot. Highly recommend one for your firs AR15 platform rifle, it was my choice for my first of this style of rifle.

 

[red dragon]

They started the switch from 1/8 to 1/9 in the beginning of 2013. Its just a 1/9 melonite coated barrel now,no more 5r rifling. They don't call it melonite anymore but its the same process and product from what I've herd. Twist rate is over rated anyways. There's really very little difference between 1/7,1/8,1/9 until you start using heavier projectiles at longer ranges. *edit- my apologies cyphertext,didn't mean to repeat your post.walked away and came back.*

 

[cyphertext]

*edit- my apologies cyphertext,didn't mean to repeat your post.walked away and came back.*

Is all good...

 

[headcase650]

That colt MOE would be hard to pass up. Check slickguns.com for daily sales. Some things are below prepanic prices. If ammo would drop back down to prepanic Id be even more happy.