Tony The Gem
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2014
- Messages
- 8
- Reaction score
- 1
If I go and buy a m&p sport 5.56 today, what kind of barrel will come with it? A 1:9 or 1:8
Has S&W changed the specs on the m&p sport 5.56 (barrel)?
- Thread starter Tony The Gem
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
cyphertext
US Veteran
1:9... has been that way for quite some time.
rtquig
Member
Cyphertext is correct, the 1:9 has been around for quite a while. Every now and again someone will report they just bought a new Sport with a 1:8 twist. There are still some of the old ones out there, you just have to get lucky and find one. The 1:9 is a good twist and most will not notice the difference.
MasterTech1960
Member
Bought mine and it is a 1:9 twist. It shoots really good. I sent a letter to S&W in hopes that they will give a better description of the Sport. The reason for this is , the Sport has a heavy barrel , hence it is a ( H-bar sporter) just like the Colt. Why is this important you might ask. Well here in Maryland ARs have to a H-bar to be legal. S&W at this time does not state it is a H-bar even though it is. Words mean everything to our legislators . They do not know guns well enough to make the call on their own. 
cyphertext
US Veteran
Bought mine and it is a 1:9 twist. It shoots really good. I sent a letter to S&W in hopes that they will give a better description of the Sport. The reason for this is , the Sport has a heavy barrel , hence it is a ( H-bar sporter) just like the Colt. Why is this important you might ask. Well here in Maryland ARs have to a H-bar to be legal. S&W at this time does not state it is a H-bar even though it is. Words mean everything to our legislators . They do not know guns well enough to make the call on their own.
I don't believe the Sport is a heavy barrel... it is a medium contour barrel.
cyphertext
US Veteran
I am going to hazard a guess that the OP refers to "heavy barrel" as a barrel without the useless M203 lug/cut.
This is my preferred barrel profile, because I don't typically have a need to lob 40mm grenades.
No, he mentions Maryland law, so he is referring to a true heavy barrel.
78Staff
Member
Big difference between a true Heavy Barrel and the Sport's Medium Contour barrel... Those who carried an HBAR can attest 
. They both do lack the M203 lug, but that's about the only similarity...
S&W is correct in not listing the Sport as an HBAR.
. They both do lack the M203 lug, but that's about the only similarity...S&W is correct in not listing the Sport as an HBAR.
Last edited:
My sport appears to have a .750" barrel from the barrel not to the flash hider, which is what I would call a "medium" contour. I had an old RRA that was REALLY fat under the handguard and that sucker was heavy.
I also have a spikes with a .625" and it is significantly lighter than the sport.
I also have a spikes with a .625" and it is significantly lighter than the sport.
MasterTech1960
Member
cyphertext
US Veteran
MasterTech1960
Member
Cyphertext, This is what makes no sence . You can walk in and buy a (h-bar) fill out the papers and do the insta check and walk out with it , but you can not buy a ar with the gov. Profile at all. Maryland laws are a mess. Let's hope common sence and the courts fix this mess.
cyphertext
US Veteran
Didn't realize it was that bad... makes no sense at all.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
I am going to hazard a guess that the OP refers to "heavy barrel" as a barrel without the useless M203 lug/cut.
This is my preferred barrel profile, because I don't typically have a need to lob 40mm grenades.
Speak for yourself compadre-ya never know.....................
My Sport, purchased a couple months ago, does have a 1:8 twist rate. However, it is not the base model Sport, far from it, it is the VTAC II model. So some Sports do have a 1:8 twist. The twist rate is one of the reasons I bought it.
MasterTech1960
Member
I may be wrong but I do not believe your VTAC ll is a true sport. Does it have a forward assist and a dust cover? It is a M&P-15 and a very nice one at that IMHO.
78Staff
Member
Right, the VTAC II is not a Sport at all - it's actually one of the upper-end M&P-15's. Only the M&P-15 Sport is a Sport, which sounds kind dumb when you say it lol. There have been two versions, the older 1:8 5R and the current 1:9. Everything is a 15-something, ie M&P-15 Sport, M&P-15T, 15OR, etc. Only the Sport is the Sport, which as mentioned lacks a FA, DC, and chrome lined barrel, to reduce cost.
1:8 models include the MOE Mid, T/FT, VTAC, and PC models. The 15TX is 1:7, everything else (in 5.56) is 1:9.
Last edited:
I stand corrected.. Though it is under the sporting rifles category on the S&W website and I have heard it called a sport. Though it does not say sport on the S&W website. It does have a forward assist and a dust cover.
OP, people do seem to really love their S&W AR's. A 1:9 twist is great for 99% of the people out there. I believe the 1:8 twist was developed for military use. Not positive on that, it is just something I seem to remember hearing. I believe the faster twist rates stabilize heavier bullets better. I have only shot 55 grain .223's out of my AR so far. I have been pleased with the results. I will have to try heavier bullets and see how that affects my groupings.
OP, people do seem to really love their S&W AR's. A 1:9 twist is great for 99% of the people out there. I believe the 1:8 twist was developed for military use. Not positive on that, it is just something I seem to remember hearing. I believe the faster twist rates stabilize heavier bullets better. I have only shot 55 grain .223's out of my AR so far. I have been pleased with the results. I will have to try heavier bullets and see how that affects my groupings.
