I need help with AR-15 decision

[dogzapper]

I'm a New Guy on this forum and I must say that you folks are quite civil, even though there is lots of disagreement. That's nice.

I was a gun writer for about 25 years of my life. During the course of those years, I fired a lot of great and not-so-great rifles.

A couple of months ago, I got interested in ARs and decided to "scratch that itch." I went to my local gun shop and started looking at ARs, from cheap to Noveske. I ended walking out the door with a S&W M&P M-15TS ... the MSRP was $1,569 and I paid $1,250 out the door.

To say that I am satisfied with the TS would be a TOTAL UNDERSTATEMENT ... it is a phenomenal shooter. I am really, really pleased with the rifle and consider it to be a great AR.


This lead me to buy another S&W M&P, a Magpul MOE, this time. Mostly, I bought the MOE just because I love the feel of it. I put an Aimpoint T-1 on the rifle, just as a house-cleaning piece.

And, my goodness does the MOE shoot!!!

I love it. The MOE is fantastic ... and the TS is terrific, but in a different way.

Did I buy a Noveske? Yep, and it is one hell of a shooter. So far, it's a half-inch shooter and I love it.

Anyway, my new friends, speaking as an old hand around firearms, let me state that I'm really impressed with Smith & Wesson's AR rifles. They represent one heck of a value for OUR hard earned money.

I don't know if my comments will be of any value to any of you, but I hope they leave the reader feeling better about Smith & Wesson. I truly believe the S&W ARs are as fine as any on the market.

God Bless,

Steve Timm

 

[Natsmith77]

I was slightly concerned when I bought my Sport (it was all I could afford at the time) for use at shooting matches in my state. I was worried that other shooters would look down on an AR that wasn't a Colt, Noveske, or at least something with a dust cover and forwar assist.

Since then, most everyone I bump into absolutely love them, comment on them, ask to see it, and express a desire to add one to their collection.

It is by far one of the best options (best in my mind) for an AR...not just a "starter" AR.

 

[oneyeopn]

I'm a New Guy on this forum and I must say that you folks are quite civil, even though there is lots of disagreement. That's nice.

I was a gun writer for about 25 years of my life. During the course of those years, I fired a lot of great and not-so-great rifles.

A couple of months ago, I got interested in ARs and decided to "scratch that itch." I went to my local gun shop and started looking at ARs, from cheap to Noveske. I ended walking out the door with a S&W M&P M-15TS ... the MSRP was $1,569 and I paid $1,250 out the door.

To say that I am satisfied with the TS would be a TOTAL UNDERSTATEMENT ... it is a phenomenal shooter. I am really, really pleased with the rifle and consider it to be a great AR.


This lead me to buy another S&W M&P, a Magpul MOE, this time. Mostly, I bought the MOE just because I love the feel of it. I put an Aimpoint T-1 on the rifle, just as a house-cleaning piece.

And, my goodness does the MOE shoot!!!

I love it. The MOE is fantastic ... and the TS is terrific, but in a different way.

Did I buy a Noveske? Yep, and it is one hell of a shooter. So far, it's a half-inch shooter and I love it.

Anyway, my new friends, speaking as an old hand around firearms, let me state that I'm really impressed with Smith & Wesson's AR rifles. They represent one heck of a value for OUR hard earned money.

I don't know if my comments will be of any value to any of you, but I hope they leave the reader feeling better about Smith & Wesson. I truly believe the S&W ARs are as fine as any on the market.

God Bless,

Steve Timm

I am glad you like your Noveske, and I dont mean this in any disrespectful way. As a 100% disabled vet my income is limited and in todays economy I can tell by what people say, write about or purchase what tax bracket they live in. To make a long story short, I feel fortunate to have saved and scraped to get my sport, and did without other things in order to fix it up. A noveske, yep thats one of those guns you see in a magazine and say if I ever win the lottery yadayadayada. As I have said before, I do not personally know anyone that owns one or a LMT or one of a dozen different AR's that are out of the average mans price range.
If I spent the money on a noveske and it wasnt a half inch shooter I would be sending it back. At what range are you shooting a half inch with it. I can shoot half inch groups with my sport and well under an inch groups at 100 yards. I do not understand the infatuation with a manufacturer who is a one trick pony and whos products cost 6 months worth of house payments (if I had house Payments). Sorry about the Rant, I feel the same way about Barretts. We have hunters who lease out our land for deer season. They are here for Primitive Weapon Season with $1500 inline muzzle loaders with scopes bigger than on my longest shooting rifles (Mauser Customs) and they are cleaning house on some really nice bucks. Thats what they pay for but to consider those weapons primitive is wrong. I am just ranting because if you spend enough money even a poor shooter cant miss. My apologies!

 

[MartMayhem86]

I say buy a Core15 M4. They are relatively cheap, lifetime warranty, built better than S&W and on par with the overpriced Colt. And their customer support is absolutely amazing. Justin Raney, who you would most likely deal with if something happens is the nicest person I've ever talked to and will do almost anything to get your rifle back to you ASAP.

One thing I was looking for when I bought my rifle was the dust cover, lifetime warranty, and forward-assist. Core15 has it all. S&W's ORC stock is overpriced as hell just for the addition of a FA and a DC... not worth it at all.

 

[storeyteller]

I have some experience with the Core15 and they appear to be nice rifles, not as accurate as my sport, but nice. The one I shot would not eat steel cased ammo either, but did fine with brass. I don't know about 'built better' or 'on par' as these appear to be opinions as opposed to facts. Nothing wrong with opinions...I have plenty of em myself, but I prefer facts, and would sincerely like to see some if they they exist.
I do see some facts about the prices you were reffering to. Core15 M4's and M&P ORC's are going for the same price. The Core15's seem to be pretty good rifles made by a new American company and I wish them well. I hope they prove reliable because I may want to buy one some day.
I would also like to hear how yours is performing in the reliability and accuracy dept as well. Heck, start a new thread and post pics. I'm always interested in learning something new.

 

[S&WOkie]

I say buy a Core15 M4. They are relatively cheap, lifetime warranty, built better than S&W and on par with the overpriced Colt. And their customer support is absolutely amazing. Justin Raney, who you would most likely deal with if something happens is the nicest person I've ever talked to and will do almost anything to get your rifle back to you ASAP.

One thing I was looking for when I bought my rifle was the dust cover, lifetime warranty, and forward-assist. Core15 has it all. S&W's ORC stock is overpriced as hell just for the addition of a FA and a DC... not worth it at all.

Can you elaborate a little more on how the Core15 is a better built gun?

I would like to know more about them. Thanks.

 

[oneyeopn]

Dogzapper, I sent you a pm apologizing for my rant. I do apologize!

I would love to see the empirical Data on the Core15, or are they just another assembler that will fold after a few years. So many have come and gone!!

 

[cyphertext]

Dogzapper, I sent you a pm apologizing for my rant. I do apologize!

Glad to see this. I didn't take this dogzapper belittling anyone that doesn't have a Noveske. (Trust me, I have been in those arguments on other boards)

I took this as dogzapper saying that while he has a Cadillac Escalade, his enjoys his Chevy too!

Dogzapper, please don't hold this outburst against oneyeopn...He really is one of the good guys. The words Noveske, Colt, Daniel Defense, and BCM can sometimes cause uncontrollable outbursts from us M&P 15 Sport owners.

 

[S&WOkie]

The words Noveske, Colt, Daniel Defense, and BCM can sometimes cause uncontrollable outbursts from us M&P 15 Sport owners.

No! Not around here!

It's easy to get a little defensive when we know that the M&P15s are such great rifles.

 

[oneyeopn]

I will put my sport up against any 16" AR for dependability and accuracy

 

[storeyteller]

I will put my sport up against any 16" AR for dependability and accuracy

Your on!!



or does sport vs sport count??

 

[rojodiablo]

If you want an accurate rifle to 300 yards, get the S&W 1:8 5R barrel if you want to buy a name buy a colt. I have noticed that other than a couple of posts there have been no posts by regular members of this forum. We know our rifles are built as good if not better than the other brands. We also know that a person can buy a S&W and have enough money left for 1k rounds of ammo. We have been down this road so many times and arent going to waste our typing time trying to give people that already have their minds made up on what they are going to purchase. S&W has the lifetime warranty, has been around longer than any of the companies other than Colt posted here and are made in house. they are not restricted to a 50 year old set of specifications and metallurgy ideas that have long been passed by.

Amen. So far, I've seen the typical nonsense that keeps these guys up all night on ARFCOM.
There is a very sad pic floating around right now over there; it's of an H&K ar15, burnt and battered. That was a rifle carried by an AMERICAN soldier, to their death together. FN, Colt, and H&K all produce ar15 for the USGI. For the 7.62 platform, only Knights Armament holds a contract.
If my budget is $1200???? I'm getting 2 Sports, and not looking back.

And if ya GOTTA go with the rifles which have the absolute finest QC and componentry, you gotta pony up for LWRC, LMT, LaRue.
But $3000+ for an AR is silly.

 

[Longhorn90]

I like the S&W M&P15's (own 1 1/2; one full plus one upper only which I'm reconfiguring the handguard/sight setup and I building a lower for). I think you get pretty good bang for the buck with MP bolt, chrome lined gas key, and many quality S&W parts/features. I imagine the barrel debate of chrome lined versus melonite will come up at some point, but I'd be happy with either. On the M&P15 MOE I bought a while back I think its run about 500 rounds since its last cleaning and all without a single failure! If SHTF and I had to grab something I thought was ultra-reliable, that rifle would be near the top of the list.

As an alternative, if you have Dicks sporting goods near you, they now carry an AR by Troy. I think its Troys first venture into retail market for complete AR's. VERY NICE, my buddy just bought one and its run perfect and looks very well built. Good quality parts that many people pay extra for to swap their stock parts for. $1099 retail ifrc (has been on sale sporadically). And if you open a Dicks credit card you get 10% off.

Whatever your choice, enjoy! And remember, your first AR doesn't have to be your last....I found they tend to grow lonely and multiply.