Just got a NIB Sport with 1/8 5R Barrel!!

[RobbW]

Just like the title says, I purchased a NIB Sport one week ago. In my case, I just got lucky with the barrel. I didn't realize they had changed to a 1/9 chrome barrel and I didn't even think to check the barrel markings at the dealer while making the transfer. I found out about the change this week while doing some reading here. Apparently some of you noticed in Jan. or Feb. that the Sports were getting new barrels. When I read your comments here, I immediately went to check my barrel and it is stamped 1/8 5R. I couldn't believe my luck.

I mention this because I know some of you are hoping for the old Thompson-made barrels on a Sport. Apparently there are a few out there if you're willing to look.

In my case, I put my name on a waiting list in December just as the madness started happening. My only long gun was a .22 Anschutz MSR I use for silhouette shooting. I figured I'd try to get in before a possible ban and while there were no semi-autos in stock, they were willing to take my cash and told me it would be a few weeks wait. Well, a few weeks turned into a few months, but my patience paid off. I was also locked into the old price of $739 so I think I did pretty well, and then I was delighted to see the barrel markings. WooHoo!

I believe the Sport came direct from the factory, because of my long wait to get one (wasn't sitting in a warehouse somewhere), and the fact that the dealer is only a couple of miles from the factory in Springfield. I think it was a direct shipment. The Thompson barrel may be an anomaly because this is the "Sport 10"--the MA-compliant version with a 10-rd mag, non-adjustable stock and no flash suppressor. On the other hand, a few Sports may still be trickling out the door with the Thompson barrels. I just thought I'd give you all a heads up.

Well, since this is my first center-fire rifle I had no ammo or mags. I believe those are going to be bigger challenges than the Sport for me. Are 10-rd PMags easier to find than their 20- and 30-round older siblings? Any leads?

 

[WardenRoss]

boy...think that you are excited now....just wait 'till ya shoot the thang!

congrats!

 

[cyphertext]

Cool, Congrats! Ammo and magazines are available, just at ridiculously high prices. Buy some ammo so you can shoot it and check it out, but be patient for large quantities of ammo or additional magazines.

 

[MichiganScott]

First in, last out seems to be standard procedure during the manufacturing process for most gunmakers unless there is a safety issue. Model number changes don't even seem to make that much difference.

I suspect accuracy and longevity of the new barrels will be about the same as the old ones.

 

[oneyeopn]

I am not sure that the new Sport barrels are chrome lined, I am not even sure they are melonite treated. I do believe that the new barrels are plain steel rifled barrels. The Sport is supposed to be an entry level MSR and it bothers me to think that what was a winning combination for S&W may have recently been "cheapened" up. Quite a few of the other manufacturers started making rifles to compete with the Sport only they were adding dust covers and forward assists. In order for S&W to price the Sport lower than the competition and keep the profitability up I can see a "bean counter" deciding that they needed to decrease the cost of production. Melonite was already cheaper than Chrome lined. Regular 4140 steel would be even cheaper and they could subcontract out production. They dont list a chrome lined barrel and they dont list melonite, I believe they have tried to and have accomplished bottoming out the production costs while increasing the MSRP. I am not sure that I like any of this, in fact I dont. I hate to see a company that has hit upon a combination that works re-engineer it into something else. I really do await range reports from the new Sport owners.

MScott...I politely disagree on both points, accuracy and longevity I believe will not be the same.

 

[MichiganScott]

Cheapening up a product that works is never a good idea if MSRP stays the same.

Match grade barrels are never chrome lined or Melonite treated because the tolerances can not be kept where they are needed for winning. Match shooters change barrels somewhere between 3000-5000 rounds, depending on needs. Those of us that are true rifle loonies shoot way more than the average shooter out there. Most shooters will never know if there is a difference in accuracy or longevity with the new barrels.

I am also awaiting range reports. It will take time before more than anecdotal evidence can be compiled.

 

[oneyeopn]

I stand politely corrected. Nah seriously you make a good point,l that is why the melonite barrel is inherently more accurate because it is a treatment and not a coating, so just plain steel would be more accurate. And there are those of us who are loons and I am trying to see if I can wear my barrel out but I dont think it is going to happen. I go in spells of what I shoot keep practiced up on everything.

 

[don5]

Congrats RobbW on your purchase during the insanity right now. Gunbot is your friend as far as mags. You should also keep checking several websites as well. Oneye has a thread about his sport rifle that he recently sold. If you reload, you want to check that out and write down the formula that his buyer used to make the nice 600 yard group. That should give you an idea of how accurate that rifle might be. Good luck on your search for mags and ammo.

 

[RobbW]

I'll check out Gunbot, thanks.

I've been stopping by my dealer every day or two to check for ammo. Today I was able to buy 2 sweet bags of 20-rds each--Federal .223. 40 rds is the max here until things normalize--whatever normal means.

They also had pre-ban 20-rd mags for $32 so I bought 6. How did I do, considering the market right now? Keep in mind this is MA and we are limited to 10-rds for anything made post-1994. Two of the mags require "encouragement" to drop. No yanking or anything like that, but gravity is *almost* but quite enough to drop them. Should I exchange them or can they be gently bent into place?

I'd still like to purchase some of the newer plastic PMags, even though I'm limited to 10-rds with those. If for no other reason than to have something to compare for reliability.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Maddmax]

For what's going on and where you're at,I think you did quite well. Just keep plugging along like the rest of us and you'll get everything you need.

 

[ethomps]

Congrats!

I just picked up the exact same model here in WA with the 1/8 5R barrel yesterday (3/8/13).

See my recent post forr details and pics.

They are out there. My first AR, can't wait to take it out to the range and shoot it.

Thanks. Eric

 

[Nasa]

At least some of you can go into your LGS and get some ammo. Some comes trickling in but can't get it before it's gone due to working for a living. Love my blinged out sport. Have 6 30 round pmags. Got it sighted in with it's laser, quick point and scope. Bulls at a 100 yards with the help of it's bi-pod. Still not too bad for a shaky old man. With all that I have tacked on to it, it gives it a little more stability.

Before Christmas I ordered a couple of hundred rounds of Hornady V-Max 50 grain. They were back ordered and came in 3 weeks back. Still not having fun with it with the prospect of not being able to replace my ammo.

Am I crazy to not have a little fun. I have about 500 rounds mixed .223 and 5.56 HP and FMJ. Maybe 200 round of SP and HP in 9mm and only about 150 rounds of .22.

No .223, 5.56, .22 or 9mm to be had this year except at the gun shows it it's all priced about 4 to 6 times what it was last year.

I have a range here at the house but it makes me a little ill when I see the gun cabinet and think about not being able to replace the ammo so I'm just biding time till this blows over or I need to use it.

Enjoy your M&P 15's. I did for a couple of months. Here at one point some sold for $3500 and right now they are down to $1300 to $1700.