Looking for some AR15 advice
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MPDC
Member
Really depends on your intended use. S&W AR15s all seem to be pretty high quality rifles though and the selection covers wants and needs pretty well.
I think the 5.56/223 chambered units are the most versatile and the
15-22 s make great plinkers and are very cheap to shoot.
Decide what you want to do with it and the choice will be more easily made.
I think the 5.56/223 chambered units are the most versatile and the
15-22 s make great plinkers and are very cheap to shoot.
Decide what you want to do with it and the choice will be more easily made.
I am not sure why I even want it? Just the next gun on my list!
Maybe for varmits? I really dont want the 22 caliber, and from what I am reading the 223 may be the cheapest on ammo, instead of the 308, if Smith even makes it in a 308?
What about the Sport model or the OR model is that the only two types and what is the difference?
thanks again
Maybe for varmits? I really dont want the 22 caliber, and from what I am reading the 223 may be the cheapest on ammo, instead of the 308, if Smith even makes it in a 308?
What about the Sport model or the OR model is that the only two types and what is the difference?
thanks again
Yeah, .223 is going to be cheaper than .308. .22lr is muchh cheaper than either. I haven't ran through all of the S&W 15 models but much of them should be the same except for some cosmetic differences. I'm guessing they have a performance model that will have a very accurate barrel for shooting really tight groups and a lighter trigger.
S&W's website lists the different models that they make. Too many variations to go through here. Before the Sport came out, the OR was the least expensive, principally because it comes without sights. The Sport is now the least expensive. S&W has iron sights on the Sport, but eliminated the dust cover and forward assist and uses a melonite treated barrel rather than a chrome lined barrel. Eugene Stoner (the designer of the AR) did not have a forward assist in his original design and opposed adding one when the Army requested it. For civilian use a dust cover is, IMO, not needed. The melonite treatment of the barrel gives a barrel life close to chrome lining.
There are a couple of other threads where the Sport features are discussed in detail. I bought the first one that I could find when they came out earlier this year and have been very pleased with it.
This is my first AR. Its great fun shooting 5.56/.223 ammo out of it. Low recoil and cheap ammo means that you can put a lot or rounds down range.
There are a couple of other threads where the Sport features are discussed in detail. I bought the first one that I could find when they came out earlier this year and have been very pleased with it.
This is my first AR. Its great fun shooting 5.56/.223 ammo out of it. Low recoil and cheap ammo means that you can put a lot or rounds down range.
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Smithhound
US Veteran
The AR15 platform is the big boys 'Erector Set', remember those? A bunch of pieces of metal you could assemble into anything your imagination could dream up. With the basic starting blocks of a box stock rifle you can go in so many directions it can make your head spin. With a starting point of a 5.56 rifle you can add to that a dedicated .22 lr upper or just a conversion kit, from there the caliber choice is up to you. 6.8, .308, .50, you name it and within reason you can do it. Stocks, foreends, optics and so many accesories you could drive yourself to the poor farm by trying to keep up with the weapons race.
I currently have 5 AR's each configured differently, with a couple of uppers to play with amongst them. One of my favorites is a 9mm dedicated rifle, little recoil, cheap ammo (relatively speaking), my wife and niece both just love this thing. I've even seen a black powder upper advertised, why one would want that is beyond me, but they are there. Want a cross bow? Well, get an upper with that feature. Even wierder than the BP but whatever floats your boat I guess.
Not taking anything away from our site but AR15.com will keep you up late at night just looking and dreaming of some ideas.
Make the plunge and hang onto your wallet!
RD
I currently have 5 AR's each configured differently, with a couple of uppers to play with amongst them. One of my favorites is a 9mm dedicated rifle, little recoil, cheap ammo (relatively speaking), my wife and niece both just love this thing. I've even seen a black powder upper advertised, why one would want that is beyond me, but they are there. Want a cross bow? Well, get an upper with that feature. Even wierder than the BP but whatever floats your boat I guess.
Not taking anything away from our site but AR15.com will keep you up late at night just looking and dreaming of some ideas.
Make the plunge and hang onto your wallet!
RD
PodPeople
Member
I bought the S&W M&P Sport and I love it. I added a CMMG Evolution conversion bolt for using cheap 22LR ammo. If you live near an Academy store the Sports are now on sale for $549.99.
Wtex
Member
On the Sport you can detach the rear sight and add a scope or red dot if you want, sort of a cheaper "optics ready" version. The OR has some extra features. CDNN carries several of the S&W ARs, including one similar to the military M4 and has good prices. The Sport can be found at Academy or Cabelas. 223/556 is about the cheapest centerfire ammo made besides some of the Russian calibers. I'm similar to you, didn't have an AR but thought I should get one to round things out. The Sport takes care of my need for one.
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papascull
US Veteran
Sport
I agree with most the guys here. Ther M&P 15 Sport is by far the best deal going. If you enjoy the rifle, then you can always build a fancier edition ( notice I DID NOT say a better edition... ) the Sport is hard to beat. Thanks- John
I agree with most the guys here. Ther M&P 15 Sport is by far the best deal going. If you enjoy the rifle, then you can always build a fancier edition ( notice I DID NOT say a better edition... ) the Sport is hard to beat. Thanks- John
I removed the rear sight and added a Vortex Strikefire Red Dot. One thing that I'm learning about AR's is that its hard to resist the temptation to start adding things to them. Also, replaced the standard buffer with a Spikes Tactical ST-T2 buffer.
Nice thing about the Sport is that the low cost means that you have more money to spend on extras.
Nice thing about the Sport is that the low cost means that you have more money to spend on extras.
Ranger98
US Veteran
I'd recommend you also consider the piston driven system.Runs much cooler and cleaner.
MPDC
Member
Agree with the piston system running cleaner but cooler? I thought one of the minor negative effects of running a piston was that they ran hotter, at least at the handguard. Not so?
http://rockoutwithmyglockout.blogspot.com/2010/05/whole-ar-gas-piston-hype.html
http://rockoutwithmyglockout.blogspot.com/2010/05/whole-ar-gas-piston-hype.html
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Ranger98
US Veteran
Mine has the quad rail and I have not had any heat related issues with it.But I do not normally shoot rapid fire with mine so you may have a valid point in regards to the hand guard area.
Wtex
Member
Fabius how do you like your Strikefire red dot? Not being familar with ARs, what's a buffer?
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Very pleased with the Strikefire. Solid construction and zeroed easily. It's parallax free past 50 yards and only about 1 inch of parallax inside of 50 yards, so you don't have to worry about eye alignment. If you can see the dot and put it on the target, you're good to go. If you order one for an AR that has a front sight base, be sure to get the one with the AR 15 extra height base. It will put the front iron sight in the lower 1/3 of the optic, so you can cowitness but the front sight base won't block your view of the dot and target.
The on/off button is on the side of the sight and can sometimes get bumped and turn the sight on, but it has an automatic shutoff after 6 hours, so it won't run your battery down.
The buffer is the weighted insert in the recoil spring in the stock. It is weighted to slow and buffer the recoil. For carbine length gas systems that generate higher pressures, a heavier buffer helps tame the recoil. When you break the rifle down, look at the buffer tube in the stock and you'll see the buffer. There is a button at the bottom of the buffer tube that you depress to remove the buffer and spring from the stock.
Heavy buffers for carbines come in H, H2 and H3 weights (progressively heavier). The buffers have weights in them that will sometimes rattle in recoil. The Spikes ST-T2 buffer that I installed is between an H and H2 weight and uses tungsten powder instead of weights to eliminate the buffer rattle.
The on/off button is on the side of the sight and can sometimes get bumped and turn the sight on, but it has an automatic shutoff after 6 hours, so it won't run your battery down.
The buffer is the weighted insert in the recoil spring in the stock. It is weighted to slow and buffer the recoil. For carbine length gas systems that generate higher pressures, a heavier buffer helps tame the recoil. When you break the rifle down, look at the buffer tube in the stock and you'll see the buffer. There is a button at the bottom of the buffer tube that you depress to remove the buffer and spring from the stock.
Heavy buffers for carbines come in H, H2 and H3 weights (progressively heavier). The buffers have weights in them that will sometimes rattle in recoil. The Spikes ST-T2 buffer that I installed is between an H and H2 weight and uses tungsten powder instead of weights to eliminate the buffer rattle.
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Wtex
Member
That sounds nice not having to worry about eye alignment and thanks for the lesson on buffers, just thought there was a spring in the tube.
I own or have owned a M&P-15, Colt 6920, Sig 516,and Bushmaster M4 carbine. They are all quality weapons and the M&P is still in my safe if that means anything. Bepends on what options you want to attach and what the weapon will accept-ie rails, carry handles, adjustable butt stocl , ability to add optics, iron sights......Think it through.
Hobie1
Member
You are far better off using that $500 on ammo and range practice.
RainDodger
Member
One of your initial comments about why you even want an AR made me smile. I was in the exact same boat as you. I have almost all traditional "steel and wood" firearms and figured I'd never want or need an AR-platform rifle. Then I found a real deal on one that I couldn't pass up (I was going to use it as trade material). I made the mistake of shooting it. Tons of fun! Now I own a couple of them, with different length barrels and different sighting setups.
They're so versatile - you can do most anything with them. Mine are both 5.56 NATO capable, which I recommend, simply to be sure you can shoot any .223/5.56 cartridges out there. They can be very accurate, and then they can be just fun (AND accurate!), like my S&W Sport with the 16" barrel.
Now that I've had one (or more... ) for a while, I only want more! If you're like many of us, you'll feel the same after you've had one for a while. For a first one, I'd only recommend a well-known manufacturer, in 5.56mm and I'd recommend a flat-topped receiver to give you as many sighting options as possible. That's about it!
They're so versatile - you can do most anything with them. Mine are both 5.56 NATO capable, which I recommend, simply to be sure you can shoot any .223/5.56 cartridges out there. They can be very accurate, and then they can be just fun (AND accurate!), like my S&W Sport with the 16" barrel.
Now that I've had one (or more... ) for a while, I only want more! If you're like many of us, you'll feel the same after you've had one for a while. For a first one, I'd only recommend a well-known manufacturer, in 5.56mm and I'd recommend a flat-topped receiver to give you as many sighting options as possible. That's about it!
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