M&P 15 Model Variations & Ammo suggestions

[swuser]

Hi

A buddy of mine picked up a used M&P 15 and I'm trying to figure exactly which variation it is and the specs, I don't know the year it was produced. It appears to be the standard M&P 15 (not the sport model)

e.g.
Product: Model M&P15 Rifle


Does anyone know if the model has essentially stayed the same since its inception, and thus the current specs should be accurate?

If not, any idea what they've changed for it over the years, I'm hoping it's just been the attachments they've changed.

Attached is a photo of how he received it, I don't know if the hand guard was stock or not.

Right now I'm mostly interested in if it's spec'd for 5.56 and has any internal barrel coating since it's not chromed. Peering though the handguard I'm 99% sure it says 5.56 1/9 there but I think he'll need to get the tool to pull the handguard off.

Serial number starts with 79

Second question, any ammo suggestions for just basic target shooting? One of the first things he'll probably do is sight it in...beyond that just target shooting.

thanks

 

[cyphertext]

I'm not sure what you have there, but it doesn't look to be a stock S&W upper. You should call S&W and give them the serial number and see what that started life as.

 

[BillyJack2012]

Looks like you have some kind if frankengun there. How is that carry handle attached? Can't tell from the pic but is that integrated into the upper receiver? Also, Smith doesn't have a dissy version of the M&P.

 

[Argonnakid]

By the way, welcome to the forum. As far as the barrel goes, pull off the handguard, see what you have under there. You wouldn't buy a car without looking under the hood, would you? Certainly a used one. I'm pretty sure you will find that if it is a S&W barrel, it will be 95% 5.56( I saw somewhere they did make some .233 barrels) and the twist rate and maybe 5R. 5R is the land and grooves that S&W has been putting into their barrels. How long they have been doing that, I don't know, or if they do it for every model 15 they make.

 

[JaPes]

Not every M&P rifle has a 1:8 5R barrel.

 

[oneyeopn]

some do have a 1:9 Chrome Bore. That looks to be a rifle length gas system. After the old one we saw the other day that was only in .223 I am afraid to guess but I would call S&W with the serial number. How long is that barrel?

 

[swuser]

Looks like you have some kind if frankengun there. How is that carry handle attached? Can't tell from the pic but is that integrated into the upper receiver? Also, Smith doesn't have a dissy version of the M&P.

thanks for the reply, dissy version? not sure what you mean.

Yes I'd say it's integrated see pic

thanks

 

[swuser]

some do have a 1:9 Chrome Bore. That looks to be a rifle length gas system. After the old one we saw the other day that was only in .223 I am afraid to guess but I would call S&W with the serial number. How long is that barrel?

thanks for the reply it's a 16 inch barrel, 5.56

he has to pay for a letter of history it seems, he doesn't really need that just curious as to year.

 

[swuser]

By the way, welcome to the forum. As far as the barrel goes, pull off the handguard, see what you have under there. You wouldn't buy a car without looking under the hood, would you? Certainly a used one. I'm pretty sure you will find that if it is a S&W barrel, it will be 95% 5.56( I saw somewhere they did make some .233 barrels) and the twist rate and maybe 5R. 5R is the land and grooves that S&W has been putting into their barrels. How long they have been doing that, I don't know, or if they do it for every model 15 they make.

thanks for the reply, it's 5.56 1/9 twist it appears... not sure on the rest of the markings.. photo attached.

 

[rojodiablo]

thanks for the reply, it's 5.56 1/9 twist it appears... not sure on the rest of the markings.. photo attached.

It's a good barrel, so that is a big plus.

Get 3 or 4 types of ammo, and try them. Get some Wolf/WPA. Get some remington UMC. Get some federal 556-193 will fly better than the 855 for your barrel. Get some PMC.
The thing to find out is if the rifle will cycle dependably with all ammo. If not, make it so it WILL.
'Cause there may come a day when it will be hard to find 223 ammo. I swear; it could happen!! If it does, you will need to be sure your rifle is not a picky eater, or else it will be a safe queen, waiting to see the light of day.

 

[oneyeopn]

Honestly It took me a little bit but I think you will find that upper is an M16A2 upper with the barrel shortened. It looks like they did a real nice job on it. I would love to see a pic of the muzzle. Actually your rifle probably shoots smoother than most of ours because of the rifle length gas system. Do you happen to live in a state where muzzle brakes/flash suppressors are illegal. You could have a pre-original-gun ban upper that was modified to stay legal. I think it is cool, Thank You

 

[BHarada]

I did a search on Google for the barrel marking and it looks to be a Bushmaster.

 

[cyphertext]

I did a search on Google for the barrel marking and it looks to be a Bushmaster.

I agree...Bushmaster / Magnetic particle tested 1/9 twist Heavy Barrel

So, you could try calling S&W again...Their customer service will usually tell you if it left the factory as a complete rifle or as a stripped lower based on serial number, but at this point, it doesn't really matter. We know from the markings that it is not a complete S&W.

 

[cyphertext]

thanks for the reply, dissy version? not sure what you mean.

Yes I'd say it's integrated see pic

thanks

Dissy = Dissapator these have the carbine gas system, but the front sight has been moved out to rifle length.

How to tell...when you took off the handguard, did you find a gas block under the guard? From the pic you took, it appears that there is another gas block further back under the handguard, as I do not see the gas tube coming from your front sight post.

If the rifle does not have the additional gas block under the handguard, then it appears that this barrel has been cut down. If it does have it, then you have a carbine length barrel that was ban compliant, since it does not have a flash hider or threads.

 

[oneyeopn]

Wow is there a gas block under the handguard, is there a tube running to the front sight? With the Bushmaster barrel it doesnt all make sense. Unless there is a gas block under the handguard, then maybe someone replaced the barrel and installed the front sight up where it is.

 

[cyphertext]

Wow is there a gas block under the handguard, is there a tube running to the front sight? With the Bushmaster barrel it doesnt all make sense. Unless there is a gas block under the handguard, then maybe someone replaced the barrel and installed the front sight up where it is.

Grover, It is an A2 upper, and I bet it is Bushmaster. Bushy used to sell a dissy model as a factory standard. I doubt it is a rifle length gas system on a 16" barrel, but you know better than most....once it leaves the gun shop, anything is possible!

 

[oneyeopn]

Cyphertext after Bill pointed it out I looked and it is a Bushmaster Dissipator upper, not a bad rifle at all and the longer sight radius should be great

 

[swuser]

Thanks for all the replies and help identifying the upper! Some mentioned about picture of the muzzle, attached in case still of interest.

thanks again

 

[swuser]

It's a good barrel, so that is a big plus.

Get 3 or 4 types of ammo, and try them. Get some Wolf/WPA. Get some remington UMC. Get some federal 556-193 will fly better than the 855 for your barrel. Get some PMC.
The thing to find out is if the rifle will cycle dependably with all ammo. If not, make it so it WILL.
'Cause there may come a day when it will be hard to find 223 ammo. I swear; it could happen!! If it does, you will need to be sure your rifle is not a picky eater, or else it will be a safe queen, waiting to see the light of day.

thanks for the ammo recommendations, looking into obtaining now.

cheers

 

[oneyeopn]

target crown...dissy let us know how it shoots for you, I am interested.