M&P Sport - $619 - Pull the Trigger?

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pgamboa

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I've been eyeing the FDE/MOE for a 2 months now. I've tried for the last 2 months to "fund" $1K needed to move forward (so that my wife doesn't know it or sees where the funding is coming from). Every time I get close, something comes up and I fall short. Now that Christmas is around the corner, I don't want to fall any shorter.

I REALLY like stamped Magpul lower, mid-length, and the MOE furniture. Not to mention the 1:8 5R, Dust cover and FA. Ok... I think I can convince myself that the DC and FA are not really a necessity. But I really like the stamped lower... Am I being a snob for wanting this?

At $619, I can get it now.... But I know I will regret not holding out for the MOE. LOL... 1:8, mid-length.

C'mon guys... Help me decide!!

Get it now or wait until January??

Also, with tax, it's more closer to $700. So a $300 difference. I can get the MOE/FDE for $999 OTD + $10 FFL Transfer.

Will be my first AR - BTW, since the 15-22 doesn't count as an AR




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I'm tempted to add a sport model I found online for 619 shipped because of the value but I've already got a M&P15. The Sport model has everything you need and nothing you don't to get you shooting today on a reliable platform. That said, if it's not the model you really want you'll never truly be satisfied.
 
I bought the sport model and did my own Magpul Upgrades. Saves a good bit of money and I learned a lot about the Rifle since it was my first.
ume4abu9.jpg



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Bullets are like opportunities and options. Having more of them is always better than having less, even if you don't need them.
 
+1 on the diy and learn approach to MOE.

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Anyone know of a reliable online source that has the Sport available for $619 or better? Sportmans is OOS. Grabagun has it but will charge shipping + tax.


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G&R Tactical had them for $599, but are out of stock at the moment.

If you really want the 5R and the mid length, then wait until you can afford the MOE. The dust cover and FA are a no factor really, so it all boils down to the barrel and if you really are set on the rifling and length.
 
I say go for the Sport.
Ive had 2; currently have one. They're great rifles. You won't miss the 1:8 barrel, IMO. My first was 1:8, current is 1:9. Punching paper and hunting coyotes with mine. It's a great platform.


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I preface what I am about to say by stating that I love my 15-Sport.

If you have you heart set on a full feature, mid-length, 1:8 5R barrel M&P-15, do not just settle for the Sport. The 15-Sport will function just as good as any of the M&P 15 rifles, but it will not make you happy. You'll end up a wanting that forward assist, dust cover, mid length gas system, and the 1:8 5R barrel. All you will see in the 15-Sport is the missed opportunity to put the $620 toward what you want.

I advise you to be patient, save up, and buy the M&P 15 mid length MOE that you really want.
 
Buy or build what you want, you will just keep throwing money at the Sport trying to make it what you wanted from the get go. Ar's are starting to get a little hard to get these days, just that time of year. And I am sure production will catch up after the first of the year again. But then it is tax return season and again they will be hard to get. Just keep your eyes peeled and have cash in hand when you find the right deal.
 
I don't know what benefits a mid-length gas system yields since I am new to ARs. I do like the fact that the hand guard is longer than the carbine length and like to overall look better than both carbine and rifle lengths. I think I might go with the advice of saving/waiting for the MOE/FDE. I'll be getting the furniture anyway. My 15-22 is already a money pit so might as well put the $620 towards the MOE and be happy. Not saying that I won't be happy with the Sport and build it up, and learn, but I don't have the tools needed to make it how I would want it. ****Sigh**** I know I've asked this question more than once here now. I appreciate all the advice guys. MOE/FDE it is.


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i love my sport....i say go for a sport and replace with magpul accs. thats what i did. if you want one four seasons in woburn mass has some left i believe. 609.99! great price and shipping wouldnt be that much im sure.
 
I am really happy that I own a Sport for my first AR. I know that I can upgrade in the future if I ever want to, but for now I am really happy. It is not like I am going to take my first AR to the range and try to impress people with my toy and knowledge of why I chose it. If anything, the Sport shows that you are a smart purchaser who sees value where it counts.
I got mine for $599/free shipping from kygunco.com

I am not sure if they still have them at that price because that was a few months ago. Good luck. Either way you will be happy, but one choice leaves you more money to spend on ammo, upgrades, or accessories.
 
I bought a Sport just before the panic started last year, it is one built entirely in-house by S&W with the 5R barrel $700 out the door with tax and registration. Days after Sandy Hook I picked up an S&W lower on sale at the local gun store for $100, the lines were 5 deep at the counter and I was sweating that they would run out before the my number was called. I had to wait almost a year for Del Ton DTI mid-length, light-weight uppers to get back into stock at Midway for $390 after rebate, along with the other bits and pieces I needed to complete a second rifle for around $600 that could pass for the S&W MOE. The DTI upper's fit and finish match the S&W lower and so far it is just as accurate at the Sport with 5R barrel.
 
If you want the MOE

for whatever reason wait for it.

If you are logically looking for reasons why the MOE would be better, IMHO its not.

Mid-length is supposed to be softer shooting, which a slightly slower/lighter recoil. I have a Sport and I have shot mid-lenght AR's. I can't tell the difference even in the slightest.

I have the 1/8 5R barrel on my sport, but the 1/9 would be fine. I doubt you would see a difference.....unless you were trying to shoot 75grain rounds at 300 on paper from a bench rest. Even then you would probably have to break out a ruler to measure the groups between the 2.

If you get the sport its a great starting point. You can put whatever furniture you want on it....to include the Magpul stuff. The old MOE version was a carbine length.

The FA/Dust cover.....I never used them while in was in the military except when going to through a rifle course and the instructor told us to. Half the time my dust cover would pop open going the road in a vehicle. Today I would never use a FA. If I though I had a reason to use a FA....I would be clearing the rifle and eyeballing the chamber. A squib is the LAST thing I want. To me both are just extra weight and something else that can break.
 
Getting something that isn't quite what you want "but it's a great deal" is how the (ex)wife ended up with a closet full of shoes she never wore.

The final decision is of course yours to make, but I second and third the opinions that you should delay gratification long enough to get the one you want, not the one you can afford right this minute.
 
BaldEagle1313 said:
Getting something that isn't quite what you want "but it's a great deal" is how the (ex)wife ended up with a closet full of shoes she never wore.

The final decision is of course yours to make, but I second and third the opinions that you should delay gratification long enough to get the one you want, not the one you can afford right this minute.
Click to expand...

I agree, if you only have to wait a little longer to have the money to get what you REALLY want, wait.

However, the M&P Sport is a pretty nice rifle and that is a good price for it. My brother and nephew (sister's son) both have them and they both turned out to be dependable, accurate rifles. If you decide later that you need the dust cover and the FA then for $100 or so you can easily swap out the upper receiver.

It just depends on how bad you want the full blown Magpul.
 
If you desire Mid length gas and the other features buy once and you will not regret it. Building something else out of a sport may be entertaining but will always be short of your dream and it can be expensive. Give the money to yer buddy to hold then you will not spend it until there is enough for the ultimate purchase. With the current market being well supplied that dream rifle is out there and at a reasonable price, but it is up to you to make the final decision on how to proceed, not us well wishing guys.
 
I read a lot of posts saying it's a great 'starter' rifle.

A question to the OP: Are you gonna start collecting ARs? And this will be the beginning of your collection??

If not, I'd take the advice of others that say to save for the model you want to begin with so A; You'll be happier, B: You will have a fine AR w/everything you want, and C: You won't be feeling like you have to 'upgrade' to a model w/FA and a DC.

I own 2-M$Ps, one 15/22 and a model 'T', 5.56.

I bought the ones I wanted to buy and added the accessories I wanted and have absolutely no plans of buying any more ARs, unless something bad happens to ones I own.

So, if starting a collection, the 'Sport' IS a good starting point, but it isn't the model you really want.

Remember, YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE and my time is shorter than it ever has been.

Get the model YOU wantz and if it's a SPORT, get the SPORT!!
 
Mr Pokeyman said:
The Bushmaster has a 1 in 9 barrel twist. I read that the S & W has a 1 in 5 or 1 in 8. Wouldn't the Smith have better accuracy?

Or doesn't it really matter unless you are shooting very long distance?
Click to expand...


The S&W M&P 15's come in 1:7, 1:8 5R, and 1:9 barrel twist rates. The different barrel twist rates accommodate different grain weight projectiles. 55gr works best with 1:9 twist rate. It stabilizes the lighter projectile without spinning it into bits. 77gr works best with 1:7 twist rate; the increased mass of the projectile needs a bit more spin to stabilize.

The 1:8 5R is the middle of the road. As long as I don't go to either extreme of .223/5.56 projectile grain weights, it performs well. The 5R rifling has a land opposite the grove, and the rifling has a sloped transition between the land and groove. This provides a better gas seal and lessens the deformation of the projectile, positively affecting the potential for accuracy.

Accuracy depends on the rifles purpose of use. If you're not shooting long distances, then the lighter weight projectiles and the 1:9 twist rate will give you the accuracy you need. Shooting longer distances means a longer, more aerodynamically efficient projectile that weighs more. You'll want the 1:7 twist rate barrel. I wanted to shoot a range of commonly found projectile weights, and wanted a good all-round rifle, 1:8 5R was the ticket.

The biggest factor that affects accuracy is the nut behind the trigger. :)
 
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I have a Sport. I do not miss the forward assist or the ejection port cover. I like the trigger guard. I eventually added Magpul stock and grip, ambi safety, norgon ambi mag release, raptor ambi charging handle, 13" Viking Tactics free floating Troy handguard. Did I say I was left handed? Do I feel like this is an inferior M4gery? No Way. This was my first M4 and I enjoyed shooting it along the way toward getting it set up like I want it. Now I just need a SSA trigger and it will be perfect.
 
Dropped in a timmeny trigger and houge grip to the sport. Just awesome. I would get the sport & use the extra $ for these two mods.
 
Vote for getting the Sport and adding the Magpul furniture. Have a Sport and love it. Recently put together an AR kit and I thought the dust cover got in the way at the range.
 
You'll get every opinion here. I have both; my Sport is one of the first, with the 1:8, 5R barrel. I took it out last weekend for the first time in a long time. I'd forgotten just how good it works. It's my opinion that the barrel is superior to the chrome lined barrel on my Colt. With a red dot on there though, you're never going to know the difference. In my case, there's simply no need for a forward assist or a dust cover. I shoot my rifles and am not just an internet commando. I've never needed either of those. I have other ARs with those items and they've never been used. In point of fact, I prefer the looks of a receiver with a slick side anyway. I would be just as happy picking up a Sport if I'm in need of an AR, as any other AR of any brand.

With all that said, it's just a matter of whether you want that barrel or not. I've found the 5R rifling to be a bit easier to clean, with the more gradual angle of the lands, but that's pretty subjective. Others also call the Sport an "entry level" AR... I view that as an error in terminology. It's simply a rifle with less accessories on it when you buy it. It still says "M&P" on it. It still functions the same and shoots the same caliber bullet.

Get what you want, get what you like, and don't bother thinking much about what the guy on the next shooting bench is thinking, because he really doesn't care much about what rifle you're shooting.

Just my take on it.
 
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If you really want the magpul version, I would wait, you'll always be kicking yourself for not getting it, on the otherhand I bought the sport vs a windham weaponry ar at the LGS because I decided having 200$ for ammo made more sense than having a dust cover I would never use and having to buy sights . After shooting it I don't regret it at all. If 300$ is a big deal for you then you should also consider buying ammo on top of your gun. You could have a $3000 nosveske that would be more worthless than a shot out orginal m16 if you couldn't afford to feed it.
 
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