M&p sport vs a PSA build vs DPMS

[BillyJack2012]

Quality red dot at the cheapest price? Primary Arms, without a question..

You can fit a Sport with a quality USA made handguard, a Primary Arms red dot and a VFG for under 1k. How can you beat that?

This without a doubt. Primary Arms just got their Micro Dots back in stock also. I have one but I'm a fan of the 30MM. Can't beat it for $69.

 

[stwings]

I think for your stated application the sport will do just fine. You really only need a dust cover if your in a combat environment and an FA if you plan on LONG (and I mean LONG) stretches of fire without cleaning the BCG.

 

[ptgarcia]

In your shoes I'd get the S&W Sport and a Primary Arms optic. You'll end up with a solid setup at a really good price.

 

[Gatorade96]

Contrary to what you may have read above the forward assist has more uses than just jamming a round into a dirty chamber. In your home defense situation, it can be used to silently charge the rifle. You usually pull the charging handle and let it slam forward to chamber your first round. However if you don't want to give away your position then you pull the charging handle and bring it forward slowly till it stops. Then you give a push on the FA to compleatly bring it into battery.

Now that being said is it worth the extra money? That is up to you, but please don't think that the FA is only for jamming rounds in a dirty chamber.

 

[FSTJACK]

M&P Sport works for me

I have a M&P Sport and it has always been flawless.
It has eaten everything I have got my hands on.
Fit & finish is good.
I am a long time S&W wheel gun fan, I have never seen a S&W revolver that I didn't want to own and I have several.
I put a cheap UTG red dot scope on my Sport while I was waiting for my Nikon scope to arrive. Since I have a quad rail I moved the red dot to the side and that was many, many, many rounds ago. It works well and does not drift or mess up. If it ever dies I will think about a better grade of red dot, but with the low recoil of an AR platform you can get away with lower quality parts.
Optical magnification scopes, go with as good a scope as your budget will allow.
The Sport is a great value in my opinion.
My 2 cents.

 

[Naturally HI]

M&P15 UPPER RECV ASSEMBLY (SW812003) only

You may want to just buy an M&P15 UPPER and couple it with a complete lower of your choosing. I bought a model SW812003 M&P15 UPPER RECV ASSEMBLY with no carry handle for about $550. I then added a "New Frontier" complete lower. It kept me under $700 and I could afford to buy other upgrades.

 

[dogzapper]

Another thing to consider about the forward assist is the temptation to use it to close the bolt on a round that simply does not want to chamber. I've a little experience with that (when bullets were flying)and it's normally better just eject the round.

And if you simply want to make sure the round is fully chambered, just push forward on the right lobe of your charging handle. That is a field expedient that we learned in the mud and it works wonderfully. Actually, after getting in the habit of just pressing forward on the lobe, you have to wonder why the FA was ever invented in the first place.

Personally, I own two S&W M&Ps and two Noveske ARs. One of my Noveske carbines is the Thunder Ranch Edition and that high-dollar ($2,300) gorgeous AR was made without the FA and that was as per the specs of Clint Smith. http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?item_id=r-trsc-556&cat=152&page=1

I'm a retired gun writer and I believe that the Smith & Wesson M&P 15 carbines are the finest value in the AR world.

Good Luck and God Bless,

Steve

 

[Fdxpilot]

Another thing to consider about the forward assist, and a person buying an M&P Sport probably won't care about, is when hunting, the FA allows you to securely chamber a round silently. The sound of a bolt slamming closed tells every hog on the farm that you're ready to shoot.

 

[PJS50]

Contrary to what you may have read above the forward assist has more uses than just jamming a round into a dirty chamber. In your home defense situation, it can be used to silently charge the rifle. You usually pull the charging handle and let it slam forward to chamber your first round. However if you don't want to give away your position then you pull the charging handle and bring it forward slowly till it stops. Then you give a push on the FA to compleatly bring it into battery.

Now that being said is it worth the extra money? That is up to you, but please don't think that the FA is only for jamming rounds in a dirty chamber.

OK, you DO have a semi-decent reason for the FA there Gatorade, but at the same time, is it a plausible reason? I mean, generally, the SOUND of a 12 gauge pumping or an AR being brought to battery can in themselves be a deterrent to attack. Besides, who would begin the sweep of a house where an intruder was thought to be lurking without first chambering a round?

My thoughts on the FA: Totally not necessary in a real world/non-combat situation. I own 4 AR's and I used to shoot them quite a bit competitively (high-power, rattle battles, etc...), and I don't think I've ever tapped the FA before.
Dust cover; unless you are marching armpit deep through rice patties or getting caught in dust-storms in the sandbox (desert), then in reality, the dust cover is just a gadget which can easily be sacrificed for a budget.

Smith VS. PSA? Both are quality weapons, so it's really up to you and your budget. On the DPMS, those aren't "junk" either, but since most of those are billet receivers I believe, I'd probably rule that one out UNLESS it can be had at one heck of a bargain which would allow you to buy lots of ammo/cool accessories along with it...

Peace through superior firepower!!!

 

[gdnagle]

Quality red dot at the cheapest price? Primary Arms, without a question.. I agree with this. They also just came out with a new one. For me I bought the Vortex Sparc for less then $160 on sale. After watching the review on youtube it sold me as being solid and reliable.

Plus it came with
•2x Magnifier
•Extra-high riser
•High riser
•Low riser
which are extra with the others.

I bought the M&P 15 MOE older carbine length and have never looked back but over $1k

 

[Retired75th]

No FA ?

I'm retired military, retired fed and been a smith for almost 30 yrs. I have had a class 1 or 3 FFL for over 25. I build 4 to 5 ARs each year, among other builds. I personally I would never recommend owning an AR without a FA. If you have reason to believe that water got into the barrel, you can break open the bolt slightly, point the muzzle down and the water should drain out. Than use the FA to return the round/bolt back into battery, without ejecting the round. It doesn't take a lot of water to cause a catastrophic failure. In a weapon equipped with an FA, you can verify if a round is chambered by slightly opening the bolt, verify, and than use the FA to put the weapon back into battery. You may not be in a situation where you want to cycle the bolt/ eject the round. Regarding the dust cover, Yes it keeps out dust. It also keeps out rain, mud and snow. Getting snow that might melt and refreeze inside the action should be avoided. For a civilian application, like yours, home def or range, the foregoing would not be important because they might never be encountered, so one could forego the FA and dust cover, but I would never recommend that to anyone. Just my opinion.

 

[bman940]

I like the Smith a lot, that being said, I have put thousands of rounds under the DPMS Oracle. All in the name of product testing. I had a few hours to put 1000 rounds under one in 104 deg. Tx heat. Not one FTF or FTE! I was impressed and it shot 1.5 MOA or less as well. It shot well enough a couple of buddies have bought them as hog chasing rifles,one guy has one in .308 as well. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.

I actually got the barrel so hot it touched the rest and melted it! Says a lot about a rifle to get that hot and maintain accuracy and function.

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd363/bman940/oracle.jpg

 

[jdtractorman]

Hi Brian...did not read the complete thread so don't know if you have decided or not...but I purchased the M&P Sport 2 1/2 years ago with ZERO problems. It has never jambed or mis-fired on any (American-made) ammo run thru it. It was priced low enough to enable several easy, inexpensive upgrades regarding grip, sights, etc. Never wished for a forward assist...just let the charging handle fly....don't need a dustcover since I am not an "operator" and therefore won't be dragging the rifle across the ground or thru the muck.

 

[Brianv1980]

I have not purchase an AR yet but I am thinking th sport will be my choice. As I become more proficient I may build one or change uppers. My purchase will most liky be November/December.

I just booked a celebratory Jamaica vacation for my wife and I as she has successfully completed chemo and radiation treatments for breast cancer. Dr gave 2 thumbs up. So after that is paid I'm buying myself a present as well but she is first.

Thank you all for insight. But for price and function and intended uses I think the Sport will be the best fit as a quality entry ar

 

[adams484]

Like you I was new to the AR system...

For a first AR, buy one complete at a price you want to pay, learn about them and then build your next one.

Like you I was new to the AR system and was wanting to learn more. I found myself in a Walmart one day checking on the ammo situation and to my wife's chagrin found myself comparing a Windham Weaponry to a Bushmaster. Not knowing the history of the two companies but knowing the Bushmaster was big in the AR community I decided to do some research. I now own a Windham AR. I like the idea of employee loyalty.

Anyway I am willing to bet, because I felt exactly like you it would mostly be a safe queen, that you will fall in love with it. I know I did and now look forward to building my ultimate AR. Buy the best you can afford or expect to be building another. Either way it is a pure joy to shoot these fine weapon systems. And S&W don't make bad guns often and if they do they will stand by you until it is right. BTW I don't work for S&W but I own a lot of them. good luck and enjoy.

 

[gdnagle]

My opinion:
Red dots are for quick target acquisition, not for driving tacks.

Close quarter combat, quick off hand shooting = Red dot.

Shooting 100 yds, 300 yds and want to impress your pals with your shooting ability, get a scope.

Red dot on a budget, I'd get a Vortex StrikeFire w/red, green dot. @ $160. That's whats on my 15/22 and I likey lots.

AimPoint Pro, double the cost of the StrikeFire and add a little more.

If you are gonna add a 3X magnifier behind the red dot, buy a cantilever mount for the red dot to free up rail room. With the cantilever mount for the red dot, the iron sights can remain on the weapon.

At least that was my experience.

FYI Vortex SPARC Red Dot Optic SPRC $199.00 with $40.00 dollars off and free shipping at Palmetto State Armory

 

[eschoendorff]

Quality red dot at the cheapest price? Primary Arms, without a question..

You can fit a Sport with a quality USA made handguard, a Primary Arms red dot and a VFG for under 1k. How can you beat that?

Just purchased two Primary Arms Micro red dots. They're pretty nifty little units. Simple and effective.

 

[SickMAK90]

I just recently purchased a sport myself and I am very pleased with it. I have build PSA stuff in the past, but this time I wanted a KISS rifle with a 1:9 twist barrel. Opted for the sport and was happy with the fit/finish and price.

 

[rojodiablo]

Another thing to consider about the forward assist, and a person buying an M&P Sport probably won't care about, is when hunting, the FA allows you to securely chamber a round silently. The sound of a bolt slamming closed tells every hog on the farm that you're ready to shoot.

I really never have a problem with this issue, for a couple of reasons:
1. I load and rack the rifle the minute I walk into the field, just as I would with a bolt rifle or a shotgun.
2. When I am hunting with an AR pattern rifle, I don't find myself in 'Tactical mode' where I need to do chamber checks every 12 minutes. In fact, I set the safety once, and I pretty much have a firm belief that the safety is right where I left it 12 minutes ago.
3. I am pretty confident in my rifles' ability to cycle ammunition and prepare itself for round 2. If I shot, I actually BELIEVE that my rifle is ready- I will set the safety, and just go about my day.

I hate to say this, per fear of the mods coming down on me.....
but AR wielding hunters tend to walk into the field with more DERP in their system than a Syrian freedom fighter. Hate to say it, but if they look in a mirror, they will see that it is true.

It's OK to believe that you will get Taliban-smoking action coming around the corner when in the field. I GET IT. But, the AR 'testicle mode' hunters should really understand that if they are that insecure about the action of their firearm- the hunter is by far the unprepared part of the system.......NOT the rifle.

 

[Smitty357]

PSA build.

Of course i built one on a PSA limited edition NOBO12 lower receiver and everyone at the range loves it because of what it is and who it reflects.

I dont think i would have built it any other way. So far ive had no problems with it since the build and i shoot it on a daily basis.