My, but these are interesting times indeed!
m&p sport, wrong barrel
- Thread starter cjx17
- Start date
The Sport's 1:8 5R barrel has gained near legendary status for its accuracy here.
We just hate the thought of S&W fixing something that isn't broken. I'm hoping that this is just an effort to streamline production while the plant is running at capacity to meet current demands. But if it isn't, and the new barrel spec is permanent, then we're all eagerly awaiting range reports for the new rifle.
cyphertext
US Veteran
The military uses the 1:7 twist due to firing the longer and heavier tracer rounds. The faster twist stabilizes the heavier projectiles. Since the military uses it and it is the standard spec, many rifle manufacturers also build their rifles with the same twist. This is where the whole mil-spec and chart argument comes in.
Other makers produce their rifles with a 1:9 twist, which is best for the lighter projectiles, such as light varmint loads and the .223 55 grain loads which are cheaper and more likely to be widely available.
The 1:8 twist seemed to be a good compromise, as it can stabilize the light 55 grain loads like the 1:9 twist, but it is also able to stabilize the heavier projectiles, like the 77 grain Black Hills ammo or the 75 grain Hornady Tap.
ARGH
Member
1:8 m&p sport just went up 30% in value!
BadKarmaZeroSix
US Veteran
Wonder what mp15T is gonna be changing to, and what the upside/downside of this barrel change will be in the future of SW rifles...
spclayne
Member
Bought a new T friday for 1199
Accurate reloads
I bought an original Bushmaster V-Match w/26" barrel in ~1994 marked 5.56 NATO 1/9. I also bought 1 box of every .224 dia bullet Mid South Shooter had on their website. Tax refunds and reloading supplies are just made for each other.
After shooting about a 1,000 rounds carefully with 4 different powders the most accurate bullet then and today was Remington bulk 50 grain HP with ~23 - 24 grains of Accurate Arms 2230 powder. That chrome lined barrel still shoots ~3/8" ragged hole at 100 yards with 10 rounds fired in about 40 seconds. That last group was fired with current bullets and powder I bought in late October 2012. Just the facts .
Some folks have a challenge that the cheapest powder and cheapest bullets work just fine. The prairie dogs don't know the difference between 0.289" or 0.400" group -- it's either dead or missed.
Rifle has a flat top receiver, aluminum tube handguard, Harris bi-pod, AK-47 style muzzle brake (from Bushmaster), and Burris 3 x 12 x 50 mm scope.
I bought an original Bushmaster V-Match w/26" barrel in ~1994 marked 5.56 NATO 1/9. I also bought 1 box of every .224 dia bullet Mid South Shooter had on their website. Tax refunds and reloading supplies are just made for each other.
After shooting about a 1,000 rounds carefully with 4 different powders the most accurate bullet then and today was Remington bulk 50 grain HP with ~23 - 24 grains of Accurate Arms 2230 powder. That chrome lined barrel still shoots ~3/8" ragged hole at 100 yards with 10 rounds fired in about 40 seconds. That last group was fired with current bullets and powder I bought in late October 2012. Just the facts
.Some folks have a challenge that the cheapest powder and cheapest bullets work just fine. The prairie dogs don't know the difference between 0.289" or 0.400" group -- it's either dead or missed.
Rifle has a flat top receiver, aluminum tube handguard, Harris bi-pod, AK-47 style muzzle brake (from Bushmaster), and Burris 3 x 12 x 50 mm scope.
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cyphertext
US Veteran
Hey Grant, thanks for replying. Right now, they still have the 1/8 5R barrel on the M&P 15T. Is that going to change in the future as well? Are they using up their stock on the 4140 steel 1/8 barrels, and then only the top end guns, MOE and VTAC II, will be left with 1/8 twist?
Also, from your response, it sounds as if the barrel for the Sport is going to be a melonite version of the 5.56 Nato 1/9 rifled barrels that the other rifles in the line currently wear. In other words, no 5R rifling?
The 5R will stay with the 15T and other premium S&W AR's.
No more 5R barrels for the SPORT.
C4
cyphertext
US Veteran
Is it a melonite treated barrel, or did we get bad info there as well? Seems to me that they would just use the 1:9 barrel that they use on the rest of the lineup.
How unfortunate!
I just got two of their new AR's and both were chrome 5.56 NATO 1/9. I got the OR and the 15A.
From my recent research the slower twist may stabilize the heavier / slower bullets but you should try them to see. Otherwise the faster twist would shoot anything just fine.
From what I read, the 5R rifling is the bomb and taken from TC when S&W bought them. (hey, if anything I write is mistaken, please jump in and correct me!) The 5R seals better in the barrel and deforms the bullet less.
I'd be bummed if I ordered a 5R barrel and got a plain ol' 1/9....
I just got two of their new AR's and both were chrome 5.56 NATO 1/9. I got the OR and the 15A.
From my recent research the slower twist may stabilize the heavier / slower bullets but you should try them to see. Otherwise the faster twist would shoot anything just fine.
From what I read, the 5R rifling is the bomb and taken from TC when S&W bought them. (hey, if anything I write is mistaken, please jump in and correct me!) The 5R seals better in the barrel and deforms the bullet less.
I'd be bummed if I ordered a 5R barrel and got a plain ol' 1/9....
I'm sure you could return it to Cabelas. Or you could sell it for a profit online.
That's the same barrel (well mine are chromed) on the two I just bought. They aren't bad barrels I'm sure, they're just different.
If you shoot it and it doesn't perform, I bet S&W would make it right. I don't think they are putting out substandard products.
But if you bought it thinking you were getting a 5R barrel and you really wanted a 5R barrel, I guess you'll have to sell it and look for one with the other barrel.
cyphertext
US Veteran
It is unfortunate that they made such a major change to the product and there was nothing to bring it to your attention at the time of purchase.
However, the 1:9 barrels aren't junk, just different from what you had in mind. Like I said in a previous post, if you are going to run a 4 MOA red dot and shoot Tula, Silver Bear, or milsurp ammo, you won't notice a difference at all.
Keep an open mind and give it a try. I bet it is still a good shooter.
akrawc2
Member
I know exactly what you're saying.
You didn't get what you bargained for, and you're right the S&W website just changed. Even the CS guys didn't know.
Why would you have to inspect the gun so close at the dealer when you expected it to be as advertised?
I don't know if S&W would do anything for you, or maybe the seller would, but I know you can sell it outright. Not that it will help you much now.....
Maddmax
US Veteran
I'd give it a good run for the money. Get it broke in and see what it can do first
There was a time when there wasn't any melonite. If you reload,it's always fun dialing in a load for your own.rojodiablo
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I know exactly what you're saying.
You didn't get what you bargained for, and you're right the S&W website just changed. Even the CS guys didn't know.
Why would you have to inspect the gun so close at the dealer when you expected it to be as advertised?
I don't know if S&W would do anything for you, or maybe the seller would, but I know you can sell it outright. Not that it will help you much now.....
Guys, do not forget- On the official website- and in their paper catalog it CLEARLY STATES: 'Specifications subject to change at any time.'
And, the spec changed.
The Sport was meant to open the door to a new group of AR enthusiasts. And it did that job, very well. I'd suppose S&W sees the economics of the straight cut barrel, and the commonality of parts with so many other manufacturers. I'd say that S&W TRIES to make all their stuff in-house. But likely, there is no way they can do this and fulfill orders. So, they are getting barrels from a dedicated barrel maker. Who is making barrels for Spikes. And DPMS. And Windham. And VLTOR, and Olympic, and on and on and on. And as such, they cut a 1:9 barrel, 25 hrs a day, 8 days a week. So, S&W will take what they can get, and then melonite the barrels in-house. It's supply, and economics at play.Be happy you are still able to get the rifle for less than $850!!!
As far as 1 in 8 or 1 in 9, I doubt there will be any difference in accuracy. The Windham Weaponry Varmint Exterminator has 1 in 9 and it is definitely a tack driver. I have 3 friends that have them and with my reloads they match my Sport in accuracy.
Capt Crunch
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Guys, do not forget- On the official website- and in their paper catalog it CLEARLY STATES: 'Specifications subject to change at any time.'
And, the spec changed.
Be happy you are still able to get the rifle for less than $850!!!
I'd have to agree, for an entry level AR I felt very lucky to get the 1:8 5R and honestly I'm not surprised they had to pull it back, especially considering the current market madness.
BillyJack2012
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I think the 1:9 is going to be a fine shooter. Many of their M&Ps have come with it only they were chrome lined. Being this is still melonite, I'd like to get my hands on it and give it a run.
I'm for sure the 1:9 is good to go. Wouldn't worry too much about it.
That said, I'm glad that I own a "rare and unique" limited edition, special M&P15 Sport with that custom 1:8 5R barrel.
That said, I'm glad that I own a "rare and unique" limited edition, special M&P15 Sport with that custom 1:8 5R barrel.
