m&p sport, wrong barrel
- Thread starter cjx17
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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.
