New M & P 15

[Armada]

I bought one yesterday and put a few mags through it this morning. I carried an M-16 for ten years in the AF and qualified every six months. It's been a long time since I shot an M-16 but I don't recall the recoil and noise being so intense. I didn't even fire any 5.56 just .223. Is there a difference or have I just forgotten?

 

[yellowzr2]

different barrel length maybe?

 

[tacticool22]

I was surprised too. I think we just forgot.

 

[arizona98tj]

Use hearing protection.



Just kidding.


I think we do forget once we are away from it long enough.

 

[Gunfighter9]

The M&P uses a lighter bolt and buffer. That may account for the increased recoil, and the shorter barrel length may account for the noise. You can always change the bolt and buffer to reduce the recoil if you want.

 

[jsimmons]

I was surprised too. Took my new MOE out on Friday. Very load, and more kick than I anticipated. Couldn't shoot offhand due to range restrictions (stupid, stupid, stupid), but I didn't have any problems staying on target. I emptied a full 30-round mag shooting about 1 round per second, and managed to put most of the rounds into a 4-inch circle at 50 yards.

I was also shooting .223. Out of curiosity, how much different will 5.56 make?

 

[Gunfighter9]

The 5.56 will most likely have a little more recoil, but not much. In fact you may not even notice it. I have only fired the .223 a few times with my brothers AR and I didn't really notice to much difference between the two. IMO.

 

[Glock19926]

Recoil in MP-15 v M16

There is more felt recoil with an MP-15. All of the following affect felt recoil:

The MP-15 is 6.5 - 7 lbs empty (depending on which one). An M16A2 is 8.3 lbs.

The MP-15 uses a commercial lightweight carbine (3.2 oz) buffer . The M16A2 uses a heavier rifle (5.2 oz) buffer.

The MP-15 uses a lighter, modified M16-type bolt carrier (with a cutout at the rear of the underside). The M16 uses a, surprise, M16 bolt carrier (no cutout) that is heavier.

The MP-15 receiver extension (buffer tube) is a shorter carbine length tube with a carbine spring. The M16 receiver extension is longer and has a rifle buffer spring.

Ammo

5.56 is a hotter load (higher pressure) than .223 Remington. Some .223 commercial loads are relatively weak (lower pressure and lower velocity) compared to 5.56 (the M193 round).

Most of these differences arise from the MP-15 being a commercial (semi-auto) carbine versus the mil-spec, full auto capable M16. So, for a lot of reasons, the MP-15 does have more felt recoil than the M16.

 

[AKsRule]

I bought one yesterday and put a few mags through it this morning. I carried an M-16 for ten years in the AF and qualified every six months. It's been a long time since I shot an M-16 but I don't recall the recoil and noise being so intense. I didn't even fire any 5.56 just .223. Is there a difference or have I just forgotten?

First - as was said - ALWAYS USE HEARING PROTECTION!!

I was in the service a looooooong time ago, and the D.I proved an M16 has NO recoil by firing one on FULL AUTO
with the butt resting on his chin. (yes they really used to do this )

And an AR or M16 with a 20" barrel is not that loud from behind the trigger compared to most common deer rifles IMHO.