New to the forum: purchasing first AR15 for husband

[Deniece.R1987]

Hello everybody - I've been roaming this forum for a while now and gained lots of great info. I've been a gun owner for a while now and our collection, while small, ranges from multiple pistols to a Rem870 Tactical and the AR-15/22. My husband has always wanted an AR-15 and I wanna get it for him as Father's Day present. While my experience and handling always lied with pistols and shotguns, I am a bit ignorant on anything AR15 related. I've heard people mention 556 NATO and .223 caliber and I've been told they could both be used. I am looking at the Smith & Wesson M+P Sport II - and it says caliber: 5.56NATO/.223. But like I said I've heard some people say you can use either, and others have said you cannot. Probably a stupid question, but can someone please give me some advice? Thank you!


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[Rubone]

If it says 5.56 it is okay to shoot either round. If it says .223 only then you should not shoot 5.56 in it. That is the simplest explanation. The 5.56 has higher pressure. Any S&W M&P AR15 will handle either. So no worries.

 

[Westie1]

Welcome aboard, and your husband is a lucky guy. As to the Sport II, it's chambered in 5.56 Nato, but can also fire 223 remington. The difference between the two is in how the chamber is cut. It's safe to fire 223 in 556, but the reverse may not always be true.

 

[bamashooter]

You can also safely fire 5.56 from a barrel marked .223 Wylde.

Perhaps we can help a little.

Primary role of the AR?

Will he prefer fixed sights, red dot optic, both, other?

Rifle w/ fixed-stock, carbine w/adjustable stock, other?

A typical carbine barrel length is 16". Other preferred barrel length?

Any preference of handguards and/or pistol grip?

Other accessories such as tactical-light, etc?

Sling? If so, single-point, 2-point, combo, other?

Budget?

 

[BillyMagg]

Awesome 1st post Deniece

Hello everybody - I've been roaming this forum for a while now and gained lots of great info. I've been a gun owner for a while now and our collection, while small, ranges from multiple pistols to a Rem870 Tactical and the AR-15/22. My husband has always wanted an AR-15 and I wanna get it for him as Father's Day present. While my experience and handling always lied with pistols and shotguns, I am a bit ignorant on anything AR15 related. I've heard people mention 556 NATO and .223 caliber and I've been told they could both be used. I am looking at the Smith & Wesson M+P Sport II - and it says caliber: 5.56NATO/.223. But like I said I've heard some people say you can use either, and others have said you cannot. Probably a stupid question, but can someone please give me some advice? Thank you!


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As you have noted Deniece, the M&P Sport has a "Wylde" chamber, which will safely and accurately fire either 5.56 or .223 ammunition. Most AR style rifles use the Wylde chamber these days. The M&P Sport is an outstanding first AR styled rifle, but I must warn you!, it won't be your last!

Que maniacal "Vincent Price" laugh of old horror movies! You're gonna love the AR, very light recoil for a serious rifle caliber, but do wear good ear protection.. oh, and you will need iron sights or a scope.

Nikon makes an excellent entry level tactical scope label P .223 or something similar???

 

[The Norseman]

S&W AR15

Welcome to the best S&W forum. I think you have picked
a very good AR15. The S&W brand will make a Great Gift. The
S&W is a good AR15, plus it is backed by a Warranty. As long
as you stay with a major brand you will be ok.

The 5.56 NATO is the military version of the .223 Remington
Cartridge. If the barrel is marked 5.56 / .223 both can be fired
in that gun.

The 5.56 NATO round is considered high pressure/high velocity
cartridge made for the military. While the .223Rem is not as
high pressure for Civilian use basically. That is why if a bolt action,
sporting/hunting rifle is marked .223, it is wise to use only .223
in it.

One note of SAFETY: JUST BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS RIFLE!
the firing pin floats in the bolt, so make sure when letting the
bolt slam forward to load, the Rifle is pointed in a SAFE DIRECTION.
I consider this type of gun a "Slam Fire", because it has the
potential to fire when the bolt slams forward.

When you go to shoot your husband's present please give a
Range Report.

Thank you for sharing your story. The Best to you and your Endeavors.

 

[cyphertext]

As you have noted Deniece, the M&P Sport has a "Wylde" chamber, which will safely and accurately fire either 5.56 or .223 ammunition. Most AR style rifles use the Wylde chamber these days.

Not correct. The Sport II is chambered in 5.56mm. You can safely fire .223 out of it, but some claim accuracy may suffer. The .223 Wylde chamber is cut differently than the 5.56 chamber which allows you to use the higher pressure 5.56mm rounds, but still retain accuracy when shooting .223. Rifles chambered in .223 Wylde are clearly marked as such, and are more expensive.

Real world application... I doubt most would really see any appreciable drop in accuracy when shooting .223 out of the Sport. Use good quality ammo made for 1:9 twist, you should get good results.

 

[JH1951]

Welcome to the forum from Pennsylvania.
This is a great place to learn, and no questions are stupid.

 

[mckenney99]

Deniece.
Just a piece of advice. The S&W M&P Sport II line of AR's have several different models. Since this is your husbands first AR type rifle, I would recommend a basic carbine without a lot of extras. The price on the carbines increases as you add railed forends, reddots and sights. At this point your husband doesn't know what he likes and you will be spending money for things that may not fit him or do what he wants and if he decides to change something out you will have wasted that money. Buy a basic carbine maybe with backup sights (so he can shoot the carbine immediately), standard plain forend and grip and spend the extra money saved on 100+rds of practice ammo. After your husband goes to the range and shoots the carbine a couple times and gets to see and handle other carbines with different features at the range he will have a better idea of how he wants to upgrade his carbine. Most upgrades on AR type carbines are easy do it yourself installs. Besides his future desired upgrades will give you an opportunity for future gifts, magazines, slings, reddot/scope, grips, forends, lights etc.

 

[Moe Mentum]

Buy the M&P15 sport II, you can safely shoot 5.56 and .223.

 

[toddimusnimski]

Hello everybody - I've been roaming this forum for a while now and gained lots of great info. I've been a gun owner for a while now and our collection, while small, ranges from multiple pistols to a Rem870 Tactical and the AR-15/22. My husband has always wanted an AR-15 and I wanna get it for him as Father's Day present. While my experience and handling always lied with pistols and shotguns, I am a bit ignorant on anything AR15 related. I've heard people mention 556 NATO and .223 caliber and I've been told they could both be used. I am looking at the Smith & Wesson M+P Sport II - and it says caliber: 5.56NATO/.223. But like I said I've heard some people say you can use either, and others have said you cannot. Probably a stupid question, but can someone please give me some advice? Thank you!


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Do you have a sister?

I WAS KIDDING, Sweetheart! Now please let me back inside...

 

[ameridaddy]

If your state allows it, get him a couple 30 round and a couple 20 round magazines to go with it for starters. 20 rounders are nice shooting from prone or off a bag.
I bought the basic carbine (M&P 15A) with a folding backup sight maybe eleven or 12 years ago, and it has never failed to do everything right.

 

[Univibe]

Welcome to the best S&W forum. I think you have picked
a very good AR15. The S&W brand will make a Great Gift. The
S&W is a good AR15, plus it is backed by a Warranty. As long
as you stay with a major brand you will be ok.

The 5.56 NATO is the military version of the .223 Remington
Cartridge. If the barrel is marked 5.56 / .223 both can be fired
in that gun.

The 5.56 NATO round is considered high pressure/high velocity
cartridge made for the military. While the .223Rem is not as
high pressure for Civilian use basically. That is why if a bolt action,
sporting/hunting rifle is marked .223, it is wise to use only .223
in it.

One note of SAFETY: JUST BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS RIFLE!
the firing pin floats in the bolt, so make sure when letting the
bolt slam forward to load, the Rifle is pointed in a SAFE DIRECTION.
I consider this type of gun a "Slam Fire", because it has the
potential to fire when the bolt slams forward.

When you go to shoot your husband's present please give a
Range Report.

Thank you for sharing your story. The Best to you and your Endeavors.

AR firing pin does indeed float, but there's no danger of slam fire. The primers on the ammo are harder than standard to accommodate this. There's nothing inherently less safe in the Stoner action than any other rifle.

That being said, anytime ANY firearm is being loaded, it must be pointed in a safe direction.

 

[KidK]

Great gift idea. On a similar note, I placed my order for the Sport II OR California in late March. Still backordered. Any idea when manufacturing will gear up at S&W?

 

[Moe Mentum]

Great gift idea. On a similar note, I placed my order for the Sport II OR California in late March. Still backordered. Any idea when manufacturing will gear up at S&W?

Unfortunately, guns, ammo and reloading supplies are in short supply due to the current upheaval. It may take some time...

 

[rwsmith]

And a...

And a Hound Dog Howdy to you from SC!


PS: You are quite a gal, Deneice.R1987.

 

[Bladeswitcher]

I am of the opinion that the whole 5.56mm/.223 thing is overblown. In theory, you shouldn't shoot 5.56mm in a gun marked .223, but I refuse either the ammo or gun manufacturers are producing products that would allow such a likely unsafe condition to be a real problem. That said, it's best to go 5.56 or .223 Wylde.

Beyond that, I highly recommend:

a 16-inch lightweight or pencil weight barrel.
a mid-length gas system
a flat top receiver

As for handguard, if you're not going to hang a bunch of junk off the gun (which you shouldn't) then there really isn't much need for a free-float handguard unless the shooter likes to use a sling as a support. Generally, the two-piece traditional handguard set-up is lighter and lighter is a good thing.

 

[Oracle]

Welcome Deniece! One of the fun things with an AR is the astronomical amount of items available for them. Your husband will be able to personalize the rifle and then change out and try different items.

You guys have fun with your AR!

 

[lkabug]

Welcome from the Commonwealth of Virginia

 

[S&W Oldtimer]

Welcome from Va.