Sport II Newbie question

[MattO]

I'm considering buying a new M&P 15 Sport II and have a question. I know it has adjustable sights on it. But is it possible to add a scope to this model? If so what does it take to do it? Also what is a "good buy" on a new model? Locally they have them for $599. Thanks in advance.


Matt

 

[jbo89]

Whittaker Guns just had them on sale for $499 + $12 or so in shipping. You can add a scope quite easily to it with any mount.

 

[Disabled1]

I already own the Sport1. I was going to buy a Sport2 for my son and I, then, I saw the Ruger AR-556. I bought 2 of those instead. The Sport2 seemed a bit "cheaper" made than the Ruger.

 

[tcon]

Simple to add a scope. But don't do it right away. New to AR, I strongly recommend becoming very familiar and competent with the iron sights that come on it. Get to where you can hit inside 10" every time at 100 yards using the small aperture. This will give you time to decide what type of optic you need.

Never know... you may take to the irons and decide you want one of these:

 

[cyphertext]

I already own the Sport1. I was going to buy a Sport2 for my son and I, then, I saw the Ruger AR-556. I bought 2 of those instead. The Sport2 seemed a bit "cheaper" made than the Ruger.

The only thing that is "cheaper" on the Sport is that they have the GI A2 style pistol grip. Ruger adds some other type of grip. I'll take the melonited barrel of the Sport over the unlined barrel of the Ruger.

 

[jimbo728]

The Sport is a great bargain and a quality rifle.
It is a flat top Picatinny rail design and a scope can be mounted easily.
My personal feeling is, if you dont need a carrying handle, avoid it.
My Sport has a Nikon P223 attached with modestly priced mounts that easily detach when irons will be used instead. The rifle shoots very well and I am very happy with it.
Good Luck, Stay Safe
Jim

 

[Disabled1]

The only thing that is "cheaper" on the Sport is that they have the GI A2 style pistol grip. Ruger adds some other type of grip. I'll take the melonited barrel of the Sport over the unlined barrel of the Ruger.

When doing the research on both of these rifles I went to the biggest rifle magazines in circulation to read what the critics were saying about both of them.
The critics liked both rifles. But, they also liked the fact that the barrel was NOT chrome lined! That, and they liked the new design delta ring. One other thing was the fact that it is made in America, by Americans, with 100% American made parts!
I shot both of these rifles A LOT, before deciding on the Ruger. Don't get me wrong, I like the Sport 2 as well.
This is America, where at one time I fought for Her and left some of my blood on the battle field to give me the right to make the choices I am entitled to! HOOAH!

 

[MattO]

Thanks everyone. The Ruger being brought up is ironic, because I have many Ruger pistols, and I'm also considering the Ruger since my local go to Gun shop stocks and sells them.

 

[Disabled1]

Thanks everyone. The Ruger being brought up is ironic, because I have many Ruger pistols, and I'm also considering the Ruger since my local go to Gun shop stocks and sells them.

MattO, as I have stated, the Sport 2 is a great rifle. When it came down to chosing it or the Ruger, I just felt the Ruger was built a bit better. It also felt right shooting it over the Sport 2. And, the critics that test these rifles probably know what they're talking about.
My advice to anyone that is caught between the 2 of them, go to your local range and rent both of them. Shoot them and then decide.

 

[warriorking]

Was in the same boat, torn between the Sport 2 and the Ruger..
Went with the Sport, the lifetime warranty was the tipping point for me and after nearly a thousand rounds fired I don't regret my decision in the least...
One hell of an AR....

 

[cyphertext]

When doing the research on both of these rifles I went to the biggest rifle magazines in circulation to read what the critics were saying about both of them.
The critics liked both rifles. But, they also liked the fact that the barrel was NOT chrome lined! That, and they liked the new design delta ring. One other thing was the fact that it is made in America, by Americans, with 100% American made parts!
I shot both of these rifles A LOT, before deciding on the Ruger. Don't get me wrong, I like the Sport 2 as well.
This is America, where at one time I fought for Her and left some of my blood on the battle field to give me the right to make the choices I am entitled to! HOOAH!

Of course you can make your own choice... but trusting critics in gun magazines... hell, might as well trust advertisers.

The barrel on the Sport is not chrome lined. It is salt nitrided. But I would take a lined or salt nitrided barrel in a rifle like this over an unlined one any day... This is not a bench rifle. Throat erosion and erosion at the gas port is reduced in a treated barrel, which means the barrel will last longer than the unprotected one. Even though most will not shoot out a barrel, when you can get a barrel that is lined or salt nitrided at the same price as an unlined barrel, it is a no brainer.

The Smith is also made in America... As is Colt, BCM, etc. Nothing particularly special about Ruger in this regard.

The delta ring design... why? The other design has been tried and true for over 50 years. Visit the Ruger forums and read about how that delta ring gets stuck, and how many get broken trying to get them free.

Another fail on the Ruger is the exposed firing pin on the BCG. The Ruger uses the design that Colt came up with to prevent slam fires... The same design that Colt abandoned a few years later. The Ruger uses the firing pin to cock the hammer, vs. the ramp on the BCG from basically every other manufacturer, resulting in buggered up firing pins over time.

And while I thank you for your service, I also served, so I have protected the same freedoms as you.

 

[cyphertext]

Thanks everyone. The Ruger being brought up is ironic, because I have many Ruger pistols, and I'm also considering the Ruger since my local go to Gun shop stocks and sells them.

Matt, either rifle will serve you well. As you can see, there are a couple of things that are different between the two rifles. For me, the Smith can be had for less money right now, and it has the standard features of an AR-15...

Ask yourself why Ruger chose to use an untreated barrel. Is it better, or does it cost less to produce?

Same thing with their delta ring assembly...

 

[Disabled1]

Of course you can make your own choice... but trusting critics in gun magazines... hell, might as well trust advertisers.

The barrel on the Sport is not chrome lined. It is salt nitrided. But I would take a lined or salt nitrided barrel in a rifle like this over an unlined one any day... This is not a bench rifle. Throat erosion and erosion at the gas port is reduced in a treated barrel, which means the barrel will last longer than the unprotected one. Even though most will not shoot out a barrel, when you can get a barrel that is lined or salt nitrided at the same price as an unlined barrel, it is a no brainer.

The Smith is also made in America... As is Colt, BCM, etc. Nothing particularly special about Ruger in this regard.

The delta ring design... why? The other design has been tried and true for over 50 years. Visit the Ruger forums and read about how that delta ring gets stuck, and how many get broken trying to get them free.

Another fail on the Ruger is the exposed firing pin on the BCG. The Ruger uses the design that Colt came up with to prevent slam fires... The same design that Colt abandoned a few years later. The Ruger uses the firing pin to cock the hammer, vs. the ramp on the BCG from basically every other manufacturer, resulting in buggered up firing pins over time.

And while I thank you for your service, I also served, so I have protected the same freedoms as you.

The Ruger just felt better to shoot, IMO. Besides, I own the Sport 1.

 

[blues7]

The Ruger just felt better to shoot, IMO. Besides, I own the Sport 1 and like my other Rugers I own, I just wanted a better, quality, rifle overall; THE RUGER AR556! NUFF SAID!

The bolded section of your quote above is all that really matters and is beyond dispute.

The last portion of your quote is just spoiling for a fight on a forum where to get the final word you'd probably never get another minute of sleep. Just sayin'.

 

[Disabled1]

Of course you can make your own choice... but trusting critics in gun magazines... hell, might as well trust advertisers.

The barrel on the Sport is not chrome lined. It is salt nitrided. But I would take a lined or salt nitrided barrel in a rifle like this over an unlined one any day... This is not a bench rifle. Throat erosion and erosion at the gas port is reduced in a treated barrel, which means the barrel will last longer than the unprotected one. Even though most will not shoot out a barrel, when you can get a barrel that is lined or salt nitrided at the same price as an unlined barrel, it is a no brainer.

The Smith is also made in America... As is Colt, BCM, etc. Nothing particularly special about Ruger in this regard.

The delta ring design... why? The other design has been tried and true for over 50 years. Visit the Ruger forums and read about how that delta ring gets stuck, and how many get broken trying to get them free.

Another fail on the Ruger is the exposed firing pin on the BCG. The Ruger uses the design that Colt came up with to prevent slam fires... The same design that Colt abandoned a few years later. The Ruger uses the firing pin to cock the hammer, vs. the ramp on the BCG from basically every other manufacturer, resulting in buggered up firing pins over time.

And while I thank you for your service, I also served, so I have protected the same freedoms as you.

BTW, the Ruger gives you the option to convert to the old fashion delta ring. So, if I ever want to convert mine, I will buy a new delta ring, the removal tool, and a friend or two to help me remove/attatch my hand guards.
You know, you seem to be taking this very personal! I told you and will continue to state that the Sport 2 is a GREAT rifle! I just chose the Ruger based on MY EXPERIENCE after shooting it!
About the barrel, I could care less if it were Platinum lined. It will out live me by eons. That and the ammo I shoot is not corrosive. So, no worries there.
AGAIN, the Sport 2 IS A GREAT RIFLE! I chose the Ruger because it felt better to shoot than the Sport 2.

 

[Disabled1]

The bolded section of your quote above is all that really matters and is beyond dispute.

The last portion of your quote is just spoiling for a fight on a forum where to get the final word you'd probably never get another minute of sleep. Just sayin'.

Huh?

 

[blues7]

Huh?

I said that the only thing that matters is what feels best to you in your own personal opinion.

(The rest can be argued ad nauseum until the cows come home and nobody will be the better for it.)

 

[OldChief]

I have a M&P 15 with a Vortex Surefire II red or green dot. This little scope mounts easily on any of the AR type rifles with a rail and will clear the front sight on those equipped with one. My dot lines up with the top of the front sight. It comes with a mount and rings and goes for less than $200. What you mount on your AR depends upon what you plan to use it for. Three gun matches or home defense a dot type optic is fine and for hunting you probably want something with cross hairs or the like.
Ask 100 guys and you'll get 100 different opinions.

 

[Disabled1]

I said that the only thing that matters is what feels best to you in your own personal opinion.

(The rest can be argued ad nauseum until the cows come home and nobody will be the better for it.)

What ppl don't understand is, I LIKE THE Sport 2 RIFLE! It shoots great, looks great, heck, I am even impressed with the lined barrel. If the Ruger HAD NEVER been at the gun store on the very last day I was shooting AR's, I would HAVE bought an Sport 2.
It's kind of hard to explain. It's like I saw the Ruger and EVERY other AR around it didn't matter.
If S&W can do a few minor improvements on the Sport 2, or, if a Sport 3 comes out, I will likely buy it. I do like the fact that it has the lifetime wrranty as well. But, Ruger backs their weapons as well. Anytime I have had to send one back (which was very very seldom) they took care of it on their dime.
Again, only the person that goes out and shoots the firearm will be the only one that can decide if it is for them.

 

[REM 3200]

Where did that 'Dead Horse" get off to. We need to beat him some more!