This is my rifle, this is my gun...

[CrustyShellback]

for lack of a better title... this is my new dang, S&W M&P 15 Sport.

I think I've touched on the reasons why I chose this particular rifle, still believe I made the right choice. Unfortunately, didn't get to go shooting. Every place was dogged and didn't want to deal with them and the heat. However, it gave me a chance to come home, throw on the upgrades, take some pics.

Interesting outcome however. The M&P weighing in at a paltry 6.45 pnds, I figured I would have my Mini-14 beat. The Mini is a svelte 7.2 pounds, though w/ UltiMAK rail/handguard and optic (PA microdot). Still, my upgrades were, or should have been close to the same in weight... at least I thought so.

M&P Sport
Vortex Strikefire with mount for lower 1/3 co-witness.
Magpul MOE handguard and pistol grip
Elzetta A2 front sight tactical light mount
Streamlight Polytac (2014 model - 225 or 275 lumen, I forget)
ArmsTAC VFG
Tapco Intrafuser buttpad

And she comes in at... 8.2 pounds <gasp>

But, I gotta admit. I like her. She's obviously balanced differently than my Mini, which carries a lot of her weight, up front. With the changed up grip profile, it obviously changes the weight distribution also.

Very pleased with the purchase. Very impressed with the quality of the firearm. Fit and finish, for a supposed "budget gun", are outstanding. My wife had brought up buying her one and I laughed... now I'm not thinking its so funny. At least I could stop worrying about her wanting to put pink furniture on mine.

I'll add more pics, once we get to the range and maybe some videos.

 

[CrustyShellback]

Continuing pics...

 

[bhayles]

Weigh it with or without one of those full mags?

 

[CrustyShellback]

Weight without mag.

P.S. They're pinned at 10, btw. Kalifornia.

 

[JaPes]

Looks good!

 

[JoseVazquez76]

Nothing wrong with a heavy weapon. I love the added weight

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

[turbo38gn]

This is my rifle, this is my gun...

one is for fighting and one is for fun... anyone remember singing that one... I can remember getting in a little trouble for marching my boys around base singing that one...

 

[CrustyShellback]

Nothing wrong with a heavy weapon. I love the added weight

The first time my daughter ever picked up my Mini-14, she said... "its so heavy", which then got me into this long history lesson on the weights of battle rifles over the years/wars.

I'm a semi old-fart, so during my service, we still were trained with and carried M14s on ships. Just over 9 - 10 pounds of metal/wood there and I thought it felt, just about right. So that's what I'm used to.

I really do like the weight distribution in this rifle.

 

[eschoendorff]

Nothing wrong with a heavy weapon. I love the added weight

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

I prefer some heft as well.

Hey Crusty, any chance you can get some pics of the Sport with your Mini 14? I'd love to see that.

 

[CrustyShellback]

you know there is a thread devoted entirely to pics?

You know, I posted a couple in there and then posted the rest in this thread, with a note that they were here.

I figure, as I'll be coming back to this thread from time to time (such as now) to respond, or add my thoughts, etc on my personal experience with my firearm... adding my pics, wouldn't be a problem? Plus, then there's some like eschoendorff, who would like to see pics of my Mini and AR together. It would make sense to post them here.

Was I incorrect?

Anyway... first day at the range. My initial thoughts of the build were pretty much confirmed. I did make one change. I just wasn't fond of the ArmsTAC VFG. Its solid, but it just felt cheap and way too skinny. I stopped at the LGS real fast and grabbed a Tapco Intrafuser (similar to the Magpul MOE).

The gun shot as expected. Not a single failure. Being the cautious type, I took the advice of running it wet and not a single FTE/FTF. I should add, when I say it shot as expected, I had a LOT of fun with it. That's what I expected... a smooth running, reliable and fun gun to shoot. I got one.

The only failures I had, were both in my Mini and both magazine related. I've procrastinated on cleaning my mags lately and had one that gave me a couple problems.

Accuracy? With irons at 50 yds and a little further, then 1x red dots? Not anything I could notice. Being used to the Mini, was my advantage with it. But, once I got it sighted in and thinking about my shots (still not used to the trigger break)... I was shooting almost as well. I know when I switched with my son and he had the Mini, I was shooting targets out before he could get his eyes on them.

My son is the worst in the world for pics and videos. I managed one picture posing with the AR and the video he tried to shoot, I hadn't tightened down my optic, after removing it and was shooting all over the place.

Once I clean, I'll post a pic of the AR and Mini together.

 

[hung-up]

Love my sport, never thought I would like another m-16 type rifle after 20 years of using one until my son bought one and it all came back.

 

[CrustyShellback]

I prefer some heft as well.

Hey Crusty, any chance you can get some pics of the Sport with your Mini 14? I'd love to see that.

Decided to be a good gun owner, not procrastinate and cleaned them up last night. Plus, I wanted to strip the stuff off the M&P so I can start running the same Slipstream I run in the Mini. Stuff is like little ball bearings. First stuff I've run, that the op rod/bolt on the Mini will be cycling as well as on the last round, as the 1st. Clean up is a cinch to... nothing gritty really sticks to it. Wipe it down, mostly... and reapply. Few places need a q-tip and some cleaner, still... it runs really clean.

Other than the feed ramp, the AR was a breeze to clean, but I certainly see a few spots that will become a pain in the rear-end if not constantly kept clean. One area, the Mini beats the AR hands down; Take down, cleaning and lube.

582 Series Mini-14 Ranch w/ synthetic stock
TechSight adustable rear sight
UltiMAK heatshield/handgurad with Picatinny rail
Primary Arms fixed-base micro dot (with lower 1/3 co-witness)

Oh and the Sport has the new Tapco Intrafuser VFG

Think I'm going to have to start looking at getting new glasses, or some magnification on optics.

 

[CrustyShellback]

And as I was saying... my gun is done. Only thing I was really up in the air over, is/was the VFG. Didn't know what style I would like, as only one of my friends has one... and I've shot it once.

Started with the ArmsTAC (which is a knock-off Viking). Very solid mount, though a bit heavy for polymer. Then I tried a Tapco Intrafuse. Perfect, almost... a little long. The Magpul MOE, same profile as the Intrafuse and I get to use the storage cap. (oh AND remove the rail, which my hand did not like at all)

I'm waiting for a new optic, but I really don't consider them part of the gun. They're just another tool. I could get rid of a firearm and keep the optic, which I probably would, if I liked it.

Unfortunately, I've run into a new problem... and that one, is going to probably be a money pit. My wife is sore this isn't HER AR. She really thought, when she said... "Oh, you should get that" and I did... I was buying it for her.

LOL!

Well, sweetie... I would have put it in your name, if that were the case.

So, until I buy her an AR, I'm going to be getting some 'tude... and when I do get a new AR, then I'm probably going to have to make it a pink AR. smh...

 

[bhayles]

... and when I do get a new AR, then I'm probably going to have to make it a pink AR. smh...

At least she won't be asking you if amm ammo manufacturers make pink ammo.



Probably.

 

[red dragon]

my wife picked foliage green furniture for her ar. I showed her the duracoat website and said pick a color. I couldn't believe she picked a pre-made magpul color. I thought for sure she would go pink to match her 642 grip. My advice is to take the rifle you have and deck it out for her as a gift. Then when its your turn there'll be less questions and possibly a less noticeable,bigger budget Hornady makes a pink tipped 90g .38special bullet. A portion of the proceeds go towards breast cancer research.

 

[CrustyShellback]

Naw... that ain't going to happen. Any gun that is hers, will be in her name. I don't trust this state enough, to have everything registered under my name. Plus, right now... in the position for another gun? Not really in one, to plan ahead.

At this point, might be the last one I'm able to purchase, for some time. That could literally change, any day... but right now, my extra $$$ might have to go towards a hefty vet bill.

 

[CrustyShellback]

Well, with two 5.56/.223 and as much as I like to go to the range, throw in family once in a while... reloading became a necessity. Spent the last few weeks, getting the stuff together (RCBS kit and some other supplies - mostly brass prep stuff)

After working up the nerve to actually put together the components to something that might go BOOM in my face, I found it wasn't so bad after all. Kind of enjoyable, if you're OCD like me. Loaded up all the once fired brass I had and ended up with 350 rnds.

Did a slight cosmetic mod, after PA sent me the ADM QD mount, for my ACSS. Saw some guy on Youtube had dressed his up the same way, thought I'd give it a go. I think it looks sharp. Pics I took for my dad to show him my AR and some of the reloads he was the primary driving force behind me getting into the reloading.

If anyone lives in the Kern River area and are a member of Kern River Valley Gun Association... hope to see you soon. Just joined and got my membership info today. Supposed to be one of the best ranges around this area, targets out to 600 yds.