Why buy a S&W AR??

[Spike12]

I'm pretty close to taking the plunge in to the AR world but I'm having a real problem deciding which AR to buy.

With the exception of rails vs. grips, vs. sights there isn't much difference. If I look inside at the, supposedly, 'better' AR's there isn't much difference either. With the exception of the external gadgets they all seem pretty much the same (and pretty boring).

So what makes a M&P15 worth buying vs. Stag vs. Colt vs everyone else??

 

[armaliter]

S&W customer service is A+. Case closed

 

[yellowzr2]

Same reason i'm going to, S&W service and 5 free mags!!!!

 

[kscardsfan]

I like the M&P logo on the mag well. Plus they're holding up well and people seem to be having very good results with them. Plus they're all made by smith unlike several manufacturers are doing.

 

[Harrison]

A quality well made AR should not need customer service (well at least for many thousands of rounds). It should be right from the git go, There are a lot of ARs on the market, that are just as good, or better, and have as many features as a S&W, only they don't cost as much. Try Rock River, DPMS, Bushmaster, Sabre Defense, or Armalite. S&W is a late comer in the AR market, and really don't have anything wild and wonderful to offer, except the name and a high price. If you can get a deep discount on a Smith AR, they get it.

 

[stk622]

Here is the reason to buy a COLT or a Daniel Defense ( go with Colt)

Everyone thinks "All AR's are the same".... they aren't. Smith is way overpriced for what you DON'T get.
Scroll to bottom and look at the MANY differences.... you get what you pay for. I sold more Colts, and sent BACK more DPMS ( junk) Rock River ( Junk) and Stags than I can tell you about.

M4 CHART

 

[armaliter]

Well Ive done alot of research on the M&P with well over 95% positive feedback so I just put my money where my mouth is and just ordered model #811000 for $699 from CDNN. Now how is that for being overpriced? Cant friggin wait to get!

 

[stk622]

Well Ive done alot of research on the M&P with well over 95% positive feedback so I just put my money where my mouth is and just ordered model #811000 for $699 from CDNN. Now how is that for being overpriced? Cant friggin wait to get!

That's a neat trick for a Rifle that wholesales for 887.50. I would have gotten two at that price.

 

[Butler]

Why buy a S&W AR

Here is the best consolidated chart of AR’s. It’s a little old now but still has most manufacturers. It is from M4carbine.com which I highly recommend if you are interested in AR’s. I decided on the M&P black MOE and it has been a great rifle so far. Here is the “ Chart”.

Comparison Chart of Major AR Brands - M4Carbine.net Forums

Click on google link to the chart.

 

[stk622]

Here is the best consolidated chart of AR’s. It’s a little old now but still has most manufacturers. It is from M4carbine.com which I highly recommend if you are interested in AR’s. I decided on the M&P black MOE and it has been a great rifle so far. Here is the “ Chart”.

Comparison Chart of Major AR Brands - M4Carbine.net Forums

Click on google link to the chart.

Yeah.... I posted that up a few. Seems no one looks at them with an open mind. If it ain't a Smith, It's just no good!!! (Not)

BTW....that chart has been updated in the past and continues to be as anything comes up.

 

[CliffH]

I have also done a little home work toward which AR to purchase and I can tell you STK622 is right on (Just my 2 cents).

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

American Rifleman has an article on the M&P15 series (Aug 2010).

 

[Spike12]

that table of information and descriptions of what it talking about is EXACTLY what I was looking for!!!

THANKS!

Complete & objective information is ALWAYS valued! I went back to my LGS and checked 3-4 different brands of AR (Colt, S&W, Daniel Defense, Stag) and now that I know what to look for... well let's just say the S&W has been put back up on the rack and I'm researching that Daniel Defense he has.

 

[stk622]

that table of information and descriptions of what it talking about is EXACTLY what I was looking for!!!

THANKS!

Complete & objective information is ALWAYS valued! I went back to my LGS and checked 3-4 different brands of AR (Colt, S&W, Daniel Defense, Stag) and now that I know what to look for... well let's just say the S&W has been put back up on the rack and I'm researching that Daniel Defense he has.

Spike.... for the money, go with the Colt. It's got all the bells and whistles for a lot less money. I got in a Daniel Defense once and just wasn't impressed for the price. Sold every make out there and a Colt never came back. Use Magpul P-Mags ( without the window) Best Mags out there right now.

For your info the Colt 16 inch and 20 inch is just over 1000 dollars dealer cost, so you can see how bad they want to whip you. We sold the 20 inch and 16 for same money..... 1129.

Also for those who may not know it, Bushmaster was bought awhile ago now by Remington and quality went down.

 

[beemerphile]

There is a definite difference. I have a Colt 6920, a Stag 2TL, a Knight's SR-15 e3, and an LWRC M6A3. The Colt comes in 3rd place in this group in my book but it is A1 gear and absolutely the best value. The Stag is less so and I'd expect the S&W to be equivalent to the Stag. Nothing really wrong with it, but it's not a Colt. The LWRC and SR-15 are filet mignon. Colt owns this market in the affordable price ranges. A few hundred more than the 2nd tier but well worth it.

 

[stk622]

I'm pretty close to taking the plunge in to the AR world but I'm having a real problem deciding which AR to buy.

With the exception of rails vs. grips, vs. sights there isn't much difference. If I look inside at the, supposedly, 'better' AR's there isn't much difference either. With the exception of the external gadgets they all seem pretty much the same (and pretty boring).

So what makes a M&P15 worth buying vs. Stag vs. Colt vs everyone else??

Dollar for dollar the Smith ISNT worth buying. Go back and look at the link to the chart I posted. They are NOT all created equal.... ie: M-16 bolt on the Colts, DD, etc.... look good at that chart. You can dress it up any way you want once you get it.

I have many Smiths, but as far as the AR's........well, look at the chart, spend an hour or two reading it and comparing, and see if your decision almost doesn't get made FOR you....


BEEMER---------- nice group!

 

[Gunfighter9]

stk622...I think it is a bit much to say the M&P's aren't worth buying. When you look at that chart they have almost all of the critical elements as the colt, and the ones they lack probably aren't all that important on a civilian or LE rifle. The bolt is an easy and realatively inexpensive fix. Brownell's has the M16 bolt available for $150. The buffer is a $30 or less fix, and the barrel can be upgraded should the owner see the need. I am not a brand whore by any means, but the M&P is not the piece of junk you make it out to be.

 

[szuppo]

Asking for justification about which AR on a S&W Forum probably won't give you the best unbiased opinion on which to purchase.

I did a ton of research and went with the Lewis Machine and Tool CQB MRP. While I am sure some won't agree with this selection I have found to be 100% reliable. The complete upper is alos milled from one block of aluminum and the barrel swap takes about 2 minutes total on my true free float barrels.

I'll stick with the LMT given the choices.

 

[beemerphile]

I'll stick with the LMT given the choices.

You chose well. The MRP is a slick piece of ordnance.

 

[BritDan]

stk622...you seem to have some sort of personal downer on M&P15s or something. I'm not saying they are the best AR out there, but the current CDNN deal makes them excellent value for money. My M&P15T has been 100% reliable after a couple of thousand rounds now, on all kinds of ammo, and is accurate. That'll do me. For people who care about such things, it also ain't a bad looking piece.

They might have been overpriced initially, but especially lately they have dropped massively in price.