did the s&w m&p 15 sport 2 quality go down

[glaizinman]

Last year I bought the Ruger AR 556 I'm very happy with it shoots great no problems. I decided to get another AR I decided to try the S&W M&P 15 sport 2 because I've always like their products. Now I'm hearing the barrel on the newer sports isn't as good like the twist rate(not too concerned about that) but I am about the riffing and the coating I'm not even sure if the sport 2 has a coating. Do you guys have any info on that?

 

[Snyper]

Ask S&W if they changed the specs.

If they changed the rate of twist, I'd think that would either be in response to problems (highly unlikely) or due to customer demands, wanting a faster twist to handle heavier bullets (more likely)

Companies don't make changes to products without good reasons

 

[Everready73]

It's still one of the better values out there in my opinion. They did change the trust rate from 1/8 to 1/9 buy that would only come into play if you are shooting 68gr or higher bullet weights. The barrel is still nitrated( melanite) but I believe the sport 1 had 5r rifling from what I remember. Melanite coating is very durable and some prefer it over chrome lining due to increased accuracy with the thinner melanite coating. It is still a very durable barrel coating and better than just parkerizing. The sport 2 also had the dust cover and forward assist that the original did not. I read on another forum the sport 2 is also one of the only entry level ARs to make it through a carbine class without issues

 

[chris in va]

The original Sport barrel was also a 'gain twist' design. Not unheard-of to get 1/2 MOA with handloads.

 

[ColoradoMinuteMan]

The Sport has had the 1:9 twist rate for several years. The twist rate is engraved into the barrel on my example and probably is on yours as well. The M&P 15 Sport II has an Armornite finish which is S&W branding of Melonite.

 

[Ibmikey]

I have a couple of Sports and the specs are the same on both except for the dust cover and forward assist. Best buy in the entry level field and will last a lifetime.

 

[Blade First]

"Melanite coating"

Not a coating; rather a molecular process which gives outstanding hardness, lubricity and wear characteristics. Could make chrome plating of bores obsolete.

 

[justice06rr]

It didn't go down. It was changed to 1:9 from 1:8R, but still melonite. The overall rifle was actually improved to include forward assist and dust cover.

 

[CraigC]

Have you shot it yet or are you just speculating that it won't shoot worth a toot?

 

[HexHead]

The earlier original ones had the 1:8 5R barrels. When production ramped up due to their popularity and post-Sandy Hook craziness, they started making them with 1:9 conventional rifling. The 5R barrels were made by Thompson Center, they couldn't keep up with the demand as they were also making the barrels for the rest of the M&P 15 line.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Last year I bought the Ruger AR 556 I'm very happy with it shoots great no problems. I decided to get another AR I decided to try the S&W M&P 15 sport 2 because I've always like their products. Now I'm hearing the barrel on the newer sports isn't as good like the twist rate(not too concerned about that) but I am about the riffing and the coating I'm not even sure if the sport 2 has a coating. Do you guys have any info on that?

I'm thinking you may be going by some very old info, and be mixing up the earliest Sport 1's, that had the 1:8 5r barrels HexHead just referenced above, with the later Sport 1's that had a 1:9 twist, and standard rifling. This shift away from the premium barrels has gotten a lot of play on the interwebz.
I believe the newest Sport 2 barrels have the same steel, rifling and 1:9 twist, as well as the same nitride finish, inside and out.
As someone suggested, give S&W a phone call, then come back let US know for sure!

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

I have a Sport I and its been a good rifle. S&W had to replace my bolt under warranty, but other than that, its been great.

I'd recommend it for an entry level AR.

 

[Ibmikey]

Once you fire a Sport you will know one of the reasons they have such a positive following. The rifles shoot every time and are quite accurate, worth every penny paid.

 

[glaizinman]

Yes I have shot the sport 2 I like it alot I was just wondering because I have read that they changed the barrel. My friend was telling me the sport 2 isn't near as good as the early sport without the dust cover and forward assist. After shooting the sport 2 shoots and feels alot like the Ruger Ar

 

[justice06rr]

Your friend is probably mis-informed. The Sport2 is just as good or better; only different barrel rifling.

 

[ColoradoMinuteMan]

Yes I have shot the sport 2 I like it alot I was just wondering because I have read that they changed the barrel. My friend was telling me the sport 2 isn't near as good as the early sport without the dust cover and forward assist. After shooting the sport 2 shoots and feels alot like the Ruger Ar

As has been mentioned above, this comes from the fact that when the Sport I was introduced it had a 1:8, 5R rifled, nitrocarburized (ARCOR®, AROMORNITE® TENIFER®, TUFFTRIDE®, MELONITE®, and QPQ®) barrel. Several years ago, many years prior to the Sport II, they replaced that with the 1:9 non-5R, nitrocarburized barrel. It's been that way for at least 5 years that I know of. Unless you are shooting >75 grain projectiles you will never know the difference. Enjoy it!