M&P SPORT anygood
- Thread starter JO JO
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I have had one for about a year now. I love it. I've shot several thousand rounds through it with hardly any issues. And most of the ammo has been the cheap Russian stuff. No forward assist or dust cover but I don't think that's a big deal, as I'm not crawling around the desert anywhere. I would definitely recommend the purchase.
jrod
Member
I love mine! Best buy on the market IMHO.
FrankCastleThePunisher
Member
The early Sport models with the melonite coated 5R rifling barrels were the really good rifles. I don't believe S&W are still putting these barrels on the Sport model any longer.
chris in va
Member
Mine has been fantastic. No issues. Only thing, the hand guard isn't shielded so it gets hot quick. I just replaced it with a stock shielded Colt unit for $10.
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mdauben
Member
I checked the website and it does not specifically say. I'm a very satisfied Sport owner but if the changed (cheapened) the barrels I would consider that a significant drawback to the new guns.
chris in va
Member
Only one way to find out. Call S&W like I did.
BTW, 'melonite' isn't a coating, it's a barrel treatment. It actually treats the metal in and out. Generally superior to chrome lined as it doesn't constrict the diameter.
BTW, 'melonite' isn't a coating, it's a barrel treatment. It actually treats the metal in and out. Generally superior to chrome lined as it doesn't constrict the diameter.
They have a really good reputation. Before the craziness they could be had for $600 some places on line, but usually around $650, which means they are back to normal. Woohoo.
The current Sport isn't the same rifle as the one from before the craziness though. Same price...less rifle.
That barrel change is significant.
As mentioned above, it is no longer a 1:8 twist melonite with 5R rifling.
I think S&W is trying to squeeze every penny of profit they can out of the reputation they built with the rifle early on.
FrankCastleThePunisher
Member
The melonite 5R rifling barrel was the deal maker for the Sport before the panic. Mine is a tack driver with a Leupold VXR 2x7 Firedot scope at 100yds. Added some Magpul furniture and a sling and light to finish out a really good rifle.
RainDodger
Member
Regardless of the barrel, it is still a good rifle at that price! I do have the first version that came out with the 5R/melonite barrel, but even with the "standard" M&P barrel, it's a good price for a very nice rifle. My Sport shoots better groups than my Colt, which cost nearly twice as much.
People call the Sport an entry level AR... I would not call it that at all. It's simply an AR with 2 less "features"... dust cover and forward assist, neither of which most of us need.
People call the Sport an entry level AR... I would not call it that at all. It's simply an AR with 2 less "features"... dust cover and forward assist, neither of which most of us need.
W.E.G.
Member
Smith and Wesson does not make a bad AR15-type rifle.
Just be sure it has all the features you want.
People need to stop gushing on the internet about 5R barrels on S&W AR's.
Testing has been done to determine whether the 5R rifling configuration offers any accuracy or longevity benefit.
It does NOT.
It is about as important as whether the door-handle buttons on your car are convex or concave.
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Just be sure it has all the features you want.
People need to stop gushing on the internet about 5R barrels on S&W AR's.
Testing has been done to determine whether the 5R rifling configuration offers any accuracy or longevity benefit.
It does NOT.
It is about as important as whether the door-handle buttons on your car are convex or concave.
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.
.
.
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RainDodger
Member
Well, I'll tell you one thing for sure about the 5R rifling. I've found that it cleans easier than a standard barrel. I use about half the patches to clean it than I do with other barrels with standard rifling. I suspect it is due to the 65 degree angle where the land intersects the actual bore/groove, rather than a standard 90 degree cut. The crud cleans out of that 65 degree angle easier than the 90. You will find people that say they're better and people that say they're not - that's what makes this country great I guess.
What WEG said about S&W not making a bad rifle - in my opinion he's right about that!
What WEG said about S&W not making a bad rifle - in my opinion he's right about that!
I shoot with a couple of guys who have them, and they both just went and picked up their M&P 10s. Slings and furniture add-ons later they are both at 100% with their choices.
Local "builder" was said to have been super-pissed as the Wal-Mart here just started carrying the M&Ps and the Wyndhams-he actually was seen to be bitching at the sports counter guys nearly getting a disorderly conduct ticket. Lesson: People who charge 3x the going rate for comparable rifles HATE S&W/Wyndham/DPMS for one reason-lost business. Oh well.
Local "builder" was said to have been super-pissed as the Wal-Mart here just started carrying the M&Ps and the Wyndhams-he actually was seen to be bitching at the sports counter guys nearly getting a disorderly conduct ticket. Lesson: People who charge 3x the going rate for comparable rifles HATE S&W/Wyndham/DPMS for one reason-lost business. Oh well.
I'm trying to think of a "comparable rifle" to a DPMS or Windham that could sell for 3x the price, but I'm not coming up with anything.
Uh, sure, you have guys doing 15 bolt-ons to a Spikes/AMT/Xxx lower, and charging $1800 for it: we have a guy running a shop like that here in S. WI
What bolt-ons? It doesn't seem fair to compare a rifle with accessories to one without. Of course the extras will cost extra.
My main AR style rifle cost $3,500 as it sits, and that's simply from bolt-ons/pin-ins.
Out of curiosity, how many ARs do you have?
At any rate, the S&W sport is a good solid gun at a very good price. It is all the gun many want or need. Then there are the folks who want all the bells and whistles.
At any rate, the S&W sport is a good solid gun at a very good price. It is all the gun many want or need. Then there are the folks who want all the bells and whistles.
Does OP have other ARs?
2ndtimer
Member
I have to echo Raindodger's post, my Sport with the 5R rifling is also very easy to clean. It is also much more accurate with comparable loads compared to my son's Palmetto State Armory AR with its 1 in 7" twist. My 1 in 8" 5R twisted Sport shoots even 40 gr bullets into MOA groups at 100 yards and is very accurate with 50 and 55 gr bullets. I haven't really tried the 60 gr and heavier bullets, but would anticipate they would shoot at least as well. I don't know how well the new Sports with the 1 in 9" twist since I don't know anyone shooting one.Well, I'll tell you one thing for sure about the 5R rifling. I've found that it cleans easier than a standard barrel. I use about half the patches to clean it than I do with other barrels with standard rifling. I suspect it is due to the 65 degree angle where the land intersects the actual bore/groove, rather than a standard 90 degree cut. The crud cleans out of that 65 degree angle easier than the 90. You will find people that say they're better and people that say they're not - that's what makes this country great I guess.
What WEG said about S&W not making a bad rifle - in my opinion he's right about that!
I do have an AR its an older Bushmaster its was made well before Remington took them
over its a good solid rifle, but I would like to pick up a second one for the wife, I like
the price of the sport I'm not into the 1500 AR thing ,
Thanks for all the info it helps
over its a good solid rifle, but I would like to pick up a second one for the wife, I like
the price of the sport I'm not into the 1500 AR thing ,
Thanks for all the info it helps
You'd have to reach REALLY high to find a $1,500 'stock' AR.
Colt 6920's could be had for $800-something shipped last month and grab a gun has 20" Colts with fixed rifle stocks for about $1,090 right now.
You could EASILY get a Colt or a BCM or a Spikes, all of which are very very good carbines/rifles, for $900-$1,100.
Even Daniel Defense can be had for noticeably under $1,500 if you shop well. I don't know about Noveske or KAC though.
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