Ruger AR 556 or Smith and Wesson M&P 15

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TheClasonater

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Looking to pick up an affordable AR platform to learn on and tinker with without killing my bank account. Im a ruger lover, but the smith and wessons I have are solid. Do any of you have experience with either. Just thought I'd check with the big dogs on here because I don't trust the marketing wank articles. Probably still a few months out but wanted to throw it out there first.
 
They are both good. I have been a SW fan for a long time but lean more towards Ruger these days. SW service is just not what it used to be. Ruger is outstanding and is on the ball. Ruger is more streamlined IMHO and not trying to produce so many models.

But then I bought a Ruger SR-556 (piston) so shows what I know!:uhoh:
 
Both are solid. I have the Smith. Twist rates I believe are different. That may influence your decision.
 
The Ruger comes with 1:8 twist. My M&P has 1:9, but there are some variants with 1:8 and 1:7. In theory, the 1:8 should stabilize a heavier bullet than 1:9, but in reality, mag length limits just about all Ar-15's to 77gr max, and 1:9 still works fine for this.
 
I like the S&W. I was just looking for an entry level AR at the time and would have just as quickly threw down on the ruger if it was it was there. These threads typically end up with people recommending what they own. Which makes sense, because it's what they have experience with and can recommend. I don't think too many people can make a strong case for one over the other, but I like the S&W roll mark better :D so that's what I recommend.

But really, I have a good amount of cases worth of ammo through my sport and it has been 100%. I haven't been especially kind to it either...
 
Either one, with hiccups, should be easy to fix yourself...

They’re fairly standard ARs.

I don’t know if they use peculiar barrel nuts like those on SIG’s Tread rifles, though (curse you, SIG!!!).
 
I suppose I may have got the one in a thousand bad apple, but I got rid of my Ruger and kept my S&W for good reasons. I also own or have owned DPMS , Diamondback, Checkmate, Anderson, Springfield, Aero Precision, and Bushmaster. I'm not gonna dis the ones I no longer own. But I will tell you this, if it won't shoot any ammo I put in it, if the gas block doesn't stay put, or I have any other problems that I shouldn't have with a new gun, it gets replaced by something else.
 
Building is great if you are already familiar with the platform. I wouldn't recommend a total newbie to start that way.
At least with Ruger or S&W you do get some customer support. I think S&W's front end QC is better than Ruger, but it is also my experience that S&W customer service has slowed to a snail's pace. I had to send back an SDVE 9mm for a slide issue that was not thier fault, but it took about 4 months to get it back.
 
As a newbie to the platform, but not guns, I opted to "build". It's not as daunting of a task as the word "build" makes it sound. The proper word should be "assemble". Because your not really building squat. Just easily assembling. Easy to do with all the YouTube videos out there for reference.

Even PSA trumps both entry level rifles from those brands imo. The advantage of assembling your own is you can get exactly what you want. There's a reason so many AR guys will tell you to "build". Cost effective and made to fit you.
 
Mn Fats said:
As a newbie to the platform, but not guns, I opted to "build". It's not as daunting of a task as the word "build" makes it sound. The proper word should be "assemble". Because your not really building squat. Just easily assembling. Easy to do with all the YouTube videos out there for reference.

Even PSA trumps both entry level rifles from those brands imo. The advantage of assembling your own is you can get exactly what you want. There's a reason so many AR guys will tell you to "build". Cost effective and made to fit you.
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If you don't mind the learning curve and you seek out good advice, it is the most economical way to go. But if you listen to the wrong folks and get mismatched gas systems or buffers, the learning curve my get flat lined.
 
Hugger-4641 said:
If you don't mind the learning curve and you seek out good advice, it is the most economical way to go. But if you listen to the wrong folks and get mismatched gas systems or buffers, the learning curve my get flat lined.
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I found it all extremely easy. I've built lego sets with my son that were more tricky. Compared to truly building my 1911, Ar's are easy. Some might have a learning curve bigger than others. Maybe some have never picked up a tool before, then I'd say buy a budget S&W or Ruger.

In this day of YouTube and sites like THR, buffers, gas systems, lengths, etc are extensively covered online.
 
They're near identical rifles built in a super common AR configuration. Ruger fanboying is as good of a reason to split the tie as any.

Building is pretty easy even for someone who's never worked with ARs before... if you can work a pin punch, you can build a PSA kit. But I would just get a turnkey off-the-shelf rifle for your first AR, unless there's a bunch of money to be saved by building or you just want the experience. If you are ordering a standard M4 clone kit, it's basically just taking the time and trouble to build what Smith and Ruger have already assembled for you.
 
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Mosin Bubba said:
They're near identical rifles built in a super common AR configuration. Ruger fanboying is as good of a reason to split the tie as any.

Building is pretty easy even for someone who's never worked with ARs before... if you can work a pin punch, you can build a PSA kit. But I would just get a turnkey off-the-shelf rifle for your first AR, unless there's a bunch of money to be saved by building or you just want the experience. If you are ordering a standard M4 clone kit, it's basically just taking the time and trouble to build what Smith and Ruger have already assembled for you.
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No argument here, overall they are both good and I'm not a fanboy or hater of Ruger or S&W. They both make good guns, and occasionally some bad ones. I have many of both, but in the AR platform, I've only had problems with Ruger. Around here, a Ruger 5.56 is going for $200 or so higher than the equivalent M&P and having owned both, I can't see the justification for this.
"Building" can also mean different things to some. Snapping a complete lower to a complete upper can be called "building" and is probably the easiest and cheapest way at the moment.
 
Either or Both. I have a Ruger AR-556 and really like it. Never had a problem with it and have put 1000s of round through it but believe the S&W will do the job equally as well.
 
lemaymiami said:
Interesting… A quick check of gunbroker showed a $100 difference between the two brands basic rifles. Ruger, cheaper…
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Not sure which models you are looking at, the optics ready M&P is listing $479, the Sport II is $739. Cheapest Ruger 5.56 I see is $679.
 
Thanks for the replies gents. My intention with it right now is actually to not build the most badazz AR in the area, just to have one that goes bang -- accurately -- when I pull the trigger, and if it breaks, be able to talk to somebody and have it fixed.

Only "bling" that's gonna go on it right away, is perhaps an optic so I can rid my property of pests.

Paralysis by over analysis.
 
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