S&W's AR-15 or Bushmaster

[MrBill120]

I saw the S&W M&P15 in Gander Mtn the other day. Has S&W done anything different w/ their "AR-15" as opposed to say Bushmaster?

(Kind of like how S&W added and external extractor to their 1911's...)

And now a poll.......which one?

 

[Logistics]

>>>Kind of like how S&W added and external extractor to their 1911's...<<<

Really? Why?

 

[Jst1mr]

One for the S&W!

Great article on the S&W M&P 15's:

http://www.shootingtimes.com/longgun_reviews/swmp15_121906/index.html

High praise!

 

[jackdanson]

Love my m&p. No differences that I can notice.

 

[Eightball]

Many people around where I live have had bad experiences with Bushmaster. Not so much with the Smiths. Plus, if you get an early one, some parts were done by Stag. So, it's a win-win situation!

That being said, I like my RRA

 

[ugaarguy]

Plus, if you get an early one, some parts were done by Stag. So, it's a win-win situation!

You don't want an early one. S&W had problems with Stag supplied parts, and brought production in house. Pat Rogers has given the new M&P-15 his endorsement as well. Considering the run hard & fast round counts the guns at EAG go through that's a big endorsement. New guns will be stamped 5.56 NATO on the bbl. Old ones are stamped 5.56 Nato. Newer S&W M&P-15s are a very good buy. If you buy the upper and lower separately you can put together an LMT for about $1000 as well.

 

[longdayjake]

S&Ws are really nice as far as I am concerned. I would take one over a bushmaster any day because their uppers fight much tighter than the Bushy. That to me is reason enough to get one.

 

[brighamr]

S&W. I looked at both rifles, felt the differences (fit mainly) and decided or the S&W. Now I've put about 2000 rounds through it, and I'm impressed! For what it is (16" bbl) it's pretty darn accurate out to 200 yards, and I got a $100 rebate Can't beat that!

 

[cracked butt]

I've looked at S&W rifles- they are nice. All things being equal, I'd rather do business with another manufacturer that hasn't sold out gun owners.

 

[SSN Vet]

Here's my take, from an admitedly limited perspective.

Functionally....

LMT & Colt are high end.....

then there's a large number of manufacturer's in the middle.

then there's some enonomy manufactures, like Olympic, Del-Ton, etc...

It seems like both Bushmaster and S&W are both squarely seated in the middle class, perhaps the UMC.

Howerver, S&W are reported to have tight mag wells.....have read reports that P-mags do not work in them. P-mags are probably the most popular and reliable mags.


Other consideration.....

Bushmaster is up in Maine (a free state....where I am). I doubt you'll find an anti within 20 miles of Windham, ME, where Bushmaster has their facility. Bushmaster has never sold out the R2K&BA community.

Smith and Wesson is down in Massachusettes......one of the biggest anti states in the country. You can read up on S&Ws iffy track record, appeasing the Clinton admin. to save their own necks.....right up their with Bill Ruger in many peoples opinions.

You decide which economy and which company you want to support with your dollars.

so I'd say support the

 

[Browning]

When I compared the S&W M&P15 w/the Bushmaster Mod. AR15 the M&P was a little better

If you get the flat top M&P with the flip up sights then it certainly has better sights (from Troy Industries) then the Bushie flat tops and I like the finish on the S&W a little better as well (it's a little darker instead of kind of grey like on the Bushmaster).

I like the sights on the M&P better than I do on a similar AR15 from Bushmaster that basically has all the same basic features and is meant for the same thing.

http://www.bushmaster.com/catalog_xm15_BCWVMF16FMC.asp


Other than that for the most part though there's not alot of difference between them that I can tell.

 

[teombe]

S&W, no doubt. The Smiths are cheaper, tested better, and from what I've seen, they run.

 

[armed85]

To suggest a company like Smith & Wesson or Ruger is anti gun ownership when said companies are in the business of selling firearms to civilians doesn't make your argument very appealing.

 

[MrBill120]

Jst1mr - thanks for the link to the Shooting Times article.

And I'd like to thank everyone who's thown in their views. I actually know nothing about the AR platform so I'm eating up all of the views and opinions!

 

[W.E.G.]

 

[Ridgerunner665]

S&W, no doubt. The Smiths are cheaper, tested better, and from what I've seen, they run.

Well said and 100% true...

W.E.G.,
The "chart" has been updated...here's an up to date version.
I edited this chart myself....in both the old and new "charts"...it is marked that S&W uses M16 bolt carriers....I've inspected a few dozen S&W's (including my own)...they DO NOT use M16 bolt carriers

 

[W.E.G.]

Thanks.

I'll update to the newer version of "the chart" when this question comes up again.

...which should be any minute now.

 

[snakeman]

I would definitely go for the S&W or a good Olyarms. I have an Olyarms multimatch that will outshoot the two bushmasters and the $1400 rock river that it has to compete with on our ranch.

 

[possum]

i would go with bushmaster, unless of course the that particular m&p was a stag built one and then either one would be fine and do you good.

 

[snakeman]

Stag firearms are fine rifles.

 

[strat81]

Buy what ever is cheaper or whichever rollmark you prefer. I'd consider them about equal with one difference: S&W is reputed to have excellent customer service. I've never heard anything good or bad about BM customer service.