S&W M&P 15 Sport II - Convince non-AR owners to take the plunge with new price drop?

CanuckShooter

CanuckShooter

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S&W M&P 15 Sport II - Convince non-AR owners to take the plunge with new price drop?

I've wanted an AR for a long time, and just recently saw that the S&W M&P 15 II has dropped significantly in price to less than $700. The expense of the AR platform has held me back from buying one, and now it's REALLY hard to resist. Can any of you AR gurus fill us, the uninformed, in on whether these rifles are in fact decent quality? I know there are AR's costing a couple thousand dollars, and am wondering what constitutes the huge difference in price? Is it features, build quality, tolerances, etc? Is the M&P similar in quality to the Norinco, or significantly better? I have no problem buying a very basic, feature-light rifle, as long as the durability and build quality is there. Seems unlikely for <$700, though the reviews on the net are glowing.

For someone like myself who's just a plinker, and who is just looking to own ONE base model AR, with no desire the upgrade all kinds of parts on it, and no desire to build one from parts, can the M&P be beat for the price?

I've read in many places on CGN that S&W wait times for warranty work is insane. Are all of the parts on the M&P (or at least, the ones that might need replacing) interchangeable with any AR, or would I have to buy/wait for certain proprietary S&W parts?

Thanks!
 
I'm no AR guru, but I know juuuust enough to be dangerous. Lol

I've shot a couple pretty expensive ar's, and some pretty cheap ar's, the biggest issues seem to be nickel and diming away the dust cover & forward assist, chrome lined barrels, and fit & finish (Norinco) Yes, I would say the M&P is significantly better than norinco, and for now, its cheaper to boot!

That being said, the 2nd Gen of the S&W sport (current model) certainly seems to be an excellent way-in to the AR-15 Club. I lucked out when I ran into a fellow at the range who had just picked one up and he let me shoot a few mags worth, using my own ammo of course.
I would say, get one while you can, and get one while they're cheap, they just...run, doesn't matter what ammo you put in them. Accuracy was good enough to hit pop cans everytime at 100 yds, didn't have a chance to put it to paper. Anyways, it was enough to make me pre-order one for the next batch coming into the country, fingers crossed its in before June 1st!!

Al Flaherty's is still taking pre-orders as far as I know, with $200 deposit, as well as Dante Sports for $23 less.

And yes, its a run-of-the-mill AR, all parts are interchangeable :)
 
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IMO If you are plinking you will probably be shooting 55gr. So no problem with the 1/9. 1/7 is more to be capable of stabilizing the 69gr+ bullet
 
Either the M&P or IRunGuns PSA offerings are both VERY solid for sub $700. The fit and finish on them is superior to a Norinco. There literally has not been a better deal on a budget AR in the past 5 years.

Both are standard direct impingement ARs, so parts interchange with ANY AR. Only part to be aware of is the buffer tube: mil-spec and commercial require different stocks, but the tubes can be swapped for either if you really wish. One isn't better than the other; just mil-spec is tapered and the other isn't.

Also: the PSA is a mid-length gas system, which some repute to be slightly softer-shooting (and preferable) to carbine length.

Pretty amazing deals given the current devaluation of our peso.
 
I had a S&W M&P 15 Sport, excellent rifle. It was very accurate with 55gr V-Max and W-748. The 1 in 9 twist barrel will stabilize 69gr SMK's, but not likely to be very good with heavier. Better to stick with 60gr and under, as it won't be great with 62gr FMJBT's either.
 
CanuckShooter said:
Thanks guys. Any idea if Dante's is offering free shipping?

Also, is the 1:9 twist barrel a big deal?
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No, unfortunately no free shipping, they charged me $25 from Montreal to Winnipeg, so its the same price anyways, but I think Dante's has less people on pre-order so you could get your rifle sooner, but don't quote me on that. Lol
 
Doens't Jerry Miculek use a S&W M&P 15 Sport II ? He does well with it.:)
..but yeah, that is a good deal at $700!
 
Hmmm... i was supposed to put my tax return towards a used Ford Explorer to replace my haggard ol' Escape, but now Y'all have me wanting to get into the AR game...
 
For what you are getting wen you compare to other rifle like the mini 14, mr1, even compare to a m305 it is a amazing deal!
 
Jmpell said:
I also purchased my first one the other day from al flahertys. Too stoked. I'm already shopping for parts! Heh
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Honestly you should just shoot it as is. You'll learn what you like about it and what you don't. It will give you time to see what's out there and give you time to think about if it really would make a diference to you.

Too many people but an AR and then sink hundreds of dollars into doo dads that will have little impact to no impact on the performance just because they want it to look cool or think they need it. It also kind of goes against the point of an economy AR. Enjoy it for what it is.
 
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Leg said:
Honestly you should just shoot it as is. You'll learn what you like about it and what you don't. It will give you time to see what's out there and give you time to think about if it really would make a diference to you.

Too many people but an AR and then sink hundreds of dollars into doo dads that will have little impact to no impact on the performance just because they want it to look cool or think they need it. It also kind of goes against the point of an economy AR. Enjoy it for what it is.
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Solid advice. I'm just one of those people who always has to modify or do something cool to anything I own.. :)
 
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