Bought my first rifle, M&P 15 Sport $569

Ocean_glocker · 02-04-2012, 08:40

I finally pulled the trigger on my AR purchase. I have been going back and forth between a few: M&P, Stag (lefty), Bushy Carbon 15. But when a Local dealer posted on another forum that they had a few M&P sports for $570, I had to jump on it.

I'm looking forward to shooting it tomorrow...

WoodenPlank · 02-04-2012, 08:42

Very good price on the sport.

22rtf2 · 02-04-2012, 08:45

Love it!!!

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Patriot III · 02-04-2012, 08:59

Good for you! Now, go out and shoot the hell out of it.

fowler · 02-04-2012, 09:13

Good value leaves room for good site like aimpoint for another 4-5 hundred dollars. Or eotech in same price range. You need to spend that much for a good site to insure reliable performance under combat conditions. As a rule of thumb spend as much for optic as rifle to get some thing you can bet your life on. I prefer the aimpoint with there 5 year battery life over eotech which get about 6months to a year on a battery. Cheap optics are a joke.

Ocean_glocker · 02-04-2012, 09:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by fowler

Good value leaves room for good site like aimpoint for another 4-5 hundred dollars. Or eotech in same price range. You need to spend that much for a good site to insure reliable performance under combat conditions. As a rule of thumb spend as much for optic as rifle to get some thing you can bet your life on. I prefer the aimpoint with there 5 year battery life over eotech which get about 6months to a year on a battery. Cheap optics are a joke.

Fowler, I appreciate the advice! What your take on Bushnell? I can get very good pricing on those...

Agent6-3/8 · 02-04-2012, 09:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by fowler

Good value leaves room for good site like aimpoint for another 4-5 hundred dollars. Or eotech in same price range. You need to spend that much for a good site to insure reliable performance under combat conditions. As a rule of thumb spend as much for optic as rifle to get some thing you can bet your life on. I prefer the aimpoint with there 5 year battery life over eotech which get about 6months to a year on a battery. Cheap optics are a joke.

You're quite correct, but I'd like to add that a high dollar optic isn't necessarily a must depending on what you're doing with your rifle. Aimpoints and Eotechs are awesome, but not everyone needs one for a range or HD rifle. I agree that most cheap optics are a joke, but my experience with Primary Arms has been exception.

JaPes · 02-04-2012, 09:34

Try shooting with the stock irons for a little while, then decide on an optic. Once you can shoot well using irons, shooting with a dot becomes a convenience not a must.

WoodenPlank · 02-04-2012, 09:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaPes

Try shooting with the stock irons for a little while, then decide on an optic. Once you can shoot well using irons, shooting with a dot becomes a convenience not a must.

Absolutely this.

TangoFoxtrot · 02-04-2012, 12:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ocean_glocker

I finally pulled the trigger on my AR purchase. I have been going back and forth between a few: M&P, Stag (lefty), Bushy Carbon 15. But when a Local dealer posted on another forum that they had a few M&P sports for $570, I had to jump on it.

I'm looking forward to shooting it tomorrow...

Congrats on your purchase! That price is awesome. I paid $610 OTD for my Sport. The rifle shoots b***s accurate right out of the box.

Bimmer1 · 02-04-2012, 15:04

Does anyone own both a high end AR and a M&P 15 Sport? I was wondering what most of you think about the long-term durability of the M&P 15 Sport compared to AR's that cost $1,000 and above. Do you see any trouble spots on the Sport that concern you about longevity for average shooting?

never enough · 02-04-2012, 16:26

nice gun!

phil evans · 02-04-2012, 16:35

great price, thats a $100 less than i paid.

carloglock19 · 02-04-2012, 17:32

Congrats on your new M&P15!

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The Pirate · 02-04-2012, 17:46

Good choice!

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JaPes · 02-04-2012, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer1

Do you see any trouble spots on the Sport that concern you about longevity for average shooting?

Nope. Longevity is covered by S&W's lifetime warranty (for the original owner).

My primary use for my 15-Sport is for range fun. I'm just an average citizen putting it to average use in an average environment.

RyanNREMTP · 02-04-2012, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer1

Does anyone own both a high end AR and a M&P 15 Sport? I was wondering what most of you think about the long-term durability of the M&P 15 Sport compared to AR's that cost $1,000 and above. Do you see any trouble spots on the Sport that concern you about longevity for average shooting?

Hopefully I'll be able to provide an answer this spring. One of these is what I'm thinking of getting in a month or so.

9x94 · 02-04-2012, 18:50

In reality, unless you are military or LEO you are buying this gun for fun, and the one in a million chance you actually need it. Your gun will serve you well in that role. Do not hesitate in buying a budget "knock-off" red dot if you wish. Don't be influenced by people who insist you need a $500 optic on your $500 rifle.
Enjoy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by fowler

Good value leaves room for good site like aimpoint for another 4-5 hundred dollars. Or eotech in same price range. You need to spend that much for a good site to insure reliable performance under combat conditions. As a rule of thumb spend as much for optic as rifle to get some thing you can bet your life on. I prefer the aimpoint with there 5 year battery life over eotech which get about 6months to a year on a battery. Cheap optics are a joke.

phil evans · 02-04-2012, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaPes

Nope. Longevity is covered by S&W's lifetime warranty (for the original owner).

My primary use for my 15-Sport is for range fun. I'm just an average citizen putting it to average use in an average environment.

my S&W M&P 15 sport Safety and Information Manual on p.37 says one year warranted for defects in material and workmanship. there is a lifetime service policy("repair without charge") that begins after the one year warranty(i.e. - probably no call tag).

fowler · 02-04-2012, 20:32

Yes buy a cheap knock off Chinese reddot and it will fail. Buy a good entry level,(eotech-Aimpoint) price one for $400-500 it will last and can be trusted. A high end optic is near a $1000 on the low end and $1400 up for a Trijicon. $400-$500 will get you a reliable site. Anything less is garbage and not to be trusted. The SW Sport is as good and reliable as any AR system that its based on.

9x94 · 02-04-2012, 21:03

Tactical mall ninjas do like to justify dropping large amounts of cash to make sure their optic can be "trusted" when shooting paper and tin cans.
I've gone to a few carbine classes with my dept issued budget rifle and chuckled at the guys with their $2,000 rifles and $1,200 optics who still couldn't shoot for crap.
Skill and training beats the expensive toys any day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fowler

Yes buy a cheap knock off Chinese reddot and it will fail. Buy a good entry level,(eotech-Aimpoint) price one for $400-500 it will last and can be trusted. A high end optic is near a $1000 on the low end and $1400 up for a Trijicon. $400-$500 will get you a reliable site. Anything less is garbage and not to be trusted. The SW Sport is as good and reliable as any AR system that its based on.

Made Man · 02-05-2012, 07:20

Nice purchase on the Sport. I love mine, great rifle. S&W hit a BIG home run with this thing, I havn't heard on horror story on them yet. I got mine in Sept. '11, it's been flawless.

Ruggles · 02-05-2012, 08:11

I have to agree, this belief that every part on an AR has to be "combat" tough (which is normally based on noting but opinion and price) to be acceptable for a civilian AR is often too much to stomach

I have no problem with buying what you want for your AR but some folks seem to push their preference too much IMO. I have a crap load of stuff that is not needed but I wanted on my ARs.

I think their are a number of good options on optics in the $200-$350 range.

And nothing wrong at all with iron sights on a AR.

redbrd · 02-05-2012, 08:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaPes

Try shooting with the stock irons for a little while, then decide on an optic. Once you can shoot well using irons, shooting with a dot becomes a convenience not a must.

I have used Trificon, Aimpoints and Eotech (I like the Eotech more) but I will not put a sight on a gun if I can't use the irons. I can't tell you about the budget sights because I haven't used them, but I can speak to the durability of the ones I have mentioned.
After just doing some window shopping it seems like several quality companies are making good scope for AR's, at more reasonable prices than the Eotech, Aimpoint and definetly the Trijicons.

TangoFoxtrot · 02-05-2012, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9x94

In reality, unless you are military or LEO you are buying this gun for fun, and the one in a million chance you actually need it. Your gun will serve you well in that role. Do not hesitate in buying a budget "knock-off" red dot if you wish. Don't be influenced by people who insist you need a $500 optic on your $500 rifle.
Enjoy!

Yes exactly! I have a cheap $80 reflex sight on my M&P Sport that is accurate and I beat the B**** of and it is as durable as my ACOG that I have on my Colt. Some people just have money to burn on extra bling and need to spend big bucks to compensate for a lack of shooting skills.