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Looking at an M&P15....need advice

2K views 26 replies 17 participants last post by  rds95991 
#1 ·
Sorry if this has been beat to death (i did a quick search and didn't find much)

Anyway I'm more of an AK guy but I'd like to delve into the AR field just because I want to have both platforms.
I saw the other day at a local fun store that they had M&P 15's for $579. From what Ive seen, these are good starter AR's.
I know all about the lack of the dust cover and the forward assist. But does that make it a deal breaker?
I dont plan on putting 10,000 rds thru the thing. I just want a decent (albeit cheap) AR.
Are they worth having one?
Thanks!
 
#2 ·
#6 ·
Ditto on the reliability and accuracy of the M&P15. I have enjoyed mine and it has never let me down over about 1K rounds. It will eat anything and does everything I wanted in an AR.

Not over the top, but I did add some goodies, red dot, angled foregrip, Blackhawk grip, strap and an Elzetta light mount.
 
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#7 ·
If you want a quick, easy, no-brainer purchase, they are not a bad way to go. I myself would stick with a mid length, add just a few more bucks, and find a PSA CHF upper on sale without the BGC, add a PSA nickel boron BCG/charging handle, and buy the PSA lower of your choice. MUCH better option.

Here is one on Gunbroker all ready to go, except it has a standard full auto BCG.
 
#8 ·
Thanks for the replies, guys!
I think I'll go with it for the price. Like I said, i don't plan on doing much at all to the rifle but who knows, I may get addicted after I get one. I just want an AR to plink with and another platform available in case of a (god forbid) SHTF scenario.
Whats the plus of going with a mid-length? Other than the obvious longer sight radius?
 
#10 ·
Thanks for the replies, guys!
I think I'll go with it for the price. Like I said, i don't plan on doing much at all to the rifle but who knows, I may get addicted after I get one. I just want an AR to plink with and another platform available in case of a (god forbid) SHTF scenario.
Whats the plus of going with a mid-length? Other than the obvious longer sight radius?
They're noticeably smoother to shoot.
 
#11 ·
The only word of caution is, that should the AR bug really bite you, you WILL want a mid-length gas system, some sort of rail system, and a lot of other little things. So at that point the M&P will prove to be a poor starting point, and it will be sold to build something else.

So if you don't think you will get bit by the bug, go ahead and get an M&P15. If you think that you might get bit buy the bug, buy something a little more.
 
#16 ·
If I get the bug, couldn't I just get a different upper down the road? (remember, I don't know jack about AR's so I have many questions)
 
#13 ·
If it's going to be a low-moderate round count rifle, it won't matter much, and neither will the budget aspects of the rifle. If you start running the rifle harder and more often, then you'll probably start to want higher quality parts and to try and get the rifle suited to you (smoother recoil impulse, muzzle devices, handguards, etc.). At that point it's better to just get a more suited rifle altogether.

But for an occasional shooter, the Sport is just fine.
 
#14 ·
Look at the Ruger AR556 before you buy the Sport. They are about the same price and the Ruger has regular AR stuff on it.

I have a M&P 15 ORC and it is a good rifle. In this case however I would opt for the Ruger vs. the Sport.
 
#17 ·
If I get the bug, couldn't I just get a different upper down the road? (remember, I don't know jack about AR's so I have many questions)
Well, yeah, you could. But then you'd want a better trigger, a different stock, a different pistol grip, etc., etc. And you may buy, say, a BCM upper, and get sick of having a BCM upper on a S&W lower.

Maybe. If the bug really bites you.

I bought one of the very early M&P15Ts as my first AR, when they were actually really good ARs, with quality stuff like a Troy quad-rail, Troy BUISs. The current ones are kinda missing a lot of the nice touches.

So, if I were doing an AR today, knowing what I know now, I'd just head straight for BCM, get a lower, then start figuring out which BCM upper I want.

But that's a whole hell of a lot more money.
 
#18 ·
Thanks M&P15T. I get what you're saying but the $600 cost is my driving factor right now. Sure, I may regret it down the road if i get the Ar itch, but for my needs, I think I'll start off with the m&p15.
 
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#20 ·
I agree, for me, they are not a target rifle as I have what I feel are better options for that. I opted for a S&W 15 Sport and have no regrets for what I want one for. I then purchased a Radical Firearms upper in 300 AAC and it's never been off. It does just I want out of that limited caliber (distance) so I feel good to go in my current config.

That said, I can't fault those who see/use their ARs for a different purpose than I do that would require a better setup.
 
#24 ·
Well, I pulled the trigger on the M&P15 sport. Took it out tonight and was very satisfied.
This is actually 2 different groups of 3 at 50 yards. I must have doubled up a hole. I'll take it for iron sights right out of the box any day.

Rectangle Wood Material property Box Circle
 
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#25 ·
Well, I pulled the trigger on the M&P15 sport. Took it out tonight and was very satisfied.
This is actually 2 different groups of 3 at 50 yards. I must have doubled up a hole. I'll take it for iron sights right out of the box any day.

View attachment 255914
Great Choice!
I bought a complete AR for my first one, and then a Del-Ton (w/Fwd Assist and dust cover), which is a level up from their "Sport". Getting the Bug is not a bad thing, and you can upgrade in Stages! I later bought a super deal (1/2 pirce!) DPMS 24" upper, making a target 556. No Regrets!But my lower on AR#1 was already a custom built Delaware Machinery unit, now out of production. My son (USMC, Ooh-Rah!) said it was a great build, high quality parts in the lower. I now have 2 and 3/4 ARs, all I need is another stripped lower and an LPK! KEEP the S&W, they are one of the very best budget ARs available, and if the "Bug Bites" start buying parts! Many of the factory parts can be tweaked and polished into near match grade components, by a competent person. Sometimes but not always a literal "polishing"... maybe just hand fitted!

I made a similar but reverse jump into AKs, starting with ARs :green: :supergrin: :50cal:

:bunny:
 
#26 ·
I just bought a Sport and I think it's the best bang for the buck gun. I have been looking at them for the last two years and have read all good reviews on them. With all of the Sports that have been sold there is a lot of good info on them. I have a Colt with all of the goodies on it but there is something appealing about this bare bones AR.
It is a lot easier on a tight budget to by the Sport and add stuff later.
 
#27 ·
The thing is where S&W saved money was the upper. The lower is pretty much the same they use on every other AR they make.

I've found that so far, my S&W lowers have matched to every other upper I have tried without any slack or needing a wedge to tighten it up. My most recent upper was an HK556A1. The only thing I had to change was the buffer and buffer spring which came with the upper.

I've ordered a DPMS HB 22lr upper to put on one of my S&W lowers. I put a Geiselle trigger in the lower and I'm going to use this rig to shoot ground squirrels in my orchard.
 
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