[dfettero]

Would the S&W AR-15 Sporter be a good entry level AR-15?
Is there a "better" choice?

 

[KCD1974]

What are you looking to spend? That is a good place to start with a post...

I just got a Rock River for $950 shipped with no tax....$35.00 FFL transfer fee.

To me that's not too bad for what I got....

I think, from what I've read, the M&P is fine weapon and would serve you well.

 

[Knox8282]

I saw the S&W Sporter at a local shop for around $550. I was stunned, asked to see it...felt ok. Did some research on it. They took a few short cuts to save money, thats for sure. No dust cover, no forward assist, average barrel, but all in all, still a good starter for low money.

I too, picked up a Rock River a few weeks later. A Tactical CAR A-4. It was $930, but had lots a great features. A two stage match grade trigger, a chrome lined barrel, Hogue grips to name a few. I am in love with it. Good luck on your choice, I'm sure what ever you decide on, you will enjoy the hell out of it!

 

[snikliw87]

Would you consider building?

Palmetto State Armory 16" M4 Standard Rifle Kit - $479 + $15 shipping
Palmetto State Armory 16" M4 Standard Rifle Kit

Spike's Tactical Stripped Lower - $79.95 free shipping
Spike's Tactical AR15 Lower Receiver

Total = 573.95

 

[dfettero]

Well I "ain't" never built a rifle or a car !!

 

[Uriel999]

LMT lower, Spikes or BCM upper...your done.

 

[arizona98tj]

I saw the S&W Sporter at a local shop for around $550. I was stunned, asked to see it...felt ok. Did some research on it. They took a few short cuts to save money, thats for sure. No dust cover, no forward assist, average barrel, but all in all, still a good starter for low money.

I'm not at all sure I would call a 5R barrel with Melonite coating an average barrel. As to no dust cover......none of my bolt guns have dust covers either. They have not suffered the least from it. As to the forward assist, the few times I've seen it used by someone at the range....well....they later ended up pounding the live cartridge out of the chamber with a cleaning rod from the muzzle end. I'm thinking they would have been much better off if they never had the forward assist.

I don't think you can find a better assembled factory AR for the price. (and I don't own one either)

This is an interesting review of the M&P15 Sport....I enjoyed it.

 

[vincent317]

If you don't want to build, Spikes Tactical complete rifle at AimSurplus $770.

 

[dwood721]

If you want to build, check out Plum Crazy. I think they go by PCF now. You can buy a complete lower from them for just over $100.

 

[Vir]

Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 Rifle Kits - 16"

Have a peek at these. This was my first kit I ordered and put together. Kepp in mind that you will need to buy a stripped lower in order to complete the build but it comes with everything else.

 

[hikeeba]

Would the S&W AR-15 Sporter be a good entry level AR-15?

I'll say 'yes.'

Is there a "better" choice?

The answer to this question depends on your budget and what you see yourself doing with the rifle.

 

[memo]

Spikes Tactical makes some good equipment. I was one of the rare exceptions, had to send my upper in for some de-burring, but they fixed her up nice and it runs like a dream now. Shipping comped, <2wk turnaround.

Awesome company, a pleasure to do business with 'em. Highly recommend.

 

[lungbuster]

LMT lower, Spikes or BCM upper...your done.

What he said X 1,000

 

[mkmsr]

Stag model 1, under $800 (gunbroker) with life time warranty and the best specs for the money!

 

[LoneWoodsman]

I have the S&WMP15 sport, I have been very pleased with it. It shoots straight, will feed and fire cheapy Russian ammo, the barrell is made for the 5.56 so it will handle the hotter loads. I am still using the iron sights and it will shoot 3 inch 5 shot groups at 175 yards with .223 Tulammo. I have noticed that 5.56 is more accurate than any .223 load i have shot through it. This rifle will do everything I need it to do including taking Oregon Blacktail. I dont feel that the lack of a forward assist and dust cover are detrimental. Its less parts to worry about breaking, and I am not crawling around in the mud or sand. I really didnt want $1000 sitting in the closet. I walked out of Cabelas' for 650 after the 10 background check buying an extra pmag and 60 rounds. I highly reccomend this rifle.

 

[Wingman709]

I am looking at getting an M&P 15 as well.

 

[51st Georgia]

I am looking at getting an M&P 15 as well.

It is #1 on my list too. A good gun for little money for a guy who doesn't want to futz with this and that. Just nice gun on the range and a fine choice in a pinch. I am worried that the pinch will come before I can buy one :shock:

 

[TriviaMonster]

I handled one of these, and it was alright. It's one of those guns that is more cost effective than say a larue tactical, and if it fits your needs, go for it. I think it would make a fine pack gun, truck gun, or a good coyote gun even.

Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk

 

[Brickboy240]

The Palmetto State Armory unit is what I am looking at.

However, if you don't want to build, you could order a complete upper and complete lower from those guys. Order separately and the whole deal is well under 800 bucks.

Cheaper than the S&W and you get features like the 1-7 twist and MPI tested bolt ... features usually reserved for the over 1000 dollar ARs.

That deal is even less than any deal i could find on a complete Spikes AR.

- brickboy240

 

[MPDC]

Actually, the S&W SPORT seems to be coming in the six to six fifty range, has a great bbl. made by Thompson center with the same twist type used on the bbl.s they make for the Military Sniper versions. The twist is 1/8 which is a good compromise between the 1/9 (good for lighter varmint loads AND handles up to about a 69 grn. bullet just fine) and the 1/7 which does fine with all but the lighter loads but ideal for the very heavy rounds. The melonite finish seems to be making cleaning easier and faster too, according to posters at the SandW forums.

Sure, for 800 bucks you can get a "better" spec'd rifle but for that amount you could also get a "better" spec'd S&W too. I like sticking with rifles where the upper and lower are matched. Why? Because I have found S&W's quality control very, very good and this is borne out by the comments on boards from the owners of these rifles. At first I thought the Sport was a downgraded rifle but the total sum of satisfaction of the owners belied that thought. It is a superior weapon from a great company.