I just picked one up at a good price. I guess the gun shop I go to decided it was time to give me a break after paying their mortages for the last 20 years. Any one own one and have any comments good or bad about them.
What do I think about the S&W M&P15 series?
I originally wanted to do my own AR build, and wanted the exact same set up as what S&W offered on their tactical model: Troy Industries MRF, and both front/rear BUIS.
I've been hearing it was essentially a Stag/CMT, but I recall reading on ARFCOM, that they are starting to bring it in house. And is somewhat different than from what they advertise.
From my observations:
The earlier M&P15Ts, seem to come with the earlier version of front BUIS, rounded, like those combat sights on the MP5; came with Tango Down rail covers, and also stamped on the barrel was the twist rate/caliber/etc.
On the production of M&P15Ts ranging with a serial number around 55000, they come with Troy's M4 battle sight, snap on rail covers with the S&W logo, and at least with my barrel doesn't have the twist rate/caliber/etc stamped on it.
On my first outing with my gun, the weapon performed near flawlessly, amazing accuracy. The problem I faced was whomever put on the low-profile gas block didn't apply the loc-tite on the set screws or didn't fully tighten them, and thus slowly but surely the gas tube along with the block came loose with each shot. The weapon failed to cycle, and I thought at first it was under-powered ammunition. Upon breaking open the upper/lower, the gas block & tube came out of the upper, and man was I pissed.Got it squared away quickly, just tighten applied loc-tite, and it was good to go.
On that day we broke in the gun with 400 rds of old PMC 223 that my buddy had laying around. No failures to fire, no jam, but the gas block was loose. Even though I fired the gun without knowing the gas tube nearly detached, mis-diagnosed it as under-powered ammo, it shot, had to charge the handle each time, but it fired nonetheless.
By the way shouldn't you have asked this question before getting the gun?