Between the Stag Arms, Bushmaster or S&W carbines, which one is the best bet? I was going to build one but now am thinking I’ll just go entry level and add on this things I want. I’m not super-serious like alot of the guys here about having the absolute best. I want something that will stay together, but I’m not going to be putting alot of ammo thru it. Maybe a thousand rounds a year or a little more. I know quality is emphasized on this forum, but surely all of these “entry level” guns aren’t total junk are they? Cost is a factor with me but not to the extent of having to buy an totally inferior gun.
Lately the S&W’s I have encountered are looking pretty good.
S&W. They are also running a $100 mail in rebate.
C4
S&W seems to be getting some good feedback. I have a Stag but I still do not have enough rds through a sample of one to have an opinion on it.
S&W always thought alot of their guns, hence the higer price,imo, as opposed to the Stag. I’ve read about some issues with the mag well on the S&W, plus the gas block. Wonder if they’ve got these fixed on latest production runs. I did read that Smith uses a good bcg, I believe.
As far as I know the mag well issue has been fixed on the M&P15 rifles coming out now. I just got a 15T with SN in the 67XXX range and its mag well is beveled like it is supposed to be. The gas block issue, as far as I know, is only on the 15T, which has a set-screwed gas block instead of a pinned one. The BCG is an LMT I believe.
Price is inline with Stag (if not cheaper) and uses better components (like LMT BCG and Troy rear).
The magwell was an issue, but was resolved some time ago. The GB’s on the 15T models are now pinned.
C4
You know, I was looking at mine and I thought it looked pinned. I was going to take some photos and post a thread asking about it, but I think you answered my question :). I didn’t see any threads or anything indicating it would be set-screwed. This is good news to me!
The GB’s are still going to be set screwed, but will have a pin driven through them as well.
C4
Ah, perhaps I need to take a closer look… :o
Well, I’m not brand loyal. I’m after the most bang for my buck. Only thing nice about the 15T is it comes with flip ups and rails, which would save me from having to buy them aftermarket. Plus S&W is really good on customer service. Only other thing I’d need is a round bungee sling and a vertical grip. I’d be good to go.
If you get a M&PT you dont have to have someone do the FF rail install for you saving you some $.
With the $100 mail in rebate, it is virtually impossible to beat the 15T or 15A.
C4
If someone was considering a S&W M&P 15T what starting serial number should they be looking for on their rifle? Or how can someone know they are getting the upgraded or better put together 15T?
How would the ADS Alpha Basic factor into the equation?
My 15T has a serial number 67XXX and it has the beveled mag well and pinned as well as set screwed gas block. I couldn’t tell you if any of them before that series have those features, but if you can handle the gun to read the serial number, you should be able to look at the mag well and see if the lip around the bottom is beveled on the front. You can also look through the holes in the rail at the gas block and see the single pin going through. Hope that helps.
Another vote for S&W. My MP15A, which is now a SBR, has been flawless. I’ve owned Colts and a DPMS and IMO, the S&W is the best of the lot.
Another option would be to buy the upper and lower as separate items from CMMG. I cruised their site about a week ago, and you can buy a basic, built flat-top 16" upper and a basic, built lower for about $816 combined (not including any fees, shipping, and taxes). You would need to buy your optics separately, as well. But you could get a 1:7 twist barrel and a free bolt carrier upgrade to the M16 bolt.
Also, you won’t get a free mag, but since 44mag.com is having a sale on D&H 30-round mags (last I saw), you could probably talk CMMG into selling you a mag (or two) for the same price as 44mag.com. It’s worth a shot, so to speak.
I would like to know how it stacks up agianst a ADS as well:cool:
I got an M&P 15 (standard) a few weeks ago. I’ve put 1200 rounds through it so far. It has ran 100%, very accurate, very well fit (no play between the lower and upper), it was $936 out the door, even though I didn’t qualify for the rebate:mad: it was still a good deal I think.