Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Opinions of the S&W Sport models?/

I've looked at the S&W Sport models. They look nice enough to me for a basic useful hunter/defense model.

What do you guys think of them? Pros/cons? Any great weaknesses?

The guys that own them and post on the Smith and Wesson forum don't seem to have any issues. I just think an AR looks strange without an ejection port cover or forward assist even if they are useless.

I use a forward assist religiously as part of the rifle charging procedure to assure the bolt is fully closed as many ARs are sluggish going in to battery on a full mag even when charged using the bolt release or the sling shot method.

When I am hunting I often charge my rifle quietly from a treestand or other position by slowly riding the bolt forward and again use the forward assist to close the bolt the last little bit.

I also keep my port cover closed when I think about it. Riding in an open vehicle through south Texas is a compelling reason. When there is enough grit in your teeth to make a meal you wonder what is building up in your freshly lubed action.

So I like my rifle to have those features though I have handled and seen the SW Sport in use and think it is a quality product.

Thanks guys.

Can't the charging handle be used to make sure the round is fully chambered (by pushing on it from the rear)?

no

Why not?

There is nothing on the carrier to grab the charging handle while pushing forward, it only catches the carrier coming back.

And because I said so... grin

A regular carrier does have a scallop cut out in it that your thumb can act as a forward assist just not as much force.

I used to do the same until I found that the first shot was always about 2" out of the group when doing so. As much as I hate to do it, I drop the bolt using the bolt release. Not sayin' all AR's behave like that, just that one of mine does.

My son and I both have one and have absolutely zero problems/great accuracy and reliability and without one hick-up or jam with every ammo out there.

Great little rifle for the price.Ready to shoot right out of the box.

Jayco

Depending on what extra's you have laying around,the S&W gives you the opp for some goodies.

I have less than $700 in my S&W.



Jayco

I have several ARs as well as a Sport, I have found the Sport to be a fine rifle. As for no forward assist, 25 years ago I owned a Colt SP1 shorty that had no forward assist either and I never missed it. You can slide the bolt forward with your thumb if need be, if it requires more than that your better off to eject the round and chamber another. I may be in the minority but I find a FA nothing more than tool for jamming a round in that may not eject.

thanks for the opinions.

Anyone ever had a problem with one? How does the Melonite hold up?

They are good rifles, not top of the line, but good. The melonite on the barrel is one of the strongest finishes available. Dont worry about that.

What brand is your scope mount, please. I'm doing the 10 day wait for my sport. Thanx.

you ever shoot it with decent ammunition for a group? Curious how the barrels are on those things.

I hope this does not start a carry hot or not war, with this type rifle I load mine near my 4-Wheeler and then walk to my stand.

TMS AR15 Flat Top One Piece Ring Mount Picatinny...

Jayco

Mine is capable of 1 inch to inch and a quarter 5 shot groups at 100 yards off the bench with Fiocchi factory 40 gr V-Max, handloads with TAC and Nosler 52 gr HP's or Hornady 55 gr SP with Varget. Can't say they all shoot that well, but mine certainly does. (That is with the factory trigger, too. While crisp, it is pretty heavy)

so the barrels are nitrided and not chrome lined?

IF you want a low price high quality scope please get the
Simmons Whitetail Classic 6.5-20x44 w/ Mil-Dot recticle.

It is the best scope I ever purchased new for the money, I
purchased it on sale for $130 (retailed for almost $300).

It has Japanese optics and is assembled in the Philipines,
and not the typical Chinese made crap you can run Into at
that pricepoint...

The S&W AR-15 Sporters are definately GTG, my brother just
bought one a little while back for just under $600 OTD !
It had a high quality 16.5" 5R 1:8 barrel ! Trigger was
decent at 6 lbs. and very little creep.

Good Luck.