S&W M&P15PSX (ie PISTON GUN) Range Report [Archive]

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ambluemax

11-02-10, 11:50

Ok, I'm not normally the range report type, but since this is a fairly new model, there isn't much info on them out there, and I've even gotten a couple of requests...here we go. Range Report of the M&P15PSX. I'm even more hesitant because I'm an AR newb and piston guns are a hot topic, but what the heck:

Basically how my story goes is I'm a big fan of the action pistol sports and it didn't take long for my friends to talk me into trying 3-gun. 3-gun requires a carbine, I didn't have a carbine, so I found myself in the market for an AR early this summer. I did my research (sources like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6auXTiqNtEo) and decided I like the piston gun concept. I don't think one is better than the other or one does things the other won't do, they're just different and I could only pick one at this point in time...so I fell on the piston side of the fence (don't launch that debate here, this is just for people ingterested in this model). Originally I was all about a CMMG because a local shop had them and I liked what I saw. I didn't really like the configuration of the Ruger SR556- though I did shoot it pre-purchase (hinde sight its probably a better 3-gun set up). I also had a dealer try to talk me into a Stag 8, but it didn't sing to me. This video pretty much struck me the right way at the right time to sell me on the M&P15PSX: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF5Ri4aNbwE (yeah I'm a shameless nutnfancy fan)

Originally I was after the PS version because I'm a KISS kind of guy, but in June the PSX went on sale at galleryofguns.com. I figure the rail gives me options in the future, so I was sold. Here she is:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/Ambluemax/mp15psx/IMG_2769.jpg

Troy Industries/M&P folding battle sights and magpul rail covers...otherwise she's box stock.

.........to be continued..........

ambluemax

11-02-10, 11:50

..........ok, so I got it in June, but work schedules pretty much prevented me from getting much range time. The first time I shot it was July and that was pretty much a sight it in the night before and bring a brand new gun to the match kind of a deal. Toward the end of August I also got to shoot it in a couple IDPA DMG side matches, but I didn't really get a chance to spend some quality range time with it until a couple weeks ago. I probably have about 800-900 rounds through it now.

Overall I'm pretty happy with it. Fit and finish of the gun is actually better than I expected from other M&P15's I've inspected in stores. For a stock trigger on a mid-range AR, its actually pretty clean and crisp. I've run Tapco GI style and Magpul P-mags (it comes with 1 30rd p-mag) with PMC and American Eagle factory FMJ along with my first attempt at 223 handloads- no stoppages of any kind. Weight and balance is actually VERY simular to an M4 style di gun. I haven't put it on a scale, but when I took delivery we held it up side by side with a DPMS AP4 simularly equipted (it was handy). If you close your eyes, you can tell which is which...but its close. The weight difference could easily be made up or lost in accessory selection. As far as accuracy goes, I didn't really bench rest it on paper, but I can tell you it will ring a 40% reduction IPSC shaped steel plate a 170yards while laying on the roof of an SUV all day.

For guys with the impression that piston guns have all kinds of extra parts, here's the carbine completely field stripped (except for the buffer tube)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/Ambluemax/mp15psx/DSCN0465.jpg

....................

ambluemax

11-02-10, 11:51

Maint is a snap with this thing!! Part of the reason I held off on this range report was wanting some trigger time, but I also wanted to put a ton of rounds through it and try to show how dirty some of the parts do or don't get. These are before cleaning pictures with 600 rounds since the last cleaning or lube (not that this is some kind of "torture test", that's just how much ammo my buddies and I brought with us that weekend). I appoligize in advance, the pics didn't turn out as well as I hoped

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/Ambluemax/mp15psx/DSCN0452.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/Ambluemax/mp15psx/DSCN0457.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/Ambluemax/mp15psx/DSCN0458.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/Ambluemax/mp15psx/DSCN0459.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/Ambluemax/mp15psx/DSCN0460.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/Ambluemax/mp15psx/DSCN0467.jpg

..............

ambluemax

11-02-10, 11:52

......basically, the inside of the reciver and bolt carrier group stay pretty clean. There was some brass shavings and a little powder residue, but not much. Cleaning the reciever and bolt is more of a chance to get lube in place than to remove dirt or fouling. The gas and operating rod assembly does get dirty around the gas block, but those parts litterally take 10 seconds to wipe off. I don't think the exterior of the forend gets as dirty as people claim.

Here are some after pics for comparison:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/Ambluemax/mp15psx/DSCN0463.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/Ambluemax/mp15psx/DSCN0464.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/Ambluemax/mp15psx/DSCN0466.jpg

So I guess that's all I got. I'm really happy with the rifle and highly recomend it to anyone considering a piston rifle. Since I'm new to AR's and might have missed something, I welcome any questions people have and I'll try to answer them.

C-grunt

11-02-10, 13:08

The_Hammer_Man

11-02-10, 19:30

The rod is made from some pretty high quality steel.I've never heard of anyone bending one of these by accident during normal operation of their weapon. I'm sure someone,somewhere will figure out a way to do it... but it hasn't happened yet.

Btw that looks remarkably like a slightly modified adams arms piston assembly. Which is a plus due to the fact that their piston setup is pretty darn reliable.

ambluemax

11-02-10, 21:24

I have a question about the actual piston rod. How thick is it?

My main concern with a piston gun is the ones I have seen have a pretty thin piston rod and I worry about it bending.

I have heard that some of the designs, HK and LMT, have thicker rods and moddified upper recievers, while others use a rod that fits in the gas tube hole in the upper reciever.

The forward end (fat) is probably the approx the thickness of your average #2 pencile; where it actually goes into the reciever I'd say its about as thick as the rear of the firing pin (which I assume is a standard AR part). I haven't measures and I'm terrible at guessing (and I don't have access to it right now).

It feels like a pretty robust part though, I'm not worried about it bending.

P2000

11-02-10, 21:50

Is that spring that goes on the tail end of the bolt found on other piston AR's? What is it's purpose?

Neo Mara

11-02-10, 22:29

Adam Arms says the bolt spring is suitable for use on any piston system. The purpose is to keep the bolt locked for longer while the carrier starts to move to the rear. The gas that would normally do this is not present because its a piston system, so the spring provides that force.