Alright guys,
I performed a search, with the orange button, and it seems only a minor review, or discussion, was held about the new S&W M&P 15 VTAC II.
Looking at the specs and watching a couple videos of Kyle Lamb with the rifle, it seems S&W, along with VTAC, have changed some things up compared to their previous VTAC rifle. The new features and specs, copied from S&W, are pasted below.
Mid-Length System (The new "cat's meow?")
- Results in lower recoil and better accuracy providing higher 2nd shot hit probability
16″ Barrel (Looks to maybe be a lightweight profile?)
- 1 in 8″ twist (Increased durability and fast enough to stabalize heavy ammunition)
- 4150 CMV Steel (Definitely an upgrade from their previous 4140 steel.)
- 5R Rifling (Something new to non-custom ARs with an established past of accuracy. Helps with durability and maintenance of the barrel as well.)
- Melonite® Finish (Excellent durability and hardness.)
Chromed-Lined Bolt Carrier and Gas Key
VTAC®/Troy™ 13″ Extreme TRX Hand Guard (Nice set of rails.)
- Two 2″ Adjustable Picatinny-Style Rails
- Improved shooting ergonomics
- Reduced heat transfer and quicker target acquisition with this free-floating rail
- Extremely light weight and rigid allowing quicker target-to-target transitions
Patent-Pending, Smith & Wesson Enhanced Flash Hider (Not sure about this? Maybe it's good. Dunno.)
- Reduces flash signature significantly
- Directs gases and sound forward and away from the shooters
- Eliminates secondary flash/streak
Geissele® Super V Trigger (Sweet! Nice feature to come standard.)
- Quick reset
- Light trigger
- No set screws to come loose when cleaning or firing
Now, some of the stuff doesn't matter to the rifle, but is nice to have.
S&W has made some upgrades. They are now using 4150 CMV barrel steel, as compared to their older 4140, that has a 1:8 5R rifling finished in Melonite. Now that is interesting. I would like to know whom's blanks they were using, but it is nice to see they upgraded to 4150CMV. It's also excellent to note they are using 5R rifling, which is used in modern sniper rifle systems. 5R rifling generally reduces stress and deformation on the bullet itself, inherently making it more accurate in flight. Then we have Melonite. Now, I am no expert, but it seems a 4150 CMV barrel, finished in Melonite, orgied with a 1:8 twist and 5R rifling, would lend itself to be extremely rugged, accurate, and easy to maintain. Now, if we could just get some inside info and find out if they do little mil-spec things like MPI their bolts and barrels, HP their barrels, shot peen, and the such, since their info appears to be "proprietary."
Another note, since S&W now machines their own uppers and lowers in house, with their extensive machining past and history, could the quality, and mating, of the two halves be superb as well? I don't currently own a S&W M&P 15 because I was always led to believe they were inferior weapons. However, with their recent upgrades, are they now competing with the mid, to "top shelf", companies?
At the price point, You get a nice, and light, $180 rail system, a superior, over stock, $240 Geissele trigger, a VLTOR collapsible stock, and a few other lil nice gadgets, to include a superb VTAC 2 point sling.
Final thoughts, it seems S&W and VTAC are trying to appeal, at a good pricepoint of $1600 complete, to enter into the market with an extremely lightweight, 6.28 lbs, extremely durable, accurate, and top shelf weapon system.
Please do not scorn me, this is just a simple observation from the spec sheet on paper. I am in the market for an AR for Police Patrol, among other things, and just happen to come across this. I was actually avoiding S&W because of my thoughts I previously had for their AR lineup. I was watching a VTAC video and saw a video of Kyle Lamb talking about it. Kind of got me wondering. Should this be a rifle I should be considering heavily at this price point?
Please open this thread up for discussion about this particular AR, the new upgrades, and your thoughts about it, along with S&W as a "top shelf" contender as a "go to" and training rifle. Thanks guys.
More information about 5R rifling can be found at http://www.tcarms.com/technology/5r_rifling.php

