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Thread: Newer S&W M&P 15s

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    Newer S&W M&P 15s

    Lately, I've seen - and heard of - some differences between newer production Smiths and some of the older versions. Some guys I work with bought a few after I gave them a thumbs up based on an older sample. This chaps my ass, because their guns are not as nicely equipped as the ones I based my opinion on.

    Can anyone list the differences they are aware of? Maybe even less obvious things like cheaper internal parts sources. Is S&W going lower-tier on us?

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    Quote Originally Posted by FVC3 View Post
    Lately, I've seen - and heard of - some differences between newer production Smiths and some of the older versions. Some guys I work with bought a few after I gave them a thumbs up based on an older sample. This chaps my ass, because their guns are not as nicely equipped as the ones I based my opinion on.

    Can anyone list the differences they are aware of? Maybe even less obvious things like cheaper internal parts sources. Is S&W going lower-tier on us?
    What is it you think they changed? And why is it you think they're going down in quality?

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    My buddy has an "older" one made a couple years ago and my other buddy a "newer" one about a month old and they both appear to be top notch. What differences do they think there are?

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    I could be wrong, but the only difference between an older 15A and a newer 15A is that the newer 15A will have M4 feed ramps, depending on when it was built. Between the two I would take the newer one with M4 feed ramps.

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    I was under the impression the newer models were improvements over the original ones. I have a 4 digit serial number M&P that was made by STAG with the CMT crappy staking on the gas key, but the buffer tube is milspec and staked well. I have read that S&W used LMT bolts for a while and makes most of the rifle in house now. I haven't seen a brand new one in a while to compare mine with since the shops I frequent are out of everything. David
    Last edited by dwhitehorne; 03-10-09 at 16:26.

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    Quote Originally Posted by dwhitehorne View Post
    I was under the impression the newer models were improvements over the original ones.
    There is a difference between build versions of the same model, and different models. There are lots more models of the M&P15 than their used to be. The newer builds of the same model are generally better than the older builds of the same model; i.e, 15A to 15A or 15T to 15T.

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    Deleted
    Last edited by austinN4; 03-10-09 at 17:40. Reason: My goof, wrong thread.

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    A friend of mine just bought a new M&PT and it had a DPMS LPK installed.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Shihan View Post
    A friend of mine just bought a new M&PT and it had a DPMS LPK installed.
    This is one of the more troubling things I'd heard - not DPMS specifically, though - just that the LPK was being sourced on the cheap. I've heard noises about barrels and changes to what is and isn't done "in-house" also. The BCGs have definitely taken a hit.

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    Quote Originally Posted by FVC3 View Post
    This is one of the more troubling things I'd heard - not DPMS specifically, though - just that the LPK was being sourced on the cheap. I've heard noises about barrels and changes to what is and isn't done "in-house" also. The BCGs have definitely taken a hit.
    I've quit recommending them due to the above.

    Let this be a lesson, however. Those that are required to keep to a standard, do so. Those that aren't...

    Note that even LMT is shipping now with a semi-auto carrier. While I would still recommend an LMT, and don't think that a shrouded semi is really much worse than a full, it's an example of what happens to even the best of intentions when there is no requirement to meet a standard.

    It's too bad the market has gone to hell in a handbasket, otherwise I'd be sorely tempted to just chuck everything for a pair of 6920s and keep one 6933, now that Colt seems to be on board with the .154/5 FCG pins.

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