I'm completely deadlocked.

[garand4life]

Okay, with the loss of my job last year I had to sacrifice my beloved M&P15 AR platform rifle. I am now deadlocked between 2 excellent rifles. I then ask for the "family's" recommendation. If you could only have one AR rifle, which of the 2 would you prefer and why.

#1 A Ruger SR556 in 5.56 ($1499)

-or-

#2 A Smith & Wesson M&P15T ($1599 and comes with a Mail-in for 5 PMAGS from S&W)

Both have full length railed hand guards but the S&W is free floated and I don't know that the Ruger is (I think it is).

I don't have a carbine right now and I am fighting the urge to go all out and get an ACR. I loved my M&P but this presents the opportunity to go piston. I had no issues with my old AR and the only reason I'm deadlocked is that for both have outstanding performance track records and S&W makes a hell of a gun. I have heard nothing but awesome things about the Ruger as well. Please guide me oh wise one's (and FQ, just kidding).

[tt11758]

Okay, with the loss of my job last year I had to sacrifice my beloved M&P15 AR platform rifle. I am now deadlocked between 2 excellent rifles. I then ask for the "family's" recommendation. If you could only have one AR rifle, which of the 2 would you prefer and why.

#1 A Ruger SR556 in 5.56 ($1499)

-or-

#2 A Smith & Wesson M&P15T ($1599 and comes with a Mail-in for 5 PMAGS from S&W)

Both have full length railed hand guards but the S&W is free floated and I don't know that the Ruger is (I think it is).

I don't have a carbine right now and I am fighting the urge to go all out and get an ACR. I loved my M&P but this presents the opportunity to go piston. I had no issues with my old AR and the only reason I'm deadlocked is that for both have outstanding performance track records and S&W makes a hell of a gun. I have heard nothing but awesome things about the Ruger as well. Please guide me oh wise one's (and FQ, just kidding).

While I have no personal experience with either, I DO know that Teresa is STILL singing the praises of the Ruger.

[garand4life]

After everything I've read about the Ruger I'm hard pressed to find a better rifle. But, at the same time I love the quality S&W put into the M&P series and I know the inner workings fairly well. Going to the piston has me at a disadvantage. What, at this point, attracts me to the Ruger is the cleaner and cooler running chamber and the thinner profile handguards. But the Smith has the 5 free mags, the 2 stage trigger, and the more commonly available spare parts market.

[fightingquaker13]

After everything I've read about the Ruger I'm hard pressed to find a better rifle. But, at the same time I love the quality S&W put into the M&P series and I know the inner workings fairly well. Going to the piston has me at a disadvantage. What, at this point, attracts me to the Ruger is the cleaner and cooler running chamber and the thinner profile handguards. But the Smith has the 5 free mags, the 2 stage trigger, and the more commonly available spare parts market.

I think you'e just answered your own question. You, for whatever reasons are comfortable with a Smith and you are familiar with it. The parts are there and you get some freebies. Decision made. Only thing I'd advise is to research that trigger and make sure its gremlin free. A two stage trigger is a plus, but its also something to potentially go wrong. Make sure its solid. Honestly, you could probably make a case for either, but unless I got a consensus from folks who know one way or the other? I'd go with the one you are most comfortable with. Just my .02.
FQ13
PS try the AR-15 forum, lots of helpful folks

[garand4life]

Thanks FQ,
The only reason I'm still so up in the air is the additional flexibility of piston driven guns. Where I live now is a humid woody area but I have every intention of living in NM again and with my old AR the heat from running the gun and it being in the prolonged 110 degree sun made for some scary moments worrying it would cook off a round in the chamber. I like the idea of getting into a gas piston that has the adj gas regulator but I don't know if that's entirely necessary. I guess I'm looking for some pro cons which I know we've had a lot of threads on. So maybe one of you who have a SR556 can chime in on things that you like specifically about the gun or things you noticed that are different in terms of maintaining the gun versus a G.I. AR15. Both are high quality but is there anything that really sells the SR556 versus a traditional AR other than the Piston system?

[Sponsor]

[Buckwheat McCoy]

I've a SR556 for over a year now (I also own a Bushie M4).  I am in no way unhappy with the Bushie, but I'm thrilled with the SR556.  It's just a tad bit front-end heavy due to the piston, but only when not shooting; just comparing.  Not only can I run round after round through the SR556 without any bolt carrier/assmebly/group heat build up, but I can run the Wolf coated ammo through it without any stuck-case worries.

I'm an Defensive Firearms Instructor here in Oregon and now use the SR556 for all of my training and demostrations.  I've ran close to 8,000 rounds through the gun without a single problem of any kind.  I use PMags, Thermold, Pro Mag, Green and Gray follower steel mags.  All perform without issue.  I mounted an NC Star Halographic Red Dot that is co-withnessed with the stock Troy iron sights.  All works great.  The NC Star I picked up on Amazon for $33.00.  After 2,000 rounds it's still holding Zero.  It's set up for either a One or Two-Point tactical sling.  The only thing I did different is replace the factory Ruger/Troy plastic rail covers with UTG rubber rail covers.  The Troy work just fine, I just prefer the UTG, nothing more.

I'm starting to see more and more piston guns (all makes) showing up on training days out at the Club.

FYI.  The Bushie is a great little gun.  It runs hot and I wouldn't think of running the Wolf coated ammo throught.  I heard too many horror stories of the coating material melting and gumming up the chamber and cases getting stuck.

Just my humble two cents, but I believe you will be very happy with the Ruger.

[Swamp Yankee]

Well hate to say it but niether given the choices you gave. I would go with a Stag, why because they are the base for the M&P and they cost less. I believe in getting value for my dollar. Why pay for a name when you don't have to. Flame suite on just in case.

Mike Mc

[garand4life]

Well hate to say it but niether given the choices you gave. I would go with a Stag, why because they are the base for the M&P and they cost less. I believe in getting value for my dollar. Why pay for a name when you don't have to. Flame suite on just in case.

Mike Mc

True, Stag had a huge hand in the M&P. My old M&P15 was a stag base. However S&W is now manufacturing them in their own facilities at last they told me. Thompson Center Barrels and uppers/lowers by S&W with parts from Troy and Magpul and the like for the furniture.

I think that overall the S&W just feels a little better in terms of fit and finish. But I do like Stag.

[twyacht]

Shot my co-workers M&P 15T several times, it's traditional AR, through and through. Very light, easy to add accessories. The price when they first came out was around $900.00  .

Just like my Sig556, which was around $1200 in Feb 08. Now they are both more. I just wanted something "other" than a traditional AR, and now want an exact duplicate of deepwaters FAL in .308.

However, Sportsman Guide is selling complete Colt M16A1 packages (everything but the lower receiver, and trigger disconnect), for $599.97.

I know your a S&W fan, (so am I), and it is a fine rifle. The Ruger I have seen, held, fondled, but never shot one. So I cannot speak to actual range comparisons.

For the money, the M&P is a great choice. So is getting a complete kit upper from Colt, and throwing it on a DPMS lower, for less money.

Is this going to be a comp. rifle? Or just something to have back in NM?  I like the additional weight up front my Sig, and the SR has it stabilizes the weapon (for me), when rapid firing. Especially, when I get the moderators approved Titan Compensator.
(Eric uses his Sig556 as his primary BTW)

Just another .02 cents, for ya'. The Stag is about the same and, as others posted, the same in the M&P category, BUT cheaper.

Please let us know what you decide on.
Take Care.
tw

[MAUSERMAN]

You can never go wrong going with Ruger. Im just waiting on the carbine to become available.