[cyphertext]

For anyone in the market for the M&P 15 Sport, it appears that they have changed the barrel. On another forum, two members posted that their recent purchases of the Sport came with a 1/9 twist barrel, vs. the 1/8 twist previously on the Sport. I called S&W customer support to confirm, and "Joe" advised that they have changed the spec, and that the Sport will now ship with a Melonite treated, 1/9 twist barrel. If you want the 1/8 twist barrel, you will need to purchase the M&P 15T.

Still trying to confirm if it is still 5R rifling or if it is the traditional rifling.

[bullittmcqueen]

Originally Posted by cyphertext

For anyone in the market for the M&P 15 Sport, it appears that they have changed the barrel. On another forum, two members posted that their recent purchases of the Sport came with a 1/9 twist barrel, vs. the 1/8 twist previously on the Sport. I called S&W customer support to confirm, and "Joe" advised that they have changed the spec, and that the Sport will now ship with a Melonite treated, 1/9 twist barrel. If you want the 1/8 twist barrel, you will need to purchase the M&P 15T.

Still trying to confirm if it is still 5R rifling or if it is the traditional rifling.

That's unfortunate. I thought using the 1/8 was a pretty ingenious decision. It's a great all-around twist rate.

[mjkeat]

They are probably sourcing the Sport 1/9 barrels at a lower cost.

[WoodenPlank]

Bad move on S&Ws part.

[cyphertext]

Originally Posted by WoodenPlank

Bad move on S&Ws part.

I agree. The barrel was the high point of the rifle! Glad I got mine last year before they did this.

[bigmoney890]

Again, why dick around with something that works?

[WoodenPlank]

Originally Posted by bigmoney890

Again, why dick around with something that works?

Because someone was an idiot.

Anyone know if S&W was doing the 1/8 barrels in house, or if they were outsourced?

[cyphertext]

Originally Posted by WoodenPlank

Because someone was an idiot.

Anyone know if S&W was doing the 1/8 barrels in house, or if they were outsourced?

They were produced by Thompson Center, which S&W owns, from everything that I have read.

[cyphertext]

Grant from G&R Tactical has also confirmed that there will be no more barrels with 5R rifling for the Sport. The 1:8 twist with 5R rifling barrels are being held for the "premium" lines, the VTAC II, the MOE, and the 15T.

Grant said that the S&W rep told him the reason for the change is the 5R rifled barrels were a production bottleneck and no one wants to make them.

[Constructor]

interesting

[Made Man]

Originally Posted by cyphertext

I agree. The barrel was the high point of the rifle! Glad I got mine last year before they did this.

Me too.

Sent from up range, at about 3100 fps