SW Mp15 sport II vs Ruger AR556

[accel]

For several months I was trying to get some entry level AR with everything included and reasonably priced.

Ruger AR seemed to be the one, except, it was next to impossible to get either online or at LGS.

But since S&W released their sport II, I saw no reason to look for Ruger anymore. Not only S&W released similarly equipped competitor, but they also made it available... makes me wonder why Ruger had such limited supply of their AR?

[ZombieLivesMatter]

Both were available at Turners when I went to buy last month, I ultimately decided on the M&P Sport II. But as far as entry level AR can't go wrong with either. It helped me dip my feet in to the AR platform until I'm ready to build my own. The Ruger has a 1/8 twist compared to the M&P's 1/9, but the Ruger uses some proprietary parts and the screw-on delta ring I heard isn't as good. The M&P has the melonite coating and lifetime warrenty. With the Sport II they both have the forward assist and dust cover. In the end, all minor differences for a entry level AR.

[zapatito92]

Both are pretty nice rifles, cant go wrong with either ultimately i went with the sport 2 because it was a little cheaper and had everything i needed

[accel]

If AR556 was available anywhere I'd bought it. But everywhere I went I was told it's incredibly difficult to get. I even placed special order with LGS and they couldn't get it for 2 months. So I came to cancel the special order since I didn't see it moving anywhere.... inly to discover they have sport II in stock, which I didn't know existed. I only saw their prev.model with no forward assistance and dust cover. Needless to say I cancelled SO and got SW.

I believe it's going to be easy to get AR556 now, since soort II is out and abailable.

[Christopher761]

I bought the older sport model from S&W which does not have forward assist and dust cover. The firearm has performed flawlessly. You really can't go wrong with either of the firearms you are looking at.

Of course you can spend more and get marginally better stuff. Is a $2,000 tuned AR-15 better ? Yes. If you are firing while standing, you probably won't notice the difference.

[accel]

Both are pretty nice rifles, cant go wrong with either ultimately i went with the sport 2 because it was a little cheaper and had everything i needed

At LGS both were priced very close at ~ 740. Ruger was just out of stock forever.

[Banana_hands]

A buddy of mine bought the ruger and regretted it. If you're planning on keeping it bone stock it's great but two odd things. 1st the A2 sight/gas block is pinned on the top instead of the bottom. You wouldn't think it would be a problem but when a low profile gas block was installed the gas leaked out the grooves in the barrel from the pins because they're too close to the gas port.
2nd, for some reason they use some kind of thread sealant on the barrel nut. The shop that was removing it for my friend used heat and still ended up warping the upper receiver slightly before the barrel net came loose. The shop owner ended up talking ruger into sending him a new upper.

Food for thought.

[zapatito92]

At LGS both were priced very close at ~ 740. Ruger was just out of stock forever.

i had the option of paying 750 for the ar-556
and 680 for the sport 2

if the prices at turners would have been closer i would have probably gone with the ruger

[Banana_hands]

Idk if Kentucky Gun Co ships to CA but they have the Ruger for $589

[Bushwack44]

Retting in SoCal as the M&P Sport II for $639. Got mine out of jail yesterday. A couple weeks ago, they didn't have the Ruger and didn't know when they'd get a shipment.

[Jp17815]

Kentuckygunco.com ships to California and has a lot better prices then I can get locally. I would go with th Smith & Wesson.

[Click Boom]

PSA

[Bushwack44]

Kentuckygunco.com ships to California and has a lot better prices then I can get locally. I would go with th Smith & Wesson.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but adding the cost of a local FFL receiving a firearm negates most cost savings (or sometimes adds to the cost).

[Baboosh]

We have S&W Sport II rifles in stock for $609

https://www.2azone.com/mp15-sport-with-bullet-button-10204-p-7478.html

[accel]

Well, ruger's website does not have CA compliant model. So I was always curious how it could be purchased online. One time only I saw online sale where they offered bullet button installation. I placed an order, but got out of stock cancellation soon.

And ruger's state compliant model (except CA) also has non collapsible stock.