My $597 S&W M&P15

**Noah_Zark** · October 10th, 2011, 09:10 AM

A month ago I was offered a stripped M&P15 lower for dealer cost in exchange for a small favor. $75 and a 4473 later I had me a project.

Long story short, I found a used complete S&W M&P15 upper with carry handle, bolt, and bolt carrier from one of the AR forums for $400 shipped, and I got a lower parts kit, buffer tube and Magpul CTR stock for a little over $120. All totaled, for $597 this is the finished product:

(the red figure-8 on the PG is flash reflection)

It digests brass and steel cased ammo without a hiccup. Thus far I've put only about 200 rds downrange, but accuracy is right there. It hits where I point it. The markings on the used upper match those of the other two factory-built S&W M&P15s that I previously bought. The markings on the hammer and trigger from the parts kit also match those in the two factory M&P15s.

The only thing I had to mod was the bolt carrier release spring was too stiff and and empty mag would not hold the carrier open. I had a few springs in the miscellaneous parts and switched one out and the next five mags fired all held open, as well as a half-dozen empty mags I tried at random several times, using the cocking handle.

GTG.

Noah

**renalp** · October 10th, 2011, 09:21 AM

Nicely done!

**spblademaker** · October 10th, 2011, 09:24 AM

Cool. Looks like a little searching and some patience payed off.

**DucatiRon** · October 10th, 2011, 12:39 PM

OMG why didnt you buy a Colt. You know the chart says that's the only good AR made. Hahahaha.

Nice budget build my man. May you shoot straight and error free.

**Daycrawler** · October 10th, 2011, 12:53 PM

Nice work, building is some times the way to go! The M&P line is great. I have two of the M&P 15 and they run great.

**hooknladder** · October 10th, 2011, 11:55 PM

I did a budget build a few years ago. My goal was an M16A1 style on a DPMS receiver. Only catch was, I had to raise all the cash for everything but the receiver by selling non-gun stuff in the classifieds. Back in the day Ohio Ordnance Works was selling USGI Colt A1 uppers for $250

It came in under $500 back then.

**IronButt** · October 11th, 2011, 09:15 AM

Nice build. And it comes in almost $500 cheaper than my DD/PSA/MagPul build.

**Tim Ault** · October 11th, 2011, 04:13 PM

Noah, Exactly what markings are on the upper that could point to it being a S&W, Asking because I just got a S&W used and was wondering if the upper was or was not what it came from the factory with.

Tim

**Asmodeus6** · October 11th, 2011, 04:25 PM

If I had just pieced that all together for <$600 I'd be grinning like the Cheshire cat.

Good work Noah.

**Noah_Zark** · October 13th, 2011, 12:05 AM

Originally Posted by Tim Ault

Noah, Exactly what markings are on the upper that could point to it being a S&W, Asking because I just got a S&W used and was wondering if the upper was or was not what it came from the factory with.

Tim

Tim:

AFAIK, there are no S&W-specific markings. All I'm saying is that the markings on the barrel of this build and those of my other two M&P15s were made with the same rollmarking die. Individual features of any given character are identical. Same for the mold marks on the FSB and the upper receiver itself.

Noah