Massachusetts planned to bar Smith & Wesson from making black rifles, so the company is expanding to Tennessee and making a special AR to celebrate.
The new M&P15 T II Engraved is a rifle that is limited to just 2,100 guns, in a farewell of sorts to Smith's long-time headquarters at 2100 Roosevelt Ave in Springfield, Massachusetts. The historic gun maker, which has been in the state since 1852, broke ground this month on a new facility in Maryville, Tennessee that will employ 750 . This came after lawmakers snubbed the respected manufacturer by exploring a ban on the production of popular semi-auto rifles at the plant.
Engraved on the magazine well is an eagle, American flag, and the text “Since 1852 Protecting the 2nd,” that S&W says represents "the company’s commitment to the 2nd Amendment and its customers." (Photos: S&W)
The M&P 15T II Engraved comes standard with a free-float 16-inch barrel that incorporates 5R rifling with a twist rate of 1:8. It runs a mid-length gas system, has an oversized trigger guard, and features a new flat face trigger.
Other features of the M&P15T II include an ambi Radian Raptor-LT charging handle, Magpul CTR carbine-length stock, and a 15-inch aluminum M-LOK handguard that comes with Magpul MBUS sights on a top Pic rail.
The MSRP on the new M&P15T II Engraved limited-edition rifle is $1,372.