The Upgrade
The main difference in the new platform reflects a shift in design preference around the AR-15 in general. The new M&P 15 Sport III ditches the fixed front sight base, opting for a free-float M-LOK handguard that avoids any unnecessary pressure on the barrel.
The line has also shifted away from the carbine-length gas system in favor of the smoother operation of the mid-length system, which avoids overtravel of the round.
This redesign reflects the more contemporary aspects of the AR and maximizes the modularity of the platform. At the same time, the design remains simple. No controls are ambidextrous, and the furniture is basic.
On the Range
What everyone wants to know is how it shoots. On the range, the Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport III feels like a modern AR. While it is odd to admit, ARs with fixed front sight posts and drop-in handguards have a vintage feel – not that there is anything wrong with that, but this new iteration feels different.
Taking advantage of the updated platform, I added an optic and threw on a B&T Print-XH 556 suppressor because shooting unsuppressed is archaic. Without the fixed front sight post, there is a clear field of view for an LPVO, and Swampfox’s new Tomahawk II was the perfect fit.
Related: Super Light with No Gas – B&T's New Print-XH Cans Impress on the Range
One of the more notable changes with this generation of the Sport is the smoothness of the recoil. It’s not an earth-shattering decrease, but the mid-length gas system makes it a much softer-shooting rifle. Especially with a quality suppressor with reduced back pressure, recoil is soft, and you get no gas in your face.
For my accuracy test, I shot a grouping at 100 yards with 55-grain Fiocchi .223 FMJs. This isn’t match-grade ammo, but I am always more concerned with the practical accuracy of the platform. This rifle doesn’t break the bank, and it will probably be fed inexpensive ammo, so it is best to see what that inexpensive ammo can do. From the bench, with the Fiocchi ammo, the rifle printed about a 2.5-inch group, which is very solid. With more magnification and better ammo, I am certain you could tighten up the group.
It was easy to make repeated hits on steel downrange from 50-100 yards, and the gun is a pleasure to shoot. I shot a mix of Fiocchi, Federal, and Winchester ammunition, 5.56 and .223, with no malfunctions.
Field Notes
I do have two gripes about the rifle – both fairly standard AR-15 gripes. First is the furniture. I gave the rifle props for being a more contemporary rendition of the AR-15, so I don’t understand why S&W used the old A2-style pistol grip and MILSPEC-style stock. There are much better furniture options that could easily increase the quality of the rifle. If Radical can put B5 Systems furniture on all its rifles, why can’t Smith & Wesson?
The second gripe piggybacks on the first. Outside of the single sling loop on the M4-style stock, there are no sling attachments. The M&P series is largely marketed to law enforcement, and every department is going to want to sling the rifle, as should anyone else who plans on using it for anything from home defense to training.
A few QD cups in the M-LOK rail or a QD cup end plate on the receiver would immediately improve this design. A better-quality stock would also give QD mounting options. Including a few extra functions would go a long way toward saving people time, money, and effort.
Outside of that, the M&P-15 Sport III is a great AR. It’s more affordable than ever, and coming from an American company with a long, rich history of American manufacturing seems appropriate for a rifle like the AR-15.
PROS & CONS
