The M&P Sport 2 is one of the most popular sports category rifles. Used by thousands of users all over the world, the weapon isn’t flawless. While it’s a great gun and I still recommend it despite its flaws, let’s talk a bit about the flaws, shall we?
Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport 2 Problems
Let’s figure out all of the Smith and Wesson M&P 15 Sport 2 problems and see how they affect a user.
Firing Pin Issue
A rare occurrence but it’s still an issue that has been reported by a lot of users. On very rare occasions the firing pin of Sport 2 will decide it had enough and immediately go on a strike. In other words, it will stop working. Apparently, this issue is also persistent with guns like the Delton AR-15.
If you face this issue, then you should send it back to S&W and let them figure out the damage and send you a repaired weapon within a few weeks. But if you want to do the manual fix, then you can try removing the bolt and firing pin. See if they are damaged or not. If they are not damaged, just install them again and it should work. Weird, right?
Barrel Weight
The front of the barrel of M&P 15 Sport 2 is a bit heavier than the backside. That has caused a lot of ruckus among competitive shooters. It’s a bit of pain to compensate for the gun being front-heavy.
For most people, it will not be a concern. But for competitive shooters, it’s something to think about.
The sad part is, that there is no real solution here. Rifles are heavy and they are supposed to be. While some of them are mostly heavy on their back for having the chamber and cheek pad and stuff, some of them will have a front-heavy look as well.
Barrel Twist Issues
The Sport 2 has a 1 in 9” barrel twist. It’s an industry standard and that’s not the issue. The issue is a lot of people might prefer a 1 in 7” barrel twist for higher accuracy. The M&P Sport 2 is a reliable and accurate rifle but if you are a competitive shooter, then it can be an issue for you.
And there is no effective way of solving this issue either. The faster the bullet spins the more accurate it will be. Now, you cannot just outright change the twist rate of your bullet on your own. If you are not happy with the barrel twist of Smith and Wesson, then you will need to look elsewhere.
Over Gassed
When you search for M&P 15 Sports 2 problems, the most common problem you will find on the gun is about gas. The gun is overly gassed and there is no way of denying it.
After firing a few rounds back to back, you will get a lot of gas sent back to your face. It’s a design flaw in my opinion. A rifle of this size shouldn’t be overly gassed. The idea behind this gun was probably that it would be used with low-quality ammunition.
Depending on the type of ammunition you use, the gas blasted back to your face will leave you with a burning sensation.
There is a simple solution to this problem tho. Make sure to use a gas block. Buy an adjustable gas block and it will give you the modulate the pressure manually and prevent the buildup of carbon.
Bullet Tumbling
While it’s not apparent in a new M&P Sport II, some shooters have reported that they faced issues with bullet tumbling. This is something that not everyone can vouch for as some of you might not face this ever.
The solution to this issue is quite simple. The main issue is changing the caliber. Chances are the bullets you are using have some minor imperfections. If you face that issue, then changing it will fix the issue.
You can also try changing the muzzle device. If the muzzle device has some scratches or grooves that are not supposed to be there, then it will make the bullet tumble and cause you to miss shots.
Should I Buy An M&P Sport II?
After seeing these issues, you might be wondering whether it’s worth purchasing the gun or not. After all, some of the issues are a deal breaker for a lot of people.
If you are a beginner and want to dip your toes in the wonderful world of rifles, then this is a great rifle. A lot of the issues you won’t even notice as a beginner and if you do, you can always upgrade the M&P Sport II to your heart’s content. It’s quite reliable and so far it hasn’t broken down magically on anyone.
Conclusion
There is no denying the credibility of this weapon. It started a trend of affordable rifles that don’t have a recoil to throw you in the Grand Canyon. But it’s a weapon with flaws. The flaws are presented in front of you. If those flaws are fatal for your usage, then it’s not the best weapon for you.
If you don’t fall in the category where you don’t mind any of the mentioned issues and just want a reliable rifle to start life, then this is one of the best beginner rifles out there. Despite all the problems M&P 15 Sport 2 has, it’s a great weapon regardless.
Hopefully, you know a bit more about the gun you are about to purchase. That’s all for now. Till next time take care and have fun.
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Hi, I’m Brent Hansford. A writer turned hunter & now sharing my love for the sport through writing. As I practically breathe weapons, I firmly believe I’m capable of providing you with new knowledge about firearms and hunting. My mission is to help more people get better at hunting & master the weapons. Let me help with unleashing the beast within you!
