I spent the the last week putting 800-1000 rounds through Smith & Wesson’s latest addition to the M&P-15 line of AR15 pattern rifles, the MOE version. “MOE” stands for “Magpul Original Equipment”; the rifle comes from the factory wearing a Magpul stock, pistol grip, handguard, and the Magpul MBUS plastic backup sights.
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| From Gunsite Trip |
I didn’t shoot the M&P-15 with the plastic sights, however I spent a good chunk of the third day shooting an M&P-22 that had been kitted out with the Magpul parts, and I have to say that I liked the plastic sights. The rifle itself is a great idea, as the platform comes from the factory with many of the “upgraded” parts you’d see users add to their rifle after the fact. The foregrip would be an excellent platform to mount a light, although I can’t recommend it for a vertical foregrip as that can introduce a bit of wobble, as a light bearing platform it’s excellent.
Of course, the real question is how did the rifle shoot? Well, over three days in the Arizona desert, it never puked on me once. And I don’t say that lightly, as we were shooting in conditions like those pictured below.
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| From Gunsite Trip |
That’s dust blowing around the guns; or as they call it down there, Gunsite Fog. In the picture is Matt from Smith & Wesson, the M&P product line manager. His personal M&P-15 MOE is fitted with a quad rail handguard and a Surefire muzzle brake. Let me tell you, that Surefire muzzle break works, although it’s less than pleasant to be shooting next to it.
Three days in the Arizona desert with around 1000 rounds through each gun, and the guns kept running. Some guys did no maintenance to their guns during that time, and all I did was squirt a couple of drops of oil on the bolt of my gun to keep it lubed up. I was absolutely impressed with my rifle, so much so that I decided to buy the rifle. I don’t have a whole lot of AR-15 platform rifles, but the two that I have now are both winners. I have a ton more pictures as well, including ones from the suppressor/night shoot.
“Muzzle BRAKE”, dammit.
(Sorry, pet peeve… 😮 )
Woop. Lemme go edit that mofo.
“MOE” stands for “Magpul Original Equipment”
No it doesn’t, they named it in honour of Mr. Szyslak .
“that Surefire muzzle break works”
What Tam said!
I had the “pleasure” of working on the line next to a guy with the SF Brake on his 5.56 XCR in a Farnam class.
Holy crap was that thing loud. I’m not that sure 5.56 needs that much brake. It was no fun.
You should have seen the night shoot… If he missed the target and it was within 40m, he likely could use it as a flamethrower.
regarding the second photo>
“In the picture is Matt from Smith & Wesson, the M&P product line manager. His personal M&P-15 MOE is fitted with a quad rail handguard and a Surefire muzzle brake. Let me tell you, that Surefire muzzle break works, although it’s less than pleasant to be shooting next to it.”
Can you please identify for me the shooting gloves worn by Matt?
From the photo they look like just what I’ve been looking for in gloves!
Thanks,
Konrad.
Konrad – I have no idea, sorry. For my own use, I use gloves from Blackhawk! tactical. They make both a cold and warm weather glove, of which I have a pair of each.