Smith & Wesson M&P15
| Smith & Wesson M&P15 | |
|---|---|
|
M&P15 with a standard A2 grip, Magpul MOE hand guard, and PRI sights | |
| Type | Semi-automatic rifle |
| Place of origin |
 United States |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Eugene Stoner |
| Designed | 1957 |
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| Unit cost | $839–1,949 (MSRP)[1] |
| Produced | 2006–present |
| Variants | Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 |
| Specifications (M&P15) | |
| Weight | 3.06 kg (6.74 lb) |
| Length |
813 mm (32 in) (collapsed) 889 mm (35 in) (extended) |
| Barrel length | 406 mm (16 in) |
|
| |
| Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO/.223 Remington |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Feed system | 10 or 30-round detachable box magazine[1] |
| Sights | Front Sight: Adjustable Post, Rear Sight: Adjustable Dual Aperture |
The Smith & Wesson M&P15 is Smith & Wesson's version of the AR-15 rifle with which Smith & Wesson reentered the rifle market in January 2006.
History
Smith & Wesson is a gun manufacturer and supplier of law enforcement and personal-defense firearms. The "M&P" stands for "Military & Police."
The M&P15 was one of the weapons used by the shooter in the 2012 Aurora, Colorado, mass shooting that killed 12 people and injured 70.[2][3] The 100-round drum magazine attached to the rifle jammed part way through the shooting.[4][5]
Design details
The M&P15 series of rifles is based on the AR-15 platform. Smith & Wesson now offers the M&P15 semi-automatic rifles in a variety of configurations tailored to specific shooting applications and styles. Each model is chambered in 5.56mm NATO/.223 Remington and has a six-position collapsible stock, they come with either a melonite lined or chrome-lined 4140 steel barrel, 7075 T6 aluminum receiver and a hard-coat black anodized finish.
Variants
Unveiled at 2006 SHOT Show, the rifle debuted in two varieties; the M&P15 and the M&P15T. Both are basically the same rifle, chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO, with the T model featuring folding sights and a four-sided accessories rail. At its debut, the M&P15's suggested retail price was $1,200, while the M&P15T retailed for $1,700. Their current line consists of twenty-four models, ranging in price from $739 to $1,989. These rifles were first produced by Stag Arms, but marketed under the Smith & Wesson name.[6] Currently Smith & Wesson makes the lower receiver in house while the barrel is supplied by Thompson/Center, a S&W company.
In May 2008, Smith & Wesson introduced their first AR-variant rifle in a caliber other than 5.56×45mm NATO. The M&P15R is a standard AR platform rifle chambered for the 5.45×39mm cartridge.[7] In 2009, they released the M&P15-22, chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge.[8]
Official users
- United States
- La Paz Sheriff’s Department[9]
- Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department[10]
- Ohio State Highway Patrol[11]
- Maricopa County Sheriff's Office - M&P15 MOE Mid[12]
- Sahuarita Police Department[13]
- San Antonio Police Officers Association - M&P15A[14]
- University of Arizona Police Department[15]
- West Virginia State Police[16]
- Yuma County Sheriff’s Office[17]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Product listing". Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ↑ Slosson, Mary; Francescani, Chris (July 23, 2012). "Colorado massacre suspect silent in first court hearing". Chicago Tribune. Reuters. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
He was armed with a Smith & Wesson M&P .223 semi-automatic rifle, similar to an AR-15 assault rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun and a Glock .40-caliber handgun.
- ↑ More Aurora/Smith & Wesson M&P15 sources:
- Dao, James (July 23, 2012). "Aurora Gunman’s Arsenal: Shotgun, Semiautomatic Rifle and, at the End, a Pistol". New York Times. Photo by Nancy Palmieri.
The police say the gunman in Aurora used three types of weapons, including a Smith & Wesson M&P15.
- Padilla, Anica (January 8, 2013). "James Holmes Aurora theater shooting case update: Prosecutors discuss weapons, online dating profile". E.W. Scripps Co.
In total, Holmes purchased two .40-caliber pistols plus 2,600 rounds for them, a Remington tactical shotgun plus 375 rounds for it, and a Smith & Wesson M&P15 plus 3,370 rounds for that gun.
- Sugarmann, Josh (July 26, 2012). "President Obama Needs to Ban Assault Weapons". U.S. News & World Report.
One person who was aware of the hyper-militarization of the gun industry was James Holmes, the accused Colorado mass killer. His Smith & Wesson M&P15 assault rifle demonstrates the clear and present danger of a gun designed for war and ruthlessly marketed for profit to civilians.
- Wilson, Chris (May 15, 2013). "Need a handgun in Chicago? Here are 1,300 options". Yahoo! News.
[The AR-15] comes in many varieties and names, including the Bushmaster XM15, one of the weapons that Newtown, Conn., shooter Adam Lanza used, and the Smith & Wesson M&P15, favored by Aurora, Colo., gunman James E. Holmes.
- Dao, James (July 23, 2012). "Aurora Gunman’s Arsenal: Shotgun, Semiautomatic Rifle and, at the End, a Pistol". New York Times. Photo by Nancy Palmieri.
- ↑ Parker, Mike (July 23, 2012). "Rifle failure that stopped yet more Batman carnage". Daily Express. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
Madman James Holmes was forced to switch weapons when his Smith & Wesson M&P 15, with a special 100-round drum magazine, failed after a few shots.
- ↑ Dao, James (July 23, 2012). "Aurora Gunman’s Arsenal: Shotgun, Semiautomatic Rifle and, at the End, a Pistol". New York Times. Photo by Nancy Palmieri.
It appears, the police say, that James E. Holmes, the man accused in the Aurora shootings, used all three types of weapons inside the theater as well, first firing the shotgun, then using the semiautomatic rifle until its 100-round barrel magazine jammed, and finishing off with a pistol.
- ↑ "S&W press release on new M&P15 Rifles". Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ↑ "Smith and Wesson M&P15R: New AR15 Platform Rifle and Uppers in 5.45×39".
- ↑ Rackley, Paul. An AR Plinking Good Time, American Rifleman
- ↑ "Smith & Wesson Supplies M&P Rifles to Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office". http://www.outdoorhub.com''. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ↑ "Smith & Wesson M&15 Rifle". Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ↑ "Smith & Wesson M&15 Rifle". Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ↑ "Smith & Wesson Supplies M&P Rifles to Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office". http://www.outdoorhub.com''. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ↑ "Smith & Wesson Supplies M&P Rifles to Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office". http://www.outdoorhub.com''. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ↑ "Investors - Press Releases - Smith & Wesson". Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ↑ "Smith & Wesson Supplies M&P Rifles to Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office". http://www.outdoorhub.com''. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ↑ "S& Delivers New Sidearms to West Virginia State Police and Wyoming Highway Patrol". Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ↑ "Smith & Wesson Supplies M&P Rifles to Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office". http://www.outdoorhub.com''. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
External links
- Smith & Wesson webpage on the M&P rifles
- The Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport Semi-automatic Rifle via Yahoo Voices, June 2011
- For compliance with fixed magazine restricted states (MA, NY, NJ, CA, MD, CT)
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