Smith & Wesson M&P15
| Smith & Wesson M&P15 | |
|---|---|
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| Type | Semi-automatic rifle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Eugene Stoner |
| Designed | 1957 |
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| 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) |
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| Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO/.223 Remington |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Feed system | 10- or 30-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Front Sight: Adjustable Post, Rear Sight: Adjustable Dual Aperture |
The Smith & Wesson M&P15 is Smith & Wesson's version of the AR-15, semi-automatic rifle. It was introduced in 2006.
"M&P" which stands for "Military & Police" is a name that Smith & Wesson has used since 1899 when it introduced the 1899 Model 10 revolver chambered for the .38 Long Colt cartridge. With that government order, the revolver became also known as the Smith & Wesson Military & Police.
The M&P15 marked the company's entry into the rifle market in 2006. Smith & Wesson's total rifle production has increased through the years since it entered the rifle market. In the past Smith & Wesson had marketed rifles and shotguns made by other manufacturers, but had not manufactured a long gun in house since the Second World War to fulfill a British army contract. Smith & Wesson made this entry into the long gun market because it was estimated in 2007 as a $1.1 billion market, 80% larger than the U.S. handgun market.
Smith & Wesson's M&P product line was designed for military, police, and consumer markets, according to Smith & Wesson CEO Mike Golden in a 2008 earnings conference call with investors.
The rifle model is based on the AR-15. Smith & Wesson offers the M&P15 semi-automatic rifles in different configurations, tailored to specific shooting applications and styles. The rifle has different models that come chambered in 5.56mm NATO/.223 Remington, .22 Long Rifle, and 5.45×39mm. The barrels come with either a melonite lined or chrome-lined 4140 steel rifling, and 7075 T6 aluminum receiver with a hard-coat black anodized finish.
The rifle was unveiled at the 2006 SHOT Show, it 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 fore end. They include the standard direct impingement gas system. In order decrease cost on the original design both the dust cover or forward assist were omitted. These rifles were initially produced for S&W by Stag Arms, but marked and marketed under the Smith & Wesson name. Currently, Smith & Wesson makes the lower receiver in-house, while the barrel is supplied by Thompson/Center Arms, an S&W company acquired in 2007.
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