S&W M&P 15R 5.45x39 Upper.

[LoginName]

Seems to be creating a bit of a buzz on a few firearms forums...

Smith & Wesson M&P 5.45x39 AR-15 Upper
$599.95
Smith & Wesson M&P 5.45x39 AR-15 Upper.
These uppers are desgined to work with any standard AR-15 Lower and can be used with standard 30rd AR-15 magazines (27rd capacity with the 5.45x39 round). These offer a 16" barrel with 1 in 8" twist, M4 post front sight, and chrome lined bore/chamber. This new offering allows you to take advantage of the inexpensive 5.45 ammunition that is readily available, while staying with the familiar AR platform.

Complete upper with bolt/carrier/charging handle

http://www.militarygunsupply.com/shop2/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=381

I'm not that familiar with the ballistic performance of the 5.45x39 round, but the appeal of the alternative caliber is the cost of ammo with a case of 1,000 rounds running about 11-15 cents per round vs .35 cents per round for .223/5.56.

And it looks like the only issue to deal with is removing the bayonet lug, FS and permanently attaching a muzzle brake.

 

[Mikey]

I am kind of surprised that S&W is doing so much with their AR-15 line, glad to see it.

I wonder if they are planning an M&P 12ga "tactical" shotgun in the future.

 

[LORD of WAR]

id get that in a heart beat...5.45 became my new favorite caliber when i bought 1k rounds for $150 at the last gun show

where can you buy just the M&P uppers? i've been looking for one to use in conjunction with my NES lower but only found people selling full rifles!

 

[Rcharnitsk]

id get that in a heart beat...5.45 became my new favorite caliber when i bought 1k rounds for $150 at the last gun show

where can you buy just the M&P uppers? i've been looking for one to use in conjunction with my NES lower but only found people selling full rifles!

Launch date in the picture says May 1, 2008

 

[LORD of WAR]

Launch date in the picture says May 1, 2008

i saw that...i meant regular 5.56 uppers

 

[vellnueve]

That's a definite candidate for a new upper for me. NES-022 will be getting a M4 (compliant) upper end (flattop, probably a MI 2 piece and a YHM gas block) but I hadn't finalized what I wanted on NES-121. It'd probably have to be made compliant with a welded brake, but that's OK. I guess right now it is between this 5.45 and a full length 7.62x39

 

[Jose]

So does that use USGI 5.56 mags?

 

[FalArAk]

So does that use USGI 5.56 mags?

Yup,wouldn't there be some feeding issues though ?

 

[kenc]

they prob just replaced the followers in standard ar mags

 

[vellnueve]

It uses straight up AR-15 mags with 5.56 followers holding 27 rounds.

 

[hikerlt]

how about these magazines....

http://www.cproductsllc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=cp&Category_Code=545

 

[vellnueve]

They've gotten good reviews on ARFCOM

 

[OnTheRoad]

FWIW, I was talking to someone I know who is tuned into the industry and apparently the 5.45 uppers have not even started production - not sure what the delay is but I wound up canceling my order and am looking at a AK-74 to help use up the ammo I started accumulating.

 

[Xak]

how about these magazines....

http://www.cproductsllc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=cp&Category_Code=545

Not an option for us MA guys.