All models also come standard with a six-position tactical CAR-style collapsible stock, 30-round magazine from Okay Industries, and a hard plastic case. Their dull black-anodized finish is satin smooth with a much finer texture than most AR rifles on the market. It is complemented by subtle gold-hued laser-etch markings. If it is possible to say that an AR15 rifle "looks and feels" like a Smith & Wesson, these do.

S&W's new M&P15 carbines come with single-stage triggers.

S&W refers to the base model in the M&P15 series as the Standard version, but to my eyes it's quite different from what passes for "standard" from most other AR15 manufacturers. In addition to the six-position stock, 30-round magazine, reversible side sling attachment, and hard-polymer case, it also offers an M16A3/A4-type flattop receiver with integral Picatinny rail and removable carrying handle.

The carrying handle contains a full-featured dial-adjustable rear sight, and when removed allows full-function mounting of any type of optical or holographic sight directly to the receiver top rail. In case you're wondering, the high AR15-type front sight housing positioned at the front of the handguards does not interfere with the field of view of an optical sight--even the high-power varmint scope I used for my accuracy review. It's so close to the objective lens that it's effectively invisible at any magnification and does not interfere with the target image or diminish light transmission.

The second version in the series, designated the M&P15A, is essentially a slight variant of the M&P15 Standard. It comes without the detachable carry/handle/rear sight assembly, which is replaced with a detachable Troy Folding Battle Sight mounted on the flattop receiver rail and allowing perfect co-witness of the standard front sight. The full windage adjustment knob is located in same position as standard M16A2, A3, A4 weapon sights, and each click equals a .25 MOA shift in impact. In the "up" position, a stainless-steel cross lock provides 1000 pounds of shear strength, guaranteeing return to zero, and eliminating the possibility of accidental folding.

The M&P15A and M&P15T versions come with Troy Industries flip-up battle rear sights.

A release button is depressed to fold, and an internal ratcheting wedge retains the sight in folded position. Folded down, it allows installation of optical sights without removal, even with my extra-long varmint scope. If you want the capability to switch from the M&P15A flattop configuration to the standard carry handle configuration, an accessory carry handle/rear sight assembly is available aftermarket. Likewise, if you have the M&P15 Standard you can obtain a rear folding battle sight aftermarket as well.

The current top of the production-grade line is the Tactical model, M&P15T, which offers a comprehensive set of user-friendly enhancements providing every feature the most demanding professional operator will need without "overdecorating" the gun the way so many other so-called tactical AR15 configurations do. In addition to all the standard M&P15 elements mentioned, the flattop Picatinny rail receiver merges seamlessly with a Troy Industries Modular Rail Forend (MRF) with full-length MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails positioned at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock.

S&W M&P15 .223/5.56mm ACCURACY
	S&W M&P15, 16-inch Barrel
Hornady 40-gr. V-Max Moly	3458	33	1.25	2.38
Winchester 50-gr. Ballistic Silvertip	3119	24	0.88	2.20
CorBon 55-gr. BlitzKing	3040	21	1.13	2.70
Black Hills 60-gr. V-Max	2852	18	0.83	2.33
Golden Bear 62-gr. HP	2895	19	2.35	4.00
Federal Gold Medal 69-gr. BTHP	2643	20	1.18	2.85
	S&W M&P15A, 16-inch Barrel
Hornady 40-gr. V-Max Moly	3458	25	1.20	2.45
Winchester 50-gr. Ballistic Silvertip	3119	22	0.88	2.35
CorBon 55-gr. BlitzKing	3040	15	1.25	2.25
Black Hills 60-gr. V-Max	2852	20	0.88	2.10
Golden Bear 62-gr. HP	2895	22	2.50	3.95
Federal Gold Medal 69-gr. BTHP	2643	24	1.13	2.35
	S&W M&P15T, 16-inch Barrel
Hornady 40-gr. V-Max Moly	3472	22	1.13	2.25
Winchester 50-gr. Ballistic Silvertip	3075	21	0.83	2.13
CorBon 55-gr. BlitzKing	3030	19	0.88	2.10
Black Hills 60-gr. V-Max	2857	11	0.75	2.00
Golden Bear 62-gr. HP	2882	27	2.00	3.75
Federal Gold Medal 69-gr. BTHP	2656	24	1.25	2.15
NOTES: Accuracy is the average of three five-shot groups fired from a benchrest with a TangoDown ACB-4 Bipod and using a Leupold VX-III 6.5-20X LR scope set magnification. All groups were fired after each rifle underwent 2500-round reliability and function review. Velocity is the average of five rounds measured 10 feet from the guns' muzzles.

This provides a continuous uninterrupted top rail from flattop receiver forward, free floating for superior accuracy, reliability, and cooling. The system accepts all SOPMOD accessories, including the M204 Grenade Launcher, and the bottom rail removes with a bullet tip for cleaning and module mounting. Constructed from precision-machined aircraft-grade T6 aluminum, the MRF has a mil-spec flat black hard coat anodized with Teflon finish and numbered cross slots and threaded accessory mounting holes. The three black synthetic rail covers adjust forward and back or can be removed entirely depending on the accessories being mounted.

Also standard on the M&P15 Tactical model is a Troy Folding Battle Sight system (carry handle not included) mounted on the receiver and forend rails and allowing perfect co-witness of red dot or holographic optics. The rear sight is the same as featured on the M&P15A. The matching fold-up front blade module is positioned at the same height as factory M4/M16A4 front sights, and the blade is easily adjusted with field expedient methods such as a fired cartridge case.