Smith & Wesson M&P15: Difference between revisions
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The Smith & Wesson M&P15 was one of the weapons allegedly used by James Eagen Holmes in the [[2012 Aurora shooting]] that killed 12 people <ref name=ChicagoTribuneColoradoMassacreSuspectSilent>{{cite news|title=Colorado massacre suspect silent in first court hearing|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-shooting-denver-courtbre86m04t-20120723,0,1745248.story|accessdate=July 23, 2012|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=July 23, 2012}}</ref> in a movie theater in Colorado. The weapon jammed after a few shots. It was equipped with a 100-round drum magazine.<ref name=DailyExpress-M&P15>{{cite news|title=Rifle failure that stopped yet more batman carnage|url=http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/334642/Rifle-failure-that-stopped-yet-more-Batman-carnage|accessdate=July 23, 2012|newspaper=Daily Express|date=July 23, 2012}}</ref> |
The Smith & Wesson M&P15 was one of the weapons allegedly used by James Eagen Holmes in the [[2012 Aurora shooting]] that killed 12 people <ref name=ChicagoTribuneColoradoMassacreSuspectSilent>{{cite news|title=Colorado massacre suspect silent in first court hearing|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-shooting-denver-courtbre86m04t-20120723,0,1745248.story|accessdate=July 23, 2012|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=July 23, 2012}}</ref> in a movie theater in Colorado. The weapon jammed after a few shots. It was equipped with a 100-round drum magazine.<ref name=DailyExpress-M&P15>{{cite news|title=Rifle failure that stopped yet more batman carnage|url=http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/334642/Rifle-failure-that-stopped-yet-more-Batman-carnage|accessdate=July 23, 2012|newspaper=Daily Express|date=July 23, 2012}}</ref> |
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Large capacity ammunition feeding devices with the capacity to hold more than 10 bullets were illegal under the [[Federal Assault Weapons Ban]] which expired in 2004. |
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==Design details== |
==Design details== |
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Revision as of 17:43, 25 July 2012
| Smith & Wesson M&P15 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Semi-automatic rifle |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Eugene Stoner |
| Designed | 1957 |
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| Unit cost | $1,169-2,244 (MSRP)[1] |
| Produced | 2006-present |
| Variants | Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge | 5.56x45mm NATO/.223 Remington |
| Action | Direct impingement |
| Feed system | 10 or 30-round detachable box magazine[2] |
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 long time supplier of law enforcement and personal-defense firearms. The "M&P" stands for "Military & Police," and it puts this line of 5.56mm (.223 Remington) 16-inch semi-automatic carbines in the forefront of Smith & Wesson's continuing century-plus tradition of duty-oriented M&P firearms that date back to the world's first .38 Special revolver in 1899 the S&W .38 Hand Ejector Military & Police.
The Smith & Wesson M&P15 was one of the weapons allegedly used by James Eagen Holmes in the 2012 Aurora shooting that killed 12 people [3] in a movie theater in Colorado. The weapon jammed after a few shots. It was equipped with a 100-round drum magazine.[4] Large capacity ammunition feeding devices with the capacity to hold more than 10 bullets were illegal under the Federal Assault Weapons Ban which expired in 2004.
Design details
The M&P15 series of rifles are based on the AR-15 platform. Smith & Wesson now offers the M&P15 semiautomatic 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, 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 5.56x45mm 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.[5] 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 and Wesson introduced their first AR-variant rifle in a caliber other than 5.56x45mm NATO. The M&P15R is a standard AR platform rifle chambered for the 5.45x39mm cartridge.[6] In 2009, they released the M&P15-22, chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge.[7]
References
- ^ Product listing
- ^ Product listing
- ^ "Colorado massacre suspect silent in first court hearing". Chicago Tribune. July 23, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
- ^ "Rifle failure that stopped yet more batman carnage". Daily Express. July 23, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
- ^ S&W press release on new M&P15 Rifles
- ^ "Smith and Wesson M&P15R: New AR15 Platform Rifle and Uppers in 5.45×39".
- ^ Rackley, Paul. An AR Plinking Good Time, American Rifleman