How's this S&W AR-15 deal at Gander?

[xdmstu]

Current Sales - Gander Mountain? > We Live Outdoors - Hunting, Fishing, Camping, Outdoor Recreation, Apparel & Footwear, Gunsmithing

M&P 15 Optics Ready Semi Auto Rifle
SAVE $300



$799.99*
thru Jul 31
• 16” barrel
• 6-position CAR stock†
• 30 round magazine capacity†
In store only
*After $100 Smith & Wesson mail-in rebate
†6-position stock and 30 round not available in NY & MD; fixed stock and 10 round capacity only.
I'm somewhat new to firearms, especially these military-style sporting long guns. I've handled a couple various types at the Indy1500 shows but never looked seriously or sat down to start doing the pricing.

So, I'm curious, how's this for a base platform?

 

[melensdad]

For $800 does it come with sights?

 

[AZ Hunter]

I would say this is a great deal. Any brand new AR at 799 is a good deal. I am also very pro flat top upper so this fits my style. AR parts are all interchangable so if you like the model....I say go for it.

 

[ISHOOTHST'S]

I think I saw the same one on CDNN add fr 699 after the rebate.

 

[22lr]

Optics ready carbines are so they can save money and not pay extra for sights you wont use. Just drop a scope on and go. A good deal, at $799.99

If you want sights you can get a set of folding sights for $80-400 just depends what features you want. But the optics ready package is so you don't spend money on sights you just take off to put a scope on.

I should add that you should look at building your own AR. It would be cheaper, and you get more of what you want. You can build this kind of basic AR for $600-700 pretty easily. It just wont be a S&W...........

 

[JiNx0036]

If you buy a Spike's Tactical you could build yours for around $738 minus the sight or buy a complete for $759.
ST-15 M4 LE Carbine [STR5LE1] - $799.95 : Spikes Tactical

 

[Sweetums]

This is on CDNN for $599 after the rebate. Just pay your shipping and transfer fees...

 

[DetroitTackleberry]

$799 is a Helluva deal considering I payed some where around $1200 for mine when all the Obamanation was kicking off. But I will say this if you want a quality AR-15 a to hell in back rifle this is where it's at for the money. I've ran somewhere around 5000 rounds over the last couple years without a hickup. i love this dam rifle.....

 

[mvician]

Not that great of a deal in TODAY'S market.

 

[sepe]

From what I've seen, its an alright deal. If I had the money and was out looking and it was an impulse buy, I wouldn't feel bad about it. I think I'd rather build than buy though. I think after my paperwork and sbr are complete, I'm going to build a retro and then a flat top .308 or .458.

 

[esrice]

Not that great of a deal in TODAY'S market.

This.

I'd jump on that Spike's deal linked above.

 

[Rob377]

Everything I've read so far on the S&W ARs has been pretty good. I'd call it a reasonably good deal. The CDNN deal is even better and I'll call that a steal.

 

[esrice]

Everything I've read so far on the S&W ARs has been pretty good.

As far as brand, yes the S&W line of rifles are g2g.

IMO, the "optics ready" version leaves much to be desired. First, you're going to have to drop an additional ~$200 on a decent set of irons, so the deal no longer looks so sweet. Also, you've got a railed gas block versus a fixed front sight base, which is a less desirable situation in my opinion.

When I first started AR shopping a year ago I too considered an "optics ready" Bushmaster-- boy am I glad I saved a bit more for the Patrolman's M4.

 

[Shootin'IN]

I would jump on it if it wasn't for one thing, I already got one.

But mine is not the .223 it is 5.45.

Just as accurate as the .223 & a lot cheaper to shoot.

 

[infidel]

It's a good enough deal to make me mad I didn't get mine from there if that tells you anything.

 

[JeremySS]

It is a good gun but you may be able to go to Spikes as others have mentioned and get a better weapon for the same money. If you really want that gun, then get it online for up to $200 cheaper. I am not sure that I have ever seen a "good deal" at Gander...

 

[xdmstu]

Thanks for the feedback all. I saw a number of items in the CDNN catalog I like! I'm not quite ready to hop into this category yet... but wanted to start feeling it out. I've had a chance to shoot a friends AR-15's a couple of times and have enjoyed it.

I grew up doing some varmint hunting, so miss more precision shooting than I do with my 9mm's at Eagle Creek range. I'm tempted to get something simple in the coming year. Maybe just a .22 set up to start.

Really, what I would love to get is an M1A, but that's for another day.

 

[christman]

Don't mind if I do!