Smith & Wesson M&P15R: 5.45×39mm AR-15 announced
S&W have announced the M&P15R, an AR-15 chambered for the 5.45×39mm. The idea being you can save costs by shooting the cheaper round instead of 5.56mm.
The product spec sheet says the launch date was “May 1, 2008″, yet the website says coming soon.
M&P15R. No surprises if you have seen an AR before 
It will also be available as a complete upper.
It ships with one 30 round 5.45×39mm magazine.
Specs:
Model: M&P15R
Caliber: 5.45 x 39 mm
Capacity: 30 Rounds
Action: Semi-Auto
Barrel Length: 16”
Barrel Twist: 1 in 8”
Front Sight: M4 Post
Overall Length: 35” Extended ,32” Collapsed
Stock: 6-Position Collapsible
Weight: 6.5 lbs.
Barrel Material: 4140 Steel
Receiver Material: 7075 T6 Aluminum
Finish: Hard Coat Black Anodized
Chromed Comp: Barrel Bore, Gas Key
Bolt Carrier, Chamber
Another photo:
When I interviewed Magpul they were planning on releasing a 5.45×39mm conversion kit for the Masada so that trips to the range would cost less. I wonder if Bushmaster is going to follow through with this with the ACR.
Press release after the jump
SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts — Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 156-year old firearms maker, announced that it has introduced the M&P15R, a new addition to the company’s M&P tactical rifle series. The new AR-15 style rifle is capable of firing the economical 5.45 x 39mm ammunition and is available as a high quality semi-automatic rifle or as a complete upper receiver assembly kit.
Based on a combat-proven design, the M&P15R incorporates the standard features found in all Smith & Wesson M&P rifles. Engineered to meet the needs of recreational shooters and AR-15 enthusiasts, the M&P15R features a flat-top receiver and an M-4 style post front sight. The rifle is standard with a 16-inch barrel with a twist rate of 1 in 8 inches. Reliability features of the gas-operated rifles include a chrome-lined gas key, bolt carrier and barrel. A six position collapsible stock allows the M&P15R to accommodate a variety of shooting positions. The rifle measures 35 inches in length when fully extended and measures a compact 32 inches with the stock collapsed.
“The M&P15R offers AR-15 enthusiasts as well as those shooters who are looking for a less expensive option when heading to the range, a high grade semi-automatic rifle for recreational use,” said Tom Taylor, Vice President of Marketing from Smith & Wesson. “The new rifle, which is chambered in the less expensive 5.45 x 39mm, will allow consumers to spend more time on the range for less cost. The M&P15R will also be available as a complete upper receiver assembly, allowing those who already own an M&P Series rifle or one of the many other variants, the opportunity to change calibers with ease.”
The black anodized rifle is manufactured with a durable upper and lower receiver made from 7075 T6 Aluminum. A single stage trigger with a 7 lb. trigger pull is standard, as is the A2 Birdcage compensator. The M&P15R is designed to accommodate a variety of optics or a traditional back-up iron sight. The rifle is shipped with a 30-round magazine and has an unloaded weight of 6.5 pounds.
The M&P15R joins a comprehensive family of Smith & Wesson products designed and manufactured to meet the needs of firearms sports enthusiasts worldwide. Other models include the M&P15, M&P15A, M&P15T, M&P15X, M&P15OR, M&P15ORC and the M&P15FT rifle. In addition, the Smith & Wesson Performance Center is also manufacturing a high-end extension to the M&P Rifle Series, the M&P15PC.
Huh… well that’s interesting. I was just thinking about getting a Polish Tantal to shoot the cheaper ammo as shooting my AR is getting far to expensive. I’m spending $200 a month on ammo and I’m using the cheap Serbian stuff.
Maybe I’ll excelerate my plans to buy second AR instead. The question remains, will it function with the really cheap steel cased surplus 5.45×39
Hi Jesse, they are advertising it as a way to save money so I would assume that it would function fine with the cheap steel cased ammo.
I shot a .30 Russian CAR-15 quite a while back and recall the spring noise in the stock tube being REALLY distracting. I haven’t shot a 5.56 AR-15 so I don’t know if that is normal for the rifle, but it certainly was present in the .30 variant.
For whatever that is worth.
Will this rifle be a POS like their 5.56 rifle is?
i have the ar15 smith and it wont cycle cheap ammo .i tried wolf wont run through .dont have any problem with lake city,and yes it a little more but groups well..
I’m waiting to hear from someone who just got an upper to see how it handles the steel cased stuff. After all, isn’t it pretty much the only way it’s going to be cheap to shoot? Old Russian/Romanian stock ftw! Just rcvd 6k rounds and it came in under $830 shipped. Conversely, my last 2k of Lithuanian .308 was $1063 shipped…
I’d consider buying a complete rifle if they’d produce a reliable 5,45 in with the rail setup like the T so I can use a decent set of BUIS’s. Personally can’t stand the ole A frame M16 style front sight. Yuck!
the ar 15 smith wont cycle steel cased ammo ,at least myupper wont..
I have the new 5.45×39 it will shoot the steel case just fine but you cannot change the trigger to a light weight it will not fire at all!! that is the only thing i do not like about it. i am going to try the jp ass and use the hammer and spring that came with the gun . we will see how it works.
Went to a machinegun shoot last weekend and had the opporunity to shoot an m-16 with a smith 5.45 upper. It worked great. We were shooting russian steel case ammo and the rifle never missed a beat. I put also 1000 rounds through the rifle my self and the owner of the rifle did the same. I had so much fun with it that I bought one of the uppers myself.
I grabbed an Mp-15 5.45 at a gun show thinking it was a .223 didn’t really figure out it was not a .223 until i got it home. Ive shot nothing but steel casings out of this gun and has never skipped a beat only incidents have been cheep russian rounds it operates so well that ive decided to keep the it. Would recommend to someone wishing to purchase a quality AR-15 and really not bad with the 5.45X39.
I just recently purchased a Model: SKU: 811011, 5.45 x 39mm and I seem to be having trouble finding the ammo in Houston. I have been to several stores, Academy, Carter’s Country, Bass Pro Shop and none of them carry the ammo. ABle Ammo on line shows the cartridge, but it’s always OUT OF STOCK. Maybe I made a mistake and should convert it to a .223. Anyone got a suggestion.
A guy at Pasadena Sun Shop did have about 500 rounds which I bought. Also, he said that Wold Ammo is the only one carrying the load and taht’s it’s a pretty dirty load. However, he did say it was easy to clean. US made .223 is a lot cleaner, but you gun is a lot harder to clean. The powder cakes up and sets like concrete.
What’s a guy to do?
Oops……..That’s Wolf Ammo.
go to aim i just talked to them today i have 16,000 rounds orderd they are going to ship them on thursday they just got a new shipment i got them for 119.00 1080 but i think they went up to 129.00 for 1080 get lots oboma is here got to protect the usa from him.
I notice that it’s surplus Russian ammo, not Wolf. From what I heard, the Wolf is a more quality ammo. I just ordered 1,000 rounds for $229.00, but it’s Wolf ammo.
I just picked the gun up last weekend and am going to go shoot it on Friday. I have some of both, so I’ll see if there is any difference. I didn’t realize that the 5.34×39 ammo was going to be this hard to get.
It should be great from varment & hog hunting. I may hunt does with it as well.
I’m using the peep sights.
Les, good luck with that.
I still haven’t heard any comparison veiws on the 2 rounds.
That ammo from AIM is very good stuff i shoot 1″ at 100 yds also you do not have to worry about if it is non corrosive if you have a smith you got a chrome lined barrel. but you still need to clean after every shooting very nice gun i got full float tube red dot and peep site i tried to change the triger to light weight the gun will not fire went back to the factory and it worked very good. i am going to try a jp triger with the factory hammer and spring it should work let you know.
I have a Superior Arms AR I just picked up it has the 5.45 and I have had a rough Break in period with the wolf ammo the bullet seperates from the brass case, I am thinking if I can find a bulk carrier of the 5.45 ammo and the 5.45 30 round mags because the 5.56 mag is very loose not good mags I had alot of jams and problems
go to c-products for new stainless steel mags. 15.95 eachbest around
Hi Matt……..I have had mine out twice using the Wolf (primarily) but also some of the Russian ammo. I have had a few jams with the Russian ammo, but very little problems with the Wolf. I’m shooting the 70 grain bullet. I have not had a problem with the bullet separating from the case. It has jammed a few times but I think that it’s because it’s so new and need more breaking in. I’ve only shot about 200 rounds through it so far.
I probably will not get any more of the Russian made ammo. I don’t think it’s as good. I only have 50 rounds of it left. But in my opinion, the Wolf is just fine…..so far. If you have priced the Remington ammo for the .223 you will find that the 5.45×39 will cost you a lot less.The Wolf is a bit dirtier but it cleans easily. I have heard the American made Remington (and others) are a lot cleaner but much harder to clean. It seems the American made ammo seems to bake onto the metal parts. You almost have to chisel it off to get it clean.
I’m going to stick with the Wolf and see how it does after the gun is broken in. So far I really like it. I just ordered a little 1.5-5 scope. The dot sight at 200 yards is a bit hard for old eyes. The scope should really help.
Keep me posted on how you are doing.
Ive put a few hundred rounds of 60 grain wolf through my new smith and I love it. I don’t mind the cleaning, and I think the ammo’s as good as I am. Had 2 ftf one day, but since I started inspecting all my rounds before loading, no problems. By the way I did find three rounds so far (of 250) that had malformed bullet tips. Loving this so far but thinking of getting a 5.56 setup for the better quality ammo? Wondering if I need to swap complete upper, or just bolt and barrel. Anybody know about this?
Just picked up my new m.p. 5.45 cal…. Never heard of that Cal. before a couple weeks ago… I fiq. what the heck…I got 2 ,1000 rounds,today in a round green tin @ 260.00 a 1000, ( way to much money) I’ve got 3 more 1000’s coming @ 210.00 per 1000… (better price) … I think if you buy one of these rifles you need to order LOTS of ammo (CASES AND CASES)….I think you’ll see more of these guns in the Future….. Any other thoughts from other????
i have changed to the jp triger and used the factory hammer and a 223 factory spring . that is the ticket 3.5 lbs it is the best .
I have been shooting 223’s since VN and was a little apprehensive when this caliber first appeared back during the Russian invasion of Afganistan in 79. As these new AK’s with their small round made their way back into circles here during the mid 80’s, only then did we all realize what devastating effects this round had on its human targets. True, it is lower in energy that a 223 but the design of this bullet in its original form (59 – 61 gr) made it superior to wounding and killing. This bullet yaws at a very early rate of penetration and for years the Afgani’s and the CIA insisted that the Russians put some type of poison in the concave end of the bullet itself since this caliber produced such devastating wounds and survivors had infections set in at an early stage. This was all due to the design of the bullet and the barrel twist. The US Army recently conducted tests of this round and found out that it did indeed penetrate a steel pot (the old kind, not the Kevlar) thru both sides at 800 meters as did the 223 with a 1/9 twist and using SS109 62 gr. So erase you doubts of this cartridge right now. It works, has been proven, and follow up is quicker than a 308 battle rifle. I purchased a Smith MP15R a few months back and it feeds anything thru it with any AR15 magazines. Zero problems and quality superior, fit and finish, action better to Bushmaster or Rock River which I rate the highest of the AR makers. This gun is a home run all the way and I would not hesitate to carry it as a main battle rifle for urban and open conditions. I am not arguing the differences between this and a 308 as I feel that there are times when each has their own merits and own shortcomings. Having a 308 on the plains of Africa or the open desert in the Middle East makes more sense but for all around swinging a weapon where targets are around the 100 – 400 meter range, this is very hard to beat. Very hard. J & G Sales in Prescott, AZ has ammo and the cheapest around. If they are out, they will send you ammo when received and that is usually under 2 weeks time. I just got Wolf with zinc casings, 62 gr, at $215 incl shipping for 750 rounds. Had I opted for the slightly corrosive Russian or Bulgarian military sealed tin 1,060 rd package, I would have been right at $205 w/shipping. This beats 223 prices and really beats 308 ammo prices. Bottom line? Superb gun from Smith, a proven round, and cheap and easy findings of this 5.45 ammo. Also own a AK74 Romanian and never a problem there either but the Smith AR is more accurate and more ergo friendly as expected.
Steve, thanks for your review of the gun and the round.
This is going to seem like a pipe dream to some of you or just maybe a fairy tale to others, but there is a new company which is about to release it’s first product to the shooting community.
Their first product to hit the market is a high capacity cartridge feeding system for one of the most popular self-feeding rifles on the market. My understanding is that the patented design can be adapt to any magazine fed rifle but don’t make the mistake when reading my words and think that one system fits all rifles. It doesn’t.
I have been sworn to secrecy and I have had the opportunity to use one of these systems. All I can say is that the system works flawlessly and will replace (in some cases) up to 20 magazines of the caliber of their first model.
Personally I can’t wait to buy one of these things. I have been waiting for one of these systems all my life… Well, almost. Their really cool.. Don’t hold your breath but I would expect it is going to be 6 months to a year before you see any advertisement about them. You’ll know which cartridge feeding system this blog is referring to when you see it. They really are fantastic. CAPACITY ++++++
It be easier to buy a AK-74 and shoot 5.45 ammo.
Smith and Wesson 5.45 upper. Purchased a few receivers with the intent of putting a couple of AR15 together in maybe 223 or some other round. But I just ordered my first S&W in the 5.45 round, just had to have one and now I want to purchase a couple more uppers in that round. Where can I buy them?
have had mine for a while, and love it! the only problem that i have had was some silver bear hp ammo that would not chamber right. i went back to the fmj never skipped a beat! shot a pig with it dropped her like a bad habit!