M&P15 Sport II
- Category
- Carbine
- Barrel
- 406 mm
- Weight, empty
- 2.93 kg
- Introduced
- 2016
About
What it is, and why it matters
The M&P15 Sport II is a subcompact semi-automatic carbine chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, introduced by Smith & Wesson in 2016. The pistol features a aluminum alloy frame, providing a durable platform designed for years of reliable service in both duty and civilian applications. With a magazine capacity of 30 rounds, this carbine offers ample firepower for defensive applications. The 16.0-inch barrel maximizes the ballistic potential of the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge while providing a generous sight radius that enhances accuracy at all practical distances. Weighing 2926g (103.2 oz) empty, this carbine provides enough mass to dampen felt recoil while remaining practical for holster carry and extended range sessions. Smith & Wesson's semi-automatic carbine designs draw on over 170 years of firearms manufacturing expertise, combining proven engineering principles with modern materials and manufacturing techniques to deliver reliable, accurate handguns trusted by military, law enforcement, and civilian shooters worldwide.
The M&P15 Sport II earned its reputation as 'America's entry-level AR-15' not through military service, but by introducing hundreds of thousands of first-time AR buyers to the platform. At a time when quality AR-15s commanded premium prices, Smith & Wesson's decision to include previously omitted features like the forward assist and dust cover in the Sport II made it the rifle that democratized AR ownership.
The M&P15 Sport II represents Smith & Wesson's commitment to providing an affordable, quality AR-15 to the mass market. The rifle is manufactured with barrels supplied by Thompson/Center Arms (a Smith & Wesson subsidiary acquired in 2007), while lower receivers are produced in-house. The 1:9 twist rate is optimized for 55-62 grain bullets commonly used in training and recreational shooting. The inclusion of forward assist and dust cover in the Sport II addressed the primary criticisms of the original Sport model. While earlier M&P15 rifles were initially produced by Stag Arms and marked under the S&W name, current production is predominantly handled by Smith & Wesson facilities. The Sport II is designed for three-gun competition, home defense, and recreational shooting, offering mil-spec compatibility at a budget-friendly price point.
Specification
Everything measured
IdentityWhat it is, who built it and when.
- Manufacturer
- Smith & Wesson
- Category
- Carbine
- Country
- United States
- Status
- In production
- Produced
- 2016
DimensionsAs issued, without a magazine or an optic.
- Barrel
- 406 mm
- Overall length
- 838 mm
- Weight, empty
- 2.93 kg
- Weight, loaded
- 3.37 kg
ActionHow it cycles, what trips it, and what feeds it.
- Action
- Gas operated direct impingement
- Firing mechanism
- Hammer fired
- Trigger
- Single stage
- Trigger pull
- 34.0 N
- Capacity
- 30
- Magazine
- Detachable box
MaterialsEach swatch is the material itself, not a colour chosen to stand for it.
- Frame
- Aluminum alloy
- Barrel
- Steel
- Stock
- Polymer
- Finish
- Hard anodized
BallisticsFrom the service cartridge, not a handload.
- Muzzle velocity
- 905 m/s
- Muzzle energy
- 1640 J
- Effective range
- 500 m
- Maximum range
- 3600 m
Trajectory
What the round does downrange
Solved from the muzzle figures and the bullet. The dashed rule is the effective range on the record, and the crosses are the steps the solver returned.
Features
What it has
What the record lists as fitted, drawn from the catalogue.
Collapsible stock
Accessory rail
Forward assist
Dust cover
Armornite finish
A2 front sight- Magpul mbus rear sight
Flat top receiver
Picatinny rail
Standing
How it compares
Each figure against the firearms of the same type and cartridge that record it, or of the same type where that cartridge has too few. Positions are read to the nearest tenth.
| Measurement | This firearm | Median | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty weightAmong 141 5.56x45mm NATO carbines | 2.93 kg | 2.95 kg | Lighter than about 60% |
| Overall lengthAmong 144 5.56x45mm NATO carbines | 838 mm | 838 mm | Near the median |
| Barrel lengthAmong 150 5.56x45mm NATO carbines | 406 mm | 406 mm | Longer than about 70% |
| Magazine capacityAmong 150 5.56x45mm NATO carbines | 30 | 30 | Near the median |
Answers
Questions about the M&P15 Sport II
How much does the M&P15 Sport II weigh?
The M&P15 Sport II weighs 2.93 kg (6.45 lb) empty and 3.37 kg (7.42 lb) loaded.
What caliber is the M&P15 Sport II?
The M&P15 Sport II is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO.
How many rounds does the M&P15 Sport II hold?
The M&P15 Sport II holds 30 rounds, fed from a detachable box magazine.
How long is the M&P15 Sport II?
The M&P15 Sport II is 838 mm (33.0 in) long overall, with a 406 mm (16.0 in) barrel.
Who makes the M&P15 Sport II?
The M&P15 Sport II is made by Smith & Wesson (United States). It was designed by Eugene Stoner.
When was the M&P15 Sport II introduced?
The M&P15 Sport II was introduced in 2016.
How does the M&P15 Sport II operate?
The M&P15 Sport II uses a gas operated direct impingement action, and its firing mechanism is hammer fired.
Compatibility
Which parts fit this firearm
Studio
Every part that mounts on this, resolved
Not a list the maker typed out: the answer comes from the mounts this firearm exposes and the interface each part needs, so it stays right when either one changes.
- Every part that mounts on any firearm in the catalogue
- Interface standards, platforms and fit overrides
- The same answers through the API and the MCP server
Requires a signed-in GunSpec account on the Studio plan. The answer is computed per part, so it is not part of the public record.
Provenance
What the record holds
Every figure above was taken from one of these pages. The confidence reflects how much of the record came from a page a claim can be checked against.
In service
- United States Law Enforcement
- United States
- Civilian Sport Shooters
- United States
Provenance
Confidence in this record
87%
Stockists
Where to buy
Offers link straight to the shop. GunSpec never takes the order.
No shop has listed this firearm yet
Stock and prices come from the shops themselves. If you sell this firearm, you can list it and it appears here.
List a firearmMCP
Ask an assistant about it
The same record, reached the way a person asks for it rather than the way a program does.
Ask GunSpec
Works with
Point an MCP client at GunSpec and it answers from the catalogue rather than from memory. A free key covers the read tools.
API
The call that returns this record
The same fields, in the same units, from the same endpoint the page reads.
curl --request GET \ --url 'https://api.gunspec.io/v1/firearms/smith-wesson-mp15-sport-ii' \ --header 'X-API-Key: your_key'{ "id": "smith-wesson-mp15-sport-ii", "name": "M&P15 Sport II", "manufacturer": { "id": "smith-wesson", "name": "Smith & Wesson", "countryCode": "US", "foundedYear": 1852, "website": "https://www.smith-wesson.com", "logoUrl": null, "description": null, "status": null, "defunctYear": null, "stateOwned": null, "makesFirearms": null, "parentId": null, "predecessorId": null, "createdAt": "2026-02-11 23:44:40", "updatedAt": "2026-02-18 03:40:48", "version": "6e259a578cb1b21d72610d761d652c983ff25806b9e736e2db8d2938596e9202" }, "category": { "id": "carbine", "name": "Carbine", "description": "Shortened rifles for close-quarters use" }, "country_of_origin": "US", "year_introduced": 2016, "barrel_length_mm": 406, "weight_empty_g": 2926, "action_type": "gas_operated_direct_impingement"}