SMITH & WESSON M&P 10 SPORT OPTICS READY
Posted May 19, 2023
In-Depth Smith & Wesson M&P 10 Sport Optics Ready Review
The Smith & Wesson M&P 10 Sport Optics Ready is one of the most popular sporting firearms on the market today, and for good reason. Smith & Wesson is a leader in the firearms industry for both historically innovative products and modern production efficiency. Many shooters and collectors still enjoy the classic looks and feel of the original M&P 10, while others have adopted the more modernized improvements that the Optics Ready version brings to the table. No matter the reason for picking up this rifle, it’s important to note that Smith & Wesson continues to invest in improving the quality of the M&P 10 Sport Optics Ready. In this lengthy Smith & Wesson M&P 10 Sport Optics Ready review, we’ll touch on the pros and cons of this popular rifle.
One of the most appealing aspects of the Smith & Wesson M&P 10 Sport Optics Ready is the simple yet remarkably versatile platform it provides. Primarily designed as a medium-range semi-automatic rifle, the M&P 10 is capable of filling a variety of roles both in the sporting field and on the battlefield. Whether you need a predator hunter, a sporting rifle for competition shooting, or a reliable defensive weapon, the M&P 10 Sport Optics Ready is more than up to the task.
The M&P 10 Sport Optics Ready is built on a standard-length 7.25” bolt carrier chambered for the .308 Winchester/7.62 NATO round. The rifle features a 16” barrel with a 1:10 twist rate, allowing for reliable accuracy with just about any type of .308 ammo. The barrel is securely set into the upper receiver, which, along with the lower receiver, is machined from 7075-T6 aluminum. The aluminum construction is extremely durable and lightweight, making the M&P 10 a pleasure to carry.
The stock on the M&P 10 is an adjustable six-position model, capable of being extended or collapsed to fit a wide variety of shooters. Both the length of pull and cheek weld are adjustable, making it easy to fit the rifle to the individual shooter’s body size and posture. The combination of the lightweight aluminum upper and lower receivers and adjustable six-position stock make the M&P 10 an incredibly lightweight rifle overall - weighing in at only 7.5 pounds.
On the range, the M&P 10 Sport Optics Ready is a delight to shoot. The combination of the light weight, quality components, and .308 round, make it an easy rifle to keep on target and shoot accurately. It’s also extremely reliable, especially when fed quality ammunition. With a free-floating, button-rifled barrel, the M&P 10 is capable of producing consistent and accurate results at the range, making it ideal for competing in smallbore competitions.
One of the main selling points of the M&P 10 Sport Optics Ready is its ability to accept optics. With a full-length Picatinny rail that runs the length of the upper receiver, the rifle can accommodate just about any type of scope or sighting system, including red dots and magnified optics. Thanks to the adjustable stock, the rifle can also be customized with a variety of optics to suit the shooter’s specific needs and preferences.
Another great feature that the M&P 10 Sport Optics Ready offers is its six-position, ambidextrous safety selector. Made from hardened steel, the selector provides positive engagement in either the safe or fire positions, making the rifle extremely safe and reliable.
The Smith & Wesson M&P 10 Sport Optics Ready is a great rifle with a lot to offer the modern shooter. From its lightweight aluminum construction and polycoat finish to its free-floating barrel and adjustable stock, the M&P 10 is packed with features that make it one of the best .308 AR-10 style rifles on the market. Whether you’re looking for a reliable sporting rifle, a competition rifle, or a reliable defensive weapon, the M&P 10 Sport Optics Ready is an excellent choice.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
-Versatile and customizable platform
-Optics-ready top rail to mount a variety of optics
-Built-in drop free magazine release
-Equipped with a 16” mid-length barrel
-Built-in adjustable stock to fit different shooting styles
-Compatible with a wide variety of aftermarket parts
Cons:
-Expensive compared to some similar AR-10 rifles
-No dust cover
-No forward assist
-No ambidextrous charging handle or safety selector
Who Should Buy
The Smith & Wesson M&P 10 Sport Optics Ready is designed as a high-performance rifle suitable for hunting and competition shooting. This firearm is not intended for novice shooters and would be better suited for experienced shooters who are comfortable with the use and maintenance of a semi-automatic rifle. Therefore, this firearm should only be purchased by those with adequate knowledge, training, and skill in the use and maintenance of semi-automatic rifles.
Comparisons
| Gun | Caliber | Mag. Capacity | Weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith & Wesson M&P 10 Sport Optics Ready | .308 Win | 20 | 9.7 lbs | $1,399.00 |
| Bushmaster Minimalist SD | .308 Win | 20 | 7.5 lbs | $1,599.00 |
| LWRC M6A2 | .308 Win | 10, 20, or 25 | 8.75 lbs | $2,624.00 |
| Windham Weaponry R16M4A4S | .223 Rem | 30 | 6.23 lbs | $1,275.00 |
| Ruger SR-762 | 7.62 mm NATO | 20 | 8.6 lbs | $1,799.00 |
Features / Specs
•Caliber: .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO
•Action: Semi-automatic Gas Operated
•Capacity: 10 Rounds
•Barrel Length: 16”
•Stock: 6-Position Telescoping
•Sights: None, Optics Ready
•Weight: 7.7 lbs.
•Overall Length: 35.5” - 38.5"
•Grip: Polymer
•Finish: Matte Black
•Twist Rate: 1:10"
Popular Accessories
RIFLE
- Scope – Most users opt for a quality mid to high level scope for their SMITH & WESSON M&P 10 SPORT OPTICS READY RIFLE.
- Mount - SMITH & WESSON M&P 10 SPORT OPTICS READY RIFLE requires a good quality mount in order to secure the scope securely to the rifle.
- Bipod – A bipod is an essential accessory for a SMITH & WESSON M&P 10 SPORT OPTICS READY RIFLE, as it allows for more accurate shooting over long distances.
- Sling – A good quality sling is necessary to carry the rifle and to increase stability when shooting.
- Trigger Lock – Trigger locks are a must for any firearm to ensure safe storage and transportation.
Accuracy
The accuracy of the Smith & Wesson M&P 10 Sport Optics Ready rifle is highly praised. This firearm is equipped with a 16-inch barrel, 5R rifling and a two-stage adjustable trigger. This makes it accurate and easy to fire accurately at longer distances. Additionally, its collapsible stock provides a more stable shooting platform which also lends itself to improved accuracy. Tests have shown that this rifle is consistently accurate out to 100 yards with a precision of at least 1 MOA. Experienced shooters have gotten even better performances, however it is mostly dependant on the shooting situation and the ammunition used. All in all, this is a highly accurate and reliable rifle.
