Smith & Wesson just dropped its latest, most advanced and most feature-rich 5.56 NATO AR-15 product line under the new Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Axe Series. Axe series carbines and SBRs (short-barreled rifles) all have modern features built around shooting with rifle silencers, which has become extremely popular.
The Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Axe series consists of four individual carbines: a 16-inch Performance Center Model, a standard 16-inch Axe model and two factory-standard SBRs with 11.5- and 14.5-inch barrels respectively.
The entirety of the Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Axe family uses Smith & Wesson’s fully ambidextrous lower receivers. These rifle builds also include other ambidextrous parts as well as parts from Smith & Wesson’s sister company, Gemtech, in its GVAC (Gas Evacuator) system. All M&P 15 Axe firearms adhere to the traditional AR-15 pattern direct-gas-impingement mechanism, but they rely on a specialized upper receiver assembly that includes a GVAC low-profile gas block and expansion chamber that sits ahead of the block itself. Because shooting direct-gas impingement rifles with silencers can increase back pressure and force more gas back into the receiver area and shooter’s face, the expansion chamber instead draws gas forward to cut down on back pressure.
In the same vein, all Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Axe models come standard with Gemtech’s ETM flash hider and silencer mount that makes it a breeze to mount Gemtech silencers.
Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Axe Features
- 16-, 14.5- or 11.5-inch, 1:8-inch twist 5R rifled barrel w/Armornite finish
- Gemtech ETM Flash hider
- GVAC mid-length direct impingement gas system
- 15-inch Midwest Industries Combat M-Lok freefloat seven-side handguard
- Radian Raptor ambidextrous charging handle
- Ambidextrous controls
- Flat-face trigger
- Magpul CTR adjustable stock
- M&P-style pistol grip with four interchangeable backstraps, like M&P 2.0 handguns
- Ships with one 30-round magazine
Visit smith-wesson.com to learn more about the Axe AR-15 lineup or other products from Smith & Wesson.
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