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Old 02-24-2015, 07:15 PM
-Havok- -Havok- is offline
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Default New M&P15 5.56 owner, have a few questions...

Just picked up a used M&P15 5.56 from my favorite local gun shop yesterday, and just have a couple questions. Sorry if these are stupid questions, this is my first AR(first rifle in general, only own a SCCY CPX2 9mm for concealed carry) so I don't know much about them other than the reading I've done since I first decided I wanted one a couple years ago. It came with a CAA CBS16 stock, MagPul Pmag gen 2 magazine and an upgraded bolt/carrier(don't remember what kind, but they said it was expensive and way better than stock). Anyways, can anyone tell me exactly which model it was from the factory just by looking at it? I couldn't find one that looked like it online, so I was just curious. All I know is it isn't the Sport since it has a flat trigger guard on the lower and dust shield on the upper, but still has the carbine handguard and it looks like the barrel may have been shortened(still 16" to the tip of the brake). I registered it with S&W, but would it be a better idea to just call and provide the serial #? Another question I have is, personally I hate the look of carbine handguards, delta rings, and front sights, so what exactly would it take to get the M&P15 T quad rail on it? Just remove the front sight and replace it with a smaller gas block, or is it going to be more complicated than that? Current upgrade plans include the 15T quad rail and flip up sights (also some sort of optic at some point), may or may not swap out the stock for something smaller with a cheek rest, and a different muzzle brake. I live in AZ but am from Cali and plan on going back at some point, so upgrades I'm not going to be happy about include bullet button, pinned stock, and 10 round mags. Another question I have is, can I buy magazines that look like 30rd, but only hold 10, and are they legal in CA? Here's a few pics (can anyone identify the bolt?)







Last edited by -Havok-; 02-24-2015 at 07:19 PM.
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Old 02-25-2015, 04:54 AM
-Havok- -Havok- is offline
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Went a little crazy on MS paint. Lol. This is basically what I'm trying to get to, but may just keep the CAA stock instead and hope to add optics at some point

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Old 02-25-2015, 08:28 AM
BillyJack2012 BillyJack2012 is offline
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Not sure what you have there. I'd provide S&W with a serial number. I was thinking it was the standard M&P but it doesn't have a government profile barrel so that's out. The fact that it's cut to 14.5 is questionable also. That and the fact that there's an unmarked bcg. It could have just been a M&P lower with either a complete upper or someone's build.

As for replacing the FSB and going low pro, just pop out the pins, add a low profile block. There's a thread here somewhere that discusses it. You can get a rail added relatively easily if you get one that uses the standard barrel nut. If you need a proprietary barrel nut, then you'll need more tools and time. I'd also make sure that brake is pinned.
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Old 02-25-2015, 11:56 AM
MichiganScott MichiganScott is offline
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I agree with BillyJack. It's a build. The stock is not S&W either. Smith has in the past, and may still, sell both stripped and complete lowers.

If you want a free floated cheese grater handguard, it might be cheaper to sell that upper and buy another. Replace the current upper with a 16" or 18" barrel with q mid-length gas system. Carbine gas systems, particularly when coupled with short barrels, are notorious to need tuning to work 100% of the time.
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Old 02-25-2015, 09:58 PM
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Looks like a build off a stripped M&P 15 lower. A few years back you could find stripped M&P 15 lowers. I remember seeing them on CTD.
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Old 02-25-2015, 10:55 PM
-Havok- -Havok- is offline
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Okay so after spending some time researching based on symbols on the upper, front sight, and writing on the barrel, I'm about 99.9% sure the upper assembly is a Bushmaster with a 14.5" heavy barrel. Also, the overall length of the barrel is 15 7/8" w/ brake and 13 3/4" to the washer/thread(2" brake w/ .125 washer). So if I get a brake that's around 2.5-3" before the washer and have them pinned/welded, will it qualify as a 16" barrel as far as the government is concerned? And is it true that as long as the rifle has a bullet button on it, all "evil features" are allowed in CA? I'm just trying to build it to be "compliant" before I move back at some point
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Old 02-26-2015, 12:28 AM
cyphertext cyphertext is offline
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How did you measure your barrel length? The way the ATF measures is by dropping a dowel rod down the barrel onto a closed bolt. So, if you get a dowel or cleaning rod, measure 16" from the end and mark it, then drop it down the barrel with the end you measured from going into the barrel you should not see your mark outside the barrel if you are legal. If the brake or flash hider is pinned and welded, it counts as part of the barrel for length.
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Old 02-26-2015, 02:25 AM
-Havok- -Havok- is offline
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I did it with a dowel and the line for 16" was barely past the end of the brake. But that was also with it touching the middle of the bolt, not the outer edge if it matters. Probably 1/8" difference, either way it's still under 16". That's good to know about the barrel length though. Well, now I just have to decide on a muzzle break that I'll be able to live with permanently, as well as a free float and low profile gas block
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Old 03-11-2015, 04:29 AM
-Havok- -Havok- is offline
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Haven't been on in a couple weeks, but I did take it back to the shop I got it from and explained all this and they told me it was fine. The brake is pinned so I'm stuck with it for the most part, so a free float is pretty much out of the question without having it cut off. I just decided to go with a Magpul MOE extended carbine guard and it made a world of difference on the looks. Also picked up an MBUS back sight, and am hopefully getting the handguard rail, AFG1 foregrip and MIAD grip sometime soon. I really want to invest in some sort of optics but am having a hard time deciding
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Old 03-11-2015, 07:05 AM
ClayCow ClayCow is offline
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Pics. Did you get stealth grey?
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  #11  
Old 03-11-2015, 09:00 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by -Havok- View Post
The brake is pinned so I'm stuck with it for the most part, so a free float is pretty much out of the question without having it cut off.
You have a few choices.

1. Locate the pin. Carefully use a cutting wheel to cut/grind it down. Do a YouTube search for "Removing a pinned muzzle".

2. You could cut down your A2 front sight post.

3. Pop off the gas tube, loosen the barrel nut. Replace the barrel. Take the sucker off in one piece sight post, muzzle device & all.

Or the easiest would be just to buy another upper. That way you can have 2.

Quote:
Originally Posted by -Havok- View Post
I really want to invest in some sort of optics but am having a hard time deciding
Magnified? Dot?
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Old 03-11-2015, 09:32 AM
cyphertext cyphertext is offline
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You can still free float, by either using a two piece setup that has a cut out for the front sight base, or pick a free float tube that uses the standard barrel nut, and use a dremel to shave the FSB, and cut the handguard cap and delta ring off... that would allow the tube to slide over the barrel.
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Old 03-11-2015, 09:40 AM
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If you want a quad rail and flip up sights, then you need to replace the A2 front sight post which in turn pretty much means adding a free float or at a minimum replacing the front gas block.

It's not that hard to do, I just did my first free float yesterday. The hardest part is getting the front sight post pins out, they can be a real bitch to dislodge. But once you get those out, the rest of the process is easy with the right tools (armorer wrench needed). I was done start to finish in about an hour.
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Old 03-11-2015, 11:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kadonny View Post

It's not that hard to do, I just did my first free float yesterday.
The OP has a pinned muzzle device. Can't slide off the A2 sight post / gas block without removing the muzzle device.
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Old 03-12-2015, 01:18 AM
WR Moore WR Moore is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by -Havok- View Post
I did it with a dowel and the line for 16" was barely past the end of the brake. But that was also with it touching the middle of the bolt, not the outer edge if it matters. Probably 1/8" difference, either way it's still under 16".
OK, if you are correct and the barrel, with permanent muzzle device is UNDER 16 inches in length when measured from the bolt face, there is a problem. That problem being that 16 inches is the dividing line between lawful and a bushel of Federal problems.

The gunshop telling you it's fine will not hack it with the Feds.

Rather than you screwing with it, take it back to the local shop and either trade it for a legal upper, or trade the whole rifle if they passed it off as a S&W complete product. [There is a version of the M&P15 with a 14.5 barrel and pinned flash suppressor. If you decide to keep it, you might want to consider sending S&W Customer Service complete info and pictures to figure out if it just might be one of their products.] Should you decide to go to BATFE and they decide it's a short barrelled rifle (sold without all the required supporting paperwork), they're in a heap of trouble.

What qualifies as Kalifornia compliant is subject to change at any time.
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Old 01-16-2017, 12:58 PM
lonewolf172 lonewolf172 is offline
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I'm thinking of buying one from an individual who says it's a Sport 1 with a 1-9 rate twist barrel without dust cover or forward assist. I'm unable to upload a pic so IF there's someone who who look at the description and picture on Armslist listing in Arkansas for NIB S&W M&P 15 and let me know what your thoughts are I'd appreciate it. Thanks
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Old 01-16-2017, 01:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lonewolf172 View Post
I'm thinking of buying one from an individual who says it's a Sport 1 with a 1-9 rate twist barrel without dust cover or forward assist. I'm unable to upload a pic so IF there's someone who who look at the description and picture on Armslist listing in Arkansas for NIB S&W M&P 15 and let me know what your thoughts are I'd appreciate it. Thanks
If it's this listing...
ARMSLIST - For Sale/Trade: NIB S&W M&P 15
...you can get a brand new M&P 15 Sport 2 for 499 online.

Edit: If you purchase online it's guaranteed to be brand new and or not stolen, transfer fees at local FFL dealers usually aren't much money, and you would be getting a dust cover and a forward assist. I would just purchase a new rifle with the current prices, but that's just me.

Edit2: $489.99 with free shipping with coupon code (SHIP30)
Smith & Wesson Model M&P 15 Sport 5.56mm 16" Barrel

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Old 01-16-2017, 01:31 PM
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Bill Bates Bill Bates is offline
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Havok, did it come with a factory box. If it did come with a factory box the end label will go a longways towards determining how it left the factory. The factory label will give you a model number and UPC code. Each individual model has a unique UPC code. Even one offs will get a different UPC number.

I recently bought a Smith & Wesson M&P15 VTAC LE that came from Smith & Wesson as factory second/sample. It has a UPC code not found in any Smith & Wesson published material. It has a lower that is all VTAC but the upper is a variation closest to a TS :14 1/2 inch barrel with weld muzzle break to get it up to 16 1/8 inches. It appeared new in the box. I guess you could call it an off menu item. It may have been a sample or special order not accepted, who knows. All I know it came in an order with about 60 other factory seconds and samples.

This is how it came from Smith & Wesson. It was shipped directly to where I work and was I the first person into the box.

There were other oddballs in the shipment. Just because it doesn't match anything in the catalog doesn't always mean it isn't factory. The UPC can help determine that. With call to Smith & Wesson they might be able to give you the build specs with the serial number.

And a side note...dang the Geissele Super V trigger is sweet.

a couple of quick and dirty pics



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Old 01-16-2017, 02:23 PM
cyphertext cyphertext is offline
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Quote:
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Havok, did it come with a factory box....
Bill, since Havok hasn't been on in almost 2 yrs, I doubt he will see your post. But that is a good looking rifle!
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Old 01-16-2017, 03:04 PM
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LOL darn zombie post fooled me.
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