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Old 05-05-2016, 08:59 PM
jamesgentry94 jamesgentry94 is offline
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Default Newbie needs advice!

What's up guys, I bought a m&p15 about a month ago (my first ar), and I've added a magpul butt stock and pistol grip, and lately have been wanting to upgrade the handguard. It has the stock 7" handguard with the tower-style front sight on it and wanted to go with a 12" or 14" free float quad rail. So before I ordered the handguard I wanted to be sure if it will even work, if I need extra parts, etc. Again am a new guy to ar15s so I have no idea on how this stuff works. Any help would be appreciated
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Old 05-05-2016, 10:52 PM
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snm8510 snm8510 is offline
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Either need a low profile gas block or take a hacksaw to the a2 sight to install the handguard.. I'd suggest going with option 1 and throwing the a2 sight in the parts bin
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Old 05-06-2016, 09:00 AM
MichiganScott MichiganScott is offline
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Have you shot it yet?
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Old 05-06-2016, 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by MichiganScott View Post
Have you shot it yet?
This. Shoot it first then decide what you want on it. Also do some research and learn how the gas system works and how it correlates to the handguard and front sight post on your rifle before you decide anything or purchase anything. Too many people have made the mistake of buying parts figuring they just bolt on when in reality they only fit with some fairly major modifications to the Sport's OE configuration.
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Old 05-06-2016, 11:53 AM
Ballistic147 Ballistic147 is offline
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You'll most likely have to remove the barrel nut and delta ring also to switch to a free float hand guard which requires some special tools to do. Most any gunsmith can do this but it will add to the cost of the swap.
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Old 05-06-2016, 12:58 PM
Flattop5 Flattop5 is offline
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Why do people buy a gun and then spend $400 on extras that they don't need? My AR-15 works just fine with the original handguard and the original pistol-grip.




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Old 05-06-2016, 03:19 PM
Chappy17 Chappy17 is offline
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Originally Posted by Flattop5 View Post
Why do people buy a gun and then spend $400 on extras that they don't need? My AR-15 works just fine with the original handguard and the original pistol-grip.




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I am in the same boat as the OP. IMO it is to make the gun personal. I want it to be mine. I bought a furniture kit because I wanted a butt stock with a bit of cushion on it and a hand guard that would allow me to add accessories in the future- flashlight. The pistol grip was part of the kit and it appears will provide a better grip, but that is unknown as I have yet to receive the kit.
As I gain more knowledge on the AR platform (I have little to none) I will then more than likely have the desire to actually 'build' a rifle. But for now I am to gain familiarity with the gun and shoot plenty of ammo!
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Old 05-06-2016, 03:27 PM
Chappy17 Chappy17 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesgentry94 View Post
What's up guys, I bought a m&p15 about a month ago (my first ar), and I've added a magpul butt stock and pistol grip, and lately have been wanting to upgrade the handguard. It has the stock 7" handguard with the tower-style front sight on it and wanted to go with a 12" or 14" free float quad rail. So before I ordered the handguard I wanted to be sure if it will even work, if I need extra parts, etc. Again am a new guy to ar15s so I have no idea on how this stuff works. Any help would be appreciated
I too am a newbie, but believe something like this would work with what you are looking for. I'm sure others can chime in to whether it will or not.
https://troyind.com/products/mrf-12cx-blk
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Old 05-06-2016, 09:55 PM
SWMP15Pks SWMP15Pks is offline
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I am also new to the AR genre, welcome to the fun! I bought a MnP15PSX two weeks ago, and already have totally loaded my online wishlists with ammo, sights, scopes, bi-pods, hand guards, fore grips, red dots, pistol grips, butt stocks, and slings. My wife looks at me lately with EXTREME suspicion whenever I'm in the corner on my phone instead of socializing.

For the life of me I can't figure out why some folks think that if you can't leave your own gun like it was when it was made you're somehow doing it wrong; and then in alternately located posts will discuss how they love changing their own triggers, rail attachment positions, optics, and lighting... just... dunno.

I'm with you on the hand guard. Mine is piston op though so my options are probably different. I like Samson's offering in carbine length, and from the looks of things changing the GI block isn't necessary at all, and if you were to add the additional 4 inch extension you'd be getting your lengthy hand guard. It would even allow you to retain the front A2 sight post, which I find all-too-cool. It doesn't seem overly pricey either, which I find even cooler...

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Old 05-06-2016, 10:04 PM
Arik Arik is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chappy17 View Post
I am in the same boat as the OP. IMO it is to make the gun personal. I want it to be mine. I bought a furniture kit because I wanted a butt stock with a bit of cushion on it and a hand guard that would allow me to add accessories in the future- flashlight. The pistol grip was part of the kit and it appears will provide a better grip, but that is unknown as I have yet to receive the kit.
As I gain more knowledge on the AR platform (I have little to none) I will then more than likely have the desire to actually 'build' a rifle. But for now I am to gain familiarity with the gun and shoot plenty of ammo!
You bought it, it's yours. No matter how personal you make it someone has that same set up.

The best thing you can do with that gun is shoot the snot out of it. Take courses then you'll know what if anything you should add. Otherwise you can spend hundreds of $$$ only to find out thay it doesn't work for you when shooting.

Like you said "a pistol grip APPEARS TO provide a better grip" but does it? Take a one day course, put somewhere between 500 - 1000 rounds through it and you may quickly find that it sucks and that it's not the original intent of the grip. Then try something like let's say the C clamp grip and you'll find that the rifle barely moves and accurate follow up shots are twice as fast

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Last edited by Arik; 05-06-2016 at 10:06 PM.
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Old 05-06-2016, 11:19 PM
Chappy17 Chappy17 is offline
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Well Arik, a $100 gamble on a $550 AR won't upset me too much if I made a mistake. Yes, shooting is what it is all about.
But for me, customization and the vast selection of accessories is also part of the enjoyment process.
There are plenty of people investing 3, 4, 5, 6x what we have in our AR's before they even shoot one shot.
It's just a personal choice I suppose.

Last edited by Chappy17; 05-07-2016 at 08:41 AM.
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Old 06-07-2016, 11:27 AM
DougS DougS is offline
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My thinking is f you want a longer handguard, you should bought an AR without sights on it then you wouldn't have to modify the rifle like cutting off sights or changing gas blocks.
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Old 06-07-2016, 11:32 AM
wayne2356 wayne2356 is offline
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This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

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