M&P sport 2

[hugger-4641]

Hi, newbie to Ar's and this forum.
I've read many threads like this one, but I still haven't gleaned exactly what I'm looking for, so please bear with me!
I just bought a "new in box" M&P sport 2 and so far I'm thrilled. I've only had time to shoot about 100 rounds of 5.56 50grain target loads and 50 rounds of .223 55gr jhp. I just bought a 420round can of 62gr fmj green tip, hoping to shoot some of them this weekend! Anyway, to my questions:
1. I can't seem to positively narrow down what gas system this thing has, can anyone tell me for sure is it carbine or mid-length?
2. I'm looking at a 16", 1/7, chrome vanadium barrel and 15" free float hand guard. I know I'll have to change the gas block, but I'd like some opinions on a front sight. Would I be better to get a shorter guard and keep a barrel mounted sight or do most people find rail mounted sights work better with a free float guard?
Any opinions welcome!
Thanks!

[Flash_80]

Its got a Carbine gas system. If you're buying a barrel, you can get whatever you want. Will just have to get the corresponding gas tube for it though if its not a carbine style barrel.

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Originally Posted by hugger-4641

1. I can't seem to positively narrow down what gas system this thing has, can anyone tell me for sure is it carbine or mid-length?
2. I'm looking at a 16", 1/7, chrome vanadium barrel and 15" free float hand guard. I know I'll have to change the gas block, but I'd like some opinions on a front sight. Would I be better to get a shorter guard and keep a barrel mounted sight or do most people find rail mounted sights work better with a free float guard?
Any opinions welcome!
Thanks!

1. Sport -Carbine gas system. If you're buying a new 16in barrel, mid-length gas systems are becoming popular because they're a bit softer shooting than carbine gas system with a 16in barrel.

2. Most folks I see install a longer freefloat handagurd. It allows for extended support hand positions and more position options mounting accessories. Also a bit longer sight radius when using irons. Folding sights are what most folks go with. There are a ton of freefloat handguards to choose from. The smaller diameter with Keymod or M-LOK mounting designs are very popular.

[hugger-4641]

Thanks for the replies! I guess I need to find a shop that has some examples I can put my hands on. I like the idea of a longer sight radius. Not sure if a sllim design handguard is what I want, but the key mod sounds appealing. I see handguards from $35 to $200, how in the world does one determine a quality product from the dregs?

[ChattanoogaPhil]

The number of handguard choices can be overwhelming...

I like some of the Midwest Industries designs. BCM, Troy, UTG Pro, Yankee Hill... on and on and on.

I'd probably first narrow down the generalities and priorities.
Diameter slim or otherwise.
Keymod, M-LOK, quad rail, smooth...
Length and weight. There can be considerable differences in weight from one design to another.

Happy handguard hunting...

[hugger-4641]

Thanks! I have narrowed down that I want keymod, Pic. rails, aluminum but with steel barrel nut. I am not too concerned about weight, but is there a point that might start being a concern for stress on this reciever?

[Flash_80]

When you get into the more expensive handguards, you will notice that they are generally lighter. Similar to drop in handguards for a carbine to just replace the plastic handguards. I have a $145 Daniel Defense drop in and my cousin has a $50 UTG. Both work well, they are just chunks of aluminum. But mine weighs nearly half of his. Just about anything you get will work fine, its just whether or not you are happy with it. Think of what the rifle comes with - 2 pieces of plastic. They work fine as well.

[shep854]

Have you considered buying a complete upper assembly with the barrel configuration you want? Then, it's just push the takedown pins and swap, AND you keep the Sport upper original if you want to later sell or trade.

[cyphertext]

Why are you looking to change the barrel after 150 rounds?

[hugger-4641]

Not exactly unhappy with the barrel, but my understanding is that the 1/9 twist is better for stabilizing heavier rounds and 1/7 is better for lighter rounds. The main "work load" of this rifle will be shooting coyotes at 300yds or less, but I also want to do some long range shooting. I just want to be able to switch barrels back and forth and do some reloading and testing of my own. Along the way I may decide I want to just pick up a second AR, but until then, I want to be able to switch barrels.

[cyphertext]

Originally Posted by hugger-4641

Not exactly unhappy with the barrel, but my understanding is that the 1/9 twist is better for stabilizing heavier rounds and 1/7 is better for lighter rounds. The main "work load" of this rifle will be shooting coyotes at 300yds or less, but I also want to do some long range shooting. I just want to be able to switch barrels back and forth and do some reloading and testing of my own. Along the way I may decide I want to just pick up a second AR, but until then, I want to be able to switch barrels.

Your understanding is backwards... 1/7 is for heavier loads, longer actually. A 1/9 twist will work fine for what you plan to use it for. And swapping a barrel back and forth is not very realistic. You would be better off getting another complete upper so that you could swap them by just pulling the two pins.

[Westie1]

Additionally, with the 2nd upper you won't have to worry about having to re -zero each time you swap. Sights will stay with the upper.

[hugger-4641]

Thanks for straightening me out on the twist, my fingers didn't type what I meant! I plan to use heavier loads for long range. Right now all the ammo I've seen on shelves is 45 to 60gr and I'd like to play around with some 80 to 90 grain at 400yds or more. What I shot the other day was hitting a milk jug fine at 100yds free hand. That's pretty good for my eyes and conditioning, not to mention a rifle right out of the box. I was impressed. Next time I'll get on some sand bags and try to zero in and see how tight a group I can get, but at this point, I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get that same group at 200yds or more on a bipod or bags.
I see the point about just getting another upper, I may do that based on these comments.

[cyphertext]

You would need the faster twist rate for 80 gr rounds... but at that point, they no longer fit in the magazine either. Maybe you really want a new bolt gun to go with your AR!

[hugger-4641]

I was not aware the 80gr rounds would not fit in the mag! I presume I missed some humor, but what do you mean by "new bolt gun"?

[cyphertext]

Originally Posted by hugger-4641

I was not aware the 80gr rounds would not fit in the mag! I presume I missed some humor, but what do you mean by "new bolt gun"?

Get a bolt action rifle for your long range shooting with the heavy rounds since you will have to feed them by hand.

[hugger-4641]

Oh...gotcha. Well, I am looking at the Thompson Center 30.06 for that same reason! But, as for this Ar, I was hoping to play with some heavier loads in it! I wouldn't want to have to hand feed every round. Is there not a mag with modified followers that will handle these rounds or would it be possible to seat the bullet further back in the case?

[Westie1]

It's not so much a follower issue, but the fact that the mag itself limits length. And if you try seating the heavy bullets deeper, you start jacking up the pressure levels. 77's will work but the 80's and 90's are real long. In fact the 90's are just over 1 1/8 inches in length.

The 77's will work out to 400+, so you should be good there with a 1/7 barrel. Main thing with long range accuracy, is keeping the bullet supersonic. Once they go subsonic, they loose stability and then accuracy goes.

[Tinhack]

I would just shoot what you have at the longest range you expect to use. Then check the strikes. If they aren't round holes, then the bullet is loosing stability and thus accuracy. Only then would I think about changing barrels. But keep in mind that ammo can vary from one brand to the next.

Also note that heavy bullets have different arch path than lighter bullets so setting up for one weight bullets won't give the same target results. Instead of swapping barrels for various shooting applications, you might consider swapping sights. Scopes, dots and lasers can all be zeroed at different distances. To make it even easier, use quick release sight mounts for each.

Kind of late now but you should have considered building your AR. It costs less overall than changing parts on an existing rifle.

Just my $0.02.

[hugger-4641]

That's ok, it may be too late to build this Ar, but it won't be my last, so thanks for that advice!
After the advice I've read here, I have purchased a complete upper with 16" carbine, chrome vanadium, 1/7, and a 15" aluminum free float guard with flip up front sight. So after I get all this stuff in , I think all I have to do is get a lower, charge handle, bolt, and stock, and I'll have second AR!
Have I missed anything? Any body got a lower they don't need!

[shep854]

This is the beauty of the AR pattern. You only have to buy one 'rifle', but you can get as many different uppers as you wish, without restriction.

[hugger-4641]

That's ok, it may be too late to build this Ar, but it won't be my last, so thanks for that advice!
After the advice I've read here, I have purchased a complete upper with 16" carbine, chrome vanadium, 1/7, and a 15" aluminum free float guard with flip up front sight. So after I get all this stuff in , I think all I have to do is get a lower, charge handle, bolt, and stock, and I'll have second AR!
Have I missed anything? Any body got a lower they don't need?!

[cyphertext]

Originally Posted by hugger-4641

That's ok, it may be too late to build this Ar, but it won't be my last, so thanks for that advice!
After the advice I've read here, I have purchased a complete upper with 16" carbine, chrome vanadium, 1/7, and a 15" aluminum free float guard with flip up front sight. So after I get all this stuff in , I think all I have to do is get a lower, charge handle, bolt, and stock, and I'll have second AR!
Have I missed anything? Any body got a lower they don't need?!

You need to go ahead and get a bolt carrier group and charging handle for that upper... don't swap the bolt between the two uppers!

But you are on the right path... if you are going to shoot those big pills, being able to push two pins and swap uppers is a good way to do it. I will warn you though, it won't be long until that upper grows into a second AR.

[Brian in Oregon]

My advice is to keep your Sport II upper and use it for shooting with iron sights, and get your 1:7" upper with a heavier free floated barrel and install a scope on it for longer range shooting with heavier bullets. Best of both worlds.

[hugger-4641]

You are probably more correct than you know! I've got the upper and handguard on the way, ordering a BCG with charge handle now, so what else would I need to have a second complete AR?

[hugger-4641]

Originally Posted by Brian in Oregon

My advice is to keep your Sport II upper and use it for shooting with iron sights, and get your 1:7" upper with a heavier free floated barrel and install a scope on it for longer range shooting with heavier bullets. Best of both worlds.

I think I've come to agree with this statement. I've already ordered the upper with a 1/7 that is set up for match grade 65 to 75gr rounds. I already have the handguard and front sight on the way as well as a BCG with charge handle. So, I'm starting to think I may as well just leave my Sport 2 as is and pick up the other parts I need to complete this gun for use in my long range shooting.

[hugger-4641]

Ok, I got the new upper in and tried it out today! I'm very pleased! I will be putting the Sport 2 back to original as soon as I get the new lower in, but I just had to try it! I yanked a cheap Red Dot with no magnification off my 10/22 just for testing today. I'm getting 4" grp at 100yds, took about 15 rounds of 62gr green tips to dial it in. I know IT will shoot tighter, just got to get ME up to snuff! Definitely going to need something with magnification before I try to shoot much further.
Thanks for all the help and advice here! I am enjoying this!