I just finally took the plunge and bought a new Sport II and need some advice from the forum experts.

First, I do not like the handle and am looking for recommendations for a replacement. Also, the 30 round clip gets in my way when shooting from the bench and was wondering if they make smaller clips. I notice the gun kicks quite a bit so was wondering if there is certain bullets that work better than others.

I am really looking forward to your advice.

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USAF Retired/VN Vet

Define 'handle". Charging handle? Pistol grip? With either, there are many different types available on the market. Replacing them is easy.

The AR15 has magazines, not clips. 30-round magazines are the standard these days, but you can get shorter 10 and 20-round ones that are more convenient on the bench.

I don't know what you mean by asking whether certain bullets "work better" than others. If you mean do they make recoil any different, the answer is not really. No .223 round generates much recoil, and the difference in recoil between the heaviest and lightest loads is very small. But when it comes to their uses, different bullets are designed for different jobs -- varmints, self-defense, larger game like deer, target competition, etc.

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Pisgah

Sounds like you need a good stock weld. Look up rifle firing on you tube.

There are short Magpul magazines available, I use a 20-round from the bench in my Sport I.

Geoff
Who notes Magpul furniture is fairly easy to replace IF you follow directions carefully.

Recoil is a relevant experience. If all you have ever fired is a .22, then an AR-15 does have significant recoil in comparison. Some of us dismiss it readily when someone makes a statement about this because ,for someone like me who is used to high powered rifles and shot guns, an AR-15 has no recoil in comparison.
To answer the O.P., as has already been stated, there really is not much difference in ammo as far as recoil is concerned in 5.56/.223. I would buy ammo based on what you plan to do with it. For range use and target practice: IMI, Wolf, Tullamo, American Eagle (Federal), 55gr FMJ are going to be some of the economical choices.
If you are buying online in bulk, IMI and Wolf are going to be the ticket right now.
If you are going to Wal-mart and buying off the shelf, Tull and American Eagle are what you will find to be the cheapest.

Go to 44mag.com for both five and ten round mags.

If recoil truly bothers you, then you can get the flash suppressor changed out to a muzzle brake. Beware that you will trade out reduced recoil for increased muzzle blast.

You are somewhat limited to what hand guard you can install based on the length of the gas system (carbine length) and the front sight post. Magpul makes their MOE hand guard that is a lot better than the one included. It also has a heat shield built in. You can also get an aluminum quad rail with picatinny rails or mlok or keymod slots depending on how you want to mount any accessories. Basically, the hand guard will come in two pieces and you insert them by pulling the delta ring back. Lots of videos on YouTube on how to install these.

Guys, he is messing with y'all.

Recoil...too funny

Looks to be a bit much for this guy!

An up-close look at the AR-15 - CNN Video

Man mine won’t shoot that hard! Should I send it in and find out what’s wrong with it? Watch video above it ricks those fellas around like a mule kicking them.

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

Wow I didn't know what a powerful round the 5.56 is! That general in the CNN video surely knows. Just look at the way he expertly holds that stock away from his shoulder to protect himself against the awful, awful recoil of that massive round. And to hear it has ripped people's guts completely out - wow, just wow! There must be something wrong with mine. It doesn't make my shoulder jerk around like it does that general in the video. Maybe I'm buying the wrong ammo. I should get some .308 for it. That should make it work better. That's what a lot of the soldiers use isn't it? I want to be cool and all.

Neither one of those clowns knows anything about shooting an AR beyond keeping it pointed down range. The general is an embarrassment to the Army shooting like that.

Comments like "full semi-auto" just highlight his ignorance. Plus, if you can't keep 5 rounds on target, while pressing the trigger as fast as you can, at indoor distances, you clearly don't have enough experience to speak as an authority about the AR15.

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Freedom isn't free.

1. Clips
2. Handle
3. Gun kicks
4. Bullets

Is he messing with us? Evidence would suggest yes, especially since his icons show he is a vet. If not, I apologize to him.

By the way, when I do most of my competitive shoots, I use 20 round magazines because they get in the way less so when shooting prone, on mock roofs etc.

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Still carrying my S&W 642

After firing the 12ga. semi-automatic at the range, the recoil on my AR is like a BB gun. I guess I'm just used to 30-06, 308, 45-70, 30-30 and the 12ga.

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Si vis pacem para bellum.

If the "kick" of a 5.56mm cartridge is too much, you need to change out the stock, "handle" and hand guards for this set. Fix ya right up.

They are sold out. Looks like you got the last ones.

I have trouble believing that the amount of recoil is an issue, but the sport II can benefit from a heavier buffer. A h1 or h2 can mitigate the effects of an oversized gas port on a carbine length gas system

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ALWAYS OUT FRONT

I have used the Houge grip on my ARs and there is nothing more comfortable out there. The grip is fantastic and there is a great storage options too.

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Endeavor to persevere. <><

Magpul MOE+ > Houge grip in my opinion. Nothing has beaten the MOE+ grips for comfort with the softer rubber. I use exclusively these grips with some even being the K2 versions.

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Still carrying my S&W 642

No. He's just not all that concerned with the clip vs. magazine argument, as the evidence below from another thread suggests. I applaud him . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .