hello all,

new to the m&p 15 platform, refuse to call it an AR!

have some questions for y'all if ya don't mind

would like to mount a light of some sort, would also like to free float the barrel, without changing the front site, if possible, would like some sort of optic, this is for home defense and range, so trying not to add weight, want to keep it as simple as possible, are there carbine length free floated handguards with mounts? what type of optic is reasonable for a carbine for HD and range use?

looking at olight for weapons light.

thx SAND HAWK

A Rose by any other name is still a Rose! So, call it what you want, but it's still an AR platform firearm. Suit yourself.

As far as an after market rail that allows the barrel to free-float without having to remove the FSGB and/or barrel, there's quite a few. One of the better ones would be the Daniel Defense 'Omega' rail. They come in different lengths and different configurations (Picitinny, M-Lok, Key Mod, etc.). But plan on spending upwards of $200.00 for any of them. Do some internet homework and I'm sure you'll find something to fit your needs/price point.

Same goes for optics and weapon lights. Way too many options to list, a lot of quality optics/lights to be had, and, a lot of different opinions on which are the best. It sounds like you might be in the market for some type of lightweight red dot. How much do you want to spend? Again, start banging away on your keyboard and you will not only learn about all of the products available for the AR platform, you will come across something that will fit your needs/budget. Google is your friend at times like this. Good Luck!

It's called a Modern Sporting Rifle.

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THIS WE'LL DEFEND ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

[QUOTE=sand hawk;140677373]hello all,

new to the m&p 15 platform, refuse to call it an AR!

have some questions for y'all if ya don't mind

would like to mount a light of some sort, would also like to free float the barrel, without changing the front site, if possible, would like some sort of optic, this is for home defense and range, so trying not to add weight, want to keep it as simple as possible, are there carbine length free floated handguards with mounts? what type of optic is reasonable for a carbine for HD and range use?

I don't know about the terminology; maybe it would be best to refer to the S&W and other similar guns as AR15 facsimiles, since they aren't Colt products. Regardless of the name, they may work as well and be just as accurate or more so that the originals.

Just a suggestion before accessorizing...I've found many rifles and handguns often work very well out-of-the-box. You might consider shooting several hundred rounds through your gun as is. If you shoot commercial bulk ammo or any ammo that is not very accurate including handloads that haven't been developed with accuracy in mind, you may find little or no advantage to accuracy enhancements on the gun itself.

If you shoot at 100 yards or less, an optic sight offers little advantage over an aperture rear sight and open front sight. If you haven't already done so, develop shooting skills with the basic gun. After that, if the gun is truly lacking in any way, add the extras. You may actually find you have no use for some things that you thought you really needed or wanted.

Many today often mistakenly reason that scope sights, light triggers, etc. make up for a shooter's shortcomings, but that's not true. Get the basics down first and all will work much better. Good luck in your endeavor-

AR means ArmaLite Rifle, for the company that managed the original development, so it's quite natural to refer to the design and pattern as an 'AR'.
As far as mods or upgrades, the best FIRST accessory for your rifle is carbon, as in residue from lots and lots of quality practice. As you become familiar and comfortable with the gun, you can avoid throwing away money on stuff that doesn't do what you need.
For example, you may well find that freefloating is not really necessary for your shooting style. For me, a Magpul MOE handguard works perfectly.
My point is, don't just start buying stuff; give yourself time to learn the system and the options.
Oh, and have FUN!

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Registration? NEVER!

hey guys,

yeah I know what ar stands for, just don't like using media terms, like the idea of MSR, think that's a term we should start using to confuse the libtards


just bought it and noticed alittle wiggle in front hand guard, "cheap plastic" figured if I'am gonna change it, why not a free float hand guard? but found a mag well grip, so I guess free floatings not that big a deal now, anybody make a rail where a light can be used on the stock hand guard? yeah was thinking red dot, do any have magnification?

these rifles have pretty heavy barrels on them, don't really know if changing the hand guard to a free floater would make that much difference? using a mag well grip should help with barrel stress?

I know nothing about red dots, what is not over kill for this rifle?

thx for any help guys
S/H

The questions you’re asking come down to personal preferences and experience. The supremely modular nature of these rifles don’t make it any easier, either; sooo many options and choices...
I go for simplicity and economy. The first thing I did with my Sport was buy a Magpul MOE handguard, because I didn’t like the feel of the original. A free-float is more money and trouble than I want to go to; PLUS, the good ones are metal, which means they get hot! The MOE handguard has slots for attaching rail segments (for lights, etc) and other accessories. I’ve also seen devices that attach directly to the front sight tower for a light. Next, I got an MFT Minimalist buttstock for slightly better comfort. That’s all I’ve changed so far.
I recommend a red dot sight; it makes sighting very quick, especially if your vision isn’t perfect. I have a Center Point unit; you can get one for around $40 online—check Google. There are also very inexpensive scopes online, or up to the hundreds OR thousands of dollars, if you choose.
The options are mind boggling; go slow and get experience at each step.
Hope this helps! I’m definitely feeling my way, too.

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You really need to get some education on the AR platform. Do as much research as you can and you will soon realize all of the options that are available.

Eric already covered most of the points, but I'll give it a second pass...

As others have said, AR is not a "media term". The M&P 15 is an AR platform rifle.

There will be a little wiggle because of the way the hand guards are held on. The delta ring is spring loaded and pushes the hand guard up against the hand guard cap. A little play is nothing to worry about. The reason to change out the hand guard on the Sport is because the factory one does not have heat shields. If you aren't going to change the fixed front sight, I would just replace with a Magpul hand guard.

I wouldn't recommend a magwell grip. It is not the best way to control the rifle, and if your hand or the grip exerts pressure on the magazine, it can cause jams. Also, if the rifle ever goes kaboom, the mag well is a path of least resistance, so parts and hot gasses will come out through there... not where I want my hand.


There are rails that attach through the holes in the stock hand guard, but again, replace with Magpul or some other hand guard with heat shields and a way to attach devices and you will be happier. Or mount the light to the front sight tower... that works too.

Typical red dot sights do not have magnification. If you want magnification, get a scope.

Barrel is not a heavy barrel. The Sport has a unique barrel profile... not a pencil barrel, not a gov. profile barrel, but not a heavy barrel either. Think of it more like a gov. profile without the M203 cut out. Already covered the rest.

No red dot would be considered "overkill" for the rifle, just maybe overkill for your budget. The Aimpoint Pro has been suggested and has a good track record. Find one within your budget that has 50,000 hour battery life if you are going to use it for home defense. The idea there is that you leave it on so you are not fiddling with it under stress. The less expensive red dots have come a long way with features, but quality can be hit and miss.

I'll only address the sighting system here.

As others have said, no such thing as overkill here. It's a good rifle and capable of <1.5MOA out of the box. With a proper rest, trigger control and match ammo, it will likely be better than 1MOA.

Your stated purpose is home defense and range toy. That still leaves a couple of questions:
1. What is the maximum distance you intend to shoot?
2. Regardless of maximum diastance, what distance do you think you'll shoot the most?
3. What is your budget for this new sighting system?

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Freedom isn't free.

I'm assuming you mean a good drop in metal handguard, obviously not a free float you are talking about. Those get hot? I'll disagree here. I have a KAC M4 RAS rail on my Sport and it does not get hot all all, at least not by shooting a couple of hundred rounds through it at a time. I would label this rail as "quality". Maybe if you do 10 straight 30 round mag dumps at a time....but who does that.

And even if it were to ever get hot (which it doesn't) there are rail covers that protect your hands. For me, I'll take my rock solid top quality RAS metal drop in rail over any Magpul MOE plastic rail any day of the week, it's not even close. There is a reason the KAC is military spec'd and is battle proven, it's a great rail.

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Still carrying my S&W 642

Thanks, Kadonny. Your comments are appreciated.
I was guessing from appearance--they looked like they would heat up, from sunlight as well as firing.

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Registration? NEVER!

hey guys,

i'm coming from a mini-14 platform not used to plastic hand guards,or red dots, noticed moa changes on where I hold the wooden one piece stock/hand guard on the mini. that's what I was asking about on the m&p 15 and free floating,does holding the plastic hand guard change poi like on the mini, or not worth worrying about? range use is on BLM land so max I would say 250-300 yards, psa has a sig Romeo for $99 is that any good?

thx SH

If you press hard enough on a standard handguard you can indeed bend the barrel enough to shift bullet impact, but it will be harder with the relatively thick barrel of the Sport II. With a free float handguard, the barrel is unaffected by pressure on the handguard, so said pressure won’t affect impact.

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Totally correct. You'd be hard pressed to bend the Sport barrel to impact poi under normal conditions. If you are reaching out to 500 & 600 yards with some sturdy bench resting or some heavy sling support, then you would want to consider a free float. But for plinking and HD use, free floating won't give you much improvement in accuracy.....if any.

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Still carrying my S&W 642