M&P 15OR

[Michael J. Spangler]

hi everyone,

i just picked up one of these rifles yesterday, and had i not had an impulse moment, and didn't need to act quickly before my wife changed her mind i would have ordered the 15FT model.

i was wondering if anyone knows if S&W retails free float hand guards so i could upgrade my OR?

i shot them an email but figured i would post here in the meantime.

this is my first AR. i think i'm really going to like it

 

[MPDC]

OK, this gets a bit complicated. Troy (MRF-C), Daniels Defense and some others make FF quadrails you can install yourself without having to change bbl. nuts which means needing tools and some skills.

The Troy just requires cutting off the Delta ring with a dremmel or hacksaw (easier than it sounds, just soft aluminum) and clamping the MRF-C Battlerail to the existing bbl. nut. This looks factory since the D ring is no longer visible like with a "drop in".

Troy BattleRail MRF-C 7" SRAI-MRF-C7BT-00

Notice the D ring is gone and there is one continuous top rail , like the factory units. It wasn't difficult to install and I am no gunsmith. That said, IF you don't need to hang accessories on it and want it for perceived accuracy, I haven't noticed any difference between that and the stock handguards. Money might be better invested in a good trigger like a Geiselle. THAT has definitely improved my shooting.

 

[arizona98tj]

I run a Daniel Defense Omega 7.0 free floating quad rail on my M&P15. You don't have to cut anything off of your rifle prior to installing it. (seems like a good thing to me)

Here is an Omega 7.0 install write-up I did....as you can see, it is quite easy to do.

Looks like this installed....

 

[MPDC]

The DD is certainly a quality product. However, the gap between the gasblock and the rail, coupled with the exposed Delta ring breaking the line of the weapon had me decide on the Troy. YMMV and that is fine if it doesn't bother you. The fact that the Troy MRF-C fits like it was made for the M&P 15OR and looks seamless appealed to me.

Honestly, unless you are truly spastic the removal of the Dring and installation of the Troy is a breeze. So simple, a "Caveman could do it." To me, the finished look of it was worth the small added effort.

I think people hesitate to work on their ARs a bit too much and understand that too. However, after installing the rail and a Geiselle trigger (two part, not a pure "drop in") I am convinced that most of the simpler installations are within the capabilities of the majority of people. In addition, you learn more about function and form and become more familiar with the weapon, a very good thing as any Marine who can disassemble his weapon and re-assemble it in the dark will tell you.

 

[Michael J. Spangler]

so smith never emailed me back. i spoke with a rep on the phone after waiting 25 minutes on hold.
he said it would be $225 for a free float rail like used on the FT model.

i think i'm capable of putting on FF rail, and have friends who have done a lot of quality ar work, so tools and guidance is close by.

is the FT rail through smith going to match the troy rail? they're just about the same price, so if the quality is the same i would almost prefer to see the S&W labeled product on there.

i have some time to think, as this gun was a little splurge for myself, and i need to wait a big before i go spending more.

thanks guys. great info all around

 

[Ruskull]

hi everyone,

i just picked up one of these rifles yesterday, and had i not had an impulse moment, and didn't need to act quickly before my wife changed her mind i would have ordered the 15FT model.

i was wondering if anyone knows if S&W retails free float hand guards so i could upgrade my OR?

i shot them an email but figured i would post here in the meantime.

this is my first AR. i think i'm really going to like it

You're in luck! I bought the M&P15 OR (Optics Ready) also but I really wanted the M&P15 T (Tactical) because it had the free floating rail and the top rail went the entire length without being split by the delta ring. I bought the 10" Troy MRF user installed rail & installed it with my neighbor this past weekend. Troy had a 50% off sale, with free shipping for orders over $100., which may still be in effect. The rail cost me $109!!!

The hardest part by far was removing the gas block. Those pins were ridiculously tight......................after that it was a cake walk. I'll post pictures soon.

 

[Ruskull]

so smith never emailed me back. i spoke with a rep on the phone after waiting 25 minutes on hold.
he said it would be $225 for a free float rail like used on the FT model.

i think i'm capable of putting on FF rail, and have friends who have done a lot of quality ar work, so tools and guidance is close by.

is the FT rail through smith going to match the troy rail? they're just about the same price, so if the quality is the same i would almost prefer to see the S&W labeled product on there.

i have some time to think, as this gun was a little splurge for myself, and i need to wait a big before i go spending more.

thanks guys. great info all around

Go for the Troy MRF, not the S&W. Here's why: Smith & Wesson offers (2) different 10" free floating models which are strangely enough, both labelled as M&P15T. One has the TRoy rail with Troy Backup sights & the other has a similar rail but with Magpul plastic sights. That model lists at about $1109. where the Troy version lists at around $1709. You get what you pay for.

 

[MPDC]

The Carbine length rail is 7" not ten and can be installed without touching the gasblock. It is the MRF-C, is freefloat and just requires cutting off the Dring which is soft aluminum and very simple to do.

I thought the 10" was for mid length gas systems but I guess they have a cut out to accomodate OR do you mount the front sight on the rail itself? The tall gas block on the OR model makes many rails tough to install unless you change out the gas block to a compact one, no?

 

[Ruskull]

The Carbine length rail is 7" not ten and can be installed without touching the gasblock. It is the MRF-C, is freefloat and just requires cutting off the Dring which is soft aluminum and very simple to do.

I thought the 10" was for mid length gas systems but I guess they have a cut out to accomodate OR do you mount the front sight on the rail itself? The tall gas block on the OR model makes many rails tough to install unless you change out the gas block to a compact one, no?

Yes, I had to remove the flash supressor & the OR gas block with the rail on it & install the new low profile gas block. Finally I cut the delta ring, the clip & spring to slide the new 10" Troy MRF rail system into place.It took about an hour & a half to accomplish. I suppose you could get a shorter version to retain the stock OR block but I would think the rail wouldn't be to "free floating" if it's too close to that block if you know what I mean. Still, a previous poster did just that with a shorter Daniel Defense version & looks like a nice installation.

 

[Ruskull]

Here's a link for the low profile gas block replacement:

Troy Low-Profile Gas Block|Battlerail Accessories|Battlerails|Upgrades|Troy Industries| |

 

[MPDC]

Yes, I had to remove the flash supressor & the OR gas block with the rail on it & install the new low profile gas block. Finally I cut the delta ring, the clip & spring to slide the new 10" Troy MRF rail system into place.It took about an hour & a half to accomplish. I suppose you could get a shorter version to retain the stock OR block but I would think the rail wouldn't be to "free floating" if it's too close to that block if you know what I mean. Still, a previous poster did just that with a shorter Daniel Defense version & looks like a nice installation.

Nope, it is not in contact with the gasblock. It is, in fact, free float. Don't get me wrong, I like what you did, just more work and changes than many would want to undertake. The first pic above is my MRF-C and can still use the stock gasblock for a BUIS which I removed since I am using a non powered scope and have no need of BUIS.

 

[Ruskull]

Nope, it is not in contact with the gasblock. It is, in fact, free float. Don't get me wrong, I like what you did, just more work and changes than many would want to undertake. The first pic above is my MRF-C and can still use the stock gasblock for a BUIS which I removed since I am using a non powered scope and have no need of BUIS.

Oh, I didn't realize that was yours. Nice work. It looks clean, like it came that way.

I was tempted to go that route myself in an effort to keep the cost down. As is, I spent $109 for the rail & another $35 for the low profile gas block with free shipping. Since I originally bought the M&P15 OR for $599 brand new from CDNN Sports in Texas, add another 3% for the credit card fee & $40 more for the local FFL fee for a total of $656.97. Add the rail & gas block for $144, another $200 for the Troy folding BUIS and the final total is just $1001. for a converted M&P15 T which S&W lists for $1709.

I've also added OD green Hogue grip from CDNN for $9.99, an aluminum Magpul trigger guard for $15 at a gun show, a nice OD green slipover butstock cover from the same gun show for $10, and OD green ladder rail covers for another $9.99 on eBay. My current scope is a Bushnell Trophy Red/Green dot with the "T" shaped reticle. That was also purchased from eBay for $75 slightly used. It works nicely with the Troy BUIS. Eventually I want an Eotech 557 Holo sight with the flip to side 3X magnifier.