Hello. This is my first post on here, (been lurking for awhile). I have decided to swap out the handguard on my 15-22 with a carbine length PTS MOE version and put a (fake suppressor) barrel shroud over the top. Yes I've read through most of the threads on here pertaining to that process.

I understand that I need:

Barrel thread adapter nut
Delta ring assembly
New handguard (Magpul PTS MOE)

Barrel wrench and adapter nut wrench

What I need to know is:

A) Do I also need an ar15 barrel nut?
B) How would I attach my flip-up front sight?
C) What length barrel shroud (4.5", 6", 8") would look best for the carbine length handguard in your opinion (maybe some pics)?
D) I read somewhere on here something about filing some "ears" off of the barrel toward the end of the upper receiver. How does this come into play?

Sorry if I missed some of this info somewhere else in the forum. Thanks for your help.

Tacticool22 can answer most of your questions . . . .

Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 Parts, Accessories, Specifications, Manuals, Photos, and Videos

The MOE is not a free float hand guard. how are you going to secure the other end? Typically, it would be held by a retainer ring that is held in place by a front sight block.

All of this is covered in MANY threads. a quick search for "handguard" yielded 360 results Smith & Wesson Forum - Search Results

To answer your questions:
A) Yes, you need an AR-15 barrel nut. You will also need a handguard end cap, 10-32 screw and a gas block. Get a gas block with a rail-height picatinney rail and you can mount your flip up sight on it. Your gas block will probably have a .750" inside diameter for a standard AR barrel and you will need a short length of brass tubing, slit lengthwise, to use as a spacer.
B) Use a rail height gas block. It will be easiest if it is a clamp-on model.
C) I have never used a barrel shroud. Keep waiting for a response or go through the picture thread and see which one you like.
D) The "ears" to remove are actually part of the receiver, not the barrel. They positively locate the OEM handguard and keep it from twisting when the gun is assembled and the factory barrel nut is tightened.
Here are pictures of my conversion:

What happened to that bolt? ( nasty gouge )

Thanks shawnr5, that really helps!!

Can't you just put a front sight and block on the barrel? I mean, you don't need to use the block, just tighten it on the barrel?

I don't know, just asking.

I'm pretty sure that the nasty gouge is just a hair. My chow/shepherd mix sheds like her life depends on it.

You need to put a screw through the handguard end cap and into the gas tube hole in the gas block to keep the front of the handguard from wobblingaboutI am running a True Shot Technologies A2 front sight on mine now instead of a flip up sight and am very happy with it.

You mean the little scratch?

I've tried to find the standard round end cap, but haven't been able to find any in stock. Would this end cap work?

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No that cap wont work, not even sure what those belong to. you need 1 of these below

I use this one with my magpul handguard.
HANDGUARD CAP, ROUND | Brownells

Or this one
Handguard Caps, Round | Brownells

Thanks Drunk3n Snip3R for the links!! Could not find those for the life of me.

I will have an entire kit out soon. All you will need to supply is the 2 piece hand guards. The "gas block" will look like a low profile one for the AR. A picatinny version will come out later.

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good move.

I pulled my bolt out and there is no scratch (just scratching on the Wax Tailor cd I'm listening to.)

Now you need the proper charging handle. ;-)

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I know. I forgot my password on your site and the reset email never does come through into any folder I can find. I would love to order one of yours and give my Plinker Tactical to my brother. You know I'm a big fan of your stuff, Jody.

I'm waiting for this as well. It'll help the hassle of me having to track down all the different parts. You do good work.

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-Dik

I've got nearly all the parts needed to complete this.

Can't wait to get my tacticool22 barrel nut adapter.

Need pics when done!

Agreed!

BTW, who makes the gas block?

Yea I'll definitely post pics when it's all done. Here is a link to the gas block I used. It's not a clamp on, but with the copper interface I made you can use the 2 set screws that come with it to make it nice and snug. Amazon.com: AR15 AR 15 Rail Height Gas Block with 2 rails for .750 barrels including roll pin: Sports & Outdoors

You've had it for a few hours and you haven't posted finished pictures yet. Is everything okay?

I have everything except the barrel nut adapter. Hopefully will get it Monday or Tuesday.

can someone provide a link to the delta ring you used for your hand guard conversion?i see several rings on the web but dont know which to buy.i ordered the hand guard cap from the links provided above.also does anyone make a gasblock that fits our barrels without shims?if not ill just machine my own out of some aluminum.TIA

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Taurus 9mm,M&P 15-22,RRA AR-15

Here ya go:

Delta Ring Assembly - AR15

Edit:
As far as your second question I've only seen the A2 front sight post (sized to fit the 15-22) from True Shot Technologies, but no ~.65 gas blocks.

TY for the link,i did see a gas block that had a .625 ID but havent had a chance to mic my barrel for size yet.

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Taurus 9mm,M&P 15-22,RRA AR-15

.625 (5/8") is not even close. You need to have a milling machine or some way to bore it out.

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Tacticool22, any idea when that package will be ready for sale?

I am shooting for May, June at the latest.
I have so many things that need to be designed (by me) and prototyped, then turned over to production that I am just swamped.
You will need to buy the complete delta ring assembly with the barrel nut, 2 piece hand guards and the hand guard cap. There are 4 versions.
1) Handguard Cap Colt Round Carbine .750 Dia.
2) Handguard Cap Round Carbine .625 Dia
3) Handguard Cap Round Carbine .750 Dia
4) Handguard Cap Triangle .750 Dia
Here is a great place to get what you need. http://blackrifleworks.com/barrel-parts-c-29.html
I am blessed with a lot of work.

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got one of those at the shop i work in so i could mill it out to the right size do you know what the barrel measures off the top of your head?my tape measure looks like it is around 11/16" diameter but i wont trust the tape when i have micrometers at work.

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Taurus 9mm,M&P 15-22,RRA AR-15

Thanks man. That's a good problem to have.

I'm reading right at 17 mm.

Thanks man. That's a good problem to have.

Whenever you have time to answer, or if you can point me to where it's already been answered....

I measured my barrel and it came in at .675. Is that right? It doesn't seem right based on what you've mentioned so far. I have the standard 15-22, non threaded barrel.

Is the barrel nut just one standard size?

Whenever you have time to answer, or if you can point me to where it's already been answered....
What is the question?
The barrel nut is one standard size. The threads on the barrel have been the same since the first model 15-22 and the outside threads are the same as every AR clone made.

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Thanks man, that helps.

Someday soon, these two will match

Got a surprise in the mail today from tacticool22...

Got everything assembled and it seems pretty solid. Will be testing everything this weekend.

Thanks again everyone for all the help.

Edit: My medium profile riser for the sight should be in tomorrow so hopefully then everything will be done.

That came out nice, thanks for the pictures. Make me want to spend some money..

what optic is that?

It's the Bushnell TRS-25. ~$90 on amazon.

ha! I just bought one of those two days ago, from amazon. Almost bought 2.

My girlfriend and I got to go out to the range today and finally test this thing out. Functions perfectly!! The Bushnell sight is incredible especially since it is under $100. Got a cheap spinner target from walmart and we went through probably 350 rounds of ammo. It was a great day! Thanks again everyone for all the help.

any updates on the "kit"?
i really want this for christmas!

so to my understanding after looking at this thread and through the forum a little bit, if i want to do a conversion like this i would need:
-Barrel thread adapter nut
-barrel wrench
-Delta ring assembly
Delta Ring Assembly - AR15
-ar-15 barrel nut
-round endcap
HANDGUARD CAP, ROUND | Brownells
-barrel nut adapter
- rail height gas block
404 - Document Not Found (clamp on)


am i missing anything?

The full on kit is right here;
Handguard Accessories : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce
Depending on what pieces and parts you already have and if you want to modify your rifle or not.
The 3/4 inch gas block is waaaay too large unless you make a special sleeve.
Our "gas block" fits perfectly.
There are two versions of the round hand guard end cap. One is just round and the other is Colt round.

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tacticool22, whats the difference between the standard and the modified 5 piece kit?
i want to put a Magpul forend on my 15-22 if that helps.
i know i need AR-15 barrel nut or Delta ring assembly and hand guard cap.

The standard kit allows you to leave your rifle factory fresh.
You will wind up with a gap of about .188 inch or 4.8mm
The modified kit requires you to remove the bottom indexing tab and most of the top one. You will wind up with a gap of .1 inch or 2.5mm

Attached Images

Front of upper.jpg (112.8 KB, 45 views)

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