I hate making these kinds of threads as it's my gun and ultimately spending the money on it BUT it's been roughly 3 straight days of looking at things to dress up my stock 15-Sport (5.56) and I'm no closer to deciding on anything for the Sporty.

So, I make this thread for some suggestions of what I'm looking for in terms of dressing it up. If you have any suggestions, links, pics, etc. of different parts, please share! Also, I will have some questions as well.

Background: Picked up my Sport last year as my first AR. I've taken her out 2-3 times a week since then going through more ammo than I should have bought getting use to her stock. I do most my shooting at the local range at 75ft but have discovered a nice outdoor range with some longer targets. Overall, I'm looking for a nice SWAT/tactical look in a finished product.

Optics: I'm looking for a nice scope for range shooting at around 200 yards while laying prone. Looking for a nice tactical look and nothing all too long.
Looking to spend less than $200

Holo/RDS: Since I'm only rocking the one AR for the moment, I'm looking at a more short range sight for indoor range work and quick target acquisition on the courses. This will interchange with the longer range scope.
Looking to spend less than $200

Question: For both, will I need risers for the stock Sport? Weaver or Picatinny? This area is confusing me the most as to what I need to make it work on the stock Sport.

Free Float Forend: This will be used for a tactical flashlight on the right side, bipod, and a foregrip. Don't want to cover the entire barrel but keep it about the same size as the stock guard. Without looking, I think 7" would be perfect. Looking to spend around less than $100

Foregrip: Looking for comfort and something easier on my hands. My hands get torn up extremely easy so don't want anything with too many grooves.
Looking to spend less than $50

That's about it. The rest, I already have planned (bi-pod, mags, stock, tactical light, etc.)

Keep in mind, I'm a newb to AR-15 modding and dressing up so I do appreciate the patience especially dealing with the optics and what I need to buy with them to make it work.

With that scope budget, consider a Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x
You will need an AR-specific offset scope mount to put the scope forward comfortably. Consider the Burris PEPR and other such designs. You'll pay more for Quick Disconnect options if you'll be switching it with the red dot often.

A Bushnell TRS-25 is highly recommended for a usable budget red dot sight, and there's a version that comes with a riser ready to go for the AR. Note that the scope and the RDS won't share risers, they'll each have their own mounts. While you COULD run some ungainly long rail riser to use regular scope rings and non-rised RDS, I don't see the need to deal with that weight and unattractiveness.

You don't necessarily need to free-float to get a quad rail. You'll be fine with a carbine-length quad rail drop-in. (If you want to free float, that involves: removing your flash hider, removing your front sight gas block, removing delta ring assembly/barrel nut, and reinstalling all the new parts.) Not sure why you want a quad rail in the first place if you say your hands get torn up easily. Quad rails are great for tearing up hands.

I understand that the AR is a versatile platform, but wanting one AR to go back and forth between long range shooting and 'running courses' sounds like a headache.
My advice, first changes would've been things like grip, stock, handguard, then maybe a trigger upgrade. A 1-4x scope would set you up decently for mostly anything from short range out to even 200 yards unless you're trying to shoot tiny groups (in which case I think you're starting with the wrong gun and looking at a money pit).

Second the recommendation of the TRS-25 hi-rise. I have one on my sport and with the included riser, it has lower 1/3 co-witness with the Sport's A2/MBUS sights. Nice and bright, holds zero very well and is easily usable to 100 yards.

For the handguard/rail, use a Magpul MOE. Very comfortable to grip and still has options for mounting lights, foregrip, etc.

What's the difficulty with installing the TRS-25? Looks like a pretty easy install with an allen head.

Is there anything on the market comparable that comes with the right risers out of the box? Is it a high profile, medium, or low? Can't really snag a solid picture of just the riser it comes with.

It does sound like most sights will need a riser so just trying to figure out what profile I'd need...kinda looking like high profile but not sure. Does it vary sight to sight?

Also, probably going to just stick with the RDS. I got to thinking about going from longer range scope to RDS and back and forth...McE is right.

Medium/ .83" riser gives you absolute co-witness
High/ 1" riser gives you lower 1/3 co-witness, which is what I prefer.

Just verify if a numerical height is listed, there are prob companies out there that don't conform to those definitions.

And yes, the TRS and just about every other sight out there is a simple install with one or two bolts.

Go take a peek at your local Walmart, seems they have a ton of stuff on clearance. Lots of red dot sights are half off, a friend found a TRS-25 for $50some.

Humm...great info.

I've been doing most my shopping online and don't think I've actually went to a store and checked some out. Sounds like I should head out to Wal-mart and the local gun shop and look at some in person.

The riser info will help quite a bit in my shopping.

1. UTG pro Quad rail with ergo grip rail covers
2. H1 buffer, Wolf buffer spring
3. BCM Charging handle
4. BCM extractor upgrade kit
5. Jerry Miculek Muzzle brake
6. DPMS extra large safety
7. UTG bi-pod
8. Tapco shorty vertical grip
9. Aimsports carry handle
10. Hogue AR grip and Blackhawk buttstock

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I like that build. Def got some more ideas.

Thank, I was hoping that would help ya, I have went through so many different HG's and butt stocks that now it has the original butt stock back on it and the Blackhawk went on the AK. I did forget to add those are Ergo low profile rail covers on that Quad rail, got them on ebay.

Let me be the 1st to say that you will toss half that stuff within a month. I would run that rifle stock for a few thousand rounds to see what you really need. I mean actually use it not just sit at a bench.

To answer some of your other questions. .....I have no experience with optics under $200 but you can get a red dot and a 3x magnifier. The magnifier can fold away when not needed

Primary Arms sells really good priced quality Red dots and optics, it's there brand name optics and all I hear is good things about them

I'll only address those items I use myself, so no scope. Holo or red dot, Primary Arms. They can be ordered with the proper mount for either absolute or lower 1/3 co-witness. Very solid optics at a very good price. I bought the 30mm red dot with the absolute mount for mine, $90 delivered to my door. The PA micro is awesome as well.

As for a free float tube, 7" is a bit short for all the goodies you're wanting to attach. It would make for a very crowded hand guard. Something to consider is what advantage does this provide? By going with a longer tube,maybe 13" or 15", you have more room for your stuff, plus you can add a folding front sight at the front of the tube, increasing you sight radius and improving accuracy. The Troy Alpha or one of the keymod tubes would be excellent, however, the cost is a little taller than you're planning for. If you didn't want to free float, I'd say just outfit your rifle with Magpul MOE furniture. It'll allow you to mount everything you're wanting.

Fore grip, look at the Magpul model. It's not huge, reasonably textured, and is about $35.

My Sport in Magpul dress



Dressed with the Troy Alpha 15".

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SFC, US Army, Retired