Hey guys, new to the forum and was just wondering what are the first mods you made with your m&p15 sport 2. I just picked one up and was curious if there are any MUST upgrades. I was thinking of upgrading the charging handle first, but wanted some opinions.

Welcome to the Forum.

The first 'upgrade' I'd make is install an aftermarket TG (and that goes for any AR with a milspec trigger group). There's plenty to choose from and most of them are much better than a milspec TG. And definitely a 2 point sling. Everything else is dependent on your particular needs/wants and how much $$$ you have to spend. Optics, mounts, ambi controls, muzzle devices, butt stocks, fore ends, pistol grips, VFG, bi-pod, BUIS, weapon light, etc., etc. But, go clean it and lube it first and take it to the range for a few hundred round break-in shoot first before you go too crazy. Good luck and enjoy your new AR!

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SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

I had a Sport II couple years ago , I'm a lefty with rifles only mods were Ambi charging handle and M-14 web sling. Never installed optics liked to shoot up cans , plastic jugs and clays on 50 yard berm

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it. I do have a sling on the way but I will definitely start looking for some a new TG. The place I got it from gave me a free week at their shooting range so I am definitely going to take advantage.

You can check at these suppliers. Both are good.

Just a moment...

AR 15 Triggers For Sale | Primary Arms

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SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

Hey welcome to the forum!

Everyone else here has pretty much covered what modifications you can go with, or you can be like me and just leave it box stock.

That's a lie, the only thing I haven't tweaked or replaced is the lower casting.

Don't forget lots of ammo!

Enjoy!

A new TG is a good idea for a first step, but I'd recommend you shoot the heck out of it first and see if you like it enough overall to spend more money on it, and have a pretty good idea what your modification priorities will be. Except for that creepy trigger, it's a fine gun as is out to easily 250 yards unless you're shooting at bottle caps for money. Spend your money on ammo, targets and magazines, and shoot it, then shoot it some more.

My advice on AR mods has always started with what you shouldn't do, and that is buying and attaching as many gadgets and gizmos as possible, just to make it look all high-speed-low-drag-tacticool. I've seen countless specimens that started life as competent, lightweight, fast-handling carbines, and ended up heavy and unnecessarily cumbersome.

What you should do, is decide what your goal is, what this rifle's "mission" is, and then consider how any mod is going to benefit that goal. A home-defense rifle really doesn't need a bipod, anymore than a long-range benchrest rifle needs a vertical foregrip.

Generally speaking, and as has been well-advised here already, all economy-priced ARs can benefit from a trigger upgrade, but once again, get one that's appropriate to the end goal. You don't want a 1.5 lb. single-stage trigger on a defensive rifle.

Personally, my adjustable-stock ARs all have the Mission First Battlelink Minimalist buttstock, because I just really like that stock. ALL my ARs wear the Ergo Suregrip pistol grip because, again, I just really like that grip.

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Ain't This Fun Though?

Man thanks a lot guys! Love everything that I have read. The mission for the rifle will be home defense and just fun shooting so really think I’m going to go with a minimalist approach

With the M&P Sport 2, in my opinion, you don’t “need” any upgrades because it’s a quality rifle and serviceable as is. That said, if you’ve got money burning a hole in your pocket and would like to make some upgrades I’d recommend some better flip up iron sights such as the excellent Troy battle sights. If you need an upgraded sighting system, I think a quality red dot sight that can co-witness with your iron sights is a good set up. I prefer Aimpoint red dots, they’re good quality. Depending on how you’re going to use your AR, I really like the the Tijicon ACOG system, great sight. A good 2 point sling is needed. I don’t like single point slings, and I don’t like getting hit in the balls with my rifle. Aside from that, an upgraded pistol grip is a nice thing, but certainly not needed.

As for the mil spec trigger, they are mil spec for a reason, they’re tough and reliable. My personal opinion is that an upgrade is not needed for a self defense AR. The stock trigger works very well, and a competent shooter should be able to get very good accuracy from it. There’s a lot of good after market AR trigger options if you’re so inclined. These triggers are great if you’re interested in squeezing out the best accuracy when paper punching, or building out a sniper or hunting AR. I personally think an upgraded stock is a better upgrade for a self defense or battle AR. Oh, and I don’t like flashlights on my rifles, but that’s just me.

I also believe that you’d be better off upgrading to a higher end AR than spending a bunch of money on a lot of upgraded parts. Just my take on things after going through it with several ARs.

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NRA Life Member

You might check under the handguard and see if there's a heat shield there. If not, that's probably the only modification you really might actually need.

The best money spent is going to be on practice ammo and, depending upon your experience level with guns, possibly some training. Oh, and I'd suggest a copy of "Gunsmithing the AR15" by Pat Sweeny. I've spent decades with the platform and don't necessarily agree with him on all points, but he does cover quite a bit of good stuff. If you look around you can also pick up a copy of the official USMC maintenance/armorers manual for a deep dive.

I personally prefer Magpul furniture over standard mil-spec stuff; however, a Magpul MOE stock/grip/hand guard set will cost around $90.00 or so. If a little color doesn’t bother you, these Matrix Diversified Industries six piece sets can be found for $60.00+ in a few different patterns in both commercial and mil-spec configuration. This is an affordable upgrade.

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It's fine as is. Add an optic, maybe a vertical forgrip (VFG), sling, and buy more ammo. Absolutely nothing else is needed.

The trigger is fine, and there's no point in adding the dime a dozen Magpul or other polymer furniture. I have several AR15s all of with with standard, Magpul, Geissele, Knights Armament, BCM (Bravo Company), Aero Precision, or PSA (aluminum rail) furniture on them. I spent several $300 +/- on rails alone mostly just for looks. Truth be told, I've come to prefer the cost, simplicity, and classic military and law enforcement looks of a classic A2 AR with the A2 front sight post with a rear flip up sight and an optic.

KISS Method with a sling and optic FTW.

OK, after a quick check of the S&W website, I may have to alter my comments above slightly. If the Sport II doesn't have a hard chrome plated barrel bore and chamber, it's not going to wear as well as a barrel that does. This comes into play if frequent rapid fire is a habit of yours. A limited amount of rapid fire isn't likely to be an issue, it apparently wasn't on a Mini-14 I used in 3 gun competition.

AR barrels are comparatively easy to change if you've got the tools. You might also find a pistol grip with a different angle and a filler helpful in getting your trigger finger & hand in the right spot. See Mr. Sweey's book on how to accomplish that.

No "must haves" for any aftermarket parts, gun is good to go from the box! I have an Optics model, LOVE IT! Only changes I make these days to any AR, is ambi charging handles, and sometimes buttstock. Stay away from ANY aftermarket triggers, waste of money. MilSpec for reliability with all the bulk/junk ammo you're going to feed it, it will wear in like ANY trigger on ANY firearm. Enjoy your rifle!����