Help Setting up 1st AR for Home Defense Mods

[goodoboy]

Hello,

I currently own the M&P®15 SPORT™ II (M&P(R)15 Sport™ II | Smith & Wesson).

I currently own a 9mm SW M&P and use it as home protection. Now I would like to add to my home protection and setup my AR-15 for home protection as well or just going to the range with my family (wife and 18 year old daughter) for target shooting at about 25-100 yards.


This is my first modification and I am just planning all my hardware and cost. I would like to add the following to my AR with a budget less then $200-$300 (please let me know if more money is recommended and I just save up some more)

Vertical Grip
Red Dot Optic
Tactical Flashlight Lemons
Rail to mount accessories

Thank you

 

[mobiless2]

The handguard on the Sport II is filmsy and has no heat shield, first option would be to replace handguard.

MOE SL(R) Hand Guard, Carbine-Length – AR15/M4

Or

Two Piece Drop-In

 

[goodoboy]

The handguard on the Sport II is filmsy and has no heat shield, first option would be to replace handguard.

MOE SL(R) Hand Guard, Carbine-Length – AR15/M4

Or

Two Piece Drop-In

Thank you mobiless2 for comments. The heat shield is not needed right now , I don't plan on doing a lot of shooting at the range often.

 

[Westie1]

Heatshield might not be necessary, but using a handguard like the Magpul has definite advantages. First, it simplifies mounting accessories. You'll have one standard mount for everything. Second, you will have multiple options as to where you place everything except for the red dot.

 

[TripLeader]

I recommend you to get a 2 point sling, to add to your list.

Assuming you have little experience, because you said it's your first AR-15:

Work on learning the sight offset in close distances, such as would occur inside your residence.

Also work on malfunction drills. Although the best option in a gunfight is to let the sling hold the rifle while you unholster a working gun from your body.

 

[mobiless2]

Thank you mobiless2 for comments. The heat shield is not needed right now , I don't plan on doing a lot of shooting at the range often.

As other's have mentioned, you need something sturdy to attach your vertical grip, light, & red dot.

The S&W OEM handguard has no M-Lok or Keymod attachment points. Once you switch the handguard then it's just a matter of adding your rail attachment, then your accessories.

https://www.magpul.com/firearms-accessories/rails-and-accessories/see-all.

 

[kthom]

I settled on the MagPul accessories for my MP Sport II in carbine length. I like the handguard that extends a bit further forward around the front sight fixture very well. They sell a few differently designed sling attachments that fit the slots in the MagPul handguards as well as the pushbutton sling attachments on the frame of the rifle. I settled on the rear sling attachment that fits where the buffer tube attaches to the frame since the ring on that one will move from one side to the other and allow your sling rear attachment to work on either side of the rifle. I do not care for a front hand grip but do like the attachment that fits the handguard well that allows your hand to press forward at one certain location and keep fingers off the hot barrel, etc. I also chose to replace the OEM rear hand grip with one of the MagPuls that is a bit more comfortable and handfilling for my hand. Lastly, I personally like the MagPul magazines, specifically the 20 round ones that hold plenty of ammo without sticking much down below the outline of the rifle and get in the way for any reason. I have the 30 rounder that came with the rifle for backup if needed. I am in full agreement with the two point sling attachment and I use one of the MagPul slings that can easily be attached or removed from the rifle. I had to experiment some with where to attach it to best fit the gun to me for my needs, and I can allow the rifle to hang if necessary while using both hands for other needs. If you intend to use your rifle for home protection, I believe you have all you need with this rifle to do so, once you get it set up for yourself! Good Luck!!

 

[Grayfox]

I recently bought a M&P-15 Sport 2 OR and it came with the Magpul Mlok fore end. I like it much better than the standard round one. Plus you can add rail sections that mount flat to suit your needs. It feels so good I have no need for a forward grip.

 

[Westie1]

The one thing about using either mlok or keymod handguards is that accessories mount directly on the handguard. Rail sections are not needed. Since the military is starting to adopt mlok, and it's basically open source, you'll find more extras that utilize mlok. Your red dot will mount on the rail section on the upper. Vertical grips will mount directly to the handguard using either mlok or keymod. Same thing with a light. Mounts are available that bolt directly to the handguard.

 

[goodoboy]

but using a handguard like the Magpul has definite advantages.

Thanks Westie1,

What Magpul handrail do you recommend?

 

[goodoboy]

Hello,

Should I get a quad rail like this first to mount additional accessories?

Can i mount 2 rails on the existing handrails? 1 rail for the flashlight and another rail for the vertical grip like this. Access Denied

Screenshot by Lightshot or the individual rails Screenshot by Lightshot to mount on the existing hand rail

 

[Westie1]

This is the one I have on my personal Sport II
MOE SL(R) Hand Guard, Carbine-Length – AR15/M4

With this one, the installed sling mount has to be removed. They do make one that is shorter and allows use of the existing sling mount. There are other brands available, some of which will require modding/removal of the front sight assembly. Just google M Lok hand guard, and you'll see what I mean.

With the M lok system, you don't need the add on rails. This will explain how it works.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIz50dA5BMM[/ame]

 

[goodoboy]

As other's have mentioned, you need something sturdy to attach your vertical grip, light, & red dot.

The S&W OEM handguard has no M-Lok or Keymod attachment points. Once you switch the handguard then it's just a matter of adding your rail attachment, then your accessories.

Rails and Accessories - See All.

mobiless,

I do not understand what you stating. Can you show an example please of what to do?

Are you saying attach the M-Lok rails to my existing handrails like this?

Screenshot by Lightshot

 

[goodoboy]

This is the one I have on my personal Sport II
MOE SL(R) Hand Guard, Carbine-Length – AR15/M4

With this one, the installed sling mount has to be removed. They do make one that is shorter and allows use of the existing sling mount. There are other brands available, some of which will require modding/removal of the front sight assembly. Just google M Lok hand guard, and you'll see what I mean.

With the M lok system, you don't need the add on rails. This will explain how it works.

MagPul M-LOK Accessories Mounting System Demo at SHOT Show 2015 - YouTube

Thanks Westie1,

But I am getting confused. Which rails do you recommend I buy on the link below to install a flash light and Vertical Grip? I will buy a sling from Academy Friday. I just need to know what rails (rails or quad rail) to buy please.

Also, what red dot and flash light do you recommend I buy to aim efficiently and blind an intruder please?

Access Denied

 

[Kadonny]

Westie1 is recommending the Magpul MOE I think. It's a quality very inexpensive handguard to swap with the factory Sport II handguard. The Magpul MOE allows you to add the stuff you want to add without buying a quad rail or quad rail sections, that's what the M lok system does. You can buy M lok mounts for both a flashlight and a verticle grip and attach them right to the MOE handguard. Quad rails are out, they are heavier and are very uncomfortable to hold, M lok and Keymod handgaurds are in.

Flashlights are hard to recommend because there are a whole array of them out there and a lot depends on lumens and quality of the light. Find one in your budget and buy it. Streamlights are very popular.

Red dot? Again, what's your budget. Aimpoint or Trijicon are the best IMO but expensive. Primary Arms makes a great budget red dot too so figure out what you want to spend.

 

[Grayfox]

Since the invention of M-Lok, quad rails are out. Quads are bulky and uncomfortable to handle. Most people end up buying covers to go on most of it to keep from tearing up their hands.
With M-Lok you can choose where and how much rail you need and many accessories can be mounted directly to the handguard without rails.
Check the Magpul web site and see what all is available.

 

[goodoboy]

Westie1 is recommending the Magpul MOE I think. It's a quality very inexpensive handguard to swap with the factory Sport II handguard. The Magpul MOE allows you to add the stuff you want to add without buying a quad rail or quad rail sections, that's what the M lok system does. You can buy M lok mounts for both a flashlight and a verticle grip and attach them right to the MOE handguard. Quad rails are out, they are heavier and are very uncomfortable to hold, M lok and Keymod handgaurds are in.

Flashlights are hard to recommend because there are a whole array of them out there and a lot depends on lumens and quality of the light. Find one in your budget and buy it. Streamlights are very popular.

Red dot? Again, what's your budget. Aimpoint or Trijicon are the best IMO but expensive. Primary Arms makes a great budget red dot too so figure out what you want to spend.

Thank you very much. So the quad rails are heavier then the MOE handrails?

 

[goodoboy]

Since the invention of M-Lok, quad rails are out. Quads are bulky and uncomfortable to handle. Most people end up buying covers to go on most of it to keep from tearing up their hands.
With M-Lok you can choose where and how much rail you need and many accessories can be mounted directly to the handguard without rails.
Check the Magpul web site and see what all is available.

Thanks,

So if I buy this MOE® M-LOK® Hand Guard, Carbine-Length – AR15/M4 MAG424$29.95

What rails do I buy and how to install on the handguard?

 

[Westie1]

With the M lok system, rails are NOT necessary. If you view the video I posted above, you'll see how the system works.

 

[goodoboy]

Hello all,

After some research I have the following ready to buy.

Handguard MagPul
Access Denied

Grip Magpul
Access Denied


Rail to mount Flashlight
Access Denied

Example of Flashlight Mount
MOE(R) Scout Mount, LEFT or RIGHT
http://prntscr.com/jxfhl3
http://prntscr.com/jxfhrj


Do you have a recommendation on Flashlight (+500 lemons with possible pressure switch mounted to grip) and red dot optic (0-200 yards). My budget on optics is $200?

Thank you. I well come all comments and advice.