Is it worth tacticooling the Mp sport?

[iron6]

Ive had my sport for 5-6 months now. One of the most reliable guns I've owned. Seems accurate as I am.

I've been tossing around the idea of making it tacticool, magpul stock. Rail or Moe hand guard. Maybe a bipod since I hunt with it. Maybe even an after market trigger, is there any reason why The gun wouldn't be worth the upgrades?

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[bhayles]

Its a solid platform to build on if you want. Whether to or not is simply a matter of personal choice.

 

[iron6]

I was just mainly wondering if there was anything in that construction of the lower or such that made it a lesser choice to put a trigger in

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[JaPes]

I have replaced almost everything on my 15-Sport. The 15-Sport has good bones on which to build on.

 

[bhayles]

Not that I'm aware of. I believe you can do anything to it you want.

 

[Arik]

Just because it's Magpul doesn't mean it's tacticool. If you're adding just cause you in vision some need then it's tacticool. If you actually have a reason then it's an upgrade.

My AR has a magpul stock and grip because the original grip was too thin and the stock was from the 80s with a non existent cheek weld. If I get a red dot I'll get a rail but until then I don't need it

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[bhayles]

I have replaced almost everything on my 15-Sport. The 15-Sport has good bones on which to build on.

Rumor has it that JaPes even built his house around the Sport and the entire house is a Sport accessory...

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

An AR platform in an AR platform. It's a modular rifle.

There isn't anything about the Sport that makes it inherently more or less worthy of an MOE handguard or anything else. Each item should be considered on its own merit based upon your needs or preferences.

On the other hand.... if you already know that you want an AR in a particular configuration it may make little financial sense to buy a new Sport and then replace everything rather than buying a rifle that is already configured how you want.

 

[cyphertext]

I don't think it is worth the effort to add an engraved port ejection cover to the Sport, but other than that, have at it.

 

[BillyJack2012]

The Sport lower is the same lower that S&W uses for the entire M&P15 line. The Sport is a fine AR and there's no reason not use it as a base platform for a build. Just remember that adding accessories adds weight. If you like it the way it balances out today, that may change as you remove and replace.

I've played around with accessories and after all was said and done, my latest build looks like this. I absolutely love it.

 

[cyphertext]

The Sport lower is the same lower that S&W uses for the entire M&P15 line.

No, it's not BillyJack. The Sport has an integrated trigger guard, not one that can be changed out with the pins. Trigger group and everything else are the same, just one minor change.

 

[klausinak]

Oops, cypher beat me to it...

The Sport lower is the same lower that S&W uses for the entire M&P15 line

Incorrect, the Sport has a forged triggerguard, or @ least it did, (minor & nitpicky I know ). To the OP what that forged trigger guard means is that the pistol grips that are designed to fill the little hole behind the folding trigger guard won't work w/out some modification, (Tango Down is the one that comes to mind). Otherwise I agree with all statements made thus far, Do what you want, an AR is an AR... As I used to tell people when I worked @ the LGS, if somebody makes exactly what you want go ahead & buy it, if you're going to buy one & immediately change out 16 different pieces, you'll be better off building your own.

Just my .02

-Klaus

 

[Maddmax]

I've been tossing around the idea of making it tacticool, magpul stock. Rail or Moe hand guard. Maybe a bipod since I hunt with it. Maybe even an after market trigger, is there any reason why The gun wouldn't be worth the upgrades?

Think of it more as personalizing it. ...then go for it.

 

[Maddmax]

I have replaced almost everything on my 15-Sport. The 15-Sport has good bones on which to build on.

Yes they are. First things to go on my MSR's are the buttstock and the handgrip and they get a trigger pollish.

 

[BillyJack2012]

No, it's not BillyJack. The Sport has an integrated trigger guard, not one that can be changed out with the pins. Trigger group and everything else are the same, just one minor change.

Oh snap! You are correct! I will now excuse myself from the internets for 24 hours for arm chairing. (There's no embarrassed emoticon here but if there was, I'd put it right here)

 

[cyphertext]

Oh snap! You are correct! I will now excuse myself from the internets for 24 hours for arm chairing. (There's no embarrassed emoticon here but if there was, I'd put it right here)

Minor detail... the guts are the same, and the dimensions are the same.

 

[Plazzman]

I don't think it is worth the effort to add an engraved port ejection cover to the Sport, but other than that, have at it.

That's odd, I added a YHM upper with a engraved ejection port cover on my Sport. I believe is has a US flag on it with the words "These colors don't run".

 

[cyphertext]

That's odd, I added a YHM upper with a engraved ejection port cover on my Sport. I believe is has a US flag on it with the words "These colors don't run".

Did you put an extended rail and free float the barrel while you were at it? If you already had the flash hider, FSB, delta ring, and barrel nut off anyway, then no biggie. But I wouldn't do all of that just to add an ejection port cover. YMMV

 

[Skeptic 9c]

"My AR is still my AR! I only replace the lower four times and the upper nine!"
Geoff
Who notes the Grandpappy's Ax story of his youth.

 

[Skeptic 9c]

Remember the Sport is a light weight Personal Defense weapon. If you need something to improve your operation of the rifle, then it is good. If it is not needed, then it is bad. I am not enamored with trigger swaps, but the varmint crowd swear by them. My knee keeps me out of 3 gun but that bunch seems to like the standard triggers for the excitement.
Geoff
Who does NOT need a tracked wheelchair ... yet....

 

[Little Creek]

Let's see. I am LH, so I love the fact that there is no FA. The first things I added were ambi: fire selector, charging handle, and Norgan mag release. The I traded some stuff for a Troy 13" VTAC FF handguard. I also put a Magpul ACS stock and a Magpul MOE K2 grip. I just added an SSA trigger. The most recent addition is a Leupold VX-R Patrol scope mounted with a Leupold Mark 2 mount. I am thinking I need a comp and a quick throw lever for the scope. That should just about do it. It has been a three year journey. This will be my 3 gun competition carbine. So far over 1,000 rounds through it with no issues.

 

[CrustyShellback]

I bought the Sport for the K.I.S.S.

The only things I wanted were mostly functional changes. Still waiting for this Sunday to drag slowly by and then the freakin' mad dash as 100 other people run to get their rifles at 9 am Monday morning. But, at least I have all my mods/upgrades already in and ready to slap on.

What I have and why I got it.

Vortex Strikefire - these eyes aren't getting better, but at least I'm not dependent on magnification yet... the dot helps tremendously, especially with a co-witness.

Magpul MOE handguard - stock one, too skinny, limited mounting options, no heatshield.

Magpul MOE pistol grip - stock grip, too skinny, flimsy and want/need a storage compartment for batteries. I've got 3 in there now, with room for one more. Got a small cloth for my optic and would really like to find a very small oiler bottle.

ArmsTAC VFG - cheap VFG. Nothing really lost, if I don't like ($10). Mounts ROCK SOLID, however. I am impressed with it, I'll give them that much, at this point.

Elzetta A2 front sight tactical flashlight mount - Fits about as far forward as you can mount one, decreasing barrel shadow. Since it fits under the barrel, you keep the slim profile of the gun. Made of similar polymer as Magpul (also made in USA). Very strong and stable light mount. You can adjust the placement of your light, so that just bumping the sling mount, will turn on your momentary light. It actually works, quite well.

Streamlight Polytac - the new Polytacs are 275 lumen, programmable and have one of the most effective strobes, I've seen. It even started to make me nauseous. The effective light range, is insane. In low light, it will light up enough to easily identify/spot someone at 100 yds and you'll stop them in their tracks at 200.

Tapco Intrafuse buttpad - purely for shoulder retention/placement. I like the feel of them and the way they seat the rifle.

Other than that, I don't see much need for anything else. Maybe I'll change out the front end some day, quad rail. Who knows? But, I'm generally not like that. I know what I want and I move towards that, tweaking along the way, if need be. When I got my Mini, it went thru a couple changes, before it ended up exactly like the original build I based it off of.

Finally, all those upgrades didn't cost me that much, really. I already had the Strikefire, but only paid $120 for the red dot only one. Everything else... nothing was over $36 (flashlight). Had I needed a new optic, I still would be starting off with a very nice, reliable AR for well under $1000. All those upgrades (minus optic) only cost me just over $140 and had them all, from online sources, inside a week. I'm pleased with my (around) $700 purchase.

P.S. I made my son, let me throw all my stuff on his AR, is how I know I like it. Hahaha...

 

[JaPes]

I bought the Sport for the K.I.S.S.

I like where this is going.

...The only things I wanted were mostly functional changes.

Ut-Oh... Black Rifle Disease Stage 1 Alert! Stage 1 starts with the defense mechanism of rationalization.

What I have...

Vortex Strikefire
Magpul MOE handguard
Magpul MOE pistol grip
ArmsTAC VFG
Elzetta A2 front sight tactical flashlight mount
Streamlight Polytac
Tapco Intrafuse buttpad -

Other than that, I don't see much need for anything else.

...and there goes the progression to Stage 2.

Maybe I'll change out the front end some day, quad rail.

Stage 2.5

Who knows? But, I'm generally not like that. I know what I want and I move towards that, tweaking along the way, if need be.

Stage 3 evidenced by employment of the defense mechanisms of rationalization and denial at the same time.

Finally, all those upgrades didn't cost me that much, really. I already had the Strikefire, but only paid $120 for the red dot only one. Everything else... nothing was over $36 (flashlight). Had I needed a new optic, I still would be starting off with a very nice, reliable AR for well under $1000. All those upgrades (minus optic) only cost me just over $140 and had them all, from online sources, inside a week. I'm pleased with my (around) $700 purchase.

Stage 3.25 evidence of all the defense mechanisms.

P.S. I made my son, let me throw all my stuff on his AR, is how I know I like it. Hahaha...

Buying the gear before you get your hands on your AR and testing it on someone elses rifle = style points.

Take it from someone who is in the terminal stage of Black Rifle Disease, you ain't done yet.

 

[Little Creek]

Let's see. I am LH, so I love the fact that there is no FA. The first things I added were ambi: fire selector, charging handle, and Norgan mag release. The I traded some stuff for a Troy 13" VTAC FF handguard. I also put a Magpul ACS stock and a Magpul MOE K2 grip. I just added an SSA trigger. The most recent addition is a Leupold VX-R Patrol scope mounted with a Leupold Mark 2 mount. I am thinking I need a comp and a quick throw lever for the scope. That should just about do it. It has been a three year journey. This will be my 3 gun competition carbine. So far over 1,000 rounds through it with no issues.

Shot a three gun match yesterday with three sets of three 6" gongs at 110, 100, and 90 yards from three different shooting positions. The carbine and the scope worked great. The 4 power with the illuminated SPR reticle was perfect for the job at hand. It helped that I spent a good bit of time getting a more or less "perfect zero" at 200 yards the day before.

If a sport was the same price as a "normal" it would be a bargan. I being LH would pay extra not to have the FA. The FA just gets in my way. I don't miss the dust cover and the trigger guard is perfect (in my opinion).

 

[bhayles]

fTake it from someone who is in the terminal stage of Black Rifle Disease, you ain't done yet.

I think...hope...I have found a vaccine for BRD. If not, I'll wind up one of those addicts that spends the grocery money to support the habit.

Like most addictions, folks seem to get an AR to "try it out", not realizing where it can lead. Not me. I'm looking at the end result I want...a home defense weapon and a rifle to hunt deer with...and building toward that as an endpoint. Hopefully, that will keep BRD from becoming so much of an obsession it costs me everything else!

Basic rifle: Smith & Wesson M&P Sport-check.
Magpul MOE hand guard-logical for the heat shield-check.
Magpul BAD lever-improved functionality-check.
Maglight MagTac 310 lm tactical light-check.
Bayonet lug mount for the tactical light-yet to be purchased, looking for the right one.
Red dot sight, offset 45° left-leaning towards primary arms red dot combo.
A scope for deer hunting-maximum range will probably be 150 yards. Open to suggestions, but remember… I am very budget minded.
A sling. I was leaning toward a Magpul two-point sling. Both of my nephews (who have each served multiple tours in Afghanistan as infantrymen) tell me I should go with 3 point. JaPes's problems with a 3 point, indicating you need to be a nuclear physicist to figure out how to use one, leaves me not knowing which way to go.
Sling mounts-the one place that gadget -itis might bite me. Logic tells me to use the sling mount at the front of the hand guard and the slot in the stock stock. After all, once attached, how often am I going to be removing the sling? My little gadget -itis gnome inside my head wants QD attachments, though, one near the back of the hand guard and one where buffer tube meets upper.

One thing from the above list that I might add is a different grip. The stock grip is comfortable to me, but the idea of spare batteries for the tac light and optics is appealing.

After that? Ammo, ammo, and did I mention, more ammo. The less money I spend adding gadgets is the more money I can spend feeding the beast.

 

[Plazzman]

Did you put an extended rail and free float the barrel while you were at it? If you already had the flash hider, FSB, delta ring, and barrel nut off anyway, then no biggie. But I wouldn't do all of that just to add an ejection port cover. YMMV

Nope added the YHM upper because I found it cheap so I went for it, plus the cover came way later. As for the free float quad rail that came much, much later also. Sorry I make you sick.

 

[cyphertext]

Nope added the YHM machine upper because I found it cheap so I went for it, plus the cover came way later. As for the the free float quad rail that came much, much later also. Sorry I make you sick.

Some like to tinker more than others... but as far as being sick, you have the disease man!

 

[Plazzman]

Some like to tinker more than others... but as far as being sick, you have the disease man!

As for as the disease, I think I have been cured, the wallet has been emptied and I figured I have gone far as I can go.

So all I can do now is buy ammo when the price is right and enjoy going to the range and be proud of what I have built out of my Sport with my own hands.

That is it pretty much it in a nut shell.

 

[CrustyShellback]

Ut-Oh... Black Rifle Disease Stage 1 Alert! Stage 1 starts with the defense mechanism of rationalization.

...

Take it from someone who is in the terminal stage of Black Rifle Disease, you ain't done yet.

Take it from someone that is truly "terminal" (health-wise), I don't have many options there. I really don't operate like that.

Though, no denial of the desire, want and what the future holds. I can't take the luxury of planning that far ahead and I try to avoid it. Every time I do, I take it up the wazoo some how. So I take things, as they come... or at least try to.

The Sport... like my Mini, is meant to fill a role. Being redundant, its a K.I.S.S., home defense, range toy. I know how I want it set-up and was blessed enough to have literally years to build it in my head. S&W met me half-way there, building the perfect platform for me, to modify around.

But, Black-Rifle disease? Sure, I want to tacticool a firearm. No denying that, its in our blood/DNA. But I'll save that for something I build and I need a LOT of things to fall into place before that happens. Unfortunately, life keeps getting in the way. In fact, just today... the money I was planning to buy some ammo with, bought a new AC. There went my budget.

Naw, the "toy" will hopefully come, but not right now and not this one.

As for as the disease, I think I have been cured, the wallet has been emptied and I figured I have gone far as I can go.

So all I can do now is buy ammo when the price is right and enjoy going to the range and be proud of what I have built out of my Sport with my own hands.

That is it pretty much in a nut shell.

BINGO!

 

[JaPes]

Take it from someone that is truly "terminal" (health-wise), I don't have many options there. I really don't operate like that.



Though, no denial of the desire, want and what the future holds. I can't take the luxury of planning that far ahead and I try to avoid it. Every time I do, I take it up the wazoo some how. So I take things, as they come... or at least try to.

Crusty, I hope you know that if I offended you in any way it was unintentional. When you get your 15-Sport set up, post a pic.