Lots of confusion surrounding upgrades...

[broylz]

Ok so there seems to be alot of confusion still after reading through alot of threads.

I get that I need to use a low profile dpms type handguard to match up to the receiver rail but is there a list of known handguards that work? Maybe a sticky in the forum?

Also, I have read once that the barrel and bcg are proprietary but have seen one other rifle at least with a 14.5 barrel. What kinds of barrels could I use? Does swapping the barrel require a new bolt or bcg? Which ones work?

I got a hunting model with the heavy barrel. Can that be cut down and threaded without effecting the gas port and such too much? Anyone done this yet? Thinking of going to a 16" and possibly a 14.5 with a pinned brake... just don't want to trash the whole gun to change a barrel...

 

[blacklab11]

My M&P 10 measures 3/16" at the end of the rail under the charge bar handle. According to Troy Industries that would call for a High Profile Rail so that receiver and rail are flat across the top. Is this correct???????

 

[sgtsandman]

From my research, I would have to agree with blacklab11. I got the high rail for my Apex hand guard. I haven't installed it yet but eye balling it, it looks like it will work. The mount bolts around the barrel nut, so compatibility shouldn't be an issue. I just need to remove the barrel nut to get the delta ring off to do the mount. I'll save the ring and spring for the future, just in case.

As far as what hand guards are compatible with the M&P10, I went by info here and by looking at Brownell's sight to see what the responses were concerning what fits and what doesn't.

From what I understand, the barrel extension is proprietary, so switching to a compatible carrier group may work but you are delving into areas I haven't gone to yet. You could have an armorer cut and thread your barrel. They would also be able to tell you what you can get away with concerning barrel length.

 

[broylz]

I have had another member confirm he cut his down to 14.5 and uses a Seekins adjustable gas block so I think cutting it down fits that aspect for me.

On the handguards, I have a troy alpha on mine and it sits .075" high from my calipers. Doesn't sound like much but it's definitely noticeable and I can't line up any mounts across the gap... that said I am not sure if it's a high profile or an armalite with a different barrel nut or what ad I bought this rifle with it installed. It is definitely going to be changed..

 

[sgtsandman]

Correction on my rail height comment. The M&P10 uses the low, post 2009 DPMS rail height on the upper.

 

[Bat Guano]

Is it "broke"? Mine is 100% stock so far, functions well, and makes me look like a really good shot. I have a 1-3X scope on top for the moment, and the trigger, while not a Geiselle, is pretty darned good for an AR out of the box.

I may well upgrade the scope next year if warranted, but even as is this thing is a helluva good rifle. The only thing I could want is a couple of helium filled balloons to make it weigh 8 pounds instead of 10.

Almost all of my guns seem to perform better when the operator quits screwing around and applies the basics.

Hell, if I had the eyes of a 20 year old I'd still be shooting an M1.