M&P 15-22 grip change

[Hamster65]

Has anyone replace the grip on one of these and if so, how easy or difficult was it?

My 15-22 came with the old style M-16 ish looking grip which is fine for a 22LR, just not terribly comfortable in my hand.
Wally world sells the thicker, finger groove grip like what comes on many modern AR's (and my semi-auto shotgun) for less than $20.00 and I'd like to get one if it's not too much trouble to install.

I'd be going from this...........


...........to this.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

It's about the easiest upgrade you'll do. Take a flashlight and look into the hole in the bottom of the grip. You'll see the small bolt/screw that attaches the grip to the receiver. I forget if it is a screwdriver or an allen wrench that you need to remove it but you should be able to tell when you look in there. Turn the rifle upside down and remove that bolt/screw. Remove the grip slowly because the grip is holding in place a spring and a detent. Just make sure you don't lose those in the process and make sure they go back where they should when you put the new grip on. If you remove the grip slowly, they probably will still be in the receiver when you pull off the grip. Both are half in the receiver and half in the top of the grip when installed. There will be two small holes in the replacement grip. Slide the other grip in place, line up the spring and detent and re-install the bolt/screw and you are done.

One other thing to know, the curve of the 15-22 receiver is different than a standard AR so there will likely be a gap between the beaver tail of the grip you have selected and the receiver. I use a Mission First Tactical Grip with a beaver tail and it is the same story for me. It doesn't really bother me but depending on how concerned you are about aesthetics it could bother you. If you search around for pics of 15-22s with grips you will probably see some. I was going to post a picture of mine but the picture I have doesn't really show the gap at all.

 

[shawnr5]

I put the Mission First Tactical on both my 15-22 rifle and pistol. It looks and feels great.

 

[GhostMutt]

Tis a long Allen or hex that you'll need...I replaced mine with the Hogue overmoulded with finger grooves and storage compartment....it is really comfortable and has no backstrap so no gap problems.
Yeah do it..you wont regret it, that original grip can get very uncomfortable, I find the finger grooves on the Hogue give me excellent, repeatable trigger finger placement and it is super comfy

 

[Brett248Vista]

There was this guy on here a long time ago, his name was Brett248Vista
or something like that, he shot a bunch of how-to videos and put them up
on Youtube. And I even think the Moderators of the Forum made a sticky
post up at the top called Notable Thread Index and I think inside
there is a link to all of his videos.

 

[Hamster65]

After looking over various different styles, I've decided I like the Hogue grip the best...............also available through walley world and under $20.00.

 

[GhostMutt]

After looking over various different styles, I've decided I like the Hogue grip the best...............also available through walley world and under $20.00.

Hogue overmoulded grip gets a lot of positive reviews...I really like mine, it has just the right amount of palm swell and the finger grooves really help repeatable trigger placement and that storage compartment is tough to get in at first, but has slots to hold batteries for your red dots and what nots. I keep my tactical sweets in the buffer tube

 

[Hamster65]

Hogue overmoulded grip gets a lot of positive reviews...I really like mine, it has just the right amount of palm swell and the finger grooves really help repeatable trigger placement and that storage compartment is tough to get in at first, but has slots to hold batteries for your red dots and what nots. I keep my tactical sweets in the buffer tube

Hmm..........the one I got doesn't have a storage compartment. It's just open on the bottom but, no biggie.............so was the OE grip.

 

[Brett248Vista]

Storage items for the Hogues are optional.

 

[zercool]

I like ERGO overmolds. But that's me. To each their own.

If you're going to have the grip off anyways, think about upgrading the safety selector to a Battle Arms Development Ambi Safety... they're slowly being installed on ALL my ARs ($50ish for the 15-22 ... and they've dropped the price on centerfire models to $60ish! Didn't know that part!) and are light-years ahead of the standard LPK selector. IMHO.

 

[MostlyHarmless]

DPMS grip plug works for both Hogue and stock A2 grips.