More mods for my M&P15T...

[Deaj]

To date I've added a bunch of upgraades and accessories to my very recently purchased M&P15T:
* Condor Tactical 36" rifle bag
* Magpul 20 & 30 rd. magazines
* Magpul CTR stock
* Magpul XTM rail covers
* Ergo ladder type rail protectors
* Hogue ergonomic grip
* CAA BVG vertical grip
* Troy Industries low profile QD front sling mount
* Blackhawk V-TAC two point w/QD swivels
* Harris lightweight swivel bipod & GG&G rail mount adapter
* Streamlight PolyTac tactical light and offset rail mount
* Primary Arms M4 red dot sight & rail mount
* Primary Arms 1-4X illuminated scope & rail mount
* #7 O-rinng around upper receiver hinge post to tighten upper / lower fit
* GI type cleaning kit
* Laser bore sight

I ordered a few new upgrades this weekend:
* KNS .034 round ultra fine front siight post
* Spike's Tactical ST-T2 heavy buffer
* BCM / VLTOR Gunfiighter Mod 4 charging handle
* Tango Down PR-4 buffer tube mounted QD sling mount
* Magpul aluminum Enhanced Trigger Guard

The Standard AR front sight post is sufficient for battle use but provides a less than ideal sight picture. I find I'm getting on target more quickly and reacquiring targets more quickly with this new frontt post. Long range accuracy with with BUIS has improved as well. $6 improvement - sweet!

The Spike's buffer is filled with high density tungsten powder rather than sliding weights. Aside from quieter operation users have noted smoother cycling and less felt recoil. At $30 it seemed like a no brainer.

The Guunfighter charging handle wasn't a must-have but reliable one handed operation without having to move off target seemed like a worthwhile upgrade. The latch has been enlarged and reenforced and the charging handle is stronger as well.

I wanted to add a QD sling mount near the back of the receiver where the buffer tube castle nut is located. The Tango Down by all reports is rock solid, lightweight, and provides, left, right, & back QD sockets.

I had always intended to install a Magpul enhanced trigger guard - just hadn't gotten around to it until today. Works as intended providing trigger access to a gloved shooting hand. Looks good too!

The only thing left to mess with is the trigger. I've corresponded with Bill Springfield about purchasing a worked 4# trigger group from him and I may do this down the road a ways. The stock trigger in my M&P, while heavier, is so good (no creep, crisp and consistent break) that I've no desire to mess with it - even for a lighter trigger.

I need to stop buying parts and start buying target ammo.

It's perhaps a little over the top for a target / plinking gun but it's definitely enjoyable to shoot! I'll post some pictures when completed, around the middle of next week.

 

[jcall]

You are a for sure candidate for the BRD (Black Rifle Disease)

Welcome to the club. You will have to post pics, I really want to see your new setup! Sounds like you found a few more items I might be interested in as well. The Spikes buffer sounds pretty good and the KNS site post as well.

Looks like your AR is dialed in. Now its time for ammo and puttin' some down range.

 

[Deaj]

Sick this weekend - no range time

Here are some more pics:

 

[Burnsy87]

How is the Primary Arms M4 dot sight? A lot cheaper than an Aimpoint, how does it stack up?

 

[Deaj]

How is the Primary Arms M4 dot sight? A lot cheaper than an Aimpoint, how does it stack up?

I'm sure the glass on the Aimpoint is of higher quality though comparing them side by side I saw nothing about the Primary Arms to indicate lower quality. They're both weapons grade optics. They're both weatherproof and shock proof, both nitrogen purged to keep them from fogging, both parallax free, and both have anti-reflex coating on the glass. The Primary Arms M4 is about 0.45 ounces heavier than the Aimpoint CompM4 (both weighed with integrated mounts) at 12.25 ounces - negligible difference. Both have integral mounts offering lower 1/3rd co-witness with iron sights. The Aimpoint has a significant advantage in battery life with an estimated 80,000 hours from a single AA battery. The Primary Arms specs call for an estimated 250 hours from a single AA (users have seen more than 400 hours continuous use). The Aimpoint offers 16 brightness settings, 7 of which will work with night vision devices. The Primary Arms M4 offers 7 brightness settings and no support for NVD. Both have a 2 MOA dot reticle. The Primary Arms also has 3 other selectable reticles: crosshair (center 2 MOA dot clear), circle w/crosshair outside, and circle with center 2 MOA dot. The Aimpoint has a 2 year warranty. The Primary Arms warranty is 1 year.

Short version -
* They are more similar than not. Both are lightweight, tough, and reliable weapons grade optics. Both operate on a single AA battery. Both offer a 2 MOA dot reticle. Both include an integral mount. Both co-witness with BUIS.
* The Aimpoint will provide MUCH longer battery life though the PA's battery life is great for civilian / sporting use.
* The Aimpoint may be used with night vision devices, the PA may not.
* The PA has 4 selectable reticles.
* The Aimpoint CompM4 costs $600+ and comes with a 2 year warranty.
* The PA M4 costs $89 and comes with a 1 year warranty.

The Primary Arms is inexpensive enough to warrant giving it a try. So far mine has held zero after mounting and removing it quite a bit. Only time and use will tell if the PA M4 is as reliable as is claimed. Reviews from other user are very positive - I haven't found any negative reviews or comments at all yet. I am certainly pleased with both of my Primary Arms optics. I plan on ordering one of their Micro Dot optics and a Tactical Solutions top rail / rear sight for my Browning Buckmark pistol early next year.

 

[Burnsy87]

Excellent, thanks man. I'll grab one when he gets them back in stock.

 

[Deaj]

Any time! I'll be sure to post comments on the 1-4X scope after my next range visit. I'm expecting good things

 

[Deaj]

I zero'd the Primary Arms 1-4X scope yesterday. It was 11" left and 1" low out of the box. Took two 5 round groups to zero the scope. I then shot five 5 round groups each into a 3" diameter target at 100 yards resting on a rail mounted Harris bipod. Best group was 1.5" with best 3 of five shots 0.5" apart and covering the bullseye (see pic below). This is my first scope and my first experience shooting with one. It surprised me to see just how much I'm moving when lining up a shot. Just one more aspect of my shooting to improve through practice.

Between two of the groups I removed the scope and then re-mounted it to the top rail - it held zero perfectly. The sky was overcast and cloud cover made for poor light for daytime. The scope was plenty bright and clear under these conditions. All in all I'm very pleased with this scope and the Primary Arms mount - every bit as happy with it as I am the PA M4 red dot sight. For the asking price I think one would be hard pressed to find any optic near this level of quality. Color me satisfied!

 

[Deaj]

Here's a couple of pictures with a new Primary Arms 4.5-14X illuminated mil dot scope (picture quality is, well, not quality - it's an old 2.1MP Canon point-n-shoot):

No trigger time with this scope yet but initial impression is very positive. Sight picture in low light conditions seems clear and bright. I should have some time next weekend to zero this scope and do some shooting at 200 yards (longest distance at my local range).

 

[Deaj]

Thought I'd post a quick update:

I've put upwards to 2,000 rounds through my M&P15T to date without a single failure. It shoots better than I do (consistently sub-1MOA when I'm shooting well).

The machine screw holding the rear BIUS to the rail loosened after ~500 rounds. I applied blue loc-tite to both BIUS fixtures and they've stayed put since. Nothing unexpected has occurred otherwise.

All of the Primary Arms optics have performed flawlessly to date. I own three of their optics (M4 style RDS, 1.5-4x scope, 4.5-14x scope). The RDS and 14x scope are on Primary Arms quick mounts and both keep zero with removal and remounting. I spend more time shooting with iron sights than I do with the optics so I'm glad they hold zero! I have the 1.5-4x set up for my sons Ruger 10-22 - it also holds zero well when removed and remounted.

I really like the Spikes Tactical ST-T2 buffer. Cycling is smoother and quieter. Felt recoil is perhaps reduced though it may just seem that way due to smoother cycling. Either way it feels great!

The KNS front sight post makes target acquisition fast! The bead atop the narrow post naturally centers in the round rear aperture. It's a bit like shooting with a RDS!

The stock trigger just keeps getting better and the ~7lb pull weight isn't impacting my shooting in any significant way as far as I can tell. I've decided to leave the trigger alone.

The other ergonomic enhancements have all worked out well. The Hogue grip fits my hand nicely, the XTM rail covers make for a comfortable and positive grip on the forend, The Gunfighter charging handle works as advertised, and the sling and swivel mounts work well for me. The VFG also works nicely for a thumb-forward grip between the rail and the top of the VFG. I like the taper at the top of the CAA - it's very comfortable. It's also very light. I was going to look for a shorter VFG but I have occasionally used the VFG with a full grip so I've decided to stick with the CAA.

 

[KaiDoi]

Nice! The 15T is my next purchase.