MP SPORT Free Float
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MrG5122
Member
Not a Sport but I believe it's a 13"
JaPes
Member
If you have your heart set on a Troy Bravo rail, go for it.
If you're still open to choices, there are newer forend systems on the market. The quad-rail system is a bit dated. Added bulk and weight from rail space you'll never use. Have you considered one of the new Key-Mod forends? They have a narrower diameter and you affix accessories directly to the key-mod slots. There are other rail systems that allow you to affix rails only where you need them, and they don't limit rail locations to 12, 3, 6, 9 O'Clock positions. If you're going to go through all the trouble of disassembly, why not go with a longer handguard? You get more usable forend space. You get a longer iron sight radius.
The Midwest Industries website can give you an idea of what's out there.
Midwest Industries: Tactical Handguards
If you're still open to choices, there are newer forend systems on the market. The quad-rail system is a bit dated. Added bulk and weight from rail space you'll never use. Have you considered one of the new Key-Mod forends? They have a narrower diameter and you affix accessories directly to the key-mod slots. There are other rail systems that allow you to affix rails only where you need them, and they don't limit rail locations to 12, 3, 6, 9 O'Clock positions. If you're going to go through all the trouble of disassembly, why not go with a longer handguard? You get more usable forend space. You get a longer iron sight radius.
The Midwest Industries website can give you an idea of what's out there.
Midwest Industries: Tactical Handguards
Thanks John. I am trying to keep it under $200. Troy seems to be one of the best at doing that. I have contemplated the alpha and vtac series, which seem to do what you are talking about. Midwest seems out of my budget. I have the stock handguard on there now, so I will be going with a longer one at 13 inches. What kind of difference in weight are we talking about? I like the beefy look of the quad rail versus the alpha series, I think. I have gone back and forth. I need to put my hands on them I think. My friend just got an Adams with a 13 inch quad and looks and feels really nice without feeling too bulky.
JaPes
Member
Cool. Now that I know your budget, I can get to hunting down options.
If the beefy look of an old-school quad rail is what you're after, go for it. I do think that you should try and handle as many different fore ends as you can. The reason I don't like the quad rail is that it's uncomfortable. I had one once. The rails have corners. I had to buy rail covers. Then the diameter of the handguard increased.
When I'm done searching the net, I'll be back.
If the beefy look of an old-school quad rail is what you're after, go for it. I do think that you should try and handle as many different fore ends as you can. The reason I don't like the quad rail is that it's uncomfortable. I had one once. The rails have corners. I had to buy rail covers. Then the diameter of the handguard increased.
When I'm done searching the net, I'll be back.
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JaPes
Member
Ok. $200 Budget. I'm putting on my "enabler" hat.
If you want quad rail beefiness with an interesting cut pattern, 12.58" YHM Diamond Series $191:
12.58" Diamond Series Forearm (Rifle Length)
You can go with the 12.6" YHM Rifle Length Keymod handguard, $160:
Rifle Length KR7 Handguard (12.6")
If you want a smooth tube look that has mounting points so that you can put rails just where you want them, check out the YHM 12.250" Customizable, $180.50.
12.520" Customizable Series Forearm (Rifle Length)
There is the very nice and light 12.37" Sampson Keymod Evolution series handguard. At $205 its just $5 over budget.
Keymod Evolution Series 12.37 : Samson Manufacturing
Here's one out of left field. If you want a weighty, solid handguard, that is narrow diameter, only has quad rails toward the muzzle end, the RGuns 14.5" S-RGQ slab side is really nice. They're $155. This shop is local to me, and I've held these handguards. I really like them.
https://rguns.net/shop/r-guns-14-5-s-rgq-slab-side-quad-rail-hand-guard-black/
The other thing you'll need to do is either shave down your current A2 front sight post or install a low profile gas block. If you do go low profile gas block, go with one from YHM.
Gas Blocks - Firearms Accessories | Yankee Hill Machine
Good luck! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
If you want quad rail beefiness with an interesting cut pattern, 12.58" YHM Diamond Series $191:
12.58" Diamond Series Forearm (Rifle Length)
You can go with the 12.6" YHM Rifle Length Keymod handguard, $160:
Rifle Length KR7 Handguard (12.6")
If you want a smooth tube look that has mounting points so that you can put rails just where you want them, check out the YHM 12.250" Customizable, $180.50.
12.520" Customizable Series Forearm (Rifle Length)
There is the very nice and light 12.37" Sampson Keymod Evolution series handguard. At $205 its just $5 over budget.
Keymod Evolution Series 12.37 : Samson Manufacturing
Here's one out of left field. If you want a weighty, solid handguard, that is narrow diameter, only has quad rails toward the muzzle end, the RGuns 14.5" S-RGQ slab side is really nice. They're $155. This shop is local to me, and I've held these handguards. I really like them.
https://rguns.net/shop/r-guns-14-5-s-rgq-slab-side-quad-rail-hand-guard-black/
The other thing you'll need to do is either shave down your current A2 front sight post or install a low profile gas block. If you do go low profile gas block, go with one from YHM.
Gas Blocks - Firearms Accessories | Yankee Hill Machine
Good luck! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
FrostKing
Member
JaPes, excuse my ignorance and OP I apologize for high jacking your thread. Does using a low profile gas block have any advantages over shaving down the A2 front sight?
JaPes
Member
There is absolutely no functional difference. A shaved gas block and a low profile gas block do the same exact thing.
Pro Shaved Gas Block = saves $$$ for those with the tools, time, and aptitude to do it.
Pro Low Pro Gas Block = saves time and lots of swearing for those without the tools, time, nor aptitude to do it.
Thanks for saying so, good information to know for me as well. Hope it's helping you.
I like that Samson evolution keymod. Am I going to spend a lot of money on individual keymod sections? I don't plan on loading it up but I will probably do a bipod and foregrip of some kind.
CatSnipah
Member
FYI....I recently added a new AR with the keymod rail.....after some handling and range time with it, I won't ever do another quad rail. 
FrostKing
Member
It definitely is helping, thank you.
I’m trying to decide between the Sport and the 15T. For my use the Sport is all I need but the 15T already has the quadrail and folding front site. It’s purely a cost decision for me. Sport for $545 (plus tax, FFL, and upgrades) or the 15T for $845 (plus tax and FFL). Knowing myself I would end up swapping out the quadrail at some point on the 15T anyway, so more than likely it’ll be the Sport for me.
I’m looking forward to seeing what you end up with.
JaPes
Member
The cool thing about KeyMod is that accessories designed with the KeyMod interface will mount directly to the rail. No need to add on picitanny rail segments. Various manufacturers make KeyMod interface picitanny rail segments. If you're going to do a foregrip, the BCM Keymod fore grip will mount directly to the keymod slot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFS1rw5cdlw
Sampson's website lists keymod accessories. I'm posting the link below as just an example. There are others out there.
KEYMOD ACCESSORIES : Samson Manufacturing
JaPes
Member
If I were in your shoes, here's the two big decision criteria.
1. Do I want a traditional full featured upper receiver. Part of owning the AR-15 is the aesthetic cool factor. Do I absolutely need a forward assist and dust cover?
2. If I don't need that forward assist and dust cover, the 15-Sport sounds like the good choice. BUT (and I speak from experience) if you have any inclination to modify a 15-Sport to stupid levels you are better off buying a rifle equipped as close to the way as you want it out of the box.
I am one of those idiots who started out with a 15-Sport because I made a purely cost decision. The 15-Sport cost me $550. Fast forward a few years, and the only OEM parts left on my 15-Sport are the barrel, upper receiver, lower receiver, buffer tube, castle nut, and the small springs/detents in the lower. My budget 15-Sport turned into a wallet draining monster.
Also, don't limit yourself to just S&W. If you're going to plunk down $845 for a 15-T and you still plan on swapping out the handguard, start looking at the Colt LE69XX series of rifle. Don't get me wrong, I am a S&W M&P 15-Fan. I've come to accept that there are lots of good choices other than S&W out there.
I was on the fence in that respect too. I got my sport for 530. I figure I will put about 350 into it and it will be close to where I want it. A lot of rifles perfectly outfitted are above $1000. I like the ability to mod it out the way I want it as well. For me, that's part of the fun. Otherwise I would just go buy a plain jain rifle to shoot out of the box at the range. Some people say just build it, it will save you money.
Thanks for the tip about the keymod products mounting right to the rail. I think I am headed in that direction.
Thanks for the tip about the keymod products mounting right to the rail. I think I am headed in that direction.
I got a cabela's gift certificate for my birthday from my siblings and I got a few things. Magpul STR stock, Ergo grip, a front sight for when I get a new rail. I will be putting those on when they come and soon take on the rail. Also, I have a Vortex Strike Fire II that I am really happy with. I sighted than in at the range last week. It took barely any tweaking. The iron sights were spot on at 25 yards, right out of the box. Anybody know if they boresight those at the factory? My rear sight was a notch to the left and it was a tight group on my first 2 shots. I will post a pic when I am complete.
JaPes
Member
Cabela's gift cards are an awesome present.
Yes, the rifles are sighted at the factory.
Also, firearms enthusiasts new to the AR platform usually go straight to Magpul. I did. Today, not so much. Take a good look at other stocks and accessories. Lots to choose from. As far as stocks check out the Mission First Tactical minimalist stock. I'd point you to their webpage, but looks like whomever is in charge of their website slacked on the domain name renewal.
Mission First Tactical Battlelink Minimalist Collapsible Buttstock
Bonus is that the stock has an integral QD mount.
Yes, the rifles are sighted at the factory.
Also, firearms enthusiasts new to the AR platform usually go straight to Magpul. I did. Today, not so much. Take a good look at other stocks and accessories. Lots to choose from. As far as stocks check out the Mission First Tactical minimalist stock. I'd point you to their webpage, but looks like whomever is in charge of their website slacked on the domain name renewal.
Mission First Tactical Battlelink Minimalist Collapsible Buttstock
Bonus is that the stock has an integral QD mount.
Okay, I have narrowed it down (with the awesome help of JaPes) to the Samson Evolution Keymod. Question is, do I go with the 12 inch or 15 inch? If anybody has any pics, that would help! Any MP15 is fine, just want to see the difference. Thanks!
JaPes
Member
Go 15". Trust me. You'll like it.
cyphertext
US Veteran
JaPes
Member
So I have to ask myself, is it worth the infraction point... must resist...
The 15" feels better in the hand. It gives you more real estate to hold onto to keep the rifle from bucking around when fired.
