My personal budget build- M&P 15 base model

[Muss Muggins]

I guess we've got different budgets, because a $500 optic on a $1,700 total package does not fit in my definition of "budget build." I've got a $50 Tru Glo on my DPMS.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Get a Grip Pod vertical foregrip. Has a built in bipod.

Thanks for all of the input guys. Everyone has their own opinions and ideas and that is what I think is great about this rifle. There are so many options. I like the looks and general concept of the op's rifle. I would probably do mine fairly similar but not all at once, just one step at a time. I am thinking I will add optics first. Then maybe remove the a frame sight and add a lp gas block and a utg hand guard and flip up front sight. Following that possibly a fore grip, different stock and possibly different grip. This is just what I am thinking about doing right now. I will most likely go with a drop in hand guard as well as this will not be a long range rifle and it does seem like free float will be a pita. Thanks again for your input guys.

 

[therapture]

I guess we've got different budgets, because a $500 optic on a $1,700 total package does not fit in my definition of "budget build." I've got a $50 Tru Glo on my DPMS.

What I guess I mean is - I could have spent 1700 bucks on just a rifle that still had open sights and what not...I bought a budget rifle and modded it to fit me, instead of someone else's idea of what should fit me.

 

[cyphertext]

This isn't a "build"... this is swapping parts on a modular rifle that are meant to be easy to swap.

I would not cut my FSB down and then add a drop in, carbine length hand guard and put a pair of back up sights on it... you just shortened the sight radius. With your eyesight, it sounds like you have no plans to use iron sights ever, so why waste money on them?

I also wouldn't have put the muzzle brake on. First of all, I don't see the need with 5.56. Second, you already mentioned the noise. Waste of money that just makes noise and isn't really needed to tame harsh recoil.


Not trying to be offensive, but you said you are cost conscious and want "effective" mods. Good optic and good trigger... the rest is take it or leave it for me.

 

[therapture]

This isn't a "build"... this is swapping parts on a modular rifle that are meant to be easy to swap.

I would not cut my FSB down and then add a drop in, carbine length hand guard and put a pair of back up sights on it... you just shortened the sight radius. With your eyesight, it sounds like you have no plans to use iron sights ever, so why waste money on them?

I also wouldn't have put the muzzle brake on. First of all, I don't see the need with 5.56. Second, you already mentioned the noise. Waste of money that just makes noise and isn't really needed to tame harsh recoil.


Not trying to be offensive, but you said you are cost conscious and want "effective" mods. Good optic and good trigger... the rest is take it or leave it for me.

Well excuse me, mr. master of all that is ar15. Perhaps I should have consulted with you before I did the "build". I should have said "modifications".

Why so rude? The handguard was purely a COMFORT thing. Same for the chopped down sight. The grip, well, again, comfort. And backup sights well...why not? They get occasional use because I like to keep some aiming skills on irons in case I use another rifle that does not have an optic...? My eyesight is not horrible, have no issues using open sights on larger, closer targets.

 

[Muss Muggins]

What I guess I mean is - I could have spent 1700 bucks on just a rifle that still had open sights and what not...I bought a budget rifle and modded it to fit me, instead of someone else's idea of what should fit me.

What AR platform rifle is that? I'll grant you that my early Colt AR-15 A2 Sporter Carbine with the original Colt 4x scope is worth about twice that, but if there's a modern production $1,700 base rifle that people actually buy, they are few, far between, and not well publicized. My idea of a budget build is my DPMS Oracle 5.56 with a drop in quad rail, a cheap Tru Glo red dot, and a Grip Pod that my LGS was selling for $50. Even more of a budget build since I won the rifle in the DU calendar raffle. Go about $200 in it, counting the $50 for the calendar and a couple new magazines. My go to bang around truck gun/home defense gun . . .

 

[cyphertext]

Well excuse me, mr. master of all that is ar15. Perhaps I should have consulted with you before I did the "build". I should have said "modifications".

Why so rude? The handguard was purely a COMFORT thing. Same for the chopped down sight. The grip, well, again, comfort. And backup sights well...why not? They get occasional use because I like to keep some aiming skills on irons in case I use another rifle that does not have an optic...? My eyesight is not horrible, have no issues using open sights on larger, closer targets.

Don't get your panties in a twist just because you used the wrong terms... I wasn't trying to be rude, but there is a huge difference in a build, and changing the stock and hand guard.

You said you made "Effective" mods, with cost in mind... I simply disagree. If you take away the trigger and the EoTech, you have over $1000 in a M&P 15 Sport! You could have purchased the Magpul MOE and had a better rifle out of the box, with the Magpul gear on it. For the $1700 total you have in your rifle, you could have had the VTAC II!

 

[therapture]

Don't get your panties in a twist just because you used the wrong terms... I wasn't trying to be rude, but there is a huge difference in a build, and changing the stock and hand guard.

You said you made "Effective" mods, with cost in mind... I simply disagree. If you take away the trigger and the EoTech, you have over $1000 in a M&P 15 Sport! You could have purchased the Magpul MOE and had a better rifle out of the box, with the Magpul gear on it. For the $1700 total you have in your rifle, you could have had the VTAC II!

I agree with you somewhat. But 1700 for the vtac still wouldn't have the eotech sight and geissele trigger. The difference is I learned how to disassemble and work on my rifle and I do not regret the cost at all. My next rifle I am working on now (for my son), I am building from parts.

But you were rude, and so perhaps was I. I apologize for that, but dang, I stated I was an AR newb.

 

[cyphertext]

I agree with you somewhat. But 1700 for the vtac still wouldn't have the eotech sight and geissele trigger. The difference is I learned how to disassemble and work on my rifle and I do not regret the cost at all. My next rifle I am working on now (for my son), I am building from parts.

But you were rude, and so perhaps was I. I apologize for that, but dang, I stated I was an AR newb.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be rude... probably came across in text different than it sounded in my head. So for that, I apologize as well.

That VTAC II would get you a Geissele Super V trigger, but you would still be missing the EoTech... and that is a good add on in my mind.

I give you props for shaving down the FSB... many are afraid to tackle that. And as far as changing out the stock and grip, comfort is a valid reason... the MOE stock lends itself to a little better cheek weld over the standard stock. My son's .22lr AR has a Magpul stock on it for this reason. Besides, it is your rifle and if you are happy, that is what matters! I'm one of the few strange birds on this board that have a basically stock Sport... I added a red dot and changed the rear sight from Magpul to Matech, and added a M1 style GI sling. Basic, budget no frills rifle.

I'm also building one for my son, although I bought the upper complete as it was already configured with what I wanted at the same price as building it. The lower is a complete build, down to a mil-spec trigger. He can learn to shoot a standard trigger just like I did.

 

[Shootingfun]

Just a question as I just bought my first AR - a MP15 Sport. Are these considered carbines? Looking at dressing it up with a quad rail and see some listed for carbines,mid length, etc.? Like I said, I'm a newbie!

I put on the UTG Pro Quad rail on my sporter and like it, got some Ergo rail cover and feels great, the UTG also comes with rail covers.

 

[Shootingfun]

Well, I have to say, for my first AR, I am LOVING this platform. It's like having a laser that I can point and shoot with ease! A long time shooter of various guns though so it was easy to pick up an AR. I shot a few hundred rounds first and have made simple mods over the last few months, as I learned what I wanted to do with it. I am a very value conscious person, I like quality AND cheap, sometimes hard to do. So anyways, here it is. I think I did a good job making simple EFFECTIVE mods.


-base model with no forward assist/dust cover, bought at a local gun show 6 mos ago with a Magpul rear MBUS and a cheap ncstar RDS and quad rail. $700.00
-cut down the stock front sight post -free
-EOtech EXPS2-0 (this thing is phenomenal) $539.00
-Spikes ST-T2 buffer $40.00
-Magpul MBUS Gen 2 flip up front sight $39.00
-Magpul MOE stock $38.00
-Magpul MOE grip $25.00
-Magpul Gen2 Pmags - 4 of them for $55
-Geissele SSA 2-stage trigger (like falling in love!) $225.00
-Amazon muzzle brake - loud, but damn it works! $20.00
-UTG drop in slim aluminum handguard (so thin and comfortable!) $65.00
-Vtac padded sling $40.00

Total: $1781.00

As you can see, I spent the cash on parts that REALLY make a difference in comfort and ease of use. The sight is a thing of beauty, I rarely shoot past 100 yards. I removed the stock A2 sight because I wanted 100% clear FOV via the EOtech holo sight. I also liked the ultra secure stock gas block so I just wanted that post out of the way (plus it's a free mod). I want fast acquisition, and with my mild astigmatism, the sight is great with scrip glasses.

The trigger, well, the SSA is wonderful...so clean and crisp! SO easy to shoot and no pull from a stiff or gritty trigger - my stocker was very gritty initially but loosened up a little after cleaning and lube, but I think was STIFF. When shooting at a moving target (hogs, various vermin), I can feel the first stage engage and that makes it easy to engage, aim, and fire as soon as I have a nice sight pic without jerking the gun around from trigger pull.

I have ran @1500 rounds through it so far and it only had a single failure to feed one time when the gun was new (and VERY dry). It has performed WONDERFUL! I zero for 50 meters, where I can consistently hit 2" groups off of a simple tree brace with cheap 5.56 brass Federal XM193. I can do 1.5" with any kind of a bench, I have never tried a sandbag, bipod, or anything special. (that probably sucks but it'll get better with practice). But considering I shoot 90% short distances at 100yds or less, I don't need a range gun since I only use the range for a little fun and dialing in sights. This is a south Texas "brushland/pasture gun" for fast accurate shooting with lots of off hand aiming.

Opinions? Sorry about the crappy pic, apparently black guns are hard to take good pics of!

Looks nice but what you paid for all of that you could have gotten a Vtac II or a really nice BCM Reese rifle system. I also cannot see paying that much for a optic that is almost the price of the rifle, Vortex optics would been just as good and way much cheaper.

 

[therapture]

Looks nice but what you paid for all of that you could have gotten a Vtac II or a really nice BCM Reese rifle system. I also cannot see paying that much for a optic that is almost the price of the rifle, Vortex optics would been just as good and way much cheaper.

I will politely disagree that Vortex optics are as good as EOtech - it really is very subjective to the individual requirements.

Again, for that price of a VTac II - I would still have to pay more to get the sight - since it does not come with the sight I wanted. So the cost of the sight is irrelevant to the base platform except as a metric.

Take away the sight and trigger and I still have a somewhat "budget" rifle (but a very good one at that).

 

[Arik]

Looks nice but what you paid for all of that you could have gotten a Vtac II or a really nice BCM Reese rifle system. I also cannot see paying that much for a optic that is almost the price of the rifle, Vortex optics would been just as good and way much cheaper.

Agree about the rifle but disagree about the scope. Price of rifle should not dictate price of scope.

 

[therapture]

Agree about the rifle but disagree about the scope. Price of rifle should not dictate price of scope.

That's what I am talking about

And some people miss the point - I learned a ton about these guns by messing around with it. They are very easy to take apart and put back together. With 20 years in the car repair industry as well as rebuilding my own motocross bikes for 25 years...this isn't rocket science.

 

[cyphertext]

That's what I am talking about

And some people miss the point - I learned a ton about these guns by messing around with it. They are very easy to take apart and put back together. With 20 years in the car repair industry as well as rebuilding my own motocross bikes for 25 years...this isn't rocket science.

I think that you being $150 deeper into the rifle than what a M&P Sport can be purchased for today is also skewing the numbers...

And nothing about that rifle indicates that it is not worthy of an Eotech. And I also disagree that the Vortex optics are on the same level as EoTech.

 

[wylie won]

I think cyphertext is right about the $150...

I REALLY like Vortex optics. I have a Spitfire, and it works great. However, it's not an Eotech. I think it's better to buy one great quality optic than several inexpensive optics that might or might not be reliable. I heard someone on this forum say, "Buy once, cry once." I wish I would've taken that advice.