Need advice on accessories

[WVSig]

COST is not a reason, that cost COULD be an option WHEN YOU BUY, not an afterthought. They already sell packages that come with extra mags and reflex sights. Now why can they do that and not offer different trigger sensitivities? Not everyone gets a high out of installing your own trigger bar. Maybe when I was younger, I might have enjoyed tinkering around with it. But now I want the trigger package that GIVES me those one inch groups WITHOUT having to jump thru the damn hoops to get it. If the makers want more dollars for that, so be it. Just offer those options at the beginning of the purchase not AFTER.

They do offer that in the S&W line. It's the M&P15 VTAC II which comes with a whole bunch of goodies like a Geissele Super V trigger. You will pay $1500 to $1800 which I personally think is a ripoff when you look at the total configuration vs other companies like BCM but they do offer it.

The Sport II is an entry level production rifle. It is specd and built accordingly. It is not a bespoke rifle and honestly a trigger takes about 20 minutes to put in the first time you do it. The majority of Sport II buyers are not willing to pay more for an AR which is why they buy it vs the VTAC, BCM or even Colt.

 

[Disabled1]

A new BCG
Optics
ammo
magazines
more ammo

 

[arnoob]

I wouldn't bother replacing the BCG, no practical advantage to doing so.

 

[Disabled1]

I wouldn't bother replacing the BCG, no practical advantage to doing so.

When I owned a Sport 1 I didn't replace it. The Armalite I traded it for, it was replaced. And, being my AR-556 was an unshrouded BCG, that's ONLY one of the reasons I replaced it. Member cyphertext opened my eyes up to this.

 

[arnoob]

Yep I'm aware of the differences between an M16-style and a semi-auto BCG, but that is not a Sport BCG in the photo you posted, on the Sport BCG the area to the left is not as short as that example (it's about half way between the two shown) and the firing pin is fully shrouded. Oh and the gas key screws are staked too. As I said I wouldn't spend the money on a new BCG as there's no practical or functional differences when used in a Sport and IMO it's not worth spending the money to swap it, that money would be better spent on ammo.

 

[lrb1200]

To the OP, I'm not a newbie to the world of black rifles.

Reading through all the posts, left the site and ordered
a ten pack of Pmag gen 3 magazines.

Might pick up some more ammo before the day is over.

 

[danco]

If you think we're going to civil war, then I'd go for more mags, but right now this is just home defense. If I need more than two mags of 30rds each in addition to my shotgun and handguns, then no amount of mags are going to help. Either we're in total civil war or the zombie apocalypse is here. If mags are banned, I'll get them on the black market (again if needed). But I need stability when going CQB with any of my firearms, so I'm now looking at fore grips. I'll take a good grip over a trigger kit any day. Can you advise on this?

Another reason to have more than 2 magazines is, unless you enjoy wasting your range time reloading magazines, it's nice to have enough magazines pre-loaded, so you can spend your range time actually shooting.

 

[danco]

Magazines
Trigger
Optic
Ammo

Wrong order. Ammo, Magazines, Optic

For an HD weapon, add Sling and Light.

I'd skip the trigger job and learn to shoot the stock trigger, first. The stock trigger is perfectly serviceable. Besides, in a SHTF scenario, if you pick-up/scavenge a rifle somewhere, the odds are high that it won't have a custom trigger. Might be nice to know how to handle a combat-type trigger...

 

[danco]

So you're saying that magazines "wear out" if you're calling them consumables. Really? They wear out rather quickly? I never knew this. Am I reading you correctly?

Magazines were originally designed to be disposable, hence the cheap aluminum construction.

You don't really want troops reloading magazines in the middle of a firefight do you?

 

[Disabled1]

Yep I'm aware of the differences between an M16-style and a semi-auto BCG, but that is not a Sport BCG in the photo you posted, on the Sport BCG the area to the left is not as short as that example (it's about half way between the two shown) and the firing pin is fully shrouded. Oh and the gas key screws are staked too. As I said I wouldn't spend the money on a new BCG as there's no practical or functional differences when used in a Sport and IMO it's not worth spending the money to swap it, that money would be better spent on ammo.

I am NOT posting this about a S&W AR. I posted it about my Ruger AR-556. Go back and read my reply again, please?

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Windowed mags worth it?
No.

Any brand you recommend?
Magpul.

For ammo, does the loader spoon guide come with the stripper clips, if you buy it that way
All I have purchased came with the guide.

So far, I found Freedom Munitions as a good source.
Not so good.
For factory ammo look at SGAmmo, MassAmmo and Palmetto.

What do you think about mag couplers?
Use a vest if you want to carry more mags.

What type of foregrip do you recommend?
With the Sport handguard, none.

How about hand grip?
Hogue.

hard case
Unless you need a hard case for rough transport consider a soft case.

TRU GLO reflex sight
OK for range play not much else. Consider Aimpoint.

--------------------------------------------

COST is not a reason, that cost COULD be an option WHEN YOU BUY, not an afterthought. They already sell packages that come with extra mags and reflex sights. Now why can they do that and not offer different trigger sensitivities? Not everyone gets a high out of installing your own trigger bar. Maybe when I was younger, I might have enjoyed tinkering around with it. But now I want the trigger package that GIVES me those one inch groups WITHOUT having to jump thru the damn hoops to get it. If the makers want more dollars for that, so be it. Just offer those options at the beginning of the purchase not AFTER.

Giving advice on triggers and optics is tough because so many guys who ask want a $2,000 rifle for $600., and a $600 optic for $99.

The advice I gave myself is that shooting is too expensive to go through $300-$350 per cases of ammo with a GI trigger. A quality trigger from Wilson or Geissele will be $250. The advice I gave myself about optics is buying a cheap red dot will not make a quality optic less expensive in the long run. Aimpoint Micro will be $600.

---------

Enjoy your new Sport.

 

[Disabled1]

Windowed mags worth it?
No.

Any brand you recommend?
Magpul.

For ammo, does the loader spoon guide come with the stripper clips, if you buy it that way
All I have purchased came with the guide.

So far, I found Freedom Munitions as a good source.
Not so good.
For factory ammo look at SGAmmo, MassAmmo and Palmetto.

What do you think about mag couplers?
Use a vest if you want to carry more mags.

What type of foregrip do you recommend?
With the Sport handguard, none.

How about hand grip?
Hogue.

hard case
Unless you need a hard case for rough transport consider a soft case.

TRU GLO reflex sight
OK for range play not much else. Consider Aimpoint.

--------------------------------------------


Giving advice on triggers and optics is tough because so many guys who ask want a $2,000 rifle for $600., and a $600 optic for $99.

The advice I gave myself is that shooting is too expensive to go through $300-$350 per cases of ammo with a GI trigger. A quality trigger from Wilson or Geissele will be $250. The advice I gave myself about optics is buying a cheap red dot will not make a quality optic less expensive in the long run. Aimpoint Micro will be $600.

---------

Enjoy your new Sport.

ChattanoogaPhil, what is your opinion on this trigger? Or, have you had the opportunity to try one?

Ruger® Elite 452™ AR-Trigger-ShopRuger

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

ChattanoogaPhil, what is your opinion on this trigger? Or, have you had the opportunity to try one?

Ruger® Elite 452™ AR-Trigger-ShopRuger

Don't know anything about it.

From what little I read.... Trigger, grip, safety lever and some type of off-rifle dry fire practice housing. Grabagun sells them for $98. Looked at a couple reviews. Rated at 4.5lbs but saw a few measure under 4lbs. Sounds like $100 that might be better spent toward a Geissele or Wilson but most of the reviews are "for the money" positive which usually translates to not buying what someone really wanted.

 

[crracer_712]

Ok, point taken. I have 8 more mags on the way, to make 10 total. Now, I'm not a survivalist (hoarder) so, I'm going to be content with 10 mags now. Thanks

You'll be glad you have those extra mags. Last time we had a scare I had just bought a dozen brand new USGI MAGs for 4 bucks each and shortly after Pmags were selling for 75 bucks each and those USGI's were selling for 80 bucks in some instances. That's just insane. You can never go wrong stocking up on ammo. I'd say you're set on the magazines, unless you find a smoking to good to pass up deal (which is the only way I acquire them)

 

[crracer_712]

ChattanoogaPhil, what is your opinion on this trigger? Or, have you had the opportunity to try one?

Ruger® Elite 452™ AR-Trigger-ShopRuger

I know I'm not Phill, but I originally bought two of these and loved them. Both mine came in around 3.5 lbs. In an effort to equip a few other AR's with the same trigger I ran across the RRA Varmint trigger which is advertised at 3.5 lbs. I can't tell the difference between the two, I'd buy whichever you can get the best deal on.

 

[saltair]

Get a 10 round mag. to sight in the rifle. It's smaller and doesn't get in the way of the bench when sighting in. But be sure to stock up on 20-30 rounders.

My best upgrade was the trigger. I have both Geissele and Wilson Combat triggers. My next upgrade, besides my Magpul Pro MBUS, would be a Red Dot, or if you want to spend the money get the Eotech Hologram w/ 3x magnifier. I can't knock Aimpoint, never owned one.

Before you buy anything be sure to practice.

 

[WVSig]

Get a 10 round mag. to sight in the rifle. It's smaller and doesn't get in the way of the bench when sighting in. But be sure to stock up on 20-30 rounders.

My best upgrade was the trigger. I have both Geissele and Wilson Combat triggers. My next upgrade, besides my Magpul Pro MBUS, would be a Red Dot, or if you want to spend the money get the Eotech Hologram w/ 3x magnifier. I can't knock Aimpoint, never owned one.

Before you buy anything be sure to practice.

I personally would never buy another Eotech. They knowingly sent defective product to our men and women in harms way. They defrauded the Govt and paid a hefty fine and should continue to pay a heft fine in terms of lost revenue IMHO.

UPDATED - US Government Sues L3 Communications for Fraud Involving EOTech Sights - L3 Settles for $25.6 Million - Soldier Systems Daily

 

[wood714]

If I were you, I would forget all about accessories outside of ammo and magazines... get the magazines before they end up being banned. PMags or D&H magazines are both quality, whichever are cheaper at the time.

Once you have plenty of magazines and ammo, then look at optics or trigger.

If you think we're going to civil war, then I'd go for more mags, but right now this is just home defense. If I need more than two mags of 30rds each in addition to my shotgun and handguns, then no amount of mags are going to help. Either we're in total civil war or the zombie apocalypse is here. If mags are banned, I'll get them on the black market (again if needed). But I need stability when going CQB with any of my firearms, so I'm now looking at fore grips. I'll take a good grip over a trigger kit any day. Can you advise on this?

This is sound advice unless you want to put a bunch of useless stuff on your rifle to make it look tacticool.

 

[shep854]

I picked up a Sport 2 this past weekend. I haven't shot it yet, just cleaned and lubed. I DID go ahead and install a Magpul handguard, for the better feel, heat shield and the ability to mount a light. From what dry-firing I've done, the stock trigger feels fine.

For magazines, I have a variety, mostly milsurp 20's, but also a few Magpuls.

 

[SWMP15Pks]

I personally would never buy another Eotech. They knowingly sent defective product to our men and women in harms way. They defrauded the Govt and paid a hefty fine and should continue to pay a heft fine in terms of lost revenue IMHO.

UPDATED - US Government Sues L3 Communications for Fraud Involving EOTech Sights - L3 Settles for $25.6 Million - Soldier Systems Daily

Never heard about this, glad to have been informed. I'll put the eotech funds toward a new Aimpoint fund. Thanks.