New stripped upper.

[ThePhantom]

I have a M&P 15 that has been a project gun for me. I am looking at getting a new stripped upper for it with a forward assist and dust cover. Should most stripped uppers fit together nicely with the lower? If not what's the best way to see if it will? I would preferably like to get a SAA stripped upper to support a local business. If anyone has any input it would be much appreciated.

 

[JaPes]

The AR-15 is built upon standardized dimensions. Any AR-15 stripped upper should fit. If you're concerned about how much play there may be between the upper and lower, see if the shop will let you affix the stripped upper to your lower for a test fit.

 

[ThePhantom]

Okay, SAA's shop is a 20 minute drive from my home so I can just stop by there next time I am in the area, thanks.

 

[PainterlyShotgroup]

The YHM upper is a pretty good fit. The finish may be slightly different, but it should fit nice and snug, like the stock upper.

 

[Argonnakid]

If there is some play between the upper and lower DPMS has an accurizing wedge. I have not used it, but heard good things about it. You can pick one up for about 5 bucks. It's supposed to take the slop out of the two receiver's. Like I said, I have not used one and haven't needed to. As JaPes said, parts are pretty much standard across the board.

 

[Ibmikey]

Having a little play between the upper and lower is not going to affect accuracy. Shooters will go to great lengths to remove it including wedges and tapped tension screws, I guess it is more comforting for many once they tighten things up. Uncle Sam does not worry about it.

 

[gm272gs]

...I am looking at getting a new stripped upper for it with a forward assist and dust cover...

A stripped upper receiver doesn't come with a forward assist or dust cover. If you put a forward assist and dust cover on it, it's a complete upper receiver.

What kind do you want? A1, A2, A3?

A3 stripped upper
Forward assist
Dust cover

 

[turbo38gn]

I have a M&P 15 that has been a project gun for me. I am looking at getting a new stripped upper for it with a forward assist and dust cover. Should most stripped uppers fit together nicely with the lower? If not what's the best way to see if it will? I would preferably like to get a SAA stripped upper to support a local business. If anyone has any input it would be much appreciated.

You got it right, just go over there and get a complete upper receiver. Tell them what you have and what you want, they will know exactly what you need. There is no drama or should there be any fitment issues as all manufacturers work on the same specs.

 

[gm272gs]

Wait a minute! Are you (the OP) saying that you have an M&P Sport (upper receiver has no forward assist or dust cover) and you want to change out the upper reciever, so you can have a forward assist and dust cover?

If that's the case, why? Both things are superfluous to the operation of the rifle.

 

[turbo38gn]

Knock Knock....... McFly....

 

[cyphertext]

Wait a minute! Are you (the OP) saying that you have an M&P Sport (upper receiver has no forward assist or dust cover) and you want to change out the upper reciever, so you can have a forward assist and dust cover?

If that's the case, why? Both things are superfluous to the operation of the rifle.

Many folks do this. His money, his rifle...

 

[gm272gs]

I did not know this. I have seen some strange things in my travels - and have fixed a lot of "armschair gunsmith" screwups - but I had no idea people went to all this trouble to make an M&P 15 out of an M&P 15 sport. Actually, you end up with an M&P 15 without a lifetime warranty.

 

[cyphertext]

I did not know this. I have seen some strange things in my travels - and have fixed a lot of "armschair gunsmith" screwups - but I had no idea people went to all this trouble to make an M&P 15 out of an M&P 15 sport. Actually, you end up with an M&P 15 without a lifetime warranty.

I'm with you. My thoughts on the Sport are buy it and shoot it. If I start changing things out on it, I lose out on the reason I purchased it in the first place... price and value.

However, there are others that like to tinker, modify, and make a rifle their own. At the price point the Sport sells at, it makes a good base to swap parts out from, vs. buying parts and building the complete rifle. When the Sport first came out with the 1:8 twist, 5R barrel, this was very common as many wanted both the barrel plus the full featured upper. Then S&W changed the 15T to the 1:8, 5R barrel, so there was an option for a full featured upper with free floated 1:8 twist barrel.

Two camps of thought, neither right or wrong.

 

[cyphertext]

Actually, you end up with an M&P 15 without a lifetime warranty.

One other thing to add... Actually, you don't end up with a M&P 15. The M&P 15 has a chrome lined barrel where the Sport has a Melonite barrel. And you don't pay for a carry handle that you probably aren't going to use.

These are the reasons guys modify the Sport.

 

[gm272gs]

Okay. Then you buy the M&P15T and don't get a carry handle and pay $100 less.

 

[turbo38gn]

Okay. Then you buy the M&P15T and don't get a carry handle and pay $100 less.

what's your point, the guy wants to modify his gun.... that's why a lot of us buy things, we buy what we can afford and down the road we upgrade... do you have anything to add to the question that helps?

 

[JaPes]

Damn... My 15-Sport has no warranty now that I modified it? Why didn't anyone tell me?

 

[Ibmikey]

I may be wrong but taking an AR apart and changing things is the reason we have them. Right? I love to tinker with new offerings and have a couple of AR's that I think are " just right" with my modifications for the purpose intended. I applaud The Phantom for his desire to make the rifle just the way he desires and he will learn a lot about the platform if he does his own work. Warranties would not stop me from enjoying the rifle assembled to my taste, if you break it buy a new part, it is quicker and often you learn why the problem occurred.