New to the 15/22 Intro:

[ironruger]

I have been shooting 22's for sometime now, honestly my favorite caliber to shoot not only because it is cheap but just plan fun. I have several other 22 rifles and pistols. I wanted to get something a little more aggresive looking so I ended up with the S&W M&P 15/22. It was not good enough stock so I changed a few things.

Couple questions that I have yet to find an answer to is what is the main reason or is there even a reason other then prefernce, to which way the red dot mount faces? I see it in both directions and I cant understand if it is a personal thing or if there is a right or wrong way? Any help there is greatly appreciated? I put 2 pictures in this thread 1 of the mount facing to the front and 1 facing to the rear for reference.

Also I see some of you have colored in letters on the gun, I heard it is done with crayon but how? Just by coloring it in?

And finally I want to install the mag well grip that I see some have where can I find that? And ony other bad *** add ons you might be able to suggest maybe a flashlight? Where can I get a reasonable priced light?

Added: (all magpul items are true magpul not the pts china ****)
Hogue grip not yet installed (just ordered)
Leapers UTG red dot with quick disconnect high mount
Paracord adjustable sling
Magpul AFG
Magpul sling attacthment point
Magpul backup front and rear flip up moe sights

Red dot mount facing to the back

mount facing to the front

 

[Shooterjgs]

Welcome from Texas... good place here with lots of info...

 

[ironruger]

Thanks.....
Yeah there is so much info I am having a hard time concentrating on my main concerns.

 

[Majorlk]

Welcome Aboard!

The manual for the RDS should indicate which way it is to face.

Yes, just color in the writing and wipe off the excess with a rag and some WD-40. You can also use acrylic hobby paint, lacquer sticks or Sharpie Paint Pens.

The general consensus is that the MagWell is not a good idea on the 15-22. It has to be modified to make it fit and holding on the the magazine often introduces feeding problems. A more satisfactory arrangement seems to be the AFG2 back close to the magazine well, instead of forward. The exception is if you are going to be doing plate or other speed shooting competition. Then the consensus is to put it completely forward, at the end of the bottom rail.

I don't shoot at night, so I have no information about lights. There are a bunch of them at just about every retailer. Before I bought a light, I'd replace the pistol grip with a Hogue or MagPul. There are a couple of other brands, too.

If you are going to be into more than casual plinking, replacing the FCG with a GOOD one is the best investment you can make towards accuracy and shooting ease. The stock trigger is acceptable, but that's about it.

 

[shawnr5]

I would run the red dot mount facing forward so it can be mounted on the receiver and not the fore end. If your barrel nut works loose, you will have a wobbly barrel AND quad rail.

 

[ironruger]

MAJORlK: I dont really do any competitions I just shoot for fun so I will pass on the mag grip. I do have the Magpul AFG2 installed and it is close to the receiver since I like to hold a closer grip I really dont like my arm completly stretched out.
I did already order this grip from hogue, hopefully it is the correct one.

shawnr5: I curently have the red dot mounted facing foward like in the 2nd picture. I also have the magpul afg2 mounted close to the receiver, I like a tigher closer grip on the gun. Is that the way you are talking about? It is mounted over the receiver and not on the fore end?

 

[rraisley]

As shanr5 says, the main thing is that the mount should be on the receiver portion of the rail. As long as that is the case, it doesn't matter so much which way it's pointing. In fact, many/most red dots can use mounts that have no cantilever at all. In my experience, the main reason for the cantilever is for when mounting scopes, to keep them mounted on the receiver portion of the rail, while keeping enough eye relief (typically about 3.5") between your normal eye position and the end of the scope. Position is not nearly as critical with a red dot, as it has infinite eye relief, so you have a lot more leeway.

 

[ironruger]

I ahve also been keeping my eye on the barrel shrouds but I am not sure if I want one yet, because it states that it will leave a mark on the stock barrel from the set screw

 

[Zax]

It sounds like you have it installed correctly, like the 2nd picture, mount facing forward and my preference as others have said is as far forward on the receiver as possible.

 

[ironruger]

It sounds like you have it installed correctly, like the 2nd picture, mount facing forward and my preference as others have said is as far forward on the receiver as possible.

Cool thanks. I just wanted to make sure. I just ordered the tacticool shroud too. I bought this gun to leave alone and not modify but that is just to damn hard

 

[ModMyM&P]

Here's a link to the mag well I purchased from Amazon.

Amazon.com: New Mako Grip Black Ar Rifles Mwg High Quality Excellent Performance Popular: Sports & Outdoors

It was a pain in the butt to dremel down correctly (lots of trial and error), but worth it.

I also colored in with crayon. You simply "push" the crayon into the grooves. Slowly it all fills in, and looks good. The actual wax comes off the crayon and fills the gap.

Just be clean and careful doing it. If you're sloppy with it, its kind of a pain to clean the excess of the remainder of the gun.

 

[ironruger]

Here's a link to the mag well I purchased from Amazon.

Amazon.com: New Mako Grip Black Ar Rifles Mwg High Quality Excellent Performance Popular: Sports & Outdoors

It was a pain in the butt to dremel down correctly (lots of trial and error), but worth it.

I also colored in with crayon. You simply "push" the crayon into the grooves. Slowly it all fills in, and looks good. The actual wax comes off the crayon and fills the gap.

Just be clean and careful doing it. If you're sloppy with it, its kind of a pain to clean the excess of the remainder of the gun.

I might end up trying it but the more I look at it I like the blacked out look.

 

[Desert Five-0]

What is your reason for wanting a light? I could see a need if you shoot or hunt in the dark, or if you are doing tactical low training. I think alot of people go crazy with weapon attachments and find out later they don't need them or don't use them. It also adds weight to the gun.

 

[Gunzilla]

I see you found you way over to this forum.....welcome aboard.

 

[ironruger]

I see you found you way over to this forum.....welcome aboard.

Yes. Thanks there are lot more ideas for this gun here.

I dont do any night shooting and like you said tossed that Idea out since it would be a waste. I did order the shroud from Tacticool.

 

[aguablanco]

I have added an extended charging latch, fore grip, butt pad, NDZ SBR and a Nikon P-22 scope on a PEPR mount. However, the best tactical addition was a CMC flat trigger at 3.5 lbs. Enough can't be said for a really good FCG, it makes the gun perform so much better. I mainly shoot competitions with this gun so all of my mods have been done with this in mind. The other cool accessory is the Black Dog 50 round mag. If there is anywhere near you with any kind of tactical matches you should give them a try, they are great fun and great training. Good luck and welcome to the club.
RichH

 

[OldEagleEars]

I applaud your original intention to "leave the gun alone" and empathize with your inability to do so. What I think most of us find is that the 15-22 is easy to accessorize and (like the 1911) everybody has their own idea of what the "ideal" gun would be. I've gone way beyond what I originally thought the gun should look like and I've hardly scratched the surface! I think that is one reason I just bought a Henry Golden Boy; it's just too pretty to mess with!

 

[ironruger]

I applaud your original intention to "leave the gun alone" and empathize with your inability to do so. What I think most of us find is that the 15-22 is easy to accessorize and (like the 1911) everybody has their own idea of what the "ideal" gun would be. I've gone way beyond what I originally thought the gun should look like and I've hardly scratched the surface! I think that is one reason I just bought a Henry Golden Boy; it's just too pretty to mess with!

Thanks, atleast I can say I tried. The main reason I was going to leave this one alone is because I just got done building a ruger 10/22 from the receiver up & that turned into a big price tag.
For now I am happy with the upgrades I have done. Like I said I just picked up the slip on barrel shroud. I will put that on and maybe leave it a lone for awhile. I am sure my bank account would like that.

 

[CHorton]

Thanks, atleast I can say I tried. The main reason I was going to leave this one alone is because I just got done building a ruger 10/22 from the receiver up & that turned into a big price tag.
For now I am happy with the upgrades I have done. Like I said I just picked up the slip on barrel shroud. I will put that on and maybe leave it a lone for awhile. I am sure my bank account would like that.

Pic of the shroud on?

 

[ironruger]

Pic of the shroud on?

I just ordered the shroud yesterday so when I get it installed I will put a pic up. I am now in the hunt for a barrel wrench. Not sure which is better the shoowrench or tacticool wrench