New to the cult, advice and guidance appreciated

[ParaMotard]

So, not long ago I found an M&P 15 sport 2 for a steal ($459) and i couldnt turn down the offer. First AR-15 I've ever personally owned, though I've fired more than a few. So far my list of upgrades includes: front sight post/ gas block and handrail removed, replaced with troy low profile gas block and a free float troy SDMR keymod 15" rail and MBUS front sight (came with MBUS rear); added a Vortex SPARC II red dot; buffer and spring replaced with spikes tactical ST T2 buffer and Strike Industries steel flat wire spring; dropped in a geissele Hi-Speed DMR adjustable 2 stage trigger; replaced charging handle with AXTS freedom bone raptor ambi charging handle; Fortis Shift angled rifle grip; and added a fortis manufacturing muzzle brake and tactical control shield. May or may not look into replacing the barrel with a noveske 16" recon, dont feel like spending the $500 atm though. Total amount thrown in the pit: $1800

Tacticool,I know
Anything in particular to watch out for with this model though? Only heard mostly good things, but i figure that if anyone knows about these rifles' quirks, its the guys who have put a good amount of time in at the range with 'em; any pertinent advice is greatly appreciated, pics soon to come

 

[Kadonny]

Congrats on the new rifle. But I gotta ask, if you wanted a Noveske barrel, why did you buy a SportII? I'm a firm believer if you a are going to swap that many parts, why not just start from scratch and build your own. But anyway, good luck with ever you do with your new SportII. Lots of us shoot ours almost completely stock with no problems at all and with much accuracy. They are a great rifle right out of the box.

 

[ParaMotard]

I originally bought it as a plinker, a range rifle I could buy ammo for or reload cheap, however, like a lot of people with ARs (or so I've found) the options make it hard to keep one stock

One concern I had was the barrel's twist rate, Ive been told that while its not inadequate by any means, a 1:7 is preferable and makes for better groups at 200-300 yards, hence looking into the noveske; but I figure I'll wear the barrel out a bit before i really consider replacing it. Glad to hear the purchase was worthwhile though, I thought about going colt or building from scratch but like i said, cant pass up a good deal

 

[cyphertext]

I agree with Kadonny... for $1800, you could of had a better spec'd rifle from the get go. So I guess the thing to watch out for is the low entry price when it is not the rifle you want...

As far as twist rate, you've been told wrong, or at least partly wrong.... The twist rate will depend on the bullet you intend to use. Typically, the heavier (actually longer but most of the time the heavier bullet is longer) the bullet, the faster twist rate is needed to stabilize the bullet. If you are going to be shooting mostly 55 or 62gr ammo, the 1:9 twist rate is fine. If you are going to be shooting stuff like Black Hills 75 grain match, then you would benefit from a faster twist rate than 1:9.

 

[ParaMotard]

I appreciate the input Cypher, like i said, bought as a plinker and decided to get funky with it looked more into the ballistics and you're right, heavier grain goes well with higher twist = better accuracy... beyond 600 yards however lol if I could go back I would build my own, however I'm content with this, and it saved me from doing all the minor stuff like putting the lower together from scratch, and it puts rounds on target with respectable groups at 100 yards... who can complain right?

 

[cyphertext]

If you are happy, that's what truly matters! You made the rifle into what you want, and I guarantee that you aren't alone in getting a Sport at a low entry price and then end up going all in.

 

[vonn]

The size of the after market parts industry says that modifying AR 's is something that a lot of people spend a LOT of money on. When I go to a public range I hardly see a stock looking AR they are almost all tacti-cooled to some extent.

 

[C J]

I have a .223 bolt action rifle with a 1:9 twist that will shoot 5" groups at 500 yards. I can't shoot anything over 75 gr and still be accurate but that leaves a lot of ammo to choose from. Complaints about the difference between twist rates that are as close together as the ones on the Sport models is played up too much IMO. It's just something people look at to try to squeeze a little more accuracy out of rifle but it won't make all that much difference IMO. I've shot groups as small as 1 inch at 500 yards with my bolt action rifle. If that doesn't prove that your twist rate is adequate I don't know what will. When most AR's were 1:12 the drop down to 1:9 or so was a big improvement. But from 1:9 to 1:7 is not that much and you might lose accuracy with lighter rounds.

 

[Maddmax]

The size of the after market parts industry says that modifying AR 's is something that a lot of people spend a LOT of money on. When I go to a public range I hardly see a stock looking AR they are almost all tacti-cooled to some extent.

I see that a lot too. Also see a lot of them that should spend some of that money on shootin' lessons too.

 

[rwsmith]

Welcome......

And a Hound Dawg Howdy to you from SC. You want advice and knowledge? Boy have you hit the muthuload.