Customizing My AR-15 - Need a little guidance please...

[FWJK]

Greeting guys and gals.

I have a S&W M&P 15 Sport. It has the pop-up rear magpul mbus sight. I would like to add a red dot to it, and have decided (I think) on the Vortex StrikeFire II Red Dot based on the recommendations from INGO members. I see the top rail has the picatinny rail - so I believe installing the red dot should be fairly straightforward.

I also want to mount a light on the rifle. Be it one in a forend grip or another type. However, I don't see where anything would mount to the current forend. Am I missing something? Do I need to purchase a special forend that also has the rails for customizing? If I do need to purchase a new forend, am I better off getting an entirely new furniture set?

I am a novice when it comes to these types of additions and customizations. When I carried this type of rifle 20 years ago - there weren't this many options.

I did some searching to try and find some answers, but couldn't quite find what I was looking for. I know that the members here will be in the know. I welcome all comments, advice, suggestions...etc and appreciate your response.



Adding in one last question - which I know is a bit subjective - I have never fired this rifle. Would I be better off selling and buying a different/better quality AR that is ready immediately for customization and add-ons rather than trying to make it work with the M&P Sport? I don't want to spend $2500 on something crazy - but if there are reasons to spend $1k and have huge improvements, I would be willing to do so.

 

[youngda9]

I don't know about your furniture set, but use one of these to mount a light, works great. It's QR so you can take it on and off quick. Get a 1" light with a rear push-button. I mount the light on the left side, and slightly above the barrel, so that my thumb can naturally turn the light on and off when I'm aiming the rifle.

Upgrades don't have to break the bank.

Amazon.com : Monstrum Tactical 1" Offset Picatinny/Weaver Rail Mount for Flashlights with Quick Release : Sports & Outdoors

 

[caulfieldian]

for pretty affordable mounting options, check out the Magpul MOE line of accessories. You'll have a more efficient handguard and can mount short sections of rail to them which you will then attach your light to.

https://www.magpul.com/products/moe-mlok-hand-guard-carbine-length-ar15-m4

 

[masterdekoy]

I believe the hand guard that comes with the m&p 15 is the mil spec style handguard. It would make it harder to mount a light. There are light mounts that connect to the front sight post or the barrel. Alternatively, you can pick up a magpul carbine length handguard which will install easily and allow for lights to be mounted. They can be had pretty cheaply, only about $30 brand new.

to answer your last question, the m&p sport is a great rifle. You won't be hindered by it unless you get really into shooting. and if you decide you want something else in the future, you should be able to sell it and not take a huge loss. I would stick with it and shoot it before you just up and sell. My opinion though,mite your decision

 

[indybrownsfan]

for pretty affordable mounting options, check out the Magpul MOE line of accessories. You'll have a more efficient handguard and can mount short sections of rail to them which you will then attach your light to.

https://www.magpul.com/products/moe-mlok-hand-guard-carbine-length-ar15-m4

I have that same one on my AR 15 and I like the feel of it.

 

[natdscott]

The best accessory you can add to your AR is a really good driver. The current driver may need a good pile of ammunition to get there, so that's the first purchase I'd evaluate.

 

[caulfieldian]

The best accessory you can add to your AR is a really good driver.

Hard to drive at night with no headlights

 

[Cameramonkey]

disregard. I saw the decription and mistook it for a 1" scope riser. Second pass I realized it wasnt what I thought.

 

[Burgy]

for pretty affordable mounting options, check out the Magpul MOE line of accessories. You'll have a more efficient handguard and can mount short sections of rail to them which you will then attach your light to.

https://www.magpul.com/products/moe-mlok-hand-guard-carbine-length-ar15-m4

agreed. I have a S&W mp15 MOE edition and have both a front grip and bipod montes to the hand guard. Very affordable way to mount accessories.

 

[BADWOLF]

Check out this page at monstrum tactical.

Quad Rail Handguards | AR-15, LR-308, and Saiga Rifles ? Monstrum Tactical

I just purchased their (drop-in AR-15 extended quad rail handguard with FSP cutout) great price and looks good took 5 min to install.

 

[Double T]

Buy one of the newer magpul carbine handguards with MLOK slots. Put a MLOK rail section on, and whatever light/mount you want. Or you can spend a couple hundred and put on a free float handguard. Your choice. If you ever intend to FF, I would do it sooner vs later.

 

[natdscott]

Hard to drive at night with no headlights

Touche. That is a fair point.

 

[Vigilant]

Check out this page at monstrum tactical.

Quad Rail Handguards | AR-15, LR-308, and Saiga Rifles ? Monstrum Tactical

I just purchased their (drop-in AR-15 extended quad rail handguard with FSP cutout) great price and looks good took 5 min to install.

Are those for real guns or airsoft?

 

[schoedog2323]

M&P is a great little gun. AR parts are cheap and come in any flavor shape and size you want.

 

[Hookeye]

Midwest Industries (and others) make a block that attaches to the standard FSB for accessories.

https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=94

I have an M lok handguard. Works but am not impressed.
Actually prefer the regular GI handguard (smaller carbine version, not M4) and reg tele buttstock (have one so equipped, the other with Magpul stuff).

Magpul CTR is OK, but again, think I'd have been just as happy with a reg stock.

Factory grip however sucks bigtime, that needs changed on any of them

 

[FWJK]

Midwest Industries (and others) make a block that attaches to the standard FSB for accessories.

https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=94

I have an M lok handguard. Works but am not impressed.
Actually prefer the regular GI handguard (smaller carbine version, not M4) and reg tele buttstock (have one so equipped, the other with Magpul stuff).

Magpul CTR is OK, but again, think I'd have been just as happy with a reg stock.

Factory grip however sucks bigtime, that needs changed on any of them

So this Midwest Industries mount can be attached to the front site and not necessitate a forend change?

 

[USMC-Johnson]

Yes they can. They area bout the same price as an mlok forend from magpul though. So it depends on how it goes farther down the road with what you want to do with it.

 

[FWJK]

Thank you for all the helpful responses guys. Much appreciated.

Anyone familiar with Elzetta flashlights and mounts? Came across their info and look like they would work also...

Flashlight...
ELZETTA Alpha 1-Cell Light: Model A111

Mount...
ZFH1500 with Thumb Screw

 

[Hookeye]

Bolting stuff on a carbine forend...........not much real estate to start with.
Might tolerate it, might not (FSB mount or handguard mount).
Never know until you handle 'em.

 

[Hookeye]

Midlength or dissipator ....handguards might be more tolerable on the "land grab" of accessories.
Reg CAR...........just not much to play with.