Am I being a cheapskate with my M&P Sport 15?

[TeddyBallgame]

Long story short, bought my first AR a few months ago, the M&P Sport 15...I've kept it basically in stock condition since I bought it, never really wanted to add a bunch of stuff to it

I do have an interest in adding a fore grip, having arthritis in my shoulder, I'm thinking the fore grip might help me keep a steadier aim at the range...I really don't want to add a quad rail, I'd be happy with a picatinny rail that I could mount on the bottom of the stock handrail, then I could add the grip

doing some research, I found that Midwest Industries has a rail, specifically for the M&P Sport 15...only problem is, it's made of light metal and will add some front weight to the rifle, probably not much, but, for a person with arthritis, something I need to consider

I found a Magpul L3 rail section, with 7 slots, made of the hard Map plastic, seems durable enough, not very expensive...not sure if the L3 is compatible with my stock handrails though...my last option is to buy another hand guard, with it's own rails...magpul has those too

for wanting to add just a fore grip, I really don't want to have more rails than I need...I did mount a dot sight on the top rail, changed out the stock pistol grip with a nice AG43 Mako grip, and bought a few Magpul 10/30 magazines...also, even though it is just the stock hand guard, I kind of like them just me, I guess

what may be my best route for doing this without a major change-out of my AR?

[Zartan]

Mount a section of rail to your stock hand guard and attach your fore grip to that. Voila

Link

[Bobby Ricigliano]

You can add a small section of rail to a standard handguard. It attaches by mounting the rail to the handguard and feeding the screws through the vents to the underside of the rail and the washers hold it in place.

However, this probably won't work with the M&P Sport because it comes with a super cheap, thin handguard that has no heatshield underneath it. You will probably need to swap out the handguard, so you can put a milspec handguard or better yet a Magpul handguard and you are all set.

[static808]

Originally Posted by Bobby Ricigliano

...better yet a Magpul handguard and you are all set.

i recommend this. a set of magpul handguards and a magpul MVG (vertical grip) to go right underneath it. this should be about as inexpensive and light as it gets.

[diverwcw]

I believe less is more. I have the same rifle and I keep it stock.

[kdruff2]

If you are going to get a forward grip, don't get the vertical but the triangle grip (functionally superior IMHO). Magpul makes those as well.

[BigPun762]

I had my AR all decked out with a quad rail, KAC vertical grip, surefire light and such and I took it all off for a stock hand guard that comes with your M&P. Honestly, don't do it. It's just a waste of money. Keep it as is, I prefer it original and simple.

[TeddyBallgame]

Originally Posted by Bobby Ricigliano

better yet a Magpul handguard and you are all set.

those Magpul MOE handguards do look pretty nice...I'm just not into all those rails on my M&P...this could do the trick

thanks for the 411

[TeddyBallgame]

Originally Posted by BigPun762

I had my AR all decked out with a quad rail, KAC vertical grip, surefire light and such and I took it all off for a stock hand guard that comes with your M&P. Honestly, don't do it. It's just a waste of money. Keep it as is, I prefer it original and simple.

not looking to deck it out, my thinking is that using a fore grip creates a different type of hold with my left arm, seems like it would take less support from my shoulder to hold the M&P

maybe I'm wrong, but, if a $50.00 investment can help me a bit, i'll just have to go a day without the hookers and blow to cover it

[BakoJ]

How do you like the Sport? I want one and I've held one but never shot one.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Originally Posted by TeddyBallgame

not looking to deck it out, my thinking is that using a fore grip creates a different type of hold with my left arm, seems like it would take less support from my shoulder to hold the M&P

maybe I'm wrong, but, if a $50.00 investment can help me a bit, i'll just have to go a day without the hookers and blow to cover it

My previous post was to answer your question; however I am not a fan at all of any VFG. All of my rifles have either milspec or Magpul handguards. I became a convert to the 'thumb over top' of the handguard shooting style a while back.

My personal opinion is that the majority of sales of the various VFG devices are to people who are more concerned about how their rifles look cosmetically than how they perform and shoot. A basic light weight AR with no bells and whistles is your best bet if you want something not heavy.

[tacticalcity]

Originally Posted by static808

i recommend this. a set of magpul handguards and a magpul MVG (vertical grip) to go right underneath it. this should be about as inexpensive and light as it gets.

This is an excellent setup.

FYI, the stock tube on your M&P Sport 15 is milspec diamater. That info will come in handy when you finally give in an upgrade your stock.

[TeddyBallgame]

Originally Posted by bako88fan

How do you like the Sport? I want one and I've held one but never shot one.

I'm happy with it, but, in all fairness, I've never fired another AR model, so, I have nothing to compare it with

Seems to do everything it's supposed to do

[nastyhabts26]

Duct tape the forward grip on.
Duct tape is cheap and light.

[LBDamned]

Originally Posted by TeddyBallgame

not looking to deck it out, my thinking is that using a fore grip creates a different type of hold with my left arm, seems like it would take less support from my shoulder to hold the M&P

maybe I'm wrong, but, if a $50.00 investment can help me a bit, i'll just have to go a day without the hookers and blow to cover it

lay off the hookers and blow and your arthritis might go away

On a serious note - there are many plain tube hand-guards (free float rails) that are light-weight and you can add small rail sections wherever you want... it's a more expensive option - but the circumference will be smaller and you might find it easier to handle with your condition?... the versatile rail sections will also allow you to use a bipod (which would alleviate the strain as well)...

[North86]

I run a magpul forend with a section of rail and magpul afg on mine. I too wanted to keep it simple and light. Since I view this as an HD weapon, I plan to add a light up there too, but that's it.

As for the Sport as an AR, its a great buy for the buck, fairly accurate, goes bang reliably and has a good warranty. What else do you need?

[BigPun762]

Originally Posted by TeddyBallgame

not looking to deck it out, my thinking is that using a fore grip creates a different type of hold with my left arm, seems like it would take less support from my shoulder to hold the M&P

maybe I'm wrong, but, if a $50.00 investment can help me a bit, i'll just have to go a day without the hookers and blow to cover it

Honestly the fore grip didn't help me at all. I prefer holding it like a traditional rifle but that's just me. You should try it first and see if you like it. But a fore grip didn't make it any easier to hold or offer any significant upgrade.

[64physhy]

I tried a foregrip on mine and don't care for it. It's a grip pod, so I occasionally use it for the Bi-pod when shooting prone or from a bench, but I don't use it as a grip. Oh, I use the Magpul MOE handguards, and I think they are lighter and more comfortable to grip than the mil spec type that come on it. They run about $30 and a short rail (if you want to install a grip) is only something like $5.

[North Bay Guy]

I like the Hogue grip better then the MOE grip, I have both. A nice grip is always my first upgrade. Next is sights and or optic.

[JMP]

No, you are being reasonable. All you need is a stick and some superglue. It's a friggin assembly line AR, not a precision rifle.

[TeddyBallgame]

i went ahead and broke down and bought a Magpul MOE handguard, a rail, and, a Magpul foregrip

no hookers or blow this week, and, part of next week lol

[tquizzle]

Originally Posted by static808

i recommend this. a set of magpul handguards and a magpul MVG (vertical grip) to go right underneath it. this should be about as inexpensive and light as it gets.

Do this, it's very cheap and looks better. Not to mention the magpul handguards feel better in the hand than the stock ones.

[BakoJ]

Originally Posted by TeddyBallgame

i went ahead and broke down and bought a Magpul MOE handguard, a rail, and, a Magpul foregrip

no hookers or blow this week, and, part of next week lol

Would you post a pic when you've gotten it all put together?

[TeddyBallgame]

Originally Posted by bako88fan

Would you post a pic when you've gotten it all put together?

sure bako, should have everything in, and, put together before the end of the week...the handguard is due in Thursday, and, I just got an email letting me know the rest is due in tomorrow

[xOperator]

i went with this setup for my father, who has arthritis and cant raise his left arm above his shoulders because of injuries from vietnam...

Its a Midwest Industries Gen II SS handguard


(image from arfcom, I only have the handguard, and waiting on the panels to arrive)

(picture from: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_124/6...age=4#i6168827)

[TeddyBallgame]

Originally Posted by bako88fan

Would you post a pic when you've gotten it all put together?

Ok, bako, here there are…my stuff was delivered earlier than I was promised, a good thing, lol, so….

I replaced the stock handguard with the Magpul MOE handguard…good call on that one guys, I really like it

Attached the 3 inch rail I bought underneath it, took all of about 1 minute to do, once I found my allen wrenchs

Changed out the stock pistol grip for the AG43, I have big hands, so this thicker grip is just right for me…other than keeping an eye on the little spring inside the grip, all it took was a 3/16” allen wrench, to loosen one screw on the inside of the pistol grip

I misstated about the fore grip that I bought…I thought the one I purchased was the Magpul foregrip, when, actually, I ordered a UTG Ergonomic foregrip



So, there it is…I’ll probably take it out on Thursday

[tradecraft]

I don't know why I'm the first one to suggest this, but why don't you just buy a sling?

[BakoJ]

Hey that looks pretty bad ***!

[North86]

Can't see the pix. Where did you host them?

[ScottsBad]

Originally Posted by TeddyBallgame

Long story short, bought my first AR a few months ago, the M&P Sport 15...I've kept it basically in stock condition since I bought it, never really wanted to add a bunch of stuff to it

I do have an interest in adding a fore grip, having arthritis in my shoulder, I'm thinking the fore grip might help me keep a steadier aim at the range...I really don't want to add a quad rail, I'd be happy with a picatinny rail that I could mount on the bottom of the stock handrail, then I could add the grip

doing some research, I found that Midwest Industries has a rail, specifically for the M&P Sport 15...only problem is, it's made of light metal and will add some front weight to the rifle, probably not much, but, for a person with arthritis, something I need to consider

I found a Magpul L3 rail section, with 7 slots, made of the hard Map plastic, seems durable enough, not very expensive...not sure if the L3 is compatible with my stock handrails though...my last option is to buy another hand guard, with it's own rails...magpul has those too

for wanting to add just a fore grip, I really don't want to have more rails than I need...I did mount a dot sight on the top rail, changed out the stock pistol grip with a nice AG43 Mako grip, and bought a few Magpul 10/30 magazines...also, even though it is just the stock hand guard, I kind of like them just me, I guess

what may be my best route for doing this without a major change-out of my AR?

Just buy the MOE hand guard and the Magpul grip that goes with it. No need for a rail. But if you do want one they make them for the MOE.

[TeddyBallgame]

*** UPDATE ***

spent some time at Field Time in Stanton yesterday testing out the new fore grip

it went well, a lot less stress on my shoulder, and, I was even able to keep most of my groupings within a 50 cent size area at 20-25 yards out

I feel competitive again

[OpticsPlanet]

I have a touch of arthritis myself (thanks, Dad) and I find the AFG to be comfortable. my wrist isn't at such a severe angle with the AFG as it is with the bare forend or a vertical foregrip.

Mark H.