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1st AR15! Yay

7K views 53 replies 28 participants last post by  GoneBallisticInAlabama 
#1 ·
Got my 1st AR-15 over the weekend, the M&P15 Sport II. Can't wait to take it out. Trying to setup a trip to the countryside outside of Seattle with my buddies to break her in. What do I need to get? Tried the Magpul MOE handguard and couldn't stand the ergonomics. It hurt my shoulder and wrist trying to hold the rifle. I like the standard handguard soooo much better. Have a red dot on order, but gonna wait and shoot with the iron sights for a while.



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#7 ·
I love the new Magpul M-LOK handguard. Very comfortable and seems a more natural grip than the traditional conical handguard.
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I would recommend looking at Magpul CTR buttstock. They a very comfortable and the friction lock that they have stops the rattling/movement of the factory buttstock.

But like the others have said, shoot it a while. Get familiar with it. Take time to look at accessories and research them. You may buy a few others before you find the correct combination that works for you. But you will get there.

Congrats! :)
 
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#9 ·
Thanks guys!

GBIA, it was the older Magpul M-Lok handguard that I had trouble with. It was so uncomfortable for me. :( I love the idea of being able to add a little piece of rail where I needed it though. I'll guess I'll keep it as is for now, shoot it a few times and see what I feel could be upgraded. I

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#10 ·
That's a nice rifle! Congratulations! I'd get some grease to lubricate the bolt carrier and some break cleaner to clean the bolt afterwards, from the car parts store. In addition to those inexpensive supplies, I'd buy some ammo cans filled with XM193 55 grainers and some USGI mags. Then shoot it and enjoy it. Also a .223/5.56 boresnake. Makes cleaning the barrel a snap! Give us a range report soon!
 
#13 ·
If you like the feel of the factory handguard, I wouldn't bother changing it. Unless that is, you need to so you can eliminate that front sight or go to a folding one to clear the red dot you have on order. In that case, you can either go with a quadrail version, Keymod, or the M-lok which you said you didn't like. There are so many options its mind boggling. If you change it, you also have to decide of you want to go with a free floating barrel style or just a drop in replacement. I'm personally fine with Quadrail free floating ones although I do have some Keymod ones too. I'm also not picky about the hand grip and find the factory style A2 grip to suit me fine. But those are personal preferences and hand grips are not all that expensive or difficult to change out. Which red dot did you order btw? Enjoy it! :)

Rudy
 
#14 · (Edited)
You definitely need to go with what feels comfortable.
But just so there is no confusion, I wasn't referring to the old MOE but to the new M-LOK.

New Magpul M-LOK Carbine Hand Guard
This is what I have on my M400.




Old Magpul MOE Carbine Hand Guard



You can add any of the M-LOK rail segments at this link:
https://www.magpul.com/products/firearms-accessories/rails-and-accessories

Or, you can get a cantilever M-LOK rail mount for a light (like at the link below in aluminum or polymer), like I added to mount my Streamlight TLR-1 HPL light (long-range for carbine or rifle).
This cantilever mount does NOT require a rail section due to the M-LOK mount design.
Aluminum Cantilever M-LOK Mount
Polymer Cantilever M-LOK Mount





My Streamlight for my M400 carbine.

 

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#17 ·
You definitely need to go with what feels comfortable.
But just so there is no confusion, I wasn't referring to the old MOE but to the new M-LOK.
I tried the shorter MOE M-LOK handguard you currently have GBIA. For some reason I thought the SL was newer than that one. I think it's because I saw video on youtube comparing the the "new" slimmer MOE SL handguard to the MOE M-LOK. Sorry for the confusion! I'm gonna look for a M-LOK handguard with a slimmer profile. I don't want to have to get rid of my sling ring for the SL. I like being able to add rail sections and attachment points as needed. I want to at a minimum add a flashlight.

Which red dot did you order btw? Enjoy it! :)

Rudy
Vortex Sparc II. My buddy has all Vortex optics and he recommends them. They've always worked for me when I've shot his guns.

I know you stated you did not like the ergonomics of the Magpul MOE handguard, but did you have it set up with a vertical grip?
No I tried it with just the handguard. I'm looking at maybe using an angled grip with the MOE M-LOK if I can't find a slimmer **affordable** M-LOK handguard. Great looking gun!

How about Keymod vs M-LOK? What are y'all's thoughts?
 
#15 ·
Congrats on your new rifle. By your own admission it's your first AR so let me highly recommend you don't modify a thing until you've put several hundred rounds down range. Don't get sucked into industry marketing hype. It's a GREAT rifle as is. After you've shot it a while you'll be in a much better position to evaluate what, if any, changes you want to make.
 
#16 ·
I know you stated you did not like the ergonomics of the Magpul MOE handguard, but did you have it set up with a vertical grip?
This is an early model handguard with the MOE MVG (MOE Vertical Grip), as GBIA advised the newer model has the MLOK slots, which will take MLOK accessories, of which they have a vertical grip available.
Not everyone likes a vertical grip, on a carbine I find them helpful, but not on a rifle.
As mentioned, by others, get some magazines and ammo, get it zeroed, and have fun getting used to it.

Here is one of my carbines, it has a S&W Upper assembly with a 14.5" 1:7 M4 barrel with pinned and welded Vortex flash hider.
 

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#18 · (Edited)
Congratulations on an AR platform. Now the fun part is attempting for find a place outside of Seattle to shoot it. It seems as though all the logging roads have huge gates on them now. Fish & Game and DNR guys will come visit you if they hear you. But, hey it is a big area. King County has a huge area of " No Shooting Allowed " areas. So, that being said I hope you find an area away from all of the above mentioned. There is nothing like being able to find an area to plink in. Good Luck. Remember what Smokey says" Only you can prevent forest fires".

I used to go to the Peninsula, but now run into just as many blocked off areas over there as well.
 
#19 · (Edited)
M-lok for looks, KeyMod for function :)

But M-lok works for polymer handguards and I don't think a KeyMod polymer handguard is possible. I could be wrong. That said, I don't really care for polymer handguards.

The BCM KMR is only 1.5" in diameter and has 8 mounting surfaces compared to the standard 4.
 
#21 · (Edited)
Hey, everyone has their preference. :)

The M-LOK is pretty solid. Every bit and solid, if not more so, than any of the standard conical hand guards. Fortunately, it worked out for me as far as comfort. At least, so far I've really enjoyed it.

I also focused on providing functionality while minimizing weight. I wanted the carbine to be as light as possible. I decided that the alloy quad rails add too much weight when all I plan on mounting to it is the light that I have on it. I also decided, after input from other users, that I didn't want the rough 1913 rails all over it and I didn't want to add the little plastic "ladders" to fill in the recoil grooves. The BCM KMR that ScrapRat mentioned is very nice. I just didn't need anything like that for my wants/desires in a HD/SD carbine.

As was suggested, shoot it a while and decide later. And accept that you might try several different things before you ultimately decide on the configuration that works for you.

If I had to pick one change that I made that mattered the most to mine was trashing the cheap butt stock that came on my M400 and slipping on a Magpul CTR Mil-Spec. It doesn't rattle around and is nice and comfortable shooting.

Enjoy your new carbine and keep us posted on how you like it.
I've been wanting a M&P AR-10 but I just can't justify it. And the ammo is too much more expensive to hoard. :lol:
 
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#24 ·
Got my 1st AR-15 over the weekend, the M&P15 Sport II. Can't wait to take it out. Trying to setup a trip to the countryside outside of Seattle with my buddies to break her in. What do I need to get? Tried the Magpul MOE handguard and couldn't stand the ergonomics. It hur:Dt my shoulder and wrist trying to hold the rifle. I like the standard handguard soooo much better. Have a red dot on order, but gonna wait and shoot with the iron sights for a while.



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Congratulations! :D I bought the same rifle in late June. I didn't think I wanted an AR-15 because I have an M1 Carbine for the Zombies. :rolleyes:
But, when there was a lot of talk about banning assault rifles, I decided to get one just because the idiots didn't want me to have one. :p I haven't shot it much yet, but it shoots well and is a fun rifle.

Regards, Jim
 
#25 ·
I picked one up last Tuesday at the Nellis Exchange. Hope to shoot it Sunday (If I can find time to clean it from the shipping gunk!).
 
#26 · (Edited)
Congratulations on your new AR.
Thanks also to intell about Magpul furniture. I ordered a riser for my red dot for an absolute co witness for my new AR but I may want to try out a taller one for a one third co witness.
http://www.leapers.com/prod_detail.php?level1=Angle_Mount&itemno=MAD0340
As far as places to shoot,I've saw on a YouTube video in which the guy did his shooting out on BLM lands(Bureau of Land Management Lands)
BLM - The Bureau of Land Management
You would have to contact the BLM for your state to find out where they are and what the requirements and restrictions would be. i've heard they're plentiful out west. I myself would have to find out for my area out east.
Keep us informed!
Happy shooting!
 
#27 ·
Don't let me dissuade you from trying out the MOE M-LOK handguard. It was uncomfortable the way it fit my hand. It may work for you just fine. Thanks for the info on BLM.

What red dot are you using?

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