Model M&P15 Sport - With Handle

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Hello - I am looking to purchase my first AR. After doing research (internet, this forum, etc), it has lead me to the SW Model M&P15 Sport.

However, I in looking at the pictures, it does not come with a handle on top? Is it possible to purchase this aftermarket?

(now a really stupid question) - I see on the SW website this is A2, is that related to it having a handle or not? I must admit A2, A4, etc have always confused me.

Thank you,
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[KParms]

It won't have a handle on top when you get it. It will, however, have a removable rear sight that you can, of course, swap out for a carry handle if you so desire. The A2 designation, in my opinion, is somewhat of a murky area. It looks like neither the upper or lower receivers are mil-spec. The upper has no forward assist, and no dust cover while the lower's trigger guard is fixed, rather than removable, so I don't think it makes sense to classify the rifle as anything but 'A'-gun.

 

[Semyon Vasilii]

you can purchase a carry handle/ rear sight that attaches to your rail. but can i ask why you feel like you need a carry handle? and you really dont want an optic?

 

[Quentin]

synapse, I've seen the Sport configured with a "chopped" carry handle rear sight, where the sight is present but the handle is missing. This type of sight is manufactured to simulate an old trick that anyone with a hacksaw can do to a full M16A4/M4 style carry handle and gives you a removable rear sight with elevation and windage adjustment plus enough rail on the receiver to add an optic. It's a pretty good way to go and you can cowitness your iron sights and optic.

Anyway, you may be able to find such a sight on the S&W or you can buy a full carry handle if you want that. Don't let us talk you out of the carry handle if that's what you want, after all it is removable. I would suggest instead of buying a $100 new one, shop for a used CH since so many people are selling them cheap. I've bought about five over the last two years on eBay for about $35 apiece including shipping. For that price you can justify having one but learn about them first so you buy a true US made milspec height CH with a known forge mark. Most at that price are Chinese knockoffs so you have to know what you're looking for.

Anyway with the military A4 upper receiver (also known as A3 commercially) you get the top rail so can swap irons and optics quickly - so no problem having mulitiple sights. The A1 and A2 uppers have an integrated carry handle so you don't have this flexibility.

 

[Fabius]

I think that the A2 is referencing the front sight base. The upper receiver is a T marked flattop, which is A4 style (although some refer to it as A3).

Bought a Sport a few weeks ago. It comes with a detachable dual aperture rear sight. I removed the rear sight and installed a UTG carry handle from Midway last week and took it to the range yesterday. The carry handle Installed easily, fits perfectly and was easy to sight in.

The front sight on the Sport is F marked, which means that it is milspec and is the same front sight base that Colt and the high end manufacturers use. Bushmaster and others use commercial front sight bases, which are slightly shorter. If you buy a carry handle, make sure that its milspec height.

The UTG that I bought appears to be milspec. It sighted in easily with the F marked front sight. Don't buy a Bushmaster or DPMS carry handle unless you confirm that its milspec, since I think that the standard carry handle used by both is commercial height.

I have around 250 rounds through the Sport with no complaints. Seems like high quality for the price.