I bought a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport 2 a couple of months back because I am a newbie when it comes to the AR platform, and I didn’t want to go out and buy a $2000 boutique AR before I got used to the platform. I thought about customizing my M&P a bit, but my thought right now is to just save my money for now, get more time on the range with it, and maybe trade it in for something higher-end down the road. The one issue I have right now is the grip seems a little too small for my hand.
Would getting a more expensive AR-15 be worth it?
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badkarmamib
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The grip is easy to change, only one screw holds it on, and the safety detent and spring are behind it.
The grip is easily changed. The M&P 15 Sport II will accept any grip made for a standard AR 15 type lower receiver.
I am not saying that the M&P is "as good" as a $2000 AR, but it may well be as good as the expensive AR when it comes to meeting your needs. You can swap the trigger, furniture, sights, etc for anything you like better.
You could conceivably get better accuracy from a very expensive barrel, and you might get more longevity out of a stainless steel, chrome-lined barrel, but unless you are shooting for very high accuracy or plan to shoot many thousands of rounds, these benefits might not really matter to you.
I would say, go shoot your rifle and enjoy it. Maybe at some point you will decide you want a free-floating hand guard, or don't want the front sight tower anymore, or whatever. At that point, I would sell the M&P and get something else. By that time, you will probably have a much better idea of what you want or need.
I am not saying that the M&P is "as good" as a $2000 AR, but it may well be as good as the expensive AR when it comes to meeting your needs. You can swap the trigger, furniture, sights, etc for anything you like better.
You could conceivably get better accuracy from a very expensive barrel, and you might get more longevity out of a stainless steel, chrome-lined barrel, but unless you are shooting for very high accuracy or plan to shoot many thousands of rounds, these benefits might not really matter to you.
I would say, go shoot your rifle and enjoy it. Maybe at some point you will decide you want a free-floating hand guard, or don't want the front sight tower anymore, or whatever. At that point, I would sell the M&P and get something else. By that time, you will probably have a much better idea of what you want or need.
Fine Figure of a Man
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I would suggest getting familiar with what you have first. You can replace the grip as well as every other part of the rifle as you see fit.
Arkansas Paul
Member
If your biggest complaint is the grip, don't go buy another rifle.
To me, this is the most comfortable grip I've ever tried on an AR15. It's an easy, quick job to swap it out.
https://www.hogueinc.com/tacrifles/ar15/grips/rubber
To me, this is the most comfortable grip I've ever tried on an AR15. It's an easy, quick job to swap it out.
https://www.hogueinc.com/tacrifles/ar15/grips/rubber
At this stage in your learning curve there is nothing wrong with the Smith. Use it and learn. If you decide to go to some shooting schools maybe then up grade to something else. Change the grip and save you money for ammo. I build my AR's to my liking but I have spent a fortune on tools that could of been spent on Ammo. kwg
someguy2800
Member
You have a good rifle, just change out the parts that suit you. Most of things that seperate a basic AR from an expensive one are just small details such as coatings that make it easier to clean, better quality barrels that will deliver more accuracy, better triggers and furniture, ect... Unless you decide that you need those things you don't need a more expensive AR.
Perhaps go to a shop that carries a variety of AR's and pick them all up and fiddle with them. You may find you have a definite preference for certain type of forend, grip, stock, barrel length, ect... Then you can decide if you want to buy a different rifle with the features you want, or add those features to the rifle you already have.
Perhaps go to a shop that carries a variety of AR's and pick them all up and fiddle with them. You may find you have a definite preference for certain type of forend, grip, stock, barrel length, ect... Then you can decide if you want to buy a different rifle with the features you want, or add those features to the rifle you already have.
badkarmamib
Member
Another point is that the grip, stock, and trigger are the main things to upgrade, on the lower. Further down the road, if you decide to upgrade, you could have a high-end upper shipped to your front door, pop two pins, and have a performance rifle, with the M&P upper kept for plinking.
IndianaBoy
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Keep what you have while you are learning.
A grip is an easy change. Be aware that there is a detent and a screw that are held captive by your grip.
It will drop out , so when you remove the grip, make sure you are holding the lower receiver upside down.
I favor the original Ergo grip. It has a palm swell that makes the grip fit my hand just right. Magpul makes grips with interchangeable backstraps to fit the grip to your hand.
A grip is an easy change. Be aware that there is a detent and a screw that are held captive by your grip.
It will drop out , so when you remove the grip, make sure you are holding the lower receiver upside down.
I favor the original Ergo grip. It has a palm swell that makes the grip fit my hand just right. Magpul makes grips with interchangeable backstraps to fit the grip to your hand.
earlthegoat2
Member
I’m not an AR guy but I am looking into buying my first AR15. (I already have an AR10 variant)
The more I research different assembled models and different components the more I realize that for myself, I am going to need to go higher end. Trigger, barrel, hand guard, And stock are a few things I will not compromise on. These components alone will cost $500 for the selections I want.
I’m starting to see the difference between lower end and higher end stuff and what the price difference really entails. What compromises do you want to make? What utility do you get or lose from the price difference?
The more I research different assembled models and different components the more I realize that for myself, I am going to need to go higher end. Trigger, barrel, hand guard, And stock are a few things I will not compromise on. These components alone will cost $500 for the selections I want.
I’m starting to see the difference between lower end and higher end stuff and what the price difference really entails. What compromises do you want to make? What utility do you get or lose from the price difference?
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Why? As stated you can change the grip.
Are you going to get involved in 3 gun? Are you going to shoot matches?
Here's some advise. Use the rifle you have. Shoot at least 2-3k rounds through it. Then decide if you need more rifle than what you have.
someguy2800
Member
Sounds to me like you should just build one from scratch, then you will really get what you want.
Corpral_Agarn
Member
It's like Legos.
get some parts and swap them on.
get some parts and swap them on.
bassjam
Member
Like others have said, a grip is a easy and relatively cheap thing to change.
But I think you're on the right track, get some more range time with your M&P.
Then, just buy or build something that suits your needs. I also started with an M&P Sport (1st gen). I considered buying something like a Daniel Defense for my second one, but instead decided to build an AR. That alone has taught me more about the platform than all the forum reading one can do. And it's been a fun process considering each component and then finding a good price for it. And now I'll have all the tools needed if I want to build more of them.
How easy is it to build one?
earlthegoat2
Member
You don’t need to be a gunsmith to build one. Just good at swapping parts and knowing how things go together. There are a ton of vids online and quite a few books with sections or entirely on the subject.
I am a mechanic by trade and a gunsmith by training. When I went to trade school we did not directly learn about ARs. I disassembled and reassembled my LR308 to see how it was done.
Granted I am mechanically inclined and have a bit of experience and training with mechanical things but anyone who knows how to use tools and has a few special tools can build one.
Whiterook808
Member
I have an MP15 that I bought when they first came out years ago. It now wears Magpul furniture, an ACOG scope, and an aftermarket trigger pack installed. It shoot pretty good in that configuration with my handloads. These were all pretty simple to installed, even for a clutz like me. You may find that with just a few tweaks the rifle will meet your needs. The main improvement for me was the trigger since the factory trigger was set at seven pounds. If you get the cassette type trigger it is really simple to change.
someguy2800
Member
If you can follow instructions and have the mechanical aptitude to change a set of disc brakes you can build an AR. You just need an armorers wrench to tighten the barrel nut and buffer tube, and some punches to put in a few roll pins.
badkarmamib
Member
Pull the delta ring towards the upper receiver, separate the halves. Installation is the reverse. Most go easily enough, sometimes a third hand is required.
Mosin Bubba
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It depends on the handguard, but most will drop right in. You see that tapered collar at the back of the handguards? Pull back hard on that and you can pull your existing handguards right out. New ones will install the same way
AlexanderA
Member
My feeling is that AR's have totally become a commodity. Therefore, spending a lot of money on a high-end one seems a waste.
That said, the AR's modularity means that even an inexpensive one can be customized to your heart's content. As a matter of fact, I like the Smith & Wesson M&P as a stripped receiver for a home build. It's got a classy logo as compared to, say, an Anderson "poverty pony."
That said, the AR's modularity means that even an inexpensive one can be customized to your heart's content. As a matter of fact, I like the Smith & Wesson M&P as a stripped receiver for a home build. It's got a classy logo as compared to, say, an Anderson "poverty pony."
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Good Ol' Boy
Member
You need to decide what you want it for first.
For me an AR is a CQC rifle. Most come with around a 16" barrel and it's fairly easy to put effective rounds on a man sized target 100yds and in.
Some folks like to do longer distance shooting with their ARs and test the boundaries, and one can certainly do that. That is where you get into the high cost IMHO.
As far as reliability and combat accuracy from 100yds in, pretty much any of your run of the mill entry level ARs are capable of that, certainly your Smith.
For me an AR is a CQC rifle. Most come with around a 16" barrel and it's fairly easy to put effective rounds on a man sized target 100yds and in.
Some folks like to do longer distance shooting with their ARs and test the boundaries, and one can certainly do that. That is where you get into the high cost IMHO.
As far as reliability and combat accuracy from 100yds in, pretty much any of your run of the mill entry level ARs are capable of that, certainly your Smith.
Did you keep the M&P Sport or sell it/trade it?
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