AR15 3Gun Modifications?

cereal83

cereal83

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Hey all,

Just trying to plan out what changes I am going to make to my S&W MP15 AR over the winter. I have done some reading into what is recommended and I have have added a muzzle brake which was very noticeable as the rifle doesn't kick as much and I added a Quad rail to be able to attach a bipod but I feel like I'd like to replace it with a proper free floating handle/front grip/forearmstock (forget what it's called right now)


So when I watch 3gun videos I see that the competitors rifle doesn't move very much when they are firing whereas mine still has a kick. The brake helped 85% of of but I notice it's not like shooting a 22 where as I read people make comments that shooting their AR is easier than a 22 so is there something else I can do here? I think the gas system can play a part with this? I am guessing an adjustable gas system? When I replace the front grip with a freefloating, I am assuming the gas system will also have to be replaced and this would be the time to install it?

Buffer tube and spring. Do I need to change this? I read that getting a quality buffer tube and spring will make the gun more smooth, consistent and reliable.

Trigger? Is it worth it? I know my trigger isn't the best since it's a budget AR but I am not sure how much can be improved in this area?

Bolt carrier? Again, I know there are some $400 bolt carriers and I am not sure how this could improve my shooting.

Also, if your going to mention manufactures, places I can order would also be appreciated. I won't change everything over winter. I want to get the rifle shooting better with less recoil before I change nice to haves.


Any help is appreciated as always.
 
Biggest benefits you'll see are from a free float handguard, good trigger and a compensator.
A long free float is recommended for resting of barricades and props, 15" or 12". Don't bother with a quad rail, they're uncomfortable to hold and using a bipod puts you in open division anyways.

good competition triggers help speed on close targets and consistency at long range.

compensator helps with recoil.

An adjustable gas system will help, but with your S&W, it has a carbine gas system so your gains will be limited. This only makes a big difference if you go with lightened operating system (buffer and bcg) and more benefit from a barrel with a longer gas system.

a buffer tube and spring wont change anything if they are in spec.
 
Definitely upgrading the trigger is a big one. It enables you to quickly double tap on targets as needed and make mouse-click shot on further targets.

After that, a good optic is a subject all in itself.
 
Good optics, A 15" slim line free floating hand guard, a good compensator, a trigger, a good charging handle and safety switch. In that order.
 
Thanks for the responses guys. I will read more into it as I feel like I am lacking on the knowledge of the AR a little. Maybe I budget for a new AR which is what I was trying to avoid.

I do have a Leupold VX-R 1.5-4 which I feel is too small of magnification for 200+ meters but it's a good scope for 100 and shorter so I think I will keep it.

As for the quad rail, yeah I knew I made a mistake as soon as I started reading into 3gun specific mods for an AR and I even ran into an issue at my first 3gun where I rested the rifle on a barricade and I missed all 10-12 shots.

I will look into a trigger after getting a new handguard and see what changes I still need to make. My compensator is the Jerry M DPMS as he has the same rifle.

What benefit does a good charging handle have other then being ambi?
 
I love having a low mass BCG mated to either low mass buffer or JP SCS and an adjustable gas block. If you tweek those just right ooohhh smooth
 
cereal83 said:
Thanks for the responses guys. I will read more into it as I feel like I am lacking on the knowledge of the AR a little. Maybe I budget for a new AR which is what I was trying to avoid.

I do have a Leupold VX-R 1.5-4 which I feel is too small of magnification for 200+ meters but it's a good scope for 100 and shorter so I think I will keep it.

As for the quad rail, yeah I knew I made a mistake as soon as I started reading into 3gun specific mods for an AR and I even ran into an issue at my first 3gun where I rested the rifle on a barricade and I missed all 10-12 shots.

I will look into a trigger after getting a new handguard and see what changes I still need to make. My compensator is the Jerry M DPMS as he has the same rifle.

What benefit does a good charging handle have other then being ambi?
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In the heat of action it allows for easier manipulation when sporting a longer 1x4.5 scopes/optics. The OEM versions are smaller and harder to work when wearing gloves or sweaty hands. Personally I do not recommend the BCM versions as they seem to bite my left index finger when pulling.
 
Lots of good advice here. What I would do. Add a 15" hand guard. I recommend ALG defense from Arms East that's what I run. They're light and very easy to install. After that a high end trigger. Tons of options for trigger. Charging handle is not used that often. In time you'll end up getting one. The Rainer arms raptor or avalanche are the go to.
 
Yep. Free float 15 inch lightweight handguard, nice 2lb trigger, miculek brake, and I'd recommend a match barrel. That way you switch your gas tube to Rifle length.

4x is fine for 300+meters. It's not a precision Rifle shoot. I had a 3x magnifier with an eotech and it was good to go. I bumped up to a 1-6x trijicon. It is great.
 
I will for sure get a decent hand guard first and a trigger second.

What is a benefit of a rifle length gas system? I am finding that a few 3gun manufacture built AR's have the carbine system because of the short barrel such as Stag 3G and JP. I assume with a rifle length, I get a adjustable gas block and I can lower it for even less felt recoil?

Thanks for the explanation Sqr. I will look into those asap.
 
Yeah which is what I am trying to avoid to some point but if it makes more sense to buy something better suited, why not? What are some models that would be 3gun ready or more suited towards 3gun with just minor mods needed after? What price range would it be? I bought the M&P 15 because it was in stock and before I knew what I wanted to use it for. I am trying to make it work but maybe there is something better.
 
I'm new to 3 gun too, so take this for what it's worth. If I were you I would get a good optic, trigger, and free float handguard.

For the trigger, I use this ALG Combat trigger. At 90 bucks, it's a great balance of price and performance. I haven't used any of the pricier triggers out there, but I don't feel this one is holding me back at all. With the lighter spring, it's as light as I would want it for running around with.

For the optic I settled on a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x. With the illuminated reticle it functions similarly to a red dot at 1x, and of course you can zoom in for longer shots. Red dots are awesome up close but I really like magnification beyond even about 25y. You could add a flip to the side magnifier, or check out the red dots that have a bit of magnification.

I don't think the handguard matters too much...I would just get what appeals to you and your budget.

Hardest part for me has been figuring out which mags to use and in what configuration for 3 gun....
 
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If you're on a budget.... JP springs produce a fantastic Ar trigger for the 30 bucks or so that it costs.... Value wise, it's hard to do better than that

Optics wise, the strike eagle is amazing value for a 1-6 Scope.... Amazing how far prices can come in a couple years.

In terms of comps, dozens of them work very well, I've always had great performance from JP comps... But the miculek comp is great as well and runs less than, $50 iirc
 
Yeah like I said, I have a Leupold VX-R 1.5-4x24. The scope was more costly than the gun and I find it's good for now. I am not the best past 200 yards with it but I haven't had to shoot that far yet. I also have the Miculek comp but I still notice the gun jumps alot and in the videos I watch, you see very little movement. Could be a list of reasons why.

I will get a good handguard and have a look at the ALG and JP items. I am trying to stay away from JP and they seem to be the super expensive manufacture in the game.
 
cereal83 said:
Yeah like I said, I have a Leupold VX-R 1.5-4x24. The scope was more costly than the gun and I find it's good for now. I am not the best past 200 yards with it but I haven't had to shoot that far yet. I also have the Miculek comp but I still notice the gun jumps alot and in the videos I watch, you see very little movement. Could be a list of reasons why.

I will get a good handguard and have a look at the ALG and JP items. I am trying to stay away from JP and they seem to be the super expensive manufacture in the game.
Click to expand...

16" barrel on your Ar?

Most I think have an 18" with an Adjustable gas block which will make a difference
 
Chalk said:
Lots of good advice here. What I would do. Add a 15" hand guard. I recommend ALG defense from Arms East that's what I run. They're light and very easy to install. After that a high end trigger. Tons of options for trigger. Charging handle is not used that often. In time you'll end up getting one. The Rainer arms raptor or avalanche are the go to.
Click to expand...


Scroll to the 14:40 mark and see how she needed a good charging handle. I hear ya but Things happen.

 
Onagoth said:
I don't know what charging handle she had in that rifle, but she still had to mortar it to get that casing out.
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Correct we don't know but I meant that having a good one can help and this clip demonstrates how things CAN get difficult. Having said that she handled the situation well........sans the knee slaps.
 
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