r/SmithAndWesson

And the brain goes durrrr

Meant to reload while moving R>L but brain said keep going lol

A while back, I posted about upgrading my 2013 S&W M&P15 MOE Mid Magpul Spec Series (811053), my very first AR, and asked for opinions on optics and whether upgrading the factory receiver extension hardware was worthwhile.

Well, I finally finished everything! Here’s the original rifle compared with the finished setup.

Factory Parts Retained:

1). S&W forged 7075-T6 upper and lower receivers
Original 16” 4150 CMV Melonite barrel, 1:8 twist, 5R rifling
2). Original mid-length gas system
3). Original fixed A2 front sight base

Final Upgrades:

1). SIG SAUER ROMEO8T
2). BCM BCG (MPI/Auto)
3). Radian Raptor charging handle
4). Geissele SSA-E two-stage trigger
5). Radian Talon 45/90 ambidextrous safety
6). Geissele Super 42 spring + H1 buffer
7). BCM 7075-T6 mil-spec receiver extension
8). Forward Controls Design CNF 4140 steel castle nut (nitride)
9). Forward Controls Design ESF-H end plate (DLC)
10). Midwest Industries MI-18M two-piece drop-in M-LOK handguard
11). TangoDown BG-18 pistol grip
12). B5 Systems Bravo stock
13). Magpul MBUS Pro steel rear sight
14). Spike’s Tactical A2 flash hider
15). Magpul MVG M-LOK vertical foregrip
16). Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X Pro (88126), 1,000 lumens / 50,000 candela
17). Blue Force Gear Vickers two-point sling
18). BCM BCMGUNFIGHTER heavy-duty QD sling swivels (BCM-QDSS-2)

A Few Updates Since My Previous Post:

I ended up choosing the SIG ROMEO8T over the Aimpoint PRO and EOTech EXPS2-0.

I also went ahead with the receiver extension upgrade, replacing the original buffer tube, castle nut, and end plate with BCM and Forward Controls Design components.

The Feyachi WL65 is gone, replaced by the Streamlight HL-X Pro. I also managed to remove the overtightened mounting screws that gave me trouble earlier.

My goal from the beginning was to modernize my first AR with quality components without losing what made the original S&W/Magpul rifle special to me. That’s why I kept the original receivers, barrel, gas system, and fixed front sight.

After more than a decade of ownership, I’m happy with where it ended up. No more upgrades planned!

What do you guys think of the finished setup?

I have the S&W M&P 2.0 Carry Comp and noticed some brown “rust-colored” residue at the end of the barrel that doesn’t come off with normal cleaning methods. The gun is relatively new and I have about 500 rounds through it. My typical cleaning method is pushing a bronze bore brush through then using hoppes no 9 on a patch and pushing through new patches until they are clean.

Anyone know what the residue is and how to get rid of it? Is it carbon buildup? I don’t want to risk damaging the barrel by trying to scrape it off with a hard pick

It seems people have had a similar residue that is difficult to get off
https://www.reddit.com/r/SmithAndWesson/s/Y9VEcKyz1c

They do luv to rip!

Y’all had any issues mounting an optic to a shield x? I tried to mount one & it was sitting a mile off the slide. Realized my extractor pin was riding up. Anything else I should do before I take the ol GunSmiff™️ Mallet to this thing?

Just snagged another classic S&W to go with my 459.

Brand new, traded for 9mm ammo. Got it for under $300. Add a Osight optic I had and light. Pistol feels great, can't wait to go shoot it.

Just got my Shield X CC.
Slapped on a Vortex Defender CCW enclosed.

Haven’t shot it yet, but already loving how it feels compared to the 365X. Similar footprint between the two, with the ramjet on the Sig. The Shield is noticeably slimmer and the extra grip length is very nice.

Will be a welcome addition to the rotation.

Excuse the Hellcat he’s just trying to fit in with the cool kids

Picked up this 686-6 at a local gun store today. Holster and speed loader are already ordered. Pictured is my new weekend carry

Remember kids, Carry cool shit.