S&W M&P T

[Chuck556]

 (Sorry for such a stupid question!!!!  I'm a newbe to the AR 15 style rifle.)   I've been loading handgun and bolt rifle every since 1966 when I went to work for Chatt PD.    I had a chance to jump on a new S&W M&P "T" new in the box, never fired tax included.   In trade for my .45 Kimber Grand Rapter pistol which was about $1100. new.    When I got the rifle home I noticed there were (3) rail covers which cover the weaver style rails.    NOW FOR THE STUPID QUESTION;  HOW DO YOU GET THE STUPID THING ON THE RAILS?    DO THEY SLIDE ON?     SNAP-ON OR WHAT?   (I TOLD YOU GUYS I WAS A NEWBE! )   I tried to slide them on from the front but the that was a NO GO without some form of force.    I'm inot wanting to screw-up any thing thinking I'm might trade it later.    I not much for semi-auto rifles and the only reason I traded was because of a possible up coming ban on this type of weapon.  If the wrong person gets in office.   GIVE ME A LITTLE HELP, PLEASE. 

[Pathfinder]

(Sorry for such a stupid question!!!!  I'm a newbe to the AR 15 style rifle.)   I've been loading handgun and bolt rifle every since 1966 when I went to work for Chatt PD.    I had a chance to jump on a new S&W M&P "T" new in the box, never fired tax included.   In trade for my .45 Kimber Grand Rapter pistol which was about $1100. new.    When I got the rifle home I noticed there were (3) rail covers which cover the weaver style rails.    NOW FOR THE STUPID QUESTION;  HOW DO YOU GET THE STUPID THING ON THE RAILS?    DO THEY SLIDE ON?     SNAP-ON OR WHAT?   (I TOLD YOU GUYS I WAS A NEWBE! )   I tried to slide them on from the front but the that was a NO GO without some form of force.    I'm inot wanting to screw-up any thing thinking I'm might trade it later.    I not much for semi-auto rifles and the only reason I traded was because of a possible up coming ban on this type of weapon.  If the wrong person gets in office.   GIVE ME A LITTLE HELP, PLEASE. 

Chuck -

Welcome to the forum. Don't worry about appearing stupid, we all do once in a while. And we have some who after hundreds of posts still look stupid!.

On to your question - can you give some more info here? What are the covers like - plastic or metal, rigid or flexible? Do they have side screws like the optics do or something else?

Good luck.

Path

[SwoopSJ]

Welcome to the forum!  Don't feel stupid, I have the very same rifle and to be honest I had a little difficulty with the rail covers, also.  Don't bother trying to slip them on as this will only lead to scraped knuckles and a potty mouth.     The best way, I found, was to put the bottom lip of the rail cover on and then try to push the top on.  It may require a little persuasion such as pulling back on the top a little or getting a corner started with a flat head screw driver, but once you get the first one and see whats required, the others go much easier.  Hope this helps and enjoy the rifle, I sure do.

Swoop

[tombogan03884]

Chuck -

Welcome to the forum. Don't worry about appearing stupid, we all do once in a while. And we have some who after hundreds of posts still look stupid!.

On to your question - can you give some more info here? What are the covers like - plastic or metal, rigid or flexible? Do they have side screws like the optics do or something else?

Good luck.

Path

Hey, I occasionally resemble that comment, (Hi Point suppressor ?) 
Welcome Chuck, there is a new member thread if you want to introduce yourself to the gang, otherwise just jump in

[Chuck556]

Hey, I occasionally resemble that comment, (Hi Point suppressor ?) 
Welcome Chuck, there is a new member thread if you want to introduce yourself to the gang, otherwise just jump in

--------------I didn't identify the weapon with all of it's name it's a S&W M&P15T with weaver type sight or accessory rails on all (4) sides of the free floated barrel.  The rail covers are some form of plastic and it appears they are pressed fitted to the rails.   If it takes that much force to press fit, how in the heck would you remove them if someone wanted to install a fore arm handle or light on the rails?  I contacted Smith and the only reply was (Press Fit) no other info.  They sure make it sweet and short for a reply from  a customer. 

So far as introduceing my self!!!!--------  I'm an old retired police officer from the Chatt PD.(26yrs)  after retiring I went to work for the State  at the University of Tn. at Chatt.,  as a campus police officer.  Worked with UTC for 15yrs and then retired again when I turned 62.  I was able to pick up 2yr. 10 months of Vietnam time on the State pension but was asked if I work part-time a month later.
Only working now enough time not to effect my State or City pension.     

So far as not knowing any thing about the AR15 and being in the Air Force during the Vietnam time .  I was a asst. crew chief on a KC-97 tanker refueler and the only weapons we had aboard were S&W revolvers and a over and under shot gun with a 22 Hornet barrel on top; in our survival gear.  The only out of country time was spent in a location where there was a women behind every tree (only no trees)- Goose Bay, Thule Greenland and several other cold and icey places.   While in basic training we fired M1 carbines.  I've shot a heck of a lot of pistols (.380's were my back-ups)   38 & .357 & 9MM & .40cal  & .45 ACP were all issue guns with both police depts.  I've been into reloading for approx. 42yrs mostly handguns and Thompson Contenders (.221 Fireball - .223 - 6MM TCU - 7MM TCU - 7X30 Waters - 6MM Rem. - .308Win.)  I guess now I'll start working up loads for this black rifle.  Anybody got and good loads their willing to give out.  That's about it for this old man.

[Sponsor]

[jnevis]

Welcome aboard

Most of the rail covers I have seen/used do require a little work to get on/off (makes sense, since you don't want to grab it and have it come off) but Swoop is right.  Mine I put one side on and flattened out the cover, pulling on both sides, to get the opposite side over the rail and used a screwdriver/scraper to get the tabs seated.

[Red Dawn]

Welcome to the forum! Always nice to see and hear from fellow LEOs. If it helps, you may want to try another type of rail cover. I have used Yankee Hill Machine rail covers in the past and they are pretty easy to put on and take off.  Here's a link, second from the bottom:

http://www.yhm.net/store/forearms.html

[Conagher 45]

I haven't worried too much about an AR Until the last six months or so when the lefty from Il. seems to be ahead in the polls . So low and be hold I dug in the back of the gun safe and pulled out a bushie and sat about to give this a face lift and some more thought. Single point sling, colapsible stock, tasco red dot, and about a dozen more 30 round mags. Hope I find the credit card bill before my wife finds it.

[m25operator]

With plastic, soak them in hot water from the tap, not boiling from the pot, and they will become more flexible and install easier, but stiffen as they cool, using plastic levers, like old ladels and forks from the kitchen as prying agents, will keep you from scratching the finish. Not plastic forks and spoons from drive thru's, although they might work in a pinch, but will break, just short of attaining your goal.

[Chuck556]

With plastic, soak them in hot water from the tap, not boiling from the pot, and they will become more flexible and install easier, but stiffen as they cool, using plastic levers, like old ladels and forks from the kitchen as prying agents, will keep you from scratching the finish. Not plastic forks and spoons from drive thru's, although they might work in a pinch, but will break, just short of attaining your goal.

----------------------------------Hey thanks alot guys it's nice to know there are still people that will help a guy out.   I tried the hot water trick but the darn plastic was so tuff it still wouldn't bend over to put on the other side of the rails.  To make a long story short.  I found out another trick.
I bought a set of Hornady dies and on the box it states if you send in the UPC code along with the bill of sale for the dies they would send the person a free box of bullets.  I tried everything to get the UPC code off the box but couldn't.  I called Hornady and ask how they expect someone to take it off the box.  The lady on the phone acted as if I asked a stupid question (Like I asked everybody about the rails) and said of course you have to use an electric hair dryer to melt the glue.  It worked!!!!  I tried the hair dryer trick on the S&W rail covers and darn if they didn't just snap on without any problem .  I guess the woman at Hornday was a heck of a lot smarter than myself.