Here's the deal: I've owned an M&P15T for about two years now. I bought it as a personally-owned patrol rifle, hence the quad rail. I quickly mounted an EOTech, a VFG, and a light, and a Vltor Modtsock, and it was good to go. It has served me well, too, enduring countless shifts in the front seat, search warrants, and calls. However, I noticed as time went on that for a carbine, the damn thing is heavy and bulky. WIth only the light and grip, I don't use but a small section of rail––the rest just seems to eat up uniforms (and skin). When not at work, it seems I reach for my regular old carbine more than the M&P, just because it's lighter and sleeker. It has occurred to me that I now have a 10-pound rifle (with thousands of dollars in it) that has little versatility outside its LE role.
So I've been thinking of trading the -15T for a regular -15A (or maybe a -15X). My thinking is that I could purchase a high quality non-FF rail and put my light and VFG on it for duty, and keep the standard handguards for when I want something handier, say a casual range trip or in the event of SHTF. Am I crazy for not always wanting a rail on the gun? Or wanting to lighten and simplify the weapon? I figure I could trade the -15T close to even for a new -15A (sans the accessories).
As a side question, is the rail on the -15X FF or non-FF? I checked their site and it did not specify.
Thanks for your opinion.