[Texas Bob]

I read more than I post, this way I learn. The old adage comes to mind :They only thought I was a fool, until I opened my mouth, then they knew.

The purpose of this thread is to "pick two" and "only two" aftermarket additions to the basic AR that have helped you, or that you wish you have never done. This way other people may be spared by our being the beta testers.

This is "only" about the basic carbine/rifle, not about sights,slings, bi-pods, or anthing else that maybe attached.

My contributionwill be the addition of a Geissele SSA trigger and a Magpul grip. There are many other good aftermarket triggers, and upon using any top tier trigger you can focus on marksmanship without fighting a stock trigger. The Magpul grip "fits" my hand, wet or dry, the factory grip did not. Find what fits your hand like a "broken-in" favorite glove.

Now it is up to "others" that have been around the AR platform to pass on what they have learned.:)

[Sky]

free float hand guard on some and forward hand grip on others. Just depends on the rifle and use. Some have Bi-pod....ooops that's 3

[22lr]

For me its a Magpul grip and a trigger. Ive played with a lot of different triggers and don't really have a favorite, but a good single stage trigger just rings all my bells.

[Matno]

Mag pul stock with adjustable comb height and length of pull, custom trigger (anything is better than stock). Very difficult to shoot straight without those. The Mag-pul assumes you're using a scope. These days, open sights don't make much sense unless you're shooting exclusively under 100 yards.

And if I could add a third, it would be a Hogue rubber grip with finger grooves. (They're cheap, so adding one shouldn't be to tough!)

All of that is assuming your gun shoots sub MOA. If not, top two mods would be trigger and custom free-floated barrel. Any gun that's not capable of tack driving is frustrating. If I miss, I want to know it's because I did something wrong that I can work on, not because I did everything right and the gun failed to perform...

[-v-]

A good shooting sling, and a good crisp trigger. I'm not too picky on trigger weights, and actually prefer a GI-weight (5-6lb) trigger to a lighter pull weight trigger.

As for open sights only good for under 100 yards? Well, we all have our opinions. Myself? For paper punching, at 500 yards I'd prefer a scope, but irons can also be quite sufficient any day ;). Hunting or others? Yes, scopes all the way.

[TimboKhan]

Magpul MOE handguards and the magpul extended trigger guard. Both are superior to stock.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[Matno]

As for open sights only good for under 100 yards? Well, we all have our opinions. Myself? For paper punching, at 500 yards I'd prefer a scope, but irons can also be quite sufficient any day ;). Hunting or others? Yes, scopes all the way.
I didn't mean to imply that open sights are worthless, just that modern optics are superior in pretty much any long distance shooting. I've used an 8mm Mauser from WWII with 500 meter open sights that is quite fun and accurate to boot. But given the choice, I'd use a scope in the field for pretty much anything but heavy brush hunting. I also happen to think plinking is more fun with a low power scope than iron sights, but of course that's an opinion.

[briansmithwins]

My two tips:

1) Leave it as close to stock as possible. Your $250 is better spent on a class and/or ammo than a slick trigger and fancy stock with a built in coffee mill.

2) Quality optics don't make you shoot better. They do let you get hits faster. Decide what's important to you and buy accordingly.

BSW

[tryshoot]

I like my m-4 quad rail, but it does add weight.

[firesky101]

Free float handguard, and a nice trigger. Depends on the purpose though, my AR is not very tactical it is for varmints.

[HoosierQ]

Upgrade your charging handle. Most stock ones are cast. Get a milled one. VTOR I think is what I have...galled the "gunfighter" which is a silly name but it is a very nice item. Keep the stock one as a backup. Long, somewhat fragile piece on an AR.

[gp911]

Don't get a heavy barrel carbine. All that heavy barrel does is unbalance the gun and save the manufacturer a little money. It heats up a little slower in rapidfire but it really doesn't matter. At all. I'll second the grip comments too, magpul fits my hand way better than the A2 grip.

[Z-Michigan]

Limited to two modifications, I would go with the same as the OP: a Geissele SSA and a Magpul MOE grip. And in fact I have two ARs set up with those features.

If I could have three, a nicer telestock (SOPMOD or VLTOR) would be item #3.

[rjrivero]

Two things I would add to a rifle are a tactical carbine class, and a case of ammo. Only after spending a lot of quality time with your AR will you find out what "need" to do to that rifle.

[MachIVshooter]

Only things I've changed/added on my M15A2C were the Hogue grip, the handguard rail/VFG, and the Z-rail. If I had to leave one out, it'd be the Hogue grip.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/Hunter2506/101_1324.jpg

[Welding Rod]

I like the Magpul CTR and the "Gunfighter" medium charging handle.

I start with a RRA lower so their NM trigger is a given.

[Rail Driver]

For me, two must-haves on my most basic rifle are

A: The Magpul B.A.D. lever - this little bitty piece makes any manipulation that requires locking back the bolt or releasing the bolt so much quicker. When I empty a mag and the bolt locks back, I never have to take my rifle off the target or leave the firing position - I just drop the mag with my trigger finger, seat a new one with my off hand, drop the bolt with my trigger finger, and I'm back to sending lead downrange. - All this for $25-$30

B: a quality sling that fits you, and is comfortable. Don't waste your money on a $5 "adjustable" single point sling - Get a quality sling of the style most comfortable to you (I recommend a 2 point sling for the support it provides in when shooting) $10-$50+

[CapnMac]

Of all the ones I have bought, only two make this list:
The AccuWedge
And my Waller case (which is very handy for all the other "stuff").

3rd place goes to my set-up-to-be-dedicated chamber brush assembly.

[SabbathWolf]

I guess I can't play.
I'm pretty much fine with a good stock gun as is.
I was gonna say an Aimpoint and a light, but that doesn't count.

[basicblur]

I vote for Ergo's The Gapper (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/813357/ergo-the-gapper-trigger-guard-spacer-ar-15-rubber-black)! :D

[rm23]

Magpul BAD and a Blue Force Gear padded Vickers sling.

[Dr.Rob]

A2 /A3 carry handle sights.

Honestly, back up irons = GOOD.

I know the trend now it to optics, esp. in 3 gun, but I like having iron sights in addition.

I'd rather choose a rifle that comes WITH irons rather than one that I have to add my own.

I also put Houge monogrips on both my AR's.

[Auto426]

The only thing I've added to my 6940 so far was a Magpul MOE grip to replace the stock pistol grip. I didn't care for that little bump in the middle of the stock grip because it had a tendency to dig into my middle finger.

Other than that I may change the adjustable stock out for an Magpul one. It would mostly be for looks, as the standard stock doesn't bother me. Other than that the monolithic upper takes care of my quad rail needs I've been fine so far with the Matech sight. I'm thinking a cheap red dot for plinking is in my future though.

[boomhower1820]

Given the constrictions of the OP I'd have to say my SSA trigger and NiB BCG.

[Ramone]

Keeping it to two, is tough.

A chromed BCG
A free Float Hand Guard

I do like the MAGPUL grip, but honestly, I only bought one because I won a Samson Tool that fits in it:
http://www.samson-mfg.com/ar-15_html/product/FS-001.html
(which I have yet to use, but it's nice to know it's there)

And my other AR has a trick grip, too:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/59882-7.html

Which I was skeptical of at first, but it's fairly rugged, and allows my lower to fit in my saddlebags. I'd recommend it to anyone with a storage issue.

I really like the B.A.D. lever (or any of the solutions to allow right-handed manipulation of the bolt catch) as it addresses the only awkward part of the manual of arms with the AR.

At almost 50 YOA, I find optics are, for me, a necessity. I've been very happy with the Nikon M233 line.

I hope in the next 10 years to be a good enough marksman to find the stock trigger a hindrance, but for now, it isn't.

I have after 40 years of shooting found no better design of sling than the M1907. Live it, learn it, love it.

I do like the MAGPUL AFG, too, over a vertical grip.

[CoRoMo]

Trijicon Reflex

[Bartholomew Roberts]

1. PMAGS - The vast majority of AR reliability issues trace to magazines or ammo. Starting with good quality mags helps insure you have a good, reliable rifle.

2. However you plan on using your AR - High Power, predator hunting, 3-gun, self-defense - go get some formal training geared towards how you use the rifle. You'll pick up skills that will allow you to use that tool better and you'll pick up knowledge as to the limitations of the tool (and what you might want to change on it to suit your needs. It is also a lot more productive than spending $1,000 on gear, then going to a class/competition/hunt, then selling at least $500 worth of gear for $250 because it actually fights against what you were trying to do.

[justice06rr]

My best 2 mods are Magpul MOE stock and MIAD Grip. Like someone mentioned, keep everything else stock and learn to use it properly.

My roomate's AR with crazy mods (10-inch rail, UBR stock, etc) weighs like 12lbs compared to my 7-pounder..

[Rod4277]

JP Enterprises JPSCS-15 - Silent Captured Buffer Spring & Buffer system - A little pricey but great for taking the "Twang" out a highend build. http://www.jprifles.com/1.4.7.2_os.php
BCM Gunfighter Model 4 - Charging handle - Best charging handle out there.. There is also a small and large to suit you own application. It is the standard right hand configuration. I'm a "south paw" and find it functions well with either hand.http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-GUNFIGHTER-Charging-Handle-GFH-Mod-4-p/bcm%20gfh%20mod%204%20556.htm

Have a great day!
Rod

[wally]

Quality optics don't make you shoot better. They do let you get hits faster.

When you get old enough, it doesn't take state of the art optics to help you shoot better and get hits faster! Sad but true.

[meanmrmustard]

MOE pistol grip and twenty round mag. Both made mine more friendly while sighting in, and keeps things compact while still hi cap.

[jim243]

Wow, only two that makes it tough. #1 would be the Houge hand grip, and #2 would be the MOE stock. Since I can only list two, you have to guess at #3, #4, #5 # 6 & #7.

Jim


http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt284/bigjim_02/SAM_0630.jpg

[Girodin]

1. Aimpoint T1 micro

2. I'd have to think about number two a lot more before I was willing to say definitively. The things that are under consideration: free float quad quad rail, Magpul grip, CTR stock, Geissele SSA. The only other things I've added to my preferred AR are a BAD and ASAP. If I could only keep one it would undoubtedly be the T1. After that I'm just not sure.

BTW I hate these threads when people act as if well thought out additions to the gun are mutually exclusive with good training. They are not. I echo the importance of training. However, one can get training and still add things to their rifles. In fact, based on the guns I've seen at training courses, most people who attended training courses do.

[Matthew Courtney]

Free floated match stainless steel barrel and a good trigger. Rifles are for hitting stuff that's far away and the measure of a rifle lies in the ability of its rifleman to hit stuff that's far away.

[Creature]

A Wilson Combat trigger and BCM GFG Mod 1 for me.

[jim243]

In fact, based on the guns I've seen at training courses, most people who attended training courses do.

Where can you find one of these courses that don't cost an arm and a leg??

Thanks
Jim

[Girodin]

Define an arm and a leg? What is really expensive differs for various people.

[FMJMIKE]

Magpul MOE pistol grip and 20 round P-mags...........:D

[Warp]

I read more than I post, this way I learn. The old adage comes to mind :They only thought I was a fool, until I opened my mouth, then they knew.

The purpose of this thread is to "pick two" and "only two" aftermarket additions to the basic AR that have helped you, or that you wish you have never done. This way other people may be spared by our being the beta testers.

This is "only" about the basic carbine/rifle, not about sights,slings, bi-pods, or anthing else that maybe attached.

My contributionwill be the addition of a Geissele SSA trigger and a Magpul grip. There are many other good aftermarket triggers, and upon using any top tier trigger you can focus on marksmanship without fighting a stock trigger. The Magpul grip "fits" my hand, wet or dry, the factory grip did not. Find what fits your hand like a "broken-in" favorite glove.

Now it is up to "others" that have been around the AR platform to pass on what they have learned.:)

1. Sling.

2. Light.

Number 3, if we were to list it, would be an optic.

The sling is great for carrying the rifle. Also, depending on sling and mounting selection, it can be a great shooting aid.

The light is because I tend to think of these types of rifles as being used defensively, and target ID is essential, even in low or no light.



Since you don't seem to consider a sling to be an accessory...a light and a red dot site would be the two. The light for target identification and the dot for acquisition speed.

[Warp]

Where can you find one of these courses that don't cost an arm and a leg??

Thanks
Jim

Have you ever been to an Appleseed?

http://www.appleseedinfo.org/

[proven]

the question is a bit misleading. you ask for "addtions" but then state that it can't be anything attached to the rifle.

first and foremost are instruction. carbine classes are great, but even shooting highpower, will teach you alot. aftermarket triggers are nice and grips that fit well ( i like the ergos ) are nice too. but without instruction, neither will benefit you as much as they could.

after that is ammo.

if you include things that can be attatched...
1 sling
2 light
3 optic

[Warp]

the question is a bit misleading. you ask for "addtions" but then state that it can't be anything attached to the rifle.

first and foremost are instruction. carbine classes are great, but even shooting highpower, will teach you alot. aftermarket triggers are nice and grips that fit well ( i like the ergos ) are nice too. but without instruction, neither will benefit you as much as they could.

after that is ammo.

if you include things that can be attatched...
1 sling
2 light
3 optic


This answer is perfect.

Lots of guys talk the talk, but when asked to reliably and consistently put rounds on target in a timely manner from an unsupported position...you end up with a guy that is frustrated and upset.

Ammo doesn't do you any good, and shooting doesn't do you any good, if you aren't doing things the right way. You will just reinforce bad habits.

As for actual accessories those three (sling/light/optic) should be at the top of most lists.

[powder]

That JP silent buffer/spring, and training.

[henschman]

I would say a good sling, and a good, high-quality optic (which one will depend on the role). The flashlight isn't an absolute necessity if you're only talking about 2 mods, since you can get by holding it in your hand.

[Warp]

I would say a good sling, and a good, high-quality optic (which one will depend on the role). The flashlight isn't an absolute necessity if you're only talking about 2 mods, since you can get by holding it in your hand.

You can get by? Holding a flashlight in your hand while operating a rifle? In a defensive scenario?

How, precisely, do you do this/propose others do this?

[waterhouse]

How, precisely, do you do this/propose others do this?

I don't find any of them ideal, but if your light has a tail pressure switch you can get accurate hits by holding the tail switch against the front of the magwell and pressing backwards to activate the light.

You can also hold the light in a modified Harries hold and rest the forearm of the rifle on your support wrist. A wrist lanyard allows you to drop the flashlight to preform reloading or clearing drills.

I've trained with both and prefer the latter. My work gun has a weapon light on it, but as they aren't provided they have the train us to work without weapon mounted lights since they can't force folks to buy their own.

[Warp]

I don't find any of them ideal, but if your light has a tail pressure switch you can get accurate hits by holding the tail switch against the front of the magwell and pressing backwards to activate the light.

You can also hold the light in a modified Harries hold and rest the forearm of the rifle on your support wrist. A wrist lanyard allows you to drop the flashlight to preform reloading or clearing drills.

I've trained with both and prefer the latter. My work gun has a weapon light on it, but as they aren't provided they have the train us to work without weapon mounted lights since they can't force folks to buy their own.

Those all sound pretty terrible to me. Do you really think you are be faster and more effective holding a flashlight (and the gun) in such an awkward manner than not? In other words...does having a red dot site actually speed you up more than holding the light/gun awkwardly slows you down?

What about mag changes? Malfunction drills? Are those possible with the light, or are they just several times slower?

[68wj]

A Wilson Combat trigger ...
This, and a 6.8 SPC setup.

[proven]

waterhouse, in what sort of argency do you work for that trains you to work without a light? an optic isn't going to do you a bit of good at night if you drop a handheld light, not to mention that identifying your target is of paramount importance.

with a weapon light, you can still very effectively use irons. and as warp mentioned, my first thought went to clearing a malfunction, mag changes, swapping to weak side, shooting from cover/around barriers...etc. how do you handle those while holding a handheld flashlight.

imho, the light comes before the optic hands down, unless using an ar in a defensive role is out of the question (varmint hunters, competition shooters.

[1911austin]

1. A good optic
2. Good mount for said optic
3. Ammo

[dcarch]

I'm gonna go with a good two stage trigger, and a grip pod. Those things are great!

[Warp]

I'm gonna go with a good two stage trigger, and a grip pod. Those things are great!

What do you get out of a grip pod that you don't get out of using the magazine as a mono-pod?

[Welding Rod]

I don't care for grip pods, but the farther you get the pod from the back of the buttstock, the easier the gun is to shoot accurately.

When the pivot point (pod) is closer to the buttstock a given movement of the buttstock will result in a greater change in the angle of the barrel.

[Infidel4life11]

If I could only pick 2, 1: BCM bolt and carrier 2: Magpul stock probably a UBR. If I buy an AR that already has magpul all over it then 1:BCM BCG 2: Quality Buffer.

[Warp]

I don't care for grip pods, but the farther you get the pod from the back of the buttstock, the easier the gun is to shoot accurately.

When the pivot point (pod) is closer to the buttstock a given movement of the buttstock will result in a greater change in the angle of the barrel.

Yes. That alone is, IMO, reason enough not to even consider a grip pod when you can put the magazine on the deck.

[Ro1911]

Magpul bad lever and BCM gunfighter charging handle. These are almost a necessity for me, they are better then the original parts and make clearing malfunctions faster if they should happen. Not to mention they are cheap as well.

[waterhouse]

Those all sound pretty terrible to me.
As I said, they are not ideal, but I would not say they are terrible. I can get quick hits on target using either method, but it takes practice. You asked how it could be done, and I gave you two examples.

Do you really think you are be faster and more effective holding a flashlight (and the gun) in such an awkward manner than not? In other words...does having a red dot site actually speed you up more than holding the light/gun awkwardly slows you down?

It depends on the use of the gun. For 3-gun in daylight, I actually take my flashlight off of my gun to compete, so I'd take an optic every time. For defensive use in daylight I'd take an optic every time. Given the choice between iron sights and a weapon mounted light and a red dot with a hand held light, I honestly don't know as I've never shot splits like that to see which I'm faster with. In the real world it doesn't matter as my rifles have both an optic and a weapon mounted light, but you asked about it so I provided methods.

What about mag changes? Malfunction drills? Are those possible with the light, or are they just several times slower?
As I wrote, a wrist lanyard on a handheld light allows you to drop the light to do those things. It may be tenths of a second slower but you'd have to be on a timer to tell. I've practiced doing both mag changes and malfunction drills with a handheld light with a lanyard on my wrist. I would not describe it as difficult or time consuming.


waterhouse, in what sort of argency do you work for that trains you to work without a light? an optic isn't going to do you a bit of good at night if you drop a handheld light, not to mention that identifying your target is of paramount importance.
Where are you getting that? My post says exactly the opposite of what you are saying. They issue us handheld lights. They encourage us to purchase weapon mounted lights, but they do not provide weapon mounted lights. As such, in addition to training us how to use weapon mounted lights, they train for the worst case scenario and train us how to use a handheld light in combination with the rifle. As such, I gave Warp a couple of options that, while not ideal, work. If my weapon mounted light for some reason doesn't work when I need it to, I have a backup plan. If a person can't afford a weapon mounted light, the flashlight they already own may be used in a defensive situation if they practice.

As for dropping the handheld light, mine has a lanyard, allowing me to free my hand if I need to without losing my light.

with a weapon light, you can still very effectively use irons. and as warp mentioned, my first thought went to clearing a malfunction, mag changes, swapping to weak side, shooting from cover/around barriers...etc. how do you handle those while holding a handheld flashlight.

I will admit, I've never tried weak side shooting while swapping a hand held light. The rest of the items on your list can all be accomplished with a handheld light and a lanyard. Just to be clear, my gun has both a weapon mounted light and an optic, so I don't spend the majority of my night training with a handheld light. I am merely pointing out possible ways to use one, since that was the question asked.

Since the OP specifically asked for items not attached to the rifle, and specifically ruled out slings, lights, optics, etc, I apologize as the above was all off topic.

To answer the original question, I my choice would be a trigger (I prefer Geisselle) and a skinny forearm (I like the one on my Larue Pred, but the Troy TRX one is nice too.)

[Warp]

As I said, they are not ideal, but I would not say they are terrible. I can get quick hits on target using either method, but it takes practice. You asked how it could be done, and I gave you two examples.



It depends on the use of the gun. For 3-gun in daylight, I actually take my flashlight off of my gun to compete, so I'd take an optic every time. For defensive use in daylight I'd take an optic every time. Given the choice between iron sights and a weapon mounted light and a red dot with a hand held light, I honestly don't know as I've never shot splits like that to see which I'm faster with. In the real world it doesn't matter as my rifles have both an optic and a weapon mounted light, but you asked about it so I provided methods.



I would put a nice little * next to the initial response and explain that your decision to go with a red dot over a light, because you can hold a light in your hand, is predicated on an intended use that involves daylight shooting only, for the purposes of a game, where you don't use a light at all.


In the real world, where your carbine sits in the bedroom corner as your HD gun, if you couldn't have the dot site and the attached light, which would it be?

[Tex4426]

Match trigger...magpul acs stock

[waterhouse]

in the real world, where your carbine sits in the bedroom corner as your HD gun

In the real world my carbine sits next to me in the car for 10 hours a day and it has a weapon mounted light and a red dot, as well as a sling and BUIS. In the real world I am limited only by my budget and department policy.

In the hypothetical world, if it was in my bedroom corner For home defense and I hypothetically had to choose, I would go to the range and figure out which method worked better and faster for me at in home defense ranges. Since I can do pretty well at 10-15 yards with no sights at all I would suspect I would
Take the weapon mounted light.