AR-15 upgrades? What are some good ones to look at?

[Nclear79]

I built my AR-15 over the years it's had its stock and grip upgrade along with flip-up sights. Also have upgraded the trigger and will only buy LaRue trigger from now on.

I also have several barrels of different lengths from 12.5-20 inches in 223. Also, have a 7.5 and 16-inch upper in 300 blk. All have standard barrels.

Like to ask is the bolt worth upgrading? I was thinking of getting a new upper in 16 inches but getting a more accurate barrel. I'm going to buy a Swamp fox LPVO Arrowhead 1-10x.

 

[rabid wombat]

Welcome to the forum. Larue is a good trigger. Depending on your builds look also at Geissele and ALG. White Oak builds decent uppers, I would guess their barrels are good. Then you can open the great can of worms…glass. Probably better for a separate thread. Smarter people will be responding shortly.

https://geissele.com/
https://algdefense.com/
https://www.whiteoakarmament.com/
https://whiteoakprecision.com/

Look at some of the @Nature Boy threads…not only does he put them together, but he knows how to shoot them, too

 

[Bama59]

M&P Sport II only added Troy Ambi mag release currently looking for 1-4 or 1-6 optic ,and plans for trigger don't know . I had bought AR Stoner railed upper from Midway USA but Med bills came in and sold it .

 

[Chuck R.]

Welcome to the forum. Larue is a good trigger. Depending on your builds look also at Geissele and ALG. White Oak builds decent uppers, I would guess their barrels are good. Then you can open the great can of worms…glass. Probably better for a separate thread. Smarter people will be responding shortly.

https://geissele.com/
https://algdefense.com/
https://www.whiteoakarmament.com/
https://whiteoakprecision.com/

Look at some of the @Nature Boy threads…not only does he put them together, but he knows how to shoot them, too

WOA 18" SPR barrel with matched bolt, 5 rds at 100 with Sierra 77grn OTM, TAC and FC FL Brass loaded on a Dillon 550, shot during barrel break-in:



Same load at 307 yds on my turkey swinger head, on the 3rd shot the bolt head broke off.



WOA barrels will shoot.

 

[rabid wombat]

WOA barrels will shoot.

Certainly will with a good shooter at the controls…nice shooting!

 

[vkeith]

If the BCGs that you have are reliable, then there is no need to upgrade unless you want a lightweight bolt but those can requure tuning with buffer weight or even adjustable gas systems.

My KP-15 monolithic lower carbine has a Brownell's lightweight BCG (8.5 oz) in it to save weight and cycles fine without any modifications, but it depends on the combination of parts.

Other than the trigger, my preferred modifications are an ambidextrous safety and charging handle, but I am left handed.

I'm not picky about the safety so I buy several Joe Bob Outfitters or Palmetto State Armory ambi safeties when they are on sale.

For charging handles, Radian Raptors are my go-to choice. They have a good gripping surface without sticking out far enough to catch or poke. They are very well made, but they are expensive for a charging handle.

 

[Nature Boy]

WOA 18" SPR barrel with matched bolt, 5 rds at 100 with Sierra 77grn OTM, TAC and FC FL Brass loaded on a Dillon 550, shot during barrel break-in:

View attachment 1094533

Same load at 307 yds on my turkey swinger head, on the 3rd shot the bolt head broke off.

View attachment 1094534

WOA barrels will shoot.

This is the performance I’m after with mine Chuck but I’m not there yet. Can you give us some more details on your rifle?

Also, are you loading those Sierras to mag length?

 

[jobu07]

For storage/transport I've found the LAW Tactical folding adapter to be a great piece of kit. But it's an expensive accessory.

LAW TACTICAL LLC AR-15/M16 GEN3-M FOLDING STOCK ADAPTER | Brownells

 

[Zerodefect]

Ambi safety.

Larue mount for the LPVO.

Odin works barrel with adjustable gas block.

 

[Robert]

I find that a good muzzle brake is very important to me. Yes they are loud, yes they are annoying, but they allow me to stay on target and make quicker follow up shots. I have a Miculek brake on my AR-15 and it works very well. The Surefire and JP brakes are very good too.

 

[bfoosh006]

I would also suggest a barrel upgrade ... WOA is a bargain and very well respected accuracy wise.

 

[Chuck R.]

This is the performance I’m after with mine Chuck but I’m not there yet. Can you give us some more details on your rifle?

Also, are you loading those Sierras to mag length?

The Sierras (77s with Cannelure) are loaded to mag length, TAC powder, CCI BR4 primers. Brass is annealed, FL sized and trimmed using a Giraud Tri-Way in a drill press. MV is 2745 at 81 degrees.

The rifle:

White Oak Armament 18" Fluted SPR barrel, 1:8, Wylde Chamber, Rifle gas length




Geissele SD-E trigger
Vortex PST G1 4-16x50 in a ADM Recon mount
WOA Nitrided BCG
AERO M4E1 upper and lower receivers
Aero Upper and lower parts kits
SLR 13.7 Helix FF
SLR Sentry 7 Titanium AGB, honed with a brake cylinder hone to fit the WOA gas journal.
Radian Raptor CH
Magpul Bipod
Magpul rail covers
MI 5 slot rail (for bipod)
Seekins Ambi safety
Griffin Armament M4SD Flash-Comp
Magpul MIAD Gen 1 grip
Magpul UBR Gen 2 stock with storage removed.
BA coated gas tube

other than the matched bolt, I lapped the upper using a Brownell's lapping tool. I haven't bothered to "bed' the barrel and now I fear taking the thing apart as its shooting so well.

 

[Nature Boy]

Thanks @Chuck R.

There are a lot of similarities to your rifle and my build, but I’m being to think there’s something holding mine back.

 

[sisyphus]

Radian charging handle
Radian ambi safety
JP ambi mag release
Either a Magpul Moe-K2 or BCM Gunfighter grip for more vertical angle (that said I also like the Larue and Hogue grips)
I also throw a Streamlight HLX with a Cloud Defensive switch mount on all my carbines
brakes for rifles, flash hiders for carbines
CQB gets EOTech, everything else gets an lpvo. I found that I acquire the target faster with an lpvo than any other optic
I don't like foregrips, so rail panels for me to fill the hand better than a bare mlok handguard

 

[Chuck R.]

Thanks @Chuck R.

There are a lot of similarities to your rifle and my build, but I’m being to think there’s something holding mine back.

Or...I got just lucky.

It is a surprisingly accurate AR. I've taken it out to 600 a couple times and it holds right with our bolt action .223s. I do find that the UBR Gen2 and the 18" SPR profile balances nicely.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Sig Romeo 5 with a PSA enhanced trigger. $130-ish

 

[Mark_Mark]

I find that a good muzzle brake is very important to me. Yes they are loud, yes they are annoying, but they allow me to stay on target and make quicker follow up shots. I have a Miculek brake on my AR-15 and it works very well. The Surefire and JP brakes are very good too.

loud is the word! had a brake on my 7.5” at the range, everyone was annoyed, I was embarrassed

 

[BigBlue 94]

Sig Romeo 5 with a PSA enhanced trigger. $130-ish

I have a Romeo7. Bigger tube diameter and takes a common AA battery. Also comes with two different mounts, flip up lense covers, and an anti reflection device.

I run mil spec triggers in many of mine because im cheap. I do have a Timney and a Rise Armament trigger in guns and they are great. I prefer a crisp 3.5lb pull singe stage.

 

[rabid wombat]

Or...I got just lucky.

I am lucky when I ‘jack’ a round into a group vs ‘jacking’ out as a called miss. ‘Jacking’ five into that, time to buy a lotto ticket!

 

[Mark_Mark]

I have a Romeo7. Bigger tube diameter and takes a common AA battery. Also comes with two different mounts, flip up lense covers, and an anti reflection device.

I run mil spec triggers in many of mine because im cheap. I do have a Timney and a Rise Armament trigger in guns and they are great. I prefer a crisp 3.5lb pull singe stage.

I don’t mind a 5-6# trigger, as long as it’s crispy like chips . lighting springs are like $15-$20