Best "bang for your buck" AR 15 upgrades

[9mmepiphany]

A training course should be a first priority. The return on that investment is priceless.

As far as hardware, at the top of your list should be a sling. I'm partial to the one by Frank Proctor; inexpensive, simple, light...can't ask for much more

 

[Browning]

I'd like to do a trigger eventually, but seems like most are on the more expensive side. I'm not looking at really bolting much of anything on besides a light, moreso replacing parts that could improve reliability/performance (not that it is unreliable now).

Try looking at the ALG trigger.

http://algdefense.com/triggers.html

More people will end up catching onto these and the price will end up getting increased to the same price as some of the other triggers out there. Watch.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Try looking at the ALG trigger.

http://algdefense.com/triggers.html

More people will end up catching onto these and the price will end up getting increased to the same price as some of the other triggers out there. Watch.

I got the ACT as part of my LPK. I added JP yellow springs a while back.

I have a SD 3G trigger that I got a deal on, but haven't felt a need to install it yet.

But I replacement trigger shouldn't be a priority unless the stock trigger is is really bad...plus a sling is much less expensive

 

[sappyg]

For me must have upgrades are a sling. It doesn't have to be expensive. I use a simple 2 point deal I made from some webbing and parachord most of the time.

Mags are pennies on the dollar and you need twice what you think. Even if you don't use all of them. I usually use 5 or 6 but I keep 3 times that.

You gotta have ammo. Keep a look out for deals. They are around. 55 gr. xm193 is just fine but honestly I shoot more steel cased Tula than anything. Don't be shy about shooting. Somewhere someone is making more ammo. For now.

BUIS are a must. You can't shoot what you can't see. I have tried only 2 and the MOE rear is just fine IMO. You can spend a lot more on sights if you want but I can't tell much difference between them when I'm shooting.

I like RDS but I don't use them on my ARs often. Tried a TRS 25 on one. The factory riser sucked but they are awesome on my 22s. I like the Burris XTS 135 also. It's a 30 mm optic on a Larou mount. Always stays zeroed no mater how many times I remount it. An RDS is nice to have but I just don't use them often on my ARs.

 

[dprice3844444]

the first thing you should do with every bcg you by is install a buffer technologies extractor upgrade kit.eliminate feed problems before they happen.
https://www.wmdguns.com/shop-now/wmd-kits.html nickel/boron bcgs
http://www.fulton-armory.com/bolt-carrier-group-m16-nickle-boron-coat.aspx

 

[BigBL87]

For me must have upgrades are a sling. It doesn't have to be expensive. I use a simple 2 point deal I made from some webbing and parachord most of the time.

Mags are pennies on the dollar and you need twice what you think. Even if you don't use all of them. I usually use 5 or 6 but I keep 3 times that.

You gotta have ammo. Keep a look out for deals. They are around. 55 gr. xm193 is just fine but honestly I shoot more steel cased Tula than anything. Don't be shy about shooting. Somewhere someone is making more ammo. For now.

BUIS are a must. You can't shoot what you can't see. I have tried only 2 and the MOE rear is just fine IMO. You can spend a lot more on sights if you want but I can't tell much difference between them when I'm shooting.

I like RDS but I don't use them on my ARs often. Tried a TRS 25 on one. The factory riser sucked but they are awesome on my 22s. I like the Burris XTS 135 also. It's a 30 mm optic on a Larou mount. Always stays zeroed no mater how many times I remount it. An RDS is nice to have but I just don't use them often on my ARs.

After thinking about it quite a bit, I'm really thinking about ditching the TRS and getting a 1-4 variable, makes more sense for my uses it seems.

 

[Dr.Zubrato]

Training

This.
More ammo than you can carry. You don't need to practice with a chest rig unless you're deploying soon to put foot to ass for our country.

Once you get your skills down, look at a sling and a light.

HAVING SAID THAT, I run an H2 buffer and it prolongs the life of the bolt/brass/operating components.

The recoil difference is negligible. I have taken my rifle to 2k+ rounds without cleaning, and minimal lube with an H2 buffer and regular 55 gr handloads in a matter of days of hard drills. an H2 buffer wont turn a frankenbuild into a colt, but it will give you that bonus on top of a good rifle, imo.

check out articles by Mike Pannone and spend some time on VuurwapenBlog. great sources of info for AR15's

 

[MistWolf]

BigBL87 asked for things that are the best bang for the buck. While things like carriers with magic coatings are nice, they don't improve the performance of the AR much, if at all.

If the AR is properly tuned, extractor O-rings are not needed.

Things that given me the Best Bang for the Buck on My AR

-Lubrication. Mobile 1 Synthetic Oil. You get a whole quart of good oil for less than what you'd pay for most gun lubricants. The AR isn't picky about what oil you use, just as long as you use something. (I like Frog Lube better. It stays on the carrier longer and I like it being non-toxic and makes the rifle easier to clean. It's expensive and not needed to keep the AR running in tip top condition, but I like it well enough to pay the extra money)

-Grease the trigger. Apply grease to the sears, pins and pin holes and the bottom curve of the hammer. It usually makes the pull smoother. Next best bang for your buck is the ACT or ALG trigger. They are well made standard AR triggers, smoother and more consistent than factory supplied triggers. Standard factory triggers are a crap shoot. Buying an ALG/ACT trigger means paying a couple of extra dollars to make sure you don't get a crappy one. They are still very affordable.

-Sling. A sling is very handy to have on any rifle you carry afield

-Weapon Light. If your AR is going to be pressed into house defense duty, a light to ID targets is a must

-Reliable ammo. The frustration of ammo that doesn't work well in your rifle isn't worth any money saved

-Pistol Grip. Get one that's comfortable in your hand. Of all the furniture upgrades I've made to my ARs, getting the right pistol grip gave most noticeable improvement

-Magpul mags. Magpul mags will always work right out of the box. There is no need to add ani-tilt followers or worry about mis-aligned spot welds or anything else. Just unwrap, load and shoot. There are excellent aluminum mags bit there are some that are full of grief and you gotta know which are which. N o such worries with Magpul mags, even with their 40 rounders

Plan on getting an Aimpoint. They are not cheap but considering what they give you, I gotta give it the Bang for Your Buck Seal of Approval. I like the red dot sight and I can't think of any RDS I'd rather have. Long battery life, very rugged, easy to use and fast. If there is any gadget for the AR that has spoiled me, it's the Aimpoint Micro

PS- Try an H and an H2 buffer and see if one or the other helps your AR shoot smoother

 

[HJ857]

I've been wondering if I've been reading a different thread altogether.

The OP stated he has BUIS, mags and ammo covered already.

The specific question was "inexpensive but useful upgrades" as well as a list of things already under consideration.

 

[Beentown]

Ares Armor Huskey Sling...

http://www.lapolicegear.com/aa-hass-pf-sling.html

 

[minutemen1776]

I won't patronize you by suggesting ammo and trigger time. I assume you know that proficiency comes with use, not gizmos.

I have tried to keep my carbines simple. You already have an MOE+ grip, which I'd recommend. On a more basic level, I just recommend getting a grip that fits your hand. For me, that's a Magpul MOE, and the MOE+ is more comfortable than the plastic one.

The Spike's T2 buffer is outstanding, and worth the money. It makes the recoil impulse of the AR15 extremely smooth, and it nearly eliminates that "sproing" sound in the buffer tube.

Also, be sure you have a rear sight that you like and can consistently deliver accuracy. I've tried many, and I do not like the Magpul BUS. I do like the Troy folder and the Larue fixed rear. Both are worth the money over the Magpul, even in a backup capacity.

 

[sappyg]

The OP stated he has BUIS, mags and ammo covered already.

The specific question was "inexpensive but useful upgrades" as well as a list of things already under consideration.

I just read the OP again. You're exactly correct.

The sling I made cost me about a dollar. That's the best bang for the buck I've spent on an AR.

Larou optics mounts are top shelf. On the spendy side of the coin but very dependable. This would be my 1st choice for any optic mount.

Plinker/ range gun? Primary Arms micro RDS and mount are fine for the average user. The TRS 25 is basically the same sight. I've used one every other week for the past 2 years and never changed the battery. The Burris XTS 135 I've had for 7 years with no complaints. I have changed the battery once. Costs 1/2 as much as an Aimpoint Pro and served one of those 7 years on a Ruger RSI in 308.

Trigger? If you're handy you might polish the trigger/ sear. Might run you a buck or two for some 1500 grit sandpaper. Since this is a plinker/ HD gun might as well start cheap. Some AR triggers are not so good. Most can be made better.

mags = Magpul. If you don't have any 20 rounders get some. They cost more than 30s but a they are the better option for the low speed high drag kind of AR I think we are talking about.

Of course anything is better than the stock AR grip IMO. Lately I'm really liking the palm swale Ergo rubberized grip.... A lot. Feels like a nice set of well made revolver grips. Money well spent.

I've never felt the need to change buffer/ springs. Guess I've been lucky there. Never had an issue with mine so far.

 

[MistWolf]

It's a bad idea to attempt to polish a standard AR trigger. Case hardening depth varies widely between triggers and you're just as likely to get one with real thin hardening. Polish through that and expose the softer material underneath and the trigger will soon wear to the point of being unsafe

 

[sappyg]

I won't say that I've never gone too far polishing a trigger but the parts are cheap enough and easy to replace.

 

[MistWolf]

True, but can you afford to have the rifle suddenly start doubling and tripling on you?

 

[gidaeon]

BCM gunfighter charging handle I like the med. and large.

Once you upgrade from stock you won't go back. I'm not a huge gizmo guy but these are everything they are claimed to be. The CH is the only part you use at least as much as your trigger.

No more claw only and a better than original design not just function.

 

[Onmilo]

Good lube.
No decent upgrades that I know of are in the "Inexpensive" range.