Great AR15 mods around $50
- Thread starter Rusty Luck
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kilibreaux
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The best money you can spend on an AR-15 is buying more ammo!
The basic platform does the do whether you have fancy aftermarket parts or not!
The ONLY reason to install a quad rail is because aluminum melts at a higher temp than polymer.
There is NO SHORTAGE of 5.56x45 ammo!
The basic platform does the do whether you have fancy aftermarket parts or not!
The ONLY reason to install a quad rail is because aluminum melts at a higher temp than polymer.
There is NO SHORTAGE of 5.56x45 ammo!
7mmsavage
Member
I never liked how far forward the front sling mount is on my 20" AR. I made this moveable front sling swivel mount for the cost of the machine thread swivel stud and a couple of machine screws. Just used some scrap metal for the mount, drilled and tapped it and another piece inside the handguard. Ground it for fit and finish and spray painted black. I'm sure you can buy them for less than $50 though.
WinThePennant
Member
Yankee Hill Machine Phantom flash hider (5c2) --- $25.
I second the KNS Anti-Rotation pins -- $25.
Personally, I think there is no better LPK than the Stag Arms ambi LPK. Yeah, it's more than $50, but you get the ambi safety in the package. That ambi safety is $25 by itself.
And, I have both the QMS and the Stag Arms trigger on different ARs. I think Stag is every bit as good as the QMS.
I second the KNS Anti-Rotation pins -- $25.
Personally, I think there is no better LPK than the Stag Arms ambi LPK. Yeah, it's more than $50, but you get the ambi safety in the package. That ambi safety is $25 by itself.
And, I have both the QMS and the Stag Arms trigger on different ARs. I think Stag is every bit as good as the QMS.
Rusty Luck
Member
Jmorris, what's your trigger like now?
Arizona_Mike
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can we go a little more than $50?
B.A.D-A.S.S. modular safety is $60. Your choice of any 2 levers (3 when they run a special).
It is very well made.
Either of the main 2 left side mag releases. I went with the Troy (before the Monroe affair) because it has plenty of clearance with the B.A.D. Lever. Combining the bad lever and the left side release your right hand never leaves the grip and you end up forgetting you even have a mag release on the right or a latch on the left.
Mike
B.A.D-A.S.S. modular safety is $60. Your choice of any 2 levers (3 when they run a special).
It is very well made.
Either of the main 2 left side mag releases. I went with the Troy (before the Monroe affair) because it has plenty of clearance with the B.A.D. Lever. Combining the bad lever and the left side release your right hand never leaves the grip and you end up forgetting you even have a mag release on the right or a latch on the left.
Mike
jmorris
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I am not going to lie and say they are as good or better than my ATC, Jard or other after market triggers but they run in the $130-280 price range.
I generally do a very little stoning and polish along with the springs an set screw. Makes for a clean break without all the trigger movement and grit of most stock AR's.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
If your AR doesn't already have a rail to mount a light and has a regular front sight setup, you can get a rail set for rail set for the front sight tower for less than $30, plus shipping.
That would let you put a light on there if you don't have one. A full-sized light from a well-established maker of tactical lights (Surefire, Streamlight, etc.) would be the way to go if you can afford it, but if you can't then you can get a mini-Streamlight with a plastic rail mount for $35, and it is bright enough for target ID at HD distances; also makes a nice backup to a bigger/brighter light. (I use that light as an EDC pocket light and love it, but I don't own the rail mount for it yet.)
Here's a good Vickers-style quick-adjust sling for $40 plus shipping.
BCM Gunfighter Mod 4 (medium) charging handle. Well worth the $45 plus shipping.
Here's my mostly-on-the-cheap AR with many of the above (the front sight rail, sling, and charging handle).
Edited: See post below for pics that actually show up.
That rifle also wears a Magpul MBUS rear sight, currently $55-ish.
This isn't a mod, but here's a good book on carbine shooting skills for $30, and shooting skills are more important than gear...or if you are more visually inclined, here is a Magpul DVD set for $34. A carbine class would be better, but you can't get into a carbine class for under $50.
These aren't mods either, but if you don't know what gun oil to use on the bolt and bolt carrier, I am a huge fan of this. Seriously. Just don't put it on the outside of the gun, because it stays wet and stays put (and stick with full synthetic; non-synthetic motor oils smell pretty bad when they get hot, and don't lubricate as well). For quick cleaning, one of these in .22 caliber, and a can of this.
Finally, have someone with the proper staking fixture torque and stake your gas key screws if they're not already done properly, and make sure the castle nut is properly staked as well. You can probably find a reputable armorer to do them both for well under $50.
That would let you put a light on there if you don't have one. A full-sized light from a well-established maker of tactical lights (Surefire, Streamlight, etc.) would be the way to go if you can afford it, but if you can't then you can get a mini-Streamlight with a plastic rail mount for $35, and it is bright enough for target ID at HD distances; also makes a nice backup to a bigger/brighter light. (I use that light as an EDC pocket light and love it, but I don't own the rail mount for it yet.)
Here's a good Vickers-style quick-adjust sling for $40 plus shipping.
BCM Gunfighter Mod 4 (medium) charging handle. Well worth the $45 plus shipping.
Here's my mostly-on-the-cheap AR with many of the above (the front sight rail, sling, and charging handle).
Edited: See post below for pics that actually show up.
That rifle also wears a Magpul MBUS rear sight, currently $55-ish.
This isn't a mod, but here's a good book on carbine shooting skills for $30, and shooting skills are more important than gear...or if you are more visually inclined, here is a Magpul DVD set for $34. A carbine class would be better, but you can't get into a carbine class for under $50.
These aren't mods either, but if you don't know what gun oil to use on the bolt and bolt carrier, I am a huge fan of this. Seriously. Just don't put it on the outside of the gun, because it stays wet and stays put (and stick with full synthetic; non-synthetic motor oils smell pretty bad when they get hot, and don't lubricate as well). For quick cleaning, one of these in .22 caliber, and a can of this.
Finally, have someone with the proper staking fixture torque and stake your gas key screws if they're not already done properly, and make sure the castle nut is properly staked as well. You can probably find a reputable armorer to do them both for well under $50.
Rusty Luck
Member
Ben did you attach pics? I can't view them.
Jmorris, lol, I don't expect it to be comparable to $100+ triggers, I just wanted something better than the stock one I have. What kind of difference does the set screw make?
Mike can you post a picture of the AR with the BAD safety?
Jmorris, lol, I don't expect it to be comparable to $100+ triggers, I just wanted something better than the stock one I have. What kind of difference does the set screw make?
Mike can you post a picture of the AR with the BAD safety?
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
I tried to attach some pics of the AR, but I think I got the links wrong...uploading directly this time. That rifle has the CAA front sight rails (the $30 polymer ones), Blue Force sling, and BCM Gunfighter Mod 4 charging handle. Rear sight is a Magpul MBUS, optic is an Eotech 516, and the rifle itself is a Rock River 16" middy. (The last pic is prior to getting the sling.)
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Elkins45
Member
I must be dumb. Can somebody 'splain this to me?I did the silicone seal on a couple of my AR's I mount a suppressor on, and it works to a point. Never had an issue with any of them without a suppressor mounted.
Something like this has worked better though, and its free........
AK103K
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- Dec 27, 2002
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- 7,610
The hole is drilled into the channel on the underside of the charging handle allowing the gas to blow out the side, instead of puffing you in the eye.
Works good too.
The Permatex works to a point, but seems to degrade with a lot of shooting, or at least the ones Ive done have.
Works good too.
The Permatex works to a point, but seems to degrade with a lot of shooting, or at least the ones Ive done have.
WinThePennant
Member
The only person who says that is Geissele. And, quite frankly, he's full of it when it comes to this. According to KNS, their pins are the strongest that can be produced.
Ibmikey
Member
The ALG ACT trigger is heads up over a standard GI and even the standard ALG. Try it for 65 bucks and smile. Now I need to buy eight more.....
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