New Ar needs some goodies!

[444]

My opinion, worth what you paid for it.

The biggest problem I see with most of the threads like this are that the people want the cool stuff, but don't want to pay for it. In other words, they buy cheap, off brand stuff. This is the wrong approach. First of all, you won't be happy. But of course the big reason is that you may someday depend on this weapon to protect your life and/or the life of your family. Would you rather have the good stuff or the almost good stuff when your life is on the line ?
This whole philosophy also applies to training.
People want good training, but they insist it has to be right next door to where they live and can't last more than two weekend days.
Again, I disagree with that.
Decide what you want to do with your carbine. If that thing is self defense/combat type shooting, find an instructor that teaches that type of shooting. If you want to shoot NRA High Power or something like that, then go to the NRA to learn to shoot that.
When I bought my first carbine, I was reading an online gun board and came across one of the instructors for Gunsite: Pat Rogers. He was talking to Denny Henson who has attended numerous classes at Gunsite. I decided that I wanted to go to Gunsite. And I asked those guys what gear to buy. I ended up taking Basic and Advanced Carbine at Gunsite as well as Practical Rifle at Frontsight several times (going again next weekend).
I can tell you what I am running. Again, take that for what it is worth.
Flat top upper with 16" barrel (LMT)
Troy BUIS
Optic mounted in a Larue mount: I use Aimpoint 4 MOA dots and I also have a TA31F ACOG. With the Larue mounts I can switch them in seconds if I want a magnified optic.
LaRue 7.0 rail system
Surefire 900 series weaponslight.
A1 length fixed stock.
Single point sling from The Wilderness
Single point sling attachment plate from Daniel Defense
Les Bear hard chromed extractor with a Wolfe extra power extactor spring and black insert.
PRI gas buster charging handle
Hogue grip
AAC M4-2000 suppressor with their flash suppressor

I have numerous AR15s in various confiurations from 7.5" barrels up to 24" barrels, but they all use most of the stuff I listed above which I personally have found to work the best for me.

 

[chopinbloc]

that's definitely a good point. most of the cheap "tacticool" stuff is worthless. i've tried to save money by purchasing what appeared to be the same thing for less money and learned the hard way that it is worth it to spend more sometimes. of course, often there is an inexpensive solution that will work as well or better. an example is the magpull that's become real popular. a simple solution that provides the noise dampening and a pull loop but no cushion effect is to remove the floorplate and slip a loop of 550 cord around it, then wrap the lower portion of the mag with 100mph tape. it's not as pretty, it's not as tacticool but it works and it's alot cheaper. instead of purchasing a mag clamp you can space two magazines apart with cardboard and wrap with 100mph tape, same deal. it is absolutely imperative that you are proficient with the rifle to begin with before you hang lots of stuff on it. that way if your uber cool, high speed sight stops working you immediately transition to irons and press the attack.

 

[TooTaxed]

444, Excellent post...and advice. It doesn't make much sense to invest in stuff and then not train adequately to use it. And, as you note, expert instructors can recommend good accessories AND also tell you which ones don't measure up in use. There are a lot of seemingly attractive goodies out there that turn out to be not worth the cost and effort...

 

[Roadwild17]

This would be a HD rifle that I would like to use close up and personal and as far out as maybe 200/250 yards if possible. I do intend to get some good training, I've just never looked up any ware to get training next, and I kind of need a rifle first. I’m not taking the cheap way out, if I were wouldn’t I bought something else or used? I would just like to save some cash ant not buy crap I don’t need.