Top 5 AR15 upgrades/accessories

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1. Magpul Ms2 sling and sling adapter plate.
-allows weapon retention when transitioning to secondary or two handed task. Also allows user to quickly switch arms to shoot left.
- switches from single point to 2 point comfort in just a second.

2. Larue optic mount
- flawless, strong, holds zero within 1/4-1/2 moa when reattached.
3. Aimpoint Comp m3
-fast, reliable, 5 yr battery life
4. Stag Ambi safety
- speeds up ambi shooting, must have for combat rifles.
5. Magpul BAD lever
-reduces time it takes to reload and clear double feeds. Even more useful for leftys

Do we have to stop at 5?

6. Daniel Defense Lite Rifle length Free float rails
-room for your lights to be mounted in a manner that deosn't hurt a stretched out grip stance. Lets you reach out further making it easyier to steady your aim. Good to get bipods out far on SPR's

7. Magpul Pmags
- biggest leap of AR reliability ever

8. Magpul UBR/ACR stocks, Magpul Moe/Miad grips
- obvoius

9. Magpul XTM rail covers
-best rail covers ever, easy to get on and off so you can add or remove lights, bipods as needed. Comfortable, tight, and cool looking.

10. SSA ammo
 
  1. Optics - Leupold Vari-X-I w/ QD Rings
  2. Timney AR-10 4# drop-in trigger group
  3. Comfortable sling
  4. magazines
  5. spare ammo
 
I'm not big on putting a bunch of crap on my rifle, but some pieces of gear are either necessary or a useful "battle" upgrade that help rifle manipulation, marksmanship, tactical maneuvers, etc.

I have a Bushmaster that I've done nothing to except put a 2-point sling on.

I have a Stag Model 2 that I've put a 2-point Vickers tactical sling on, an Eotech 512 and I like to run P-mags in it.

I will soon add an ambi-selector switch and I'd like to try a redi-mag. I'm thinking about changing the hand guards to rails but I'm not sold on that yet.

If it's functional I'll consider it. If it's to just look cool and add weight, then I don't see the point.
 
*EoTech 511
*3.5lb two-stage trigger
*MIAD grip
*MS2 Sling
*Free float extended-length rail system

My AR upper receiver and bolt assembly is upgraded to an LAR Grizzly OPS-4 upper with a reciprocating left-side charging handle; I'd trade two of the above for this upgrade alone. Easily the best thing I've done to any of my AR's, aside from a 3.5 lb trigger swap. If you have some spare coin and wanna really beef up the form and function of your AR, maybe give the OPS-4 a try. It's not cheap, but it's worth it. (end shameless plug; but for real, they're sweet)
 
It's 2MOA shooter to be effective out to 600m - maximum. So any upgrades need to make the shooter more likely to hit the target and keep it down. Starting with a AR15 A1 fixed stock, 16" mid length with rail:

1) 6.8SPCII. Longer range cartridges are unnecessary. The very first study to justify a .22 caliber assault rifle substantiated that most hits in combat are rarely over 100m. Most hunters report the same, 6.8 is enough bullet, and often the legal choice vs. 5.56.

2) Red dot optic. Most shots are 100m, magnification is unneeded. It'll do out to 400m, that doesn't happen very often.

3) Left Side charger upper. You don't have to move the trigger hand from the grip or break cheek weld. Most combat weapons have had this for decades, most new designs do, too.

4) Foliage Green. Black is highly attractive in movement, and not PC. FG wins hands down in most environments, is cost effective, and available.

5) Suppressor. You don't have to wear much in the way of hearing protection, you don't mess with the others with you, you don't leave much of a direction finder for others to monitor if the chips are down.

NOTE: no quad rail, adjustable stock, or sling. A rail can mount on stock handguards for a light, most now weigh ounces and use LEDs. Most of us don't wear armor, adjustable length of pull won't enhance a 2MOA gun and is weaker in CQB. No sling, no freefloat needed, it won't snag on things, won't be a weapon against you in CQB, and keeps the gun in your hands at the ready.

22 years Reserves, Infantry/MP, much of the net and in advertising depends on the consumer being clueless. M4geries with target triggers and high power scopes are typical. :evil:
 
1. Eotech or Aimpoint (and rear BUIS, if not already present)
2. LED light
3. BCM Gunfighter Mod 4 charging handle
4. Vickers style 2-point sling
5. Smith Vortex or AAC Blackout flash suppressor, if not already present

I'm assuming the rifle already has a good adjustable stock, but if it doesn't I would put that as #3 and bump the existing #3-5 down.
 
For my game guns it’s:
1. Optics (scope on top red dot on FFT)
2. Free float tube
3. Trigger
4. Compensator
5. Over sized controls (almost all of them)

For my leisure AR’s

1. Suppressors
2. Optics
3. Triggers
4. FF tubes
5. More often than not bipods
 
It depends on what came standard on your rifle.

Maybe an mp bolt if yours doesn't have one.
Spare bolt
Eotech or Aimpoint
Mags
Grip
 
1. Irons
2. Magazine
3. Ammunition
Can't think of anything else that is "needed" for the other 2.
 
1. Good sling. The regular "strap" that comes standard just never did it for me. Its "ok" for carrying long distance but if you actually need to shoot at something the magpul ms2 is great. The option to switch it into a one point is extremely useful.
2. Optic. Halo, Acog, CCO they all work fine.
3. Furniture. The fancy magpul buttstocks and pistol grips really do make the AR feel like different gun but whether or not you really need that stuff is debatable.

Thats it,,
 
1) BCM GunFighter charging handle in whatever style you prefer--better design overall, well-made, not very expensive, and just drops in
2) Furniture in whatever style feels most comfortable to you
3) Sighting system (optics and irons) best suited to your needs and tastes
4) PMAGs--they're solid, reliable, and no more expensive than other magazines available
5) Classes/training and practice
 
1: Magpul pistol grip
Not a big fan of the traditional AR grip, the Magpul MIAD/MOE grip is the most comfy grip that I've tried and one of the first aftermarket parts I add to any AR I aquire.

2: Magpul stock (any one will do)
I think Magpul's line of stocks are really impossible to beat, all of them are amazing however some of them are a bit pricey. I use the plain and simple MOE stock and I'm very content with it.

3: PMags
If I need an AR mag the only kind I buy are PMags!

4: Optic with QD mount
I wouldn't want an AR without BUS but having a nice optic is really nice. However I do like shooting with iron sights so having an optic on a QD mount is really convenient for me.

5: Railed handguard
Although I don't like adding lights and lasers and other junk to my AR I do like having a railed handguard if for no other reason than to mount a VFG or my personal favorite the Magpul AFG!

Bonus:
6: Magpul AFG! I'm a huge fan of the AFG, I'm not really a fan of VFG's so I fell in love with the AFG right away.
 
1. UTG airsoft style foreend
2. Fake suppressor
3. 4 D Cell Maglight duct taped to barrel
4. U-15 California Legal Lower (with several hello-kitty stickers)
5. G.A.T. full auto crank

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On my latest one I tried to stay fairly light and simple:
LMT collapsable stock lower w/ergo grip
BCM Midlength upper, YHM lightweight FF foreend
EO Tech, BUIS
Magpul trigger guard
 
Turner Sling (or similar)
Shooting glove/mit
Shooting mat
Spotting scope
Shooting coat

There are a few more out there but those are the 5 I would rather have first to go with an AR.
 
possum said:
mags
optics
buis
sling
ammo

and then training
Click to expand...
Please excuse my question, but I'm a wife trying to learn more so I can buy surprise gifts for my husband...lots of posts talk about "optics", what's the diff in optics and scopes? Isn't a scope an optic?
 
I wanted to leave my rifle as 'stock' as I could but I made the following upgrades:

1. New sling. Mine came from DPMS; it's a fully adjustable leather shooting sling.
2. Fixed 4x scope I can mount on the carry handle. Mine is illuminated but if batteries go out the crosshairs are just black. Also has a mount to fit on a flat top, very useful item.
3. Hogue pistol grip. I really didn't like the standard A2 grip, after a season of shooting I replaced it.
4. Magpul magazines. Many mfg's of magazines out there but Magpul are the best according to every source and they are inexpensive.

The only other thing I'd suggest is several boxes of ammo in different weights to see what your rifle shoot best.
 
MightyHopeful said:
Please excuse my question, but I'm a wife trying to learn more so I can buy surprise gifts for my husband...lots of posts talk about "optics", what's the diff in optics and scopes? Isn't a scope an optic?
Click to expand...
You are correct. But a non-magnified red dot sight is also an optic and wouldn't be considered a scope. Optic is just a general term for an optical aiming device.
 
1) free floated tube, preferably railed by some means (not necessarily fully railed)

2) trigger

3) optics

4) decent comp

5) good mount for your optic. If that's considered part of "optics" then good mags.

Fortunately I'm not limited to 5, so...
 
Ok, after much thought, I've distilled down to this:
Fit
Aiming
Function
Feeding
Support/comfort
(really applies to all arms)

"Fit" is everything that makes the arm fit you. Grips, stocks, slings, etc.

"Aiming" is just that, you have to be able to put the weapon on target repeatably. Glass or iron, lit or not; and they, too, have to fit you.

"Function" is for all those things that make the arm run for you. Triggers, levers, controls; magazine well and/or latch changes; even the humble AccuWedge (still the best $2 I ever spent). Specific to the AR, having the right buffer; a matched set of springs; a decent tuning by a qualified gunplumber.

"Feeding" is in having reliable feeding devices, in the sizes that suit you, and also in what you put in them. Which means testing ammo, too. Finding the ammo that consistently produces known results is as cool as NVD or lasers, any day.

"Support/Comfort" covers the rest of those things that "fit you." Bipods; rail covers; suppression of noise or flash (or both). It's also subtle things like web gear (really handy if you have to hump from ride to shooting line any distance). Or carry cases (very handy if the indoor range shares a building with a Starbux or the like (O thank you, thank you, W Waller & Sons, if only you were still around).

But, I know I'm biased; others' differ.
 
I have an A2 carbine so I'll dispense with the BUIS/optic suggestions. I also assume ammo is a consumable and you'll always be buying more.

1) sling, i.e. Wilderness sling
2) magazines, i.e. MagPul
3) trigger, i.e. Rock River match (about $100)
4) spare OEM bolt and parts kit (springs, pins, etc.)
5) possibly another grip, such as a MagPul MIAD.

If you want to go crazy, consider a Daniel Defense Omega free-floating fore end rail. Easy assembly, about $260, supposedly cuts group sizes in half, if you are seeking such accuracy.

I think a stock AR is pretty much good to go as it comes out of the box.
 
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