What is the best Mod you've added to your AR15?

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john5036 said:
MIAD grip

On my last carbine, i had the standard moe grip. On my newer one, I have the MIAD grip. Honestly, I liked the cheaper one much better, it just felt better in my hands to me. If you have giant ape hands and you insist on something that fits you well, you may appreciate the MIAD grip with the large inserts. You may or may not like the spare parts compartment, but a range bag carries everything I need. I'm not going to war tomorrow or being stranded with just me and my rifle, so a spare battery in the uber-secret handle isn't very handy.


Just my 2 cents that you didn't ask for :)
 
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If they made the Moe in the large size I would get it and save a few bucks, but they don't as far as I know.
 
Roman candles, duct tape and a Little Orphan Anny decoder ring:)

P-mags or current production GI mags, good 2 or 3 pt sling, quality optics (if flat top) and lots of ammo. If you're dealing with a low end AR, upgrade the bolt.
 
Mods

Aimpoint T1 in a Larue Mount:
http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=399

Duckbill Grip (I really like this):
http://duckbillgrip.com/

I vacillate on the STRAC Grip: I like it, but never use it:
http://www.stractech.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75&Itemid=182

Instead, I use a VFG:
http://tangodown.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=49

Which has a light switch for a Surefire:
http://www.surefire.com/WeaponLights

I have a YHM rifle length rail on my carbine:
http://www.yhm.net/store/forearms.html
(mine is an older heavy model, I need to get a newer/lighter model)

I just sold my redi-mag to a gent, it was nice and handy for an extra mag:
http://www.redi-mag.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=9

While I make leather slings ( www.andysleather.com ) I use a synthetic from BFG:
http://www.blueforcegear.com/

Regards,

Andy
 
On my last carbine, i had the standard moe grip. On my newer one, I have the MIAD grip. Honestly, I liked the cheaper one much better, it just felt better in my hands to me. If you have giant ape hands and you insist on something that fits you well, you may appreciate the MIAD grip with the large inserts. You may or may not like the spare parts compartment, but a range bag carries everything I need. I'm not going to war tomorrow or being stranded with just me and my rifle, so a spare battery in the uber-secret handle isn't very handy.


Just my 2 cents that you didn't ask for :)
.02 much appreciated!

A friend of mine got an MIAD for his AR, and while the "storage space" is useless for me, the shape of the grip for me stands for itself. Not sure what I'd do with three extra bullets, or a few extra batteries, but the firing pin/bolt storage is not a bad idea. Sure, it can go in the range bag, but the fringe benefit is no need to dig :)
 
If I can ever get the pins out I'm going to put a traditional triangle forearm on my carbine. I prefer it over the round style or the ones with rails all over them.
 
I'd consider these minor mods, but with a great effect and in no particular order.

1) BAD lever
2) PWS FSC556 comp
3) match trigger
 
I prefer AR's to be as stock as possible. But I do add a few things.

1. For the money; a $16 Hogue AR soft pistol grip. Best bang for the buck in my opinion.
2. I spent $27 ona spikes tactical ST-T2 Buffer. In between an H1 and H2, but it's tungsten powder instead of solid weights. Much smoother recoil.
3. Non-Mag red-dot optics. I have a few around for numerous weapons. I won't say that one is better than another. I found simply that having a red-dot is better than iron sights. My $75 A1optics is operationally equal to my $435 Eotech XPS2-0. Operationally means: Being able to place a red-dot on your target, usually less than 100 yards, quickly and accurately. So lets just say a red-dot that is quality enough to hold it's sighting in with recoil. it doesn't have to be a $400+ eotech or aimpoint. I'd trust my life on my $75 A1optic.

Those are the only real changes/improvements that I can see. Some like lights and many other changes. I personally like the stock AR.
 
This is untrue.

Thanks for the gratuitous diss. Not very high road, IMHO.

I think my post rings true. There are lots of quality grips, handguards, sights, barrel profiles, etc. Many will do a fine job in their own right, but some most certainly fit the user better than others. I agree that there are many totally superfluous AR15 mods that are barely more than junk. That, however, does not nullify the point I was attempting to convey.
 
There is a lot of stuff sold for the AR.

You have to sort it out by understanding What Range, What Target? Then it should become more obvious what fills a shooters needs.

Taken out of context, one man's major improvement is another garbage junk. I'm no fan of quad rails, but if issued, I'd live with it, obviously because all the different stuff I might also need to clamp on for various missions could be. On my own, I choose plain rifle handguards - because I see no reason to spend $250 on a what constitutes a flashlight or VFG mount. I can't and won't use it on a hunting legal rifle in MO.

That's the point, each gizmo has it's specific place, out of context, it's really bling, totally useless accept as an artistic contribution. This stuff is very much dependent on what you plan to shoot, and how far away.

One major concept most shooters miss is value for the dollar. What do you really get for what you spend? Clamping free float and target trigger on a Bargain Bin gun isn't going to make it suddenly start shooting 1/4 MOA for the $500 spent. It won't be worth the $1099 you have in it. It's still a $600 shooter, with some eyewash bling looks and a feel good trigger. All too many shooters get the cart before the horse, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A 1/4 MOA BARREL ON IT TO SHOOT 1/4 MOA. The other stuff just keeps from taking away from the 1/4 MOA, it doesn't ADD a thing.

Same for ergonomic accessories, if you haven't practiced doubles and can actually shoot two hits in the black under one second, don't expect any trick accessories to help one bit until you can. Again, all too many shooters think owning the parts means they are the dude, when in fact, they ain't. That's like wrapping a black belt on thinking it gives you the skill and experience. Think again.

That's the fallacy of asking any variation of "What's Best?" without staking out exactly what range, what target. What's best for a 600m paper shooter isn't what's best for a 150m running hog shooter, and isn't what's best for a duty trunk gun for an LEO. Some people try to make a case for it, but honestly, it's like saying a Ferrari is the best commuter vehicle during the morning rush. Just maybe a supercharged Mini Cooper could do a better job, eh?

If there's any confusion about whether an accessory will help, then look into who uses it, for what, then reflect on that. Most of it will sort out, even the antirotational pins. If it's not for a full auto lower, then at least they bring a lot of complicated bling to the gun, and some people like that.

Whether someone else agrees, ok, but it's America, we spend money on what we darn well feel like.
 
i agree with Tirod. Some of the suggestions are overkill for most casual or even light competitive shooting applications.
 
One thing I'm liking about the AR is the ability to customize. These are the mods and accessories I've settled on with the Gov't Carbine:

ARt.jpg

--Retro triangle profile carbine handguards, which offer much better stability and control for me over the round ones. The factory installed taper pins were VERY hard to get out. I finally had to have a gunsmith knock them out. Colt must use some kind of machine press. There's brass smear all over it from my failed efforts.

--BAD lever. I would not have put it on as acronyms scare me. But it was there when I bought it and I am liking it.

--Simple light mount on small rail attached to sight post. I tried an old pressure switch arrangement but didn't like it. This one allows me to just tap the back with my thumb to get light, and feels very natural.

--Vintage Colt Realist 4x scope I picked up for cheap due to the cosmetic battering to the outside. I think it adds character. I debated adding a riser but I'm going to try it without since the use will be range fun at 100 yards most of the time and I'm not overly worried about parallax.

--Iron sights modified via the Santose IBZ method to have a 200 meter zero that crosses over at 50 yards.

--One of the acu-wedges inside to help stabilize the upper, which was a bit wobbly in recoil.

--Simple two-point sling. It came with a single point sling but there's no hook for it installed on the carbine and I'm used to a traditional sling.

I may also swap out the pistol grip because if I grip it fully my finger is too far in the guard. But my preference would be to just discipline myself to pull back on the grip a bit. A fuller grip might encourage me to push forward.
 
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There are just so many little bits and pieces you can buy for an AR15. It's hard to know which are more useful than the others, as a lot of it is purely subjective.

This is untrue.

would this modified version of his statement make it impossible for it to be untrue?

There are just so many little bits and pieces you can buy for an AR15. It's hard to know which are more useful than the others, as a lot of it is purely dictated by the intended use, and personal opinion of the owner.

(im not a mind reader, but its a safe bet that this is the context in which the word "subjective" was used)

for example, one mans 24" custom satern target barrel will be pretty much useless to the feller signing up for a carbine course.

maybe misread, but he is actually spot on, imho, but then again i aint the sharpest tool in the shed.
 
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an EOtech 512

I know that these things don't make you into a better shooter but as wierd as this sounds I became better with iron sights after getting one of these. I guess I had a hard time due to imperfect vision; the EOtech with irons helped me choose a better relief point for my eyes among other things.
 
i realy like my EoTech,vortex flash hider its nice when it dusky dark. JP trigger is awsome! ACE stock is ok but if i had it 2 do over i would have saved my money
 
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Major mod - trijicon acog

Minor mod - BAD lever

Necessary mod - MOE grip
 
Chip McCormick drop in trigger is #1, followed by a 16" medium profile Beaver Creek barrel, free float fore arm, Euro grip, and the Viper Vortex scope.
 
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