Your Completed Gun Store Purchased AR/M-4;How Did You Make It Better

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flyingtiger85

flyingtiger85

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After I purchased my Bushmaster M-4 with the 1/9 twist I did purchased some things before I brought it home.I picked up a Vortex scope and a bi-pod for it.Another thing I've been looking into is a new trigger and maybe a green laser and possible light mounted on it but I didn't want it to clustered up trying to keep things simple.I haven't used any metal mags for it but was going to purchase a 20 rounder made by Bushmaster to give them a try.
IMG_0800 (640x478).jpg
 
That's a good question and it's just for fun your right.Why do we buy all the junk for our new cars,like new matts,steering wheel covers,new rims/tires I don't know really why we do that either.I'm curious what others have done to improve their rifles.It's just a fun sporting rifle to take out and shoot with friends and family.
I might get some ideas for mine.
 
Cool, "just for fun" leaves alot of options open.

My most normally changed items from a "stock" M4gery are the pistol grip for a larger one, the sight base for a low pro, and a float tube or railed handguard.

Honestly since I normally assemble my own ars (well uppers mostly), i just build it with those things to start with. I have done the changes on store boughts tho.

I add lights to ones used at night or that might possibly be called to do defensive work, and buis if im using a red dot, but thats all i really accessorize with.
I think your laser idea might not be a bad one as it will give you an aiming option at short range.

I played with a forgrip the other day i kinda liked that, not on my buy list but cool none the less
 
I had the Magpul forend on mine and a CTR stock.
Sold them.
Did keep the magpul grip. Went to small OD carbine handguard and reg tele buttstock. Rattles but will fix that.
Did a JP spring kit/set screw mod for the trigger. Usable now.
Other than that, lean n mean.
Like my wimmin and AR's the same.........neked.
 
Triggers can be a real nice upgrade. I use Rock River Varmit 2-stage triggers. Never had had one fail yet.
I wouldn't waste money on a lazer unless you are doing close up tactical work.
A comfortable pistol grip and stock. I like shorter stocks since I shoot nose to charging handle.
I also like larger rounded charging handle latch.
The H buffer is a nice improvement.
You should be able to get good mags for $9-$12. I have some surplus mags that I paid $6 each. They work just fine for a semi auto.
The Army and Marines are changing mags so you should be to find a lot of surplus out there.
 
I've added CMC or RRA triggers to all of my store bought rifles, optics ranging from a 5-15 Zeiss to a TRS-25 depending on the use, my house gun has a light mounted, my long range gun has a bipod.
 
Right now, the LaRue trigger for $125 is the best trigger on the market for the price. Its as good as most triggers that cost twice as much. The laser is a completely useless tool on a civilian rifle.
 
I dunno i think the lasers fun, and atleast as functional as embroidered floormats:D

i have one of those cheal combo units that i use on one of my airguns, and i had.it on the ar for a while at the range, it showed up ok at short range and made hip shooting cans entertaining. Full sunlight and it probably wouldnt have worked.

I like them to demonstrate how much movement there is when pulling the trigger as well, mostly useful on a pistol but does some on a rifle.
 
Mine go a castle nut sling swivel, a soft-side carry case, a 1 point and 2 point slings, and a slop chest red dot as a place holder waiting for an ACOG.
But, I'm pretty much a minimalist in such things.
 
flyingtiger85 wrote:
Your Completed Gun Store Purchased AR/M-4;How Did You Make It Better
Click to expand...

I bought S&W M&P-15s for both my sons in anticipation of a Hillary victory. The only modification they have received has been to replace the hopeless Magpul plastic sight with a carrying handle with integral A2/A3 sight that like a Timex watch works first time, every time.

Other than that, I have made no modifications to our ARs.

For distance use, my family relies on other rifles equipped with scopes/red dot sights.
 
1) Magpul handguard, pistol grip and stock. Big improvement in overall feel of the rifle.

2) Simmons 4x32 scope, mounted on medium rings with a 1/2" riser, makes the sight post disappear. Don't laugh, the Simmons is actually a really nice scope for 40 bucks, I'm impressed with it.

3) Spikes Tactical T2 buffer, huge improvement over the carbine buffer, no weights to bang around and it softens the recoil on carbine gas systems.

4) I made an improvement over the carbine rifle, by buying a mid-length upper, there is definitely a difference, shoots smoother.

I forgot to mention the "bad" lever, very functional upgrade.
 
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I bought PSA 1/7 twist upper and PSA lower with CTR stock and Magpul handle. Added oversized mag release from Odin works, oversized latch for handle, Magpul BAD for bolt catch and Anti-walk pins. Nothing fancy. Using for fan only.
 
My only AR came as a mid-length gas carbine with the usual forend, adjustable stock, and A2 grip. It did come with a very usable two stage trigger from ArmaLite, so I'm happy with that.

Over time I replaced the grip with something a little larger for my hand and I changed out the adjustable carbine stock for an A1 fixed stock set up. I like the original forend with single heat shield inside, so I left that on the gun.

I also changed from using a red dot to a 1x-4x scope, mostly so I can focus the optic as most red dots don't have the ability to be focused. Middle aged eyes and all that.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ep-the-fixed-front-post.818283/#post-10493599
 
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The day I bought my first AR I bought 2 Colt 30 Rd mags and 400 rounds of ammo. Shooting it was more on my mind than customizing it.
 
I bought a complete PSA kit, minus the stripped lower. The trigger sort of sucked, so I replaced it with their enhanced trigger group, $29 on sale, huge improvement. I added a flashlight, M-14 sling, and a Nikon 2-7x32 scope. I'm done, and very satisfied with it.
 
By ammo, not bolt on garbage. $800 of junk bolted onto a $499 rifle is like the guy with $2000 rims on a $3000 Honda Civic.

There's only one way to become a good shooter, and that's by burning powder.
 
Currently have 2 only. Variable scoped one (20" government) and the other (16" carbine) received quad-rail, red dot w/ grn laser, light, fore-grip.
 
Magpul handguard
IWC side mount for light
Surefire G2X Tactical light
Daniel Defense A1.5 rear sight
Aimpoint PRO
B5 Sopmod stock
VCAS sling with MI qd's
Mags
Ammo
 
I'm pretty old school when it comes to my Colt SP1 Sporter. Only thing I did was change out those uncomfortable (to me), triangular handguards with a round set.
 
I bought a Colt match target AR 1-8".
I floated the barrel, added a hooded match rear sight and added four pounds of lead weight to the stock and around the barrel. I attached a Turner match leather sling.
If I change anything else, it will be to add a Gieselle trigger.
 
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I spent a lot of time carrying and training with military M4s. There were some things I liked about issued rifles and some I didn't. I always gave thought to if I had my own AR, what would I do with it? And that is mostly what I am doing with my AR. I don't like the stock trigger, so I put in a 2 stage trigger. I don't like the stock one finger grip, so I put on a K2 grip. I'll put on a charging handle with a medium finger latch, a BAD lever, and an ACS or ACS-L stock.

As far as likes, I like quad rails. Never been a fan of civilian M-lok rails. I like the Matech backup iron sights. I like the grips, lights, and visible lasers I was issued that I was able to keep. When money allows I will put on an Aimpoint Pro, which is close to the issued Comp M4. Round out the accessories with a side swivel and 2 point bungee sling.
 
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