Upgrading your AR-15 can enhance your shooting experience, enhancing performance and precision. Whether you’re a seasoned marksman or a newcomer to the sport, selecting the right accessories is crucial. From improved triggers to ergonomic foregrips, this article explores the most valuable upgrades that promise not just to modify but significantly improve your rifle’s functionality and overall effectiveness on the range.
1. Optics
Upgrading your AR-15 with optics is crucial for enhancing accuracy. Optics like scopes, red dots, holographic sights, and hybrid sights are key for clearer target visibility and precision. Each type is tailored for specific needs, considering your rifle’s purpose, target distance, and speed of sight acquisition.
Red dot sights are popular for their lightweight design and effective target acquisition, while holographic sights offer a broader field of view and customizable reticles. Choosing the right optic depends on your shooting goals, whether for professional, defensive, or recreational use.
2. Barrels
The history of gun barrels has evolved significantly, influencing today’s choices for AR-15 upgrades. Barrel length and weight impact a rifle’s accuracy and maneuverability, crucial for specific uses like home defense or competitive shooting.
Options range from short, maneuverable barrels for quick response to longer barrels for precise shooting. Modern barrels may feature chrome linings for durability and ease of maintenance or be made of stainless steel for enhanced accuracy. Considering factors like twist rate is essential when selecting a barrel, ensuring it meets your shooting needs and preferences.
3. Muzzle Devices
Many gun enthusiasts upgrade their AR-15s with muzzle brakes or compensators to combat muzzle climb and recoil, enhancing accuracy and enabling rapid successive shots.
These upgrades, which are easy to install, significantly improve shooting performance by redirecting gases to maintain barrel stability. Flash suppressors are beneficial for night-time use, reducing muzzle flash to preserve night vision and conceal location. Some muzzle devices combine features of brakes, compensators, and flash suppressors, offering a functional and customizable enhancement to any AR-15.
4. Stocks
Modifying your AR-15 with the right stock can significantly enhance comfort and reduce recoil. Stocks should be lightweight, high-quality, and versatile to ensure accuracy and ease of use.
For competition rifles, adjustable stocks are ideal for customizing fit and improving precision. For home defense, consider ambidextrous stocks to accommodate different users. Tactical users, like police or military, might prefer collapsible or minimalist stocks for discretion and mobility in tight spaces. With numerous options available, finding the perfect stock is crucial for optimizing your shooting experience.
5. Grips
Choosing the right grip for your AR-15 is crucial for comfort and accuracy in the shooting range. A good grip reduces distractions, allowing better focus and improving shot precision. Considerations include grip texture, material, and ergonomics that suit your hand size and shooting style.
Options range from smoother to more rigid textures and materials like polymer, possibly reinforced with fiberglass. Additionally, custom grips like angled or vertical foregrips can enhance comfort, reduce recoil, and protect against heat, contributing to a more relaxed and accurate shooting experience.
6. Triggers
When modifying an AR-15, the trigger is a key accessory for enthusiasts aiming to improve the rifle’s feel and performance. A suitable trigger offers a comfortable resistance and exceptional durability, essential for firing in varied environments and scenarios.
Triggers vary from single-stage, which are reliable for home defense, to two-stage, preferred for competition and recreational shooting due to adjustable pull weights. Trigger kits, whether complete or basic, enhance accuracy and overall shooting experience, making them vital for hunters, professionals, or hobbyists.
7. Enlarged Trigger Guards
Building the perfect AR-15 requires attention to every detail, including the selection of a high-quality trigger guard. Trigger guards are crucial for safety and protecting the trigger components, extending the rifle’s lifespan.
Many shooters prefer enlarged trigger guards because they offer more space for gloved fingers, enhancing comfort and precision during shooting. These guards are made from durable materials to prevent chafing and are designed to fit perfectly, improving shooting performance and the rifle’s overall appearance while protecting against wear.
8. Magazine Releases (extended or ambidextrous)
Adding an extended magazine release to your AR-15 is a crucial upgrade for efficiency and speed. This simple modification lets you quickly drop used magazines without adjusting your grip, thanks to its increased surface area. Easy to install, it enhances the ergonomic design of your rifle, making the shooting experience smoother.
An extended magazine release is suitable for all shooters, whether enthusiasts, professionals, or competitive individuals. It boosts performance and can be customized in various colors to match your aesthetic preferences.
9. Back-up Sights
Choosing the right back-up sight for your AR-15 is crucial for maintaining shooting accuracy and reliability across various scenarios. Back-up sights come in many forms, including front sights that complement red dots or scopes, and rear sights that fold down for convenience.
These sights should be durable, precise, and easy to use, ensuring they hold up under any conditions and provide fast target acquisition. Options vary from red dot and holographic sights for low-light visibility to spike-style and flip-up sights for enhanced long-range accuracy. Opting for steel or durable polymer builds ensures longevity and performance, making them essential for both home defense and competitive shooting.
10. Charging Handles (extended or ambidextrous)
Designing a custom AR-15 requires careful selection of each component, including the charging handle, which is crucial for the gun’s functionality. This handle not only prepares the gun to shoot but also helps eject rounds and clear obstructions.
Ambidextrous charging handles are especially valuable. They offer flexibility for both left- and right-handed shooters, enhancing tactical efficiency and safety in various environments. Available in different materials and designs, these handles can be customized for grip, control, and reduced blowback, making them a significant upgrade for any AR-15 build.
11. Ambidextrous Safety Selectors
Gun safety is crucial, and using an ambidextrous safety selector on your AR-15 enhances both safety and handling, especially for left-handed shooters. These selectors allow easy operation with a thumb flick and can be customized with levers of different sizes for comfort.
They provide quick disengagement and a clear view of the safety status on both sides of the receiver. Available in various colors and easy to install, they are durable and improve the firearm’s ergonomics and functionality.
12. Extended Bolt Releases
Extended bolt release is essential for those involved in 3-gun competitions, military, or law enforcement to swap magazines and clear jams quickly. Upgrading to an extended bolt release allows you to operate your AR-15 more efficiently with just your trigger finger, avoiding the need to hit the standard bolt release manually. This speeds up handling and enhances shooting comfort and precision, making it an advantageous addition for various shooting applications without adding extra weight to your rifle.
13. Anti-Rotational Pins
Many shooters face issues with loose trigger and hammer pins on their rifles, leading to damage and misalignment. To prevent this, investing in anti-rotational pins is a straightforward and effective solution. These pins secure the trigger and hammer firmly in place, ensuring they do not move during rapid firing.
This upgrade enhances the rifle’s durability and accuracy, making it a valuable addition for maintaining an AR-15’s performance and reliability.
14. Handguards / Rail System
Handguards on rifles, beyond just being a grip, act as essential heat ventilation points. Free-floating handguards, which only touch the barrel at one point, provide accuracy benefits and can handle added accessories despite their heavier build, usually crafted from durable, lightweight aluminum.
Conversely, drop-in handguards are simpler, lighter, and potentially affect accuracy due to their contact with the barrel. Rail systems allow for mounting tactical accessories, enhancing the shooting experience and safety. The choice between rail systems and traditional handguards often balances aesthetics with functionality, catering to personal preferences in appearance and effectiveness.
15. Bolt Carrier Groups
Lack of lubrication is a major cause of malfunctions in AR-15s, specifically in the bolt carrier group which endures significant wear. Manufacturers have addressed this by creating special coated bolt carrier groups, like nickel boron or DLC, that operate smoothly with less lubricant and prevent jams. These upgrades improve the rifle’s reliability and firing speed, essential for competitive shooting.
M16-style carriers, while heavier and reducing speed, enhance accuracy and recoil control, making them ideal for situations requiring reliability over speed. These bolt carrier groups are available as complete kits and are designed to resist corrosion, ensuring long-lasting performance.
16. Slings & Sling Mounts
Upgrading the slings and sling mountings on an AR-15 is a popular choice for enhancing how you carry your rifle. This customization offers flexibility for both left and right-handed shooters, improves comfort, and can even help stabilize aim for increased firing accuracy.
Slings come in various types: single-point slings allow easy access and quick shoulder switching, two-point slings are adjustable for various carrying positions and support shooting stability, while three-point slings, though less common now, offer secure rifle transport. Choose a sling that complements your rifle’s style and meets your functional needs.
17. Foregrips
During World War I, the challenges of using handheld machine guns led to the innovation of foregrips, which enhanced accuracy and handled heat during continuous fire. For your AR-15, you can choose from three types of foregrips: vertical, angled, and handstops.
Each type helps maintain control and accuracy when firing. However, it’s crucial to check local laws to ensure you can legally use these foregrips, as regulations can vary significantly by area.
