Getting started with AR accessories

S

Spacelord

Inactive
Hey all. Recently got an M&P15 sporter and I am starting to considering accessories that I can add/upgrade. Could I get some recommendations? I pretty much just target shoot. First off I think I am going to get one of these - http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ARR238-7.html so that I can add a vertical grip.

I have no idea where to start in terms of a scope/sight. I don't want to drop several hundred dollars but I have noticed that nice scopes seem to be quite expensive. What are some of your favorite accessories that I could start looking into? Thanks.
 
When I first got into ARs I wanted all the cool accessories for it and I dumped a lot of money into those things. I'm one of the many people that learned the hard way about the fact that ounces add up very fast when you start hanging stuff off your gun. I had my most recent AR (Colt 6920) all tricked out with red dot, VFG, quad rails, and folding rear sight. I took it out shooting a few times and realized the gun was a little heavy for my liking. I then realized I needed more ammo and magazines. I ended up selling all the accessories and bought mags and ammunition. My AR is pretty much in stock form except for the stock, charging handle, and pistol grip. I'm now a happy AR owner!

In summary I recommend buying mags and ammo!

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I went from this


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To This
 
If used for HD I would recommend a good red dot and maybe a light. If used for target shooting I prefer a bipod and a scope for longer ranges. Put on it what makes you happy and never care what someone else thinks.
 
I wouldn't waste money on UTG products. If you want a vertical grip, get a Magpul moe hand guard and one of their grips that attaches to it
 
First, decide what the primary and secondary purposes will be. Then decide what compromises you can accept to achieve both of those purposes within whatever budget you choose.
I place the AR in a general purpose mid range varmint rifle category. With that in mind, I mount 1-5x variable scopes on the 16" carbines and something close to 3-9x on the 20" rifles.
I have ready access to firearms better suited to very short range and very long range so making an AR meet every challenge I might face is not a requirement. That said, the optics I've mounted don't preclude use at virtually any range the AR is suitable for.
One of my AR's is an 11.5" pistol with light,laser, and AimPoint which stays by the bed to augment lesser resources should I be required to repel a multiple zombie invasion.
 
If you are going to buy any accessories buy quality stuff, they well bring more when you come to your senses and sell them.

You can add all the fancy boutique parts and make it photogenic...and over weight, or KISS.

MOE parts are cheap and get the job done without a big weight increase. Pick your optic style then buy a good quality version. Primary Arms sells good 'low cost' optics and have good CS.

My idea of KISS
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Replace the trigger. Geissele, Timney, RRA, CMC, the list goes on. Nothing has improved my AR shooting enjoyment as much as a decent trigger (currently running the CMC 91503).

utoob search 'Geissele Automatics trigger swap' and let Bill show you how to change out a trigger.... his video is excellent, and takes you through the entire process.
 
Well, since you have already stated your primary use will be target shooting, I can think of two things right off that will make a big difference. A good trigger and good optics. I am a firm believer in the K.I.S.S. approach. Don't add anything you don't need just to make it look cool. For instance, you talk of a quad rail so you can add a vertical grip. Both are kind of useless for target shooting. More designed for combat style use IMO.
As for a scope, if you are on a limited budget, this is a very good place to start:http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-prostaff-2-7x32mm-riflescope-matte-w-nikoplex-reticle.html
Also, as for a trigger, it is hard to beat the RRA National Match for a good target trigger at a good price. http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ARR663-1.html
 
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Stuff like the quad rail just read the reviews, (research.) See how others like it or not. When dealing with an AR15 the only way out is through, by that I mean just trick it out and see what you like and don't like. Try to buy quality parts but you don't have to buy stuff that will hold up to fours years of combat. Enjoy and post reviews of what you do.
 
for target shooting only I recommend a nice red dot, Geissele trigger, a comfortable stock, and some form of front grip...of course, plenty of magazines and ammo

the rest would be for aesthetics

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I don't like ARs with all the tacticool gadgets on them.

On my ARs (yes they seem boring) I have pretty much the same setup.

Deer rifle AR in .223/5.56: floated 20" heavy barrel, A2 style handguards, flattop receiver (scoped), tapco 6-position stock, magpul MOE pistol grip.

Varmint AR in .223/5.56: floated 16" barrel, CAR style handguards, flattop receiver (red-dot), tapco 6-position stock, magpul MOE pistol grip

Range toy in .223/5.56: floated 16" barrel, CAR style handguards, flattop receiver (flip up iron sights and red-dot), tapco 6-position stock, magpul MOE pistol grip

AR in .22LR (for the little ones to shoot): 16" barrel, CAR style handguards, flattop receiver (flip up sights and red dot), tapco 6-position stock, basic mil-spec pistol grip.

The only thing different is my .308 and that's because it came the way it is: floated 24" SS bull barrel, machined aluminum handguard, flat top receiver (scoped), Magpul stock, magpul MOE pistol grip.

I like to keep my guns simple and basic. Less weight to lug around and less things to break.
 
The only peices Id say are important to a hd/sd carbine re a light and a sling. I like a giles or 3point style but single point seem really popular and I have one on my ak I like well enough. As far a quad rails go, I dont care for them either. They look cool and are great if you have a need for multiple attacments but for most purposes you can make either a magpul or standard forarm work with add on rail pieces. Foreword grips are ok Ive deplyed with them and without then, they are cheap and dont add a lot of weight. Most guys remove them for range qualification though. At least I never saw very many still attached at the range.
 
Keep it simple.
Keep it simple.
Keep it simple.

More stuff = more money = more crap that breaks.

How good are you with iron sights? No sense of dropping four figures on a good scope if all it does is allow you to see your 10" groups that much clearer.

I recommend a good scope. You don't have to break the bank, though. BUT...see above on my thoughts on iron sights.

Later on, maybe a new stock might help, maybe a new trigger might help...maybe. If you can consistently dump rounds through the same 1.5" hole with your rifle as is, I can't see the point behind messing with success.

I see too many guys who spend their hard-earned money decking their rifles out to look like they came straight from the SEAL Team arms room...all on rifles that they shoot a handful of times a year. So again, keep it simple.
 
Madcratebuildet,


I love them old school hand guards.

I'm thinking that the best AR accessories would be bullets and some targets.
 
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