One of the reasons the AR-15 is “America’s Rifle” is because of how endlessly modular it is. That being the case, upgrading any of your AR’s parts is relatively easy and most can be swapped out at home, with some basic tools, with no need for a trip to the gunsmith.
That being said, here are 14 commonly upgraded AR15 parts.
Grips and Foregrips
The A2 grip is one thing, but there are plenty of other AR grips on the market that offer better ergonomics and control. If you don’t want to replace the whole grip, you can add an overmold to it to increase control, grip and comfort, too.
You also have the option to add a secondary grip to the bottom of the handguard, commonly referred to as a “vert grip.” These improve control and handling, and some of them sport a folding design for convenience.
Handguards
Not a fan of the tropical handguard or the Pic quad rail that come with your AR? One of the most common AR parts upgraded is this, and many shooters opt for either a KeyMod or an M-LOK rail system.
Both of these are lighter than Picatinny handguards, and are more comfortable to handle. Plus, there are tons of shooting attachments compatible with them.
Triggers
A mil-spec trigger will make the gun go bang, but there’s not much more to love about this AR part than that. Mil-spec triggers are just average and in some instances are downright mushy or gritty.
Therefore this is one of the most commonly upgraded AR-15 parts. Get a new adjustable trigger, or one that has zero creep and a solid, short reset and experience the difference. It will be considerable.
The Barrel
If you’re not a fan of the barrel that came with your AR, you can always invest in a longer or shorter version for your build.
Shorter barrels will perform better in close quarters and result in a lighter, more maneuverable build, whereas longer barrels may prove more stable for hunting, long-range shooting and other similar disciplines.
The Muzzle Device
Most AR-15 rifles come with flash hiders, but these muzzle devices are somewhat limited in their utility.
Better options include muzzle brakes or suppressors, both of which will offer the effect of cutting felt recoil and muzzle jump, with suppressors offering the added benefit of reducing volume as well.
The Optic
Whether or not your AR came equipped with an optic, this is another great upgrade you can make. Both red dots and scopes can be great optics for ARs, with the former being better for close-range engagements and the latter better at those that are farther off, at intermediate and extended ranges.
Your AR-15 Sights
Even if you’re perfectly happy with the standard AR-15 sights that came with your rifle, one great way to upgrade the platform is with offset iron sights.
Offset iron sights mount at an angle to the rail, and fold down until you need to use them. They can be deployed even with a full-size optic over the rail and don’t interfere with the sight picture, giving you a secondary method of target acquisition and connection should your main optic fail.
Buffer Weights/Springs
Does your AR kick a bit hard for you? Before you tinker with the gas system, consider opening up the buffer tube and installing heavier buffer weights.
This simple adjustment can cut felt recoil and improve cycling, all in one fell swoop, and it’s remarkably easy to do.
The Bolt Carrier Group
Mil-spec bolt carrier groups work just fine, but there are many advanced BCG coatings out there, such as black nitride, titanium nitride (AKA gold nitride), nickel boron, and diamond-like carbon (DLC), all of which offer superior permanent dry lubricity, reducing friction and resulting in easier cleaning as well as less of a reliance on liquid lubricant.
The Mag Release
Engaging your AR’s mag release can be tough in the dark, in the cold, or with heavy gloves on. That makes extended mag releases a great AR part to upgrade on your rifle.
The Charging Handle
Not a fan of the mil-spec charging handle? There are ambidextrous charging handles that are better for right and left handed users, and which are larger and easier to engage, especially in the dark or when wearing gloves. Some are even designed so as to port less hot gas in your face.
The Stock
Regardless of whether you want a fixed stock or one that offers superior adjustability, there are plenty of options out there, many of which are highly adjustable for length-of-pull and comb height. Some also fold, condensing the overall footprint of the platform.
Adding a Sling
Though more of an accessory than a true AR part, a sling can improve retention and portability, making it easier to use and carry your rifle in the field.
Explore These and Other AR Parts Here
Take a closer look at each of these categories of AR15 parts here on our website, and if you are interested in building a completely custom rifle, check out our collections of complete, assembled uppers as well as AR15 lower parts kit, which contain basically everything you need to assemble a functioning rifle minus the lower.