If there’s one thing that can be said about America’s Rifle, it’s that it’s far and away the most modular firearm platform out there and available to most people in the country right now.
Let alone the fact that there are so many manufacturers that make parts compatible with these rifles (which is true). It is also the case that they are by design highly modular and expandable and have numerous attachment points for adding shooting attachments and accessories.
Which also means that upgrading your AR to improve handling is easier than you think, and here are 4 ways to do just that. Make some of these upgrades and enhancements and you might just be shocked at how much better your rifle handles.
Upgrade the Handguard
Upgrading your AR15’s handguard is going to offer benefits beyond improved handling, but that is one of the best of them anyway.
Many AR15s come with Picatinny rail handguards. They’re compatible with a wide range of accessories and attachments, but they are heavy and uncomfortable to handle without gloves. They also can snag on gear.
Upgrade to a modern alternative like a KeyMod or an M-LOK rail system. These are lighter, more comfortable to handle, won’t snag on gear and are also compatible with a wide range of shooting attachments.
Make this one upgrade without changing anything else on your AR15 rifle and you will boost handling in ways that will likely surprise you.
Upgrade the AR15 Grip
Upgrading your AR15’s grip is also naturally a straightforward way to improve handling and comfort while minimizing fatigue even during long days at the range.
Your AR likely came with an A2 pistol grip. There’s not necessarily anything wrong with it but it also certainly is not the most comfortable or ergonomic grip out there.
There are overmolded AR15 grips and ergo grips that are much better and which offer much better purchase on the rifle. Plus, these are designed with shooter comfort in mind, so the rifle won’t just handle better, you’ll be able to shoot longer with less fatigue while controlling recoil better too.
It can be a surprisingly substantial upgrade to a rifle platform when you upgrade the AR15 grip, and can impact handling in more ways than you might expect.
Install a Vert Grip
Another great thing you can do to improve the handling of your rifle, as well as recoil control, is install a vert grip.
Short for “vertical grip” (as you may have deduced) vert grips typically mount under the forend of the rifle and serve as a secondary, forward grip that is easier to grasp and control than the handguard of the rifle. It’s more ergonomic to grip a vert AR15 grip than it is to grip the forend, anyway.
In addition to the fact that vert grips improve control over the rifle, there are many that can be folded forward so that they can lay fairly flat against the forend when they are not in use, which slims down the profile of the rifle and makes it possible to shoot the rifle over a bipod or use it with other accessories simultaneously as well.
Get an Adjustable Stock
If your AR15 came with an A2 fixed stock, congratulations, you have a stock that works. The downside is it’s pretty plain, all else considered.
The A2 stock is fine, assuming the length of pull is suitable for your dimensions. But it is not modular, it is not versatile, and it is certainly not adjustable.
The problem herein lies in the fact that adjustability is one of the most important considerations as far as handling of a rifle is concerned.
If you can’t adjust length of pull, you can’t get a custom-like fit of the rifle to your dimensions, and you can’t account for wearing different clothing or carrying different gear.
Similar conditions apply to the lack of ability to adjust the comb height, although that has nothing to do with handling.
Either way, suffice it to say that the A2 fixed stock offers a very templated approach and one that, though it works, doesn’t necessarily result in a rifle that handles well.
You can get, instead, a collapsible stock that will not only be more adjustable, but which will enable you to shrink down the profile of the rifle for easier handling in tighter quarters.
Explore AR15 Grips, Parts and Attachments Here
Any of these suggestions can be made individually, or they can be combined and made together, to improve the handling of your AR15 rifle.
Shop our collection of AR15 grips, parts, and attachments here and enjoy the process of personalizing your rifle, then reap the benefits of a rifle that handles better and which induces less fatigue even during long days at the range.