8 Practical AR-15 Upgrades
You might think AR stood for “America’s Rifle” just from how popular the platform is (let alone the fact that that is actually one of its nicknames).
One of the greatest things about the AR-15 platform is how modular it is. Even if there weren’t a million and one manufacturers that make parts for it, there are many ways to upgrade the rifle.
Here are 8 of them.
Swap the Pic Handguard for an M-LOK Rail System
Your Picatinny rail handguard may have a lot of shooting accessories that are easily compatible with it, but it is heavy and uncomfortable to grip, especially without gloves.
An M-LOK rail system is much lighter, much more comfortable to grip without gloves, and every year, there are more and more shooting attachments and accessories that are M-LOK compatible.
This is one of the best upgrades you can make in terms of handling alone.
Replace the Flash Hider with a Muzzle Brake
If your AR came with a flash hider (and most do) ditch it. Install a muzzle brake. You’ll thank us later.
Whereas a flash hider does little more than obstruct the muzzle flash, helping to preserve the sight picture, a muzzle brake will actively cut felt recoil and muzzle jump, and by no small margin.
A good muzzle brake can cut felt recoil by as much as 50% without adversely affecting shot power, all while reducing muzzle flip, for faster, more confident, more accurate follow up shots.
Get a Lightweight Bolt Carrier Group
Nothing against your mil-spec AR-15 bolt carrier group, but it is only so serviceable. A lightweight bolt carrier group will prove much better.
The reason for this is that the precisely machined cutouts of lightweight AR-15 bolt carrier groups strategically lessen the mass, increasing the snappiness of cycling time.
On top of that, reducing reciprocating mass also offers the added effect of reducing felt recoil.
An Oversized Charging Handle
Your AR-15’s charging handle could also stand for an improvement or two. Notably, it could be improved by being larger, and by being made ambidextrous.
In the dark, or in the cold when wearing heavy gloves, it can be hard for some operators to locate and engage the charging handle. A larger, ambidextrous replacement will serve as a suitable upgrade to address this potential issue.
A Skeleton Grip for Your AR-15
A skeleton grip for your AR-15 doesn’t just add class and character, it can substantially lighten the whole rifle, which can improve handling.
Take a look at skeleton grips for AR-15 rifles that we offer here to get some ideas for replacing your current standard grip.
Also, there are other parts on your AR-15 you can skeletonize, like the stock. Installing a lighter handguard, such as an M-LOK rail system, as indicated, will also lighten the rifle.
And, if that is your goal, while it isn’t technically skeletonization, a fluted barrel can accomplish the same objective of lightening the platform while also helping to improve the heat dissipation capabilities of the rifle.
Install a Vert Grip Under the Handguard
A vert grip under your handguard can improve the handling of your rifle, and there are some lightweight, folding vert grips that will fold flush against the handguard when you aren’t using them.
Install a Magwell
A magwell is basically a flared magazine base that helps guide magazines up and into the mag chute. Proponents claim that a magwell can cut time of your reloads, which can be a big benefit when you’re shooting competitively and time is a component of scoring.
Although, it is also the case that if magwells can cut some time off your reloads, they’re an even bigger benefit in defensive engagements.
Install an Adjustable Stock
If your AR-15 came with a fixed stock, that’s going to limit your ability to get a good fit, which in turn will not only affect handling and accuracy.
Plus, an adjustable stock is not just a benefit to you as the primary operator, but will give your rifle the flexibility to adapt to the dimensions of other shooters as well.
This is also a part you can skeletonize, which will pare down the weight of your sporting rifle platform, making it lighter and therefore easier to carry or shoot for longer periods at the range.
Shop AR-15 Parts Here
Whether you’re looking for an assembled upper with an M-LOK rail system, a skeleton grip for your AR-15, or a complete AR-15 build kit, we have you covered.
Shop our collection of kits, assembled uppers, and piecemeal AR-15 parts and shooting accessories and customize your rifle today. We carry the parts mentioned here along with many other AR upgrades, and can help you create a rifle that handles better, shoots more accurately, and is better suited to competitive or defensive engagements.