The attractive aspect of AR 15 build kits is that they come with everything you need minus the lower receiver to complete a finished rifle. They are convenient, save time, potentially save money, and are a fairly headache free rifle to get a sporting rifle build up and off the ground in no time.
The drawback is that they don’t offer the highest level of flexibility with respect to customization. You get all the parts you need to complete the rifle, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be the best, all things considered.
So that being said, here are 4 parts that will come with an AR 15 build kit that you might want to swap out.
Get a Fluted Barrel
AR 15 build kits come with all different sorts of barrels, in terms of steel chemistry and length. But there’s one feature you also might want to look for regardless of whether or not you build an SBR or a full-size rifle for long-range shooting or hunting.
A fluted barrel will offer several advantages over another that is the same in all respects, but which is not fluted.
Basically, fluting removes excess metal from the barrel. This accomplishes two very important things. One is that it reduces weight, making the rifle lighter and easier to handle.
But more importantly, fluting, regardless of the type (there are many different styles of fluting) increases the surface area of the barrel.
A barrel with higher surface area will experience a higher rate of heat dissipation, which will keep the barrel cooler. This will improve accuracy, reduce wear on the barrel, and even potentially reduce the likelihood of producing a barrel flare when running the rifle with thermal optics.
Skip the Pic Rail for a KeyMod or M-LOK Rail System
Many AR 15 build kits come with quad Picatinny, or Pic rails. These rail systems are an effective standard and have been for many years and there are literally countless shooting attachments that are compatible with them. The problem is that they are not perfect.
Picatinny rail systems are heavy and uncomfortable to shoot without the protection of gloved hands. Two better modern alternatives are KeyMod and M-LOK rail systems.
Both KeyMod and M-LOK rail systems are newer and there aren’t quite as many attachments compatible with them yet, but the truth is that they are also much, much lighter and easier to handle than Pic rail systems.
This makes the handguard another part of an AR 15 build kit that might be well worth your while to swap out.
Upgrade the BCG
Most AR 15 build kits that come with a bolt carrier group, or BCG, will come with a mil-spec, phosphate coated one.
Phosphate coated BCGs are alright, and they hold on well to liquid lubricant, but at the same time, they also need more of it since there’s a bit of tooth to the finish. The other thing is that they’re non-reflective, which is a selling point
There are modern bolt carrier groups that are made with advanced finishes that offer numerous advantages over standard phosphate BCGs. Some of these coatings are DLC, black nitride, titanium nitride, and nickel boron.
These bolt carrier group finishes offer several distinct advantages, most of which are related to their superior permanent dry lubricity, which in layman’s terms means that they produce less friction.
Since they’re “slippery” they require less liquid lubrication than phosphate coatings, which helps reduce the likelihood of dust and other dirt getting stuck in the oil and trapped in the action. The higher lubricity also means that the BCG should cycle more smoothly, more quickly and fluidly, and potentially even last longer since it will wear at a slower rate.
Ditch the Flash Hider for a Different Muzzle Device
Most AR15 build kits will come with a flash hider. The thing is, flash hiders don’t offer a lot of utility. They obstruct the muzzle flash which helps prevent temporary blindness, keeping the sight picture clear.
There are two better options, which are muzzle brakes and suppressors. Muzzle brakes will reduce recoil and muzzle flip, which will keep your sights trained on target, enabling faster, more accurate follow up shots.
As for suppressors, they can also help mitigate recoil slightly, but they will also reduce the volume of the rifle’s report, making them better for your hearing.
Both of these muzzle devices offer considerably more value in terms of performance than flash hiders do. Check out some options in muzzle brakes on our website and make that upgrade as you’re working on the build.
Shop AR 15 Build Kits and Parts
Whether you want a whole AR 15 build kit or just one or a few of the parts mentioned here for making upgrades as you build, we have you covered. Take a closer look through our collection and get in touch with us if you have any questions, we will be more than happy to help you out.