Introduction
The AR-15 is one of the most widely used guns in its generation. This weapon is at the top of its game due to the debate surrounding it, the ease of its construction, and its modular design. When it comes to modularity, the AR-15 is quite adaptable. Colors, patterns, and attachments may all be customized to make your AR unique to you and your needs.
However, personalization has an impact on more than just the appearance of the AR15. Going beyond OEM components can help your weapon perform better in terms of accuracy, recoil, and operation.
Going beyond factory components can improve your AR’s accuracy, recoil, and functionality, here are some tips from Peakfirearms on the great additions to your custom AR-15 that will help you get the most out of your investment.
Optic Options
After you’ve chosen a rifle, the following step is to find an optic that best compliments your new AR’s capabilities. Choosing the proper optic is almost as essential as choosing the platform itself, and it’s where you should spend the most of your money. All too frequently, people will buy a high-end rifle only to attach a low-cost red-dot sight and an equally low-cost mount to the top rail. In reality, a less expensive rifle combined with a high-quality piece of glass may do a lot more. In many situations, I’d advocate spending twice as much on a decent optic and a sturdy mount as the weapon itself.
I propose a low-power variable optic instead of a red-dot sight for any rifle with a 14.5-inch or longer barrel (LPVO). The Razor HD Gen III 1-1024 from Vortex Optics is the ideal LPVO for such a weapon. This optic is capable of completing all of your tasks.
Vortex figured out the code. That means instant red-dot acquisition, seamless target-to-target transitions, and enhanced situational awareness owing to a large field of vision. When you hold the Razor HD up to your eye, the scope and turrets vanish completely, leaving only a little frame surrounding the image. It’s fantastic, and when installed correctly, the Razor HD is just as quick and brilliant as a red-dot sight.
Choose a Christmas Tree
The Razor HD Gen III 1-10x, on the other hand, isn’t just a huge red-dot sight. The low power performance of most LPVOs is one of the many areas where the Razor HD excels.
The AR-15, on the other hand, can engage targets from a distance of more than 500 yards. To do so successfully, you must be able to identify your target and view at least sections of it in order to make good hits. The rule of thumb is for every 100 yards, you need 2x magnification, thus a 1-10x optic is suitable for this platform.
A Christmas-tree-style reticle with accurate suspensions and wind holds is excellent for making full use of this power range and the capabilities of your AR-15. There are two reticles offered for the Gen III 1-10x. The first is in MOA, whereas the second is in MRAD.
Pick the Right Optic Height
After you’ve chosen your optic, you’ll need to pick an appropriate height optic mount. A 1.5- or 1.54-inch SPR (Special Purpose Rifle)-style, one-piece cantilever mount will work well with most AR-style rifles. There are lower and higher amounts, but they are designed for specific sorts of shooting. For example, we recommend the 1.93-inch height mounts because they place the magnified optic at a level equivalent to lower 1/3 co-witnessed red-dot sights. Red-dot sights at this height are really 1.72-inches above the top rail, however owing to the size of most LPVO’s ocular lenses, it will feel quite familiar.
The speed of reticle acquisition for stand-up shooting is one of the reasons many people choose these higher LPVO mounts. They can pick up almost as quickly as a red dot from any posture except prone, which they struggle with. Long lengths of time in this position might cause neck discomfort due to the height over the rail.
Reduce Malfunctions by Choosing the Right Bolt Carrier
The bolt carrier group is the heart of the AR-15 (BCG). For everyday shooting, the stock is adequate. However, adding a suppressor to the equation, especially in a direct impingement rifle, can make things a bit more difficult. The Optimized Bolt Carrier (OBC) was developed by SureFire in collaboration with Jim Sullivan, one of the M16’s original designers, to address this issue.
The OBC increases the AR-15’s dependability by a factor of two. Its unique design provides you additional time for accurate magazine feeding and almost eliminates bolt-over-base problems, which can make your rifle ineffective.
During the firing phase, the OBC also slows the bolt’s unlocking, giving expanding gases more time to escape the bore. Back-pressure gases exiting the upper receiver group are reduced as a result. The carrier’s tail has a neutrally balanced counterweight that enhances carrier and barrel extension lock-up and almost eliminates bolt bouncing.
Suppressor
A SureFire suppressor is another industry standard to add to the list. They include enhanced gas-flow dynamics and a unique front plate design that practically eliminates first-round flash, as well as flash from successive rounds, lowering dust and debris signatures significantly. When a bullet is fired at night, all that is seen is a flash the size of a sushi roll.
SureFire’s SOCOM556-MINI2 is our favorite suppressor. It offers similar performance to the famed USSOCOM suppressor, but in a smaller size that’s better suited to 14.5-inch and longer barrels. It’s only 5 inches long, yet it employs SureFire’s unique internal baffling to reduce back pressure, cyclic rate, and gas blowback, resulting in a more pleasant shooting experience.
The SOCOM556-MINI2 not only delivers substantial sound and dust reduction, but it also provides constant point-of-impact shift. That means you won’t have to re-zero your weapon after installing the suppressor.
Proper Grip
Magpul’s SL is our favorite stock. It features a slim profile that provides a large amount of surface area against the firing shoulder. The adjustment lever is tucked out of the way, making it unlikely that it will be accidentally activated. On either side of the stock are metal flush QD sling swivel cups, as well as two spots where the sling may loop around the stock for direct connection.
Magpul is one of the few businesses that puts its goods through a rigorous testing process. The SL stock is so strong that you could stretch it and then butt-stroke the ground repeatedly without breaking it. Before the stock broke, the positioning detent in the buffer tube was likely to distort.
Sling Support
A sling serves the same purpose as a holster for a pistol, therefore you should have one on your rifle. Quick-adjust two-point slings are one of my favorite types of slings. Specifically, one with a fast adjustment tab or slider that allows the user to swiftly modify the sling’s length and tighten, loosen, or utilize for sling-supported shooting.
This sort of sling comes in a variety of styles, including padded and unpadded, metal or polymer hardware, variable width webbing, and plain colors and trendy camouflage patterns to suit your preferences. Choose the brand that appeals to you the most. Viking Tactics’ VTAC sling is my favorite, although I also use Magpul’s MS1 and Blue Force Gear’s VCAS.
