Accessorizing Your AR for Maximum Performance

[opsspec1991]

Accessorizing Your AR for Maximum Performance


Here are four minimal changes to make to your factory carbine to elevate its performance to a new level.

By Sgt./Maj. Kyle E. Lamb, U.S. Army (Ret.) (RSS)

Now that we are training in a few new shooting positions, it’s worth taking a look at a few of your rifle’s components that can greatly enhance functionality. As you become more and more aware of the great performance of the AR you will also start to appreciate the modularity of the system. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of accessories that are available to create the customized AR. I try to keep things simple because gadgets, generally speaking, don’t really enhance the performance of your rifle. Instead, I want to detail the four minimal changes I would make to a factory carbine to get its performance elevated to a new level.

Read More:
Accessorizing Your AR for Maximum Performance - American Rifleman

 

[JCliff]

Decent article with things to consider even for folks with some experience with ARs. I think he had them in the correct order of priority also. I liked his recommendations for sights/optics; to his choices I would also add consideration of the Leupold Mark 4 HAMR. Being a little old-school, I like leaving an option for iron sights on the firearm. If your optic fails in any way, you've got something you can use immediately with good results if your firearm is zeroed properly. I also definitely agree with his recommendation for a two-point sling as opposed to a single-point.

 

[N R A]

Lets not forget Pink Furniture for the ladies!

 

[r1derbike]

Lets not forget Pink Furniture for the ladies!

Watch it. A kid holding a .22 AR in a photo uploaded to some social media netted a swat team raid (or maybe it was just a dozen officers, I forget). There are some looney-tunes chicken little Democrats out there who would love to dial 911 or send this piccy with false information attached.

Just sayin'...

 

[gunnerbob]

I'm not an AR guy but, I agree with his recommendations. When evaluating what you need, or think you need, in your battle carbine you should first evaluate the likely scenario. Duh, right? It sounds elementary but many people dive into the accessorizing world without ever thinking about whether it's the right things to do for the job. The fact is, most people will never engage beyond 300m, at least not at a recognizable target. Of course, the area you live will dictate this. If you live out West and have a 500m front yard, yeah, you need a sub-moa rifle to accurately reach out there. If you're in the East, the accuracy provided by a run-of-the-mill AR (or whatever) will be more than enough to engage accurately. If you're on a budget, skip the tacticool stuff and start with what allows you to handle the weapon more efficiently. Spend most of your money on ammo and TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN!

That training will do you much better in a gunfight than having some $600 this, or $1000 that. If you're not concerned about the money, spend away with improvements and training! You've got the best of both worlds then. Work on the fundamentals of your weapon first, then of the fight. Learning and practicing what to do in a gunfight will beat any amount of high-speed gear you've got. Most people don't know how to gunfight, if you do you've all the advantage you need to win, even with standard equipment.

Maybe I digressed?

 

[Stengun]

Howdy,

Lets not forget Pink Furniture for the ladies!

Cool pic!

Also noticed that she does NOT have her finger on the trigger but is located so it can quickly engage the trigger. We always called her stance "High Port Arms".

I didn't read the article ( no time, too busy ) but I'm Ol' Skool when it comes to ARs/M-16s.

Back in the "Day" we had either the M-16A1 or the M-16/203 system or the old CAR-16 Commando with either a 10 3/4", 11 1/2" or 14" barrel.

The 10 3/4" barreled Commando w/ an A1 flash hider was a very compact lightweight rifle and nowadays people want to "bling" them up to were they weigh more than a M-1 Garand.

Never understood that line of thinking.

Now that I'm 50yo I do have a scope on my CAR-15 but my old AR-15A2 is still iron sighted.

I too prefer a 2-point sling over a single point. When it's not needed you can sling your rifle with sling going over your right shoulder, a rooms your chest, under your left arm with your rifle on your back. I always prefer the muzzle to be pointing down. This secures the rifle and leaves both hands free for other things.

Paul

 

[N R A]

ARs are fun to shoot, collect, and tinker with.
.

 

[NotTwoShure]

Lets not forget Pink Furniture for the ladies!

Hey, you will shoot your eye out kid. Merry Christ-X.

 

[gunnerbob]

N R A, I'm not sure what you've got going on there but it hurts my eyes! :biggrin:

 

[r1derbike]

ARs are fun to shoot, collect, and tinker with.
.

Holy Toledo, Batman!

 

[r1derbike]

Imagine one of those with standard color in .22, with that can, and shooting subsonic rounds. I had the pleasure of having the .22 kit put on my AR with a friend's can and subsonic ammo, and I thought there was something wrong with my rifle when I shot it.

I'd buy a dedicated .22 platform and get the paperwork (if I don't have to wait a year or so) for the can, to take care of destructive varmints, without being a nuisance.

Don't think I mentioned that the young lady has her dress accessorized nicely for the rifle. Keep the sunglasses handy.

 

[r1derbike]

Where'd you get your two-pointer, Paul? I noticed a BlackHawk at WalMart, but thought it a bit pricey.

 

[N R A]

I purchased a Colt AR .22 for my wife, purchased pink furniture for it, but she never uses it. I may flip it back black and keep it for myself.