If you have built your own AR rifle or are planning to do so, you might want to add some accessories to enhance its functionality, performance, appearance, and comfort.
The AR platform has countless accessories available, ranging from sights and optics to slings and bipods to grips and stocks. However, not all accessories are created equal, and not all accessories are compatible or suitable for your specific build.
This article will explain AR build accessories, why you might want them, and how to choose and buy the best accessories for your AR rifle.
What are AR Build Accessories?
AR build accessories are parts and components you can attach or install to your AR rifle to improve its features and capabilities.
They can be divided into two main categories: functional accessories and cosmetic accessories.
Functional Accessories
Functional accessories are parts that affect the performance, reliability, accuracy, or usability of your rifle.
They can enhance your shooting experience, make your rifle more versatile, or help you achieve your goals. Some examples of functional accessories are:
- Sights and Optics: These devices help you aim and hit your target. They can be iron or optical sights mounted on your upper receiver rail. You can choose from different types and models of sights and optics, such as red dot sights, magnified scopes, holographic sights, night vision sights, thermal sights, etc.
- Slings: These are straps that help you carry and control your rifle. They can be attached to your lower receiver or handguard using sling mounts or QD swivels. You can choose from different types and styles of slings, such as single-point slings, two-point slings, three-point slings, bungee slings, padded slings, etc.
- Bipods: These devices help you stabilize your rifle on a surface. They can be attached to your handguard or barrel using bipod mounts or adapters. You can choose from different types and models of bipods, such as fixed, adjustable, swivel, tilt, etc.
- Grips: These are parts that help you hold and control your rifle. They can be attached to your lower receiver or handguard using screws or rail sections. You can choose from different types and shapes of grips, such as pistol grips, vertical grips, angled grips, hand stops, etc.
- Stocks and Braces: These parts help you rest your shoulder and stabilize your rifle. They can be attached to your buffer tube using pins or screws. You can choose from different types and sizes of stocks and braces, such as fixed, collapsible, minimalist, full-size, pistol braces, etc.
Cosmetic Accessories
Cosmetic accessories affect the appearance style or personalization of your rifle.
They can make your rifle look more unique, calm, or tactical or express your personality preferences or beliefs. Some examples of cosmetic accessories are:
- Rail Covers: These parts cover the rail sections on your handguard. They can protect your hands from heat, dirt, or sharp edges or add color, texture, or design to your rifle. You can choose from different types and styles of rail covers, such as ladder covers, panel covers, M-LOK covers KeyMod covers, etc.
- Muzzle Devices: These parts attach to the end of your barrel. They can affect your rifle's recoil flash noise and accuracy or add some flair, character, or intimidation factor. You can choose from different types and designs of muzzle devices, such as flash hiders, brakes, compensators, suppressors, etc.
- Dust Covers: These parts cover the ejection port on your upper receiver. They can prevent dust, dirt, or debris from entering your rifle when not used or display some text logo or image on your rifle when open. You can choose from different colors, materials, and messages of dust covers such as black FDE or OD green; steel or polymer; American flag Don’t Tread On Me or Punisher skull; etc.
- Magazines: These are parts that hold the ammunition for your rifle. They can affect your rifle's capacity, reliability, and durability or add color, style, or functionality. You can choose from different types and models of magazines such as metal or polymer; 10-rounds, 20-rounds, or 30-rounds; standard or windowed; black FDE or OD green; etc.
Top 5 AR Build Accessories
Here are our top 5 picks for the best AR build accessories that can enhance your shooting experience, improve your rifle’s performance, and customize your rifle’s appearance:
Sights and Optics
Sights and optics are devices for aiming and hitting targets on AR rifles. They can be iron or optical sights mounted on the upper receiver rail.
Options include red dot sights, scopes, holographic sights, night vision sights, and thermal sights.
Choosing the right sight or optic depends on magnification, reticle type, battery life, and durability. Lower magnification suits close-range shooting, while higher magnification is for long-range precision.
Simpler reticles are quick and intuitive, while complex ones aid precise shooting. Longer battery life and durability are beneficial.
Recommended options for AR rifles are:
- Aimpoint PRO: A red dot sight with a 2 MOA dot reticle, 10 brightness settings, and a 3-year battery life. It's durable, waterproof up to 150 feet, and has a QRP2 mount.
- Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24: A variable-power scope with an illuminated BDC3 reticle, 11 brightness settings, and a 200-hour battery life. It's durable, waterproof up to 11 feet, and includes a cantilever mount.
- EOTech EXPS3: A holographic sight with a 68 MOA circle, 1 MOA dot reticle, 20 brightness settings, and a 600-hour battery life. It's durable, waterproof up to 33 feet, and has a QD mount.
Slings
Slings are rifle straps used for carrying and controlling firearms. They can be attached to the lower receiver or handguard using sling mounts or QD swivels. Types include single-point, two-point, three-point, bungee, and padded slings.
Slings are essential for AR rifles, providing comfort, convenience, and security. Consider factors like sling type, material, and features when choosing one.
Single-point slings offer quick transitions, two-point slings provide stability, and three-point slings offer versatility. Materials vary in strength and comfort. Features include quick-adjustment buckles and swivels.
Recommended slings for AR rifles:
- Magpul MS4 Dual QD Sling GEN2: A two-point sling that converts to a single-point sling using QD swivels. It is made of nylon webbing with steel hardware and has a quick-adjustment slider and two QD swivels.
- Blue Force Gear Vickers Combat Applications Sling: A two-point sling with nylon webbing, metal hardware, and polymer buckles. It features a quick-adjustment pull tab and two universal wire loops.
- VTAC MK2 Wide Padded Sling: A two-point sling with nylon webbing, metal hardware, and polymer buckles. It has a quick-adjustment pull tab, two QD swivels, and a padded section for comfort.
Handguards
Handguards cover the rifle barrel, provide grip, and allow accessory mounting.
Types include drop-in or free-float, with options for length, material, and style, such as carbine or rifle length, polymer or aluminum, and quadrail or M-LOK.
Consider accuracy, reliability, performance, and aesthetics when choosing.
Factors include type, length, material, and style. Drop-in handguards are easy to install but may affect accuracy, while free-float improves accuracy and heat dissipation.
Longer handguards offer stability and accessory mounting, while shorter ones prioritize maneuverability. Materials vary in strength, durability, weight, and heat resistance. Choose a style that matches your needs and preferences.
Recommended handguards for AR rifles:
- Faxon Firearms Streamline Handguard: A lightweight free-float handguard with M-LOK slots on all sides. It features an aluminum construction with a hard-coat anodized finish and comes in various lengths and colors.
- Magpul MOE Carbine Length Gas Systems M-LOK Handguard: An affordable drop-in handguard with M-LOK slots on the bottom and sides. Made of polymer with a heat-resistant shield, it has a metal front cap and comes in one length and various colors.
- Coda Evolution Handguard: A unique and lightweight free-float handguard made of carbon fiber with titanium hardware. It offers M-LOK slots on all sides and a built-in QD sling mount. Available in different lengths and colors.
- Midwest Industries AR-15 Two-Piece Drop-In Handguard: A durable drop-in handguard with a versatile quadrail system on all sides. It features an aluminum construction with a hard-coat anodized finish and comes in various lengths and black colors.
- STNGR M-Lok Handguards: Solid and reliable free-float handguards with M-LOK slots on all sides. They have an aluminum construction with a hard-coat anodized finish and come in different lengths and black colors.
Triggers
Triggers are key parts that activate a rifle's firing mechanism. They affect the trigger pull's aspects like feel, weight, travel, and reset. Different triggers exist, including single-stage or two-stage, curved or flat, adjustable or fixed.
Some of our favorite triggers for AR rifles are:
- Timney USA – Best AR Trigger: This drop-in single-stage trigger offers a light and crisp pull with no creep or over-travel. It has an aluminum housing with a steel hammer and sear. It comes in various pull weights from 2 pounds to 4 pounds and multiple shapes from curved to flat.
- Geissele SSA – Best Single Stage AR Trigger: This two-stage trigger offers a smooth and precise pull with a clean break and short reset. It has a steel construction with a mil-spec coating. It comes in one pull weight of 4.5 pounds (2.5 pounds for the first stage and 2 pounds for the second stage) and one curved shape.
- CMC Triggers – Best AR-15 Trigger For The Money: This drop-in single-stage trigger offers a consistent and reliable pull with no creep or over-travel. It has an aluminum housing with a steel hammer and sear. It comes in various pull weights from 2 pounds to 6 pounds and multiple shapes from curved to flat.
- ALG Defense Combat Trigger- Best Drop In AR Trigger: This mil-spec single-stage trigger offers an improved version of the standard trigger with a smoother pull and sharper break. It has a steel construction with a nickel-boron coating. It comes in one pull weight of around 6 pounds and one curved shape.
Stocks and Braces
Stocks and braces are accessories for AR rifles that provide shoulder support and stability. They can be fixed or adjustable and come in different styles.
These accessories can impact your rifle's comfort, stability, ergonomics, and legality. You can choose between rigid or flexible options and simple or feature-rich designs.
Some stocks and braces can be customized with accessories like cheek risers, sling mounts, and storage compartments.
Here are some recommended stocks and braces for AR rifles:
- Magpul CTR Carbine Stock: Adjustable, lightweight, and secure with various color options.
- SB Tactical SBA3 Pistol Stabilizing Brace: Versatile, comfortable, and adjustable for AR pistols.
- Battle Arms Development Ultra Compact Buffer Sabertube: Fixed, minimalist, and reduces recoil.
- Bravo Company BCMGUNFIGHTER Stock: Durable, ergonomic, and snag-free profile.
- Maxim Defense CQB PDW Stock: Compact, rapid, and adjustable with multiple color options
Why You Might Want AR Build Accessories
There are many reasons why you might want to add some accessories to your AR rifle, such as:
Improve your shooting performance
Some accessories can help you shoot better, faster, or more accurately. For Example, a good sight or optic can help you acquire and hit your target more quickly.
A good sling or bipod can help you stabilize and control your rifle more effectively. A good grip or stock can help you comfortably hold and shoulder your rifle.
Enhance your rifle’s versatility:
Some accessories can help you adapt your rifle to different situations, environments, or purposes.
For example, a magnified scope can help you shoot at longer ranges. A night vision sight or a flashlight can help you shoot in low-light conditions.
A suppressor or a linear compensator can help you hit more quietly or reduce noise to the side.
Customize your rifle’s appearance:
Some accessories can help you make your rifle look more unique calm, or tactical.
For example, a rail or a dust cover can add color, texture, or design to your rifle. A muzzle device or a magazine can add flair, character, or intimidation to your rifle.
A sticker or a patch can express your personality preferences or beliefs.
Remember that a wide range of accessories are available, including grips, sights, optics, muzzle devices, and more.
To find the accessories that best match your requirements and personal preferences, we recommend conducting thorough research, comparing various options, and testing them firsthand.
It's important to remember that the AR platform offers immense customization and modularity, allowing you to easily interchange or enhance your accessories according to your preferences.
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