Caleb's Picks: Top 5 Upgrades for Your AR-15

Описание: Brownells Gun Tech™ Caleb Savant tells us his picks for the Top 5 upgrades to get better performance from your AR-15. These tips are geared toward the new AR-15 owner, but there may be some nuggets for the old hands as well. There are plenty more upgrades you can make, but these are the top five that'll give you the most noticeable performance improvements. Good news: these upgrades require little-to-no gunsmithing.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:30 Sights/Optic
2:23 Trigger
3:39 Pistol Grip
4:39 Stock
6:24 Handguard
9:19 Wildcard

(1) SIGHTS / OPTIC: If you're on a tight budget, start with just a set of flip-up sights. When you get an optic, those flip-ups will be great backup sights. You can go with a red dot optic or a 1x to 6x or 8x scope, called an LPVO (low-power variable optic). Which you choose will depend on your needs. Most optics come with a mount that clamps directly to your rifle's receiver rail. An old-style carry-handle rifle will require a special adapter to mount your optic (Brownells sells them). Does your rifle have an A2 front sight tower? You CAN still put an optic on it, with a few limitations.

(2) TRIGGER: The stock "mil-spec" AR-15 trigger is pretty gritty. It gets the job done, but it's not meant for precision shooting. For a modest investment, you can get a replacement trigger with a WAY better pull. There are even one-piece, drop-in trigger modules from companies like Timney, Wilson Combat, Rise Armament, and Triggertech that give your AR an instant trigger job.

(3) PISTOL GRIP: The basic A2-type grip is OK, but you can easily replace it with a grip that better fits your hand and shooting style. Magpul and other companies offer ergonomically enhanced pistol grips that give you a more comfortable, more secure hold on the gun, which will help you shoot it better.

(4) STOCK: Most factory AR-15s come with a basic M4 carbine type adjustable buttstock. It works, but it's pretty bare bones. An inexpensive replacement like the Magpul MOE® stock will get you a much more comfortable cheekweld and better control. The even more comfortable B5 Systems SOPMOD stock has internal storage and more sling-attachment options.

(5) HANDGUARD: You really can't easily mount a light, laser sight, vertical foregrip, or other accessories to the simple plastic M4 carbine handguard that comes with many basic AR-15s. Magpul offers snap-on handguards with M-LOK® slots for mounting accessories, or you can go with an all-aluminum snap-on handguard with four M1913 Picatinny rails (Brownells carries one by Daniel Defense). Then there's a huge variety of free-floating handguards with a full-length Picatinny rail on top and M-LOK® slots on the sides and bottom. You will have to get out a wrench or two to install one of these 'guards.

Finally, Caleb has a SIXTH upgrade he strongly recommends for getting more from your AR-15: PRACTICE. Put in time at the range, take some classes, improve your own physical skills, and see how much better that rifle shoots!