Best AR 15 Upgrades & Accessories

What are the best AR 15 upgrades and accessories?

The AR-15 is considered America’s rifle because of how popular the platform is. Chances are, every gun owner you know probably owns one.

There are a lot of cool calibers available with really good ballistics, but I recommend getting one chambered in 5.56 Nato just because of how common it is.

This article is a complete list of all the best AR 15 upgrades and accessories I suggest if you want to get the most out of your AR platform.

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It doesn’t matter if you are a competitive shooter looking to become better at competition shooting, looking for the best home defense gun, or just a hobbyist.

My idea of the best parts, upgrades, and accessories is I want the most reliable, accurate, and lightest AR-15 possible. These will also make your gun a blast when at the shooting range.

I will recommend some alternate upgrades as well, but just a fair warning. This isn’t going to be an article where I suggest “budget accessories.” These are expensive parts, but they are the best on the market today.

AR-15 reliability upgrades are also included in this article.

Best Ar-15 Lower & upper

If you already have a lower receiver and an upper receiver, then there is no need to change them out.

(Unless you have a polymer receiver, definitely swap that out).

If you are doing a build, then I recommend Aero Precision M4E1 Lower for a lower receiver they are good quality and can be picked up for a good price.

These lower receivers have high-quality materials and a protective coating to prevent premature wear.

Click here to check the current prices of the M4E1 Lower

Most of the lowers that are sold are actually manufactured by the same companies so don’t spend too much time deciding on which one to get. These lowers also have enlarged trigger guards.

Some lowers will let you add enlarged trigger guards but options will be limited. So it is a good idea to purchase lowers that come with enlarged trigger guards.

Any upper receiver will work just fine as long as it’s made by a reputable company. The Aero Precision M4E1 Upper is good and is what I recommend if you don’t have an upper already.

Click here to check the current prices of the M4E1 Upper

If you already have an upper receiver and lower receiver don’t worry about changing them out right away. There are better things to do first when working on AR-15 upgrades.

(When choosing a lower receiver make sure it has a flared magazine well)

Best ar-15 barrel

The barrel is the heart of your rifle and there are five main points to consider when selecting a barrel. Barrel length, twist rate, gas port position, barrel profile, coating, and barrel lining.

When it comes to barrels make sure you free float them with a low-profile gas block. It’s pretty standard for manufacturers to sell rifles with fixed front sight base post gas blocks and non-free floating barrels.

If this is how you are starting don’t worry because it can be changed. Free-floating a barrel is a must and will increase your rifle’s accuracy and is required when doing the best AR-15 upgrades.

Barrel Length

Barrel length will depend on the intended use and your environment. I see many people using shorter barrels on their AR-15 nowadays because they are lighter and easier to maneuver.

With a shorter barrel, you will need to file for an SBR tax stamp with the ATF because anything shorter than 16 inches and an overall length of 26 inches will require extra paperwork.

Some people don’t live in states where this is allowed and don’t like being on an NFA registry and paying the $200 tax stamp and waiting for about 6 months.

You can have an AR pistol with a short barrel and have an “arm brace” instead of a rifle stock to get around this, however, the ATF is starting to go after the arm braces, and they might be banned soon, unfortunately.

Also, with a shorter barrel, you lose a lot of the ballistic properties of the 5.56 round because you will lose a significant amount of velocity of this round in a short barrel.

I keep it simple and recommend a 16″ barrel so I do not have to worry about the ATF banning pistol braces and I keep the effectiveness of the 5.56 caliber.

(If you decide you want a shorter barrel, do not go any shorter than a 10.3″ barrel. This is the barrel length of the MK18 that is used by U.S. Special Forces)

Barrel Profile

The barrel profile will determine the overall weight and heat dissipation of your barrel. This really will not matter too much for most people because the AR platform is usually semi-auto and not full-auto.

You have to shoot a lot of rounds in a very short amount of time in order to melt your barrel, and with modern barrel manufacturing, you can decide to use a pencil barrel in order to cut down on the weight.

Also, a lot of companies make a medium or a hybrid barrel profile that is a happy medium for good heat dissipation and weight distribution.

If you want to spend a little extra money and purchase a barrel with fluting it will help with heat dissipation by increasing the surface area on the barrel.

But again, you need to be shooting a lot of rounds quickly for this to even matter, so I do not believe this is something to worry about too much.

I personally recommend a lightweight barrel by a good manufacturer or a medium-weight hybrid barrel.

There is no need to have a heavy barrel on an AR-15 unless you plan on using it as a bench rest gun only.

Barrel Gas Port Location

There are three main options when deciding on what gas port location to go with. Rifle-Length, Mid-Length, and Carbine-Length.

Rifle-length gas ports are usually seen on barrels that are at least 18 or 20 inches. These can be under-gassed on 16″ barrels or shorter and are not recommended because you might have reliability issues.

Carbine length gas ports will make your AR-15 over gassed which is good for reliability to ensure proper cycling of your rifle but will put more wear and tear on your bolt carrier group.

The military goes with carbine-length gas systems on their M4s because they favor reliability above all else.

Mid-length gas systems are the best in my opinion and the perfect medium among them all.

The rifle will still cycle and function reliably and it will be slightly softer shooting as well.

I choose to go with mid-length gas systems when purchasing barrels, but if I already have a carbine length I am happy with that too.

Barrel Twist Rate

Barrel twist rate is how much twist is forced on the bullet as it travels down the barrel. This affects rounds differently depending on their grain weight.

Heavier rounds have better ballistics at certain twist rates compared to lighter rounds.

1/8 is the best twist rate because it performs well on all of the different grain weight bullets.

Barrel coating and linings

As far as coatings and linings it usually comes down to whether a barrel is chrome lined or not.

Chrome lining will prevent corrosion of your barrel, especially if shooting very corrosive ammo. The downside is it negatively affects the accuracy of the barrel.

Again, with modern manufacturing, barrels and even ammo are a lot better than they were years ago. Barrel corrosion is something that I do not worry about. Nitride barrels are better in my opinion.

They have increased accuracy and have less chance of any issues because, during chrome lining a barrel, you can have more problems with your barrel because of the extra step.

Modern ammunition is less corrosive today.

I recommend going with a non-chrome-lined barrel and one that is nitrided. If you live in an area that has a lot of moisture and humidity, I would just make sure to perform regular maintenance and cleaning of the barrel more often, but you shouldn’t have any issues with corrosion.

So what is the best AR-15 barrel?

I like the Faxon Firearms Match Gunner Barrel which is 16″ and has a mid-length gas port. I believe this is one of the best barrels you can get for your AR-15.

It has 5R rifling and is a 223 Wylde barrel, so it has better tolerances in the chamber. It will shoot 5.56 Nato and .223 Rem.

Click here to check the current prices of the Match Gunner Barrel

Best AR-15 Gas Block

Adjustable gas blocks are very popular and so are low-profile gas blocks. If you are running a suppressor then going with an adjustable gas block might be better.

Having an adjustable gas block will let you fine-tune your gas system and will give you less recoil. Competition shooters usually opt-in for adjustable gas blocks because of this reason.

Out of all the possible upgrades, if you are focused on home defense then a low-profile gas block will work great when choosing a gas block.

When choosing a gas block make sure you get a low-profile one and then you have the option to get one that is adjustable or one that is not.

The Geissele Super Gas Block is a very good great quality low profile gas block, and that is the one that I recommend. It is the perfect new gas block.

It is also lightweight compared to other gas blocks and only needs a set screw to attach to your gas port and gas tube.

Click here to check the current prices of the Geissele Super Gas Block

Just make sure you choose a gas tube that is the correct length for your barrel gas port.

There are a few things to consider when choosing your gas system length. Gas flow is increased with a shorter gas system which will increase reliability but also increase recoil.

A rifle-length gas system will have less gas flow and make the rifle softer shooting which can help with accurate shooting and long-range accuracy.

This will also reduce reliability with the chance of being under-gassed.

For me, I always go with mid-length gas systems. This is the perfect balance of reliability and accuracy.

I recommend the Aero Precision Mid-Length Gas Tube.

Click here to check the current prices of the Aero Mid-Length Gas Tube

Best Ar-15 bolt carrier group

When choosing a bolt carrier group (BCG) you have a couple of different options. There are full-auto M16 BCGs, and there are AR-15 semi-auto BCGs.

Also, they are made in a wide variety of different coatings.

I recommend an M16 full auto BCG because they are heavier and more reliable. This is one part of your AR-15 where you don’t want a lightweight part.

(Using an M16 full auto BCG will not transform your AR-15 into a machine gun)

Having an M16 style BCG helps prevent your BCG from tilting when firing and this will increase your AR-15 reliability.

The gas key is one of the most important parts to look at on a BCG. You want to make sure you have a gas key that is properly stacked to your carrier group.

There are two set screws that attach the gas key to the carrier group and you do not want these to loosen. This is why staking is important.

I recommend the Lantac Enhanced Full Auto Bolt Carrier Group

These are made to be extremely durable and overbuilt for a bolt carrier.
Click here to check the current prices of the Lantac Bolt Carrier Group

Best AR-15 Trigger Group

This is a part where you will want to spend some money and get a really good trigger. Mil-spec triggers that come on most AR-15s are not very good and having a nice trigger pull on your rifle will be a huge upgrade for your AR-15.

Personally, I love Geissele triggers and think they make some of the best drop-in trigger kits available on the market today.

On the AR platform, two-stage triggers are often a better choice compared to single-stage triggers. A single-stage trigger makes more sense to drop in a dedicated precision rifle, and a two-stage trigger is better suited for a primary battle rifle.

I recommend the Geissele SSA-E Trigger as a drop-in trigger and it is honestly amazing and probably my favorite upgrade on my AR-15.

It is a two-stage trigger and one of the best drop-in two-stage triggers on the market. The trigger pull is very smooth and crisp.

This is hands down the biggest change to your rifle shooting experience that you will notice the most and probably be one of your favorite AR-15 upgrades.

Click here to check the current prices of the Geissele SSA-E Trigger

Also, the SSA is a good drop-in trigger too, but it has a slightly heavier trigger pull weight which some people might prefer. I personally love the lower trigger pull weight of the enhanced version.

CMG makes a great drop in single-stage triggers as well and people swear by them. I just love the Geissele triggers and think they are the best.

I also recommend getting a set of KNS Precision Anti-Rotation Trigger Pins. They are inexpensive and will prevent the pins from popping out and prevent trigger wear.

Click here to check the current prices of the KNS Anti-Rotation Trigger Pins

Best AR-15 Buffer System

Upgrading your buffer and buffer springs is a small but nice thing to change. If you have ever shot a Mil-spec AR-15 you will notice that “twang” you hear inside the buffer tube.

This noise is caused by standard buffer springs.

It can be annoying and distracting but really does not affect the performance of your rifle.

When looking for the best buffer system, I really liked the Geissele Super 42 Braided Wire Buffer Spring and Buffer.

It is a braided spring, and you can choose a buffer that is properly weighted for your AR-15’s barrel length and gas system.

Now, this is a very subtle AR-15 upgrade, but it is worth it.

The captured buffer system is also really good because it prevents you from having to use a buffer detent pin which is prone to breaking and falling off into your trigger group and may cause malfunctions.

Both of these also reduce the spring twang noise you hear while firing.

This isn’t an upgrade that is a must, but it really does complete your AR-15 when looking for the best parts to get the most out of the platform.

Click here to check the current prices of the Geissele Super 42

Best AR-15 Optics

There are two main types of optics when choosing the best AR-15 accessories. They are a Red dot style optic, or a low-powered variable optic (LPVO).

Again, choosing these will depend on your area and environment.

Don’t go cheap here. There are some budget options, but I often hear the saying that you should spend just as much on the glass as you did on the rifle.

For me, I like having a red dot better because I will not be shooting too far out and red dot sights are very quick at target acquisition.

Also, I am a firm believer in having flip-up sights on your AR-15 just in case of your primary optic fails.

Best AR-15 Red Dot Sights

I wanted a red dot optic on my needs with this rifle. Red dots give you the fastest target acquisition possible and allow you to threat focus compared to backup iron sights where you have to focus on the front sight.

You can’t have a complete rifle until you have a good quality optic and add to the iron sights. Red dots are here to stay; this should be the main point of focus when doing AR-15 upgrades.

There are some very good options you can go with when choosing different red dot sights.

Trijicon MRO

The Trijicon MRO is the optic that I decided to put on my AR-15, and I believe it is one of the best optics you can put on your AR-15.

It is small and lightweight, has excellent battery life, and is affordable.

Click here to check the current prices of the Trijicon MRO

Trijicon now has the newer version of this optic the Trijicon MRO HD With Magnifier and they have made some small improvements to it. It’s a great setup if you want to have a magnifier too.

I still like the original, and it works great.

Click here to check the current prices of the Trijicon MRO HD With Magnifier

EOTech

The EOTech EXPS3 holographic sight is also a great optic for an AR-15. It is highly recommended for anyone that has eye issues like astigmatism. The battery life isn’t as good as some of the other optics, but it is very reliable and has the mount integrated.

This optic is also bigger and heavier but has a bigger objective window to look through, which many people prefer.

Click here to check the current prices of the EOTech EXPS-3

Aimpoint T2

The Aimpoint T2 is considered the best out there by many people. It is very rugged and durable and has great battery life.

This optic is also extremely durable.

This is also the smallest and lightest optic on this list of the best AR-15 optics, but it is also the most expensive but worth the price.

Click here to check the current prices of the Aimpoint T2

Best Red Dot Mount

I don’t plan on switching my optics to different rifles or platforms. Once I set up an AR-15, I usually tend to keep it that way.

I don’t like having quick detach mounts for this reason and prefer something that is solid and secure to make sure my red dot holds its zero.

For this reason, I went with the Geissele Super Precision Mount.

They offer this mount for the Trijicon MRO and the Aimpoint T2 as well. It is very sleek and rock solid. Just make sure you order the correct one for your specific optic.

Also, I recommend the lower 1/3rd height for it.

Click here to check the current prices of the Geissele Super Precision Mount

Best AR-15 Iron Sights

Even with modern red dots that are very reliable, I am a firm believer in having backup fixed or pop-up iron sights on your AR-15.

They don’t add much weight and don’t take up a lot of rail space.

The Magpul MBUS Pros are my favorite, I like how they are made of metal and not a polymer.

Having a solid pair of backup sights completes the overall build when adding AR-15 upgrades.

Click here to check the current prices of the Magpul MBUS Pros

Best AR-15 LPVOs

Low-powered variable optics have been becoming more and more popular lately and are a good choice for anyone who thinks they might have to engage threats at distance.

Again, this depends on your situation and environment.

For my needs, a red dot works just fine, and I like the quickness they provide.

LPVO scopes have a one-power magnification setting, however, even at this setting, a red dot is still quicker because of eye relief and parallax.

Best LPVO Mount

The Vortex Razor HD Gen II-E is the best LPVO that there is. It is a 1 to 6 variable scope and has an illuminated reticle.

It is shockproof, waterproof, and fog-proof. Vortex also has the best warranties on all of its products.

If you want to see my full Vortex Razor HD Gen II-E Review you can check it out.

Click here to check the current prices of the Vortex Razor HD Gen II-E

Best Scope Mount

The Geissele Super Precision 30mm Scope Mount is the best mount to attach an LPVO on your AR-15.

Click here to check the current prices of the Geissele Super Precision Scope Mount

Best AR-15 Furniture

Dressing up your AR-15 is another area where personal preference comes into play. Everyone will have their own idea of what they want and what feels right to them.

These parts below are what I went with, and I couldn’t be happier. They are quick, easy, and a good way to start the AR-15 upgrade process.

Best AR-15 Stock

Because of running a plate carrier, I went with a buttstock that is of course adjustable but also slim.

The Magpul SL Stock does what I need perfectly and is reasonably priced.

Click here to check the current prices of the Magpul SL Stock

They have the newer Magpul SL-S Stock version of this stock out now, and when I tried ordering one, it was out of stock in OD green, so I went with the original version.

I plan on upgrading to the SL-S eventually, but I am very happy with the standard one. It is comfortable and doesn’t have any play.

Click here to check the current prices of the Magpul SL-S Stock

Adding a better stock to your rifle is a very simple way to upgrade your AR-15.

Best AR-15 Pistol Grip

I put the Magpul MOE K2+ Grip on everything I possibly can. This is by far my favorite pistol grip, and I have used many.

It has the perfect amount of “grippyness” to it and just feels great in hand, and is a good quality grip. I like that this grip has no finger grooves.

This pistol grip isn’t too wide, either. Some of the rubberized pistol grips are just way too fat, and the Magpul K2+ got it right.

These are also inexpensive and easy to install on your rifle. This is one of the first parts I change out on my rifles and is a must for me when working on AR-15 upgrades.

Click here to check the current prices of the Magpul MOE K2+ Grip

Best AR-15 Handguard

There are two main drop-in handguards and a rail system that I recommend for the AR platform. One is slightly better regarding durability, but one is slightly better because it’s lighter.

The Midwest Industries G3M Series Handguard is what I went with because it is a little bit lighter than the Geissele Rail system.

They are both free float rail systems, and that is the main thing you need to look for when doing a handrail AR-15 upgrade.

The midwest industries drop-in handguard is very slim and has offset mounting slots for any accessories. There are also QD mounts on the front and rear to attach a sling.

Both of these drop in handguards are in M-LOK and free-floating. Those are the two biggest things you need in a good rail system.

I went with a 15″ handguard, and they make a lot of different lengths for this rail system.

Click here to check the current prices of the Midwest Industries G3M Handguard

Best AR-15 Vertical Foregrip

I use a vertical foregrip mostly as an indexing point for my off-hand. I do not hold the vertical grip like it is intended to be used. Instead, I actually use it more like an angled foregrip.

The Magpul MVG that is M-LOK compatible is perfect for this. It is lightweight and not too large.

Click here to check the current prices of the Magpul MVG

Best AR-15 Accessories

I like to keep my AR-15 as light and as minimal as possible. Some accessories are a must-have in my opinion, and these are the best ones.

Best AR-15 Weapon Light

Identifying your target and crucial, and if it’s dark, you will need a weapon light.

The Surefire M600 is my go-to for this. It is bright, reliable, and has the option to add a tape switch with a pressure pad for momentary on and off.

Click here to check the current prices of the Surefire M600

They made a Tail Cap Pressure Pad that was a button on it, which will let you have a constant on and off button as well.

Click here to check the current prices of the Tail Cap Pressure Pad

I mount this on my handguard using the Arisaka Defense Inline Scout Mount. It’s slim and rock solid.

Click here to check the current prices of the Arisaka Defense Inline Scout Mount

I have the tape switch running to a Cloud Defensive LCS Mount that works great. I am super happy with this setup and believe it’s the best solution for mounting a weapon light with a pressure pad.

Having a good weapon light on a rifle is one of my favorite AR-15 upgrades.

Click here to check the current prices of the Cloud Defensive LCS Mount

Best ar-15 muzzle device

There is a little disagreement in the gun world about muzzle breaks and muzzle devices on AR-15s. Most people regurgitate what they have heard and believe the AR-15 has low recoil and that muzzle devices are unnecessary.

I have a different train of thought.

I want to take the already light recoil and tame it even more, to get the best performance out of my AR-15. If it’s soft shooting already, I want to maximize that even more.

Muzzle breaks are very loud and can cause hearing damage, especially if fired indoors during a home defense situation.

That is a risk I’m willing to take, and I’m a firm believer in having the brightest weapon light and loudest rifle possible to shock and disorientate any adversaries.

Feel free to disagree.

For this reason and mindset, I went with the Titan Comp SJC muzzle break, which works great at keeping the muzzle on target.

Some people criticize a muzzle device or flash hider, but I am a big proponent of them and think they are good when adding AR-15 upgrades.

I did have to use a Shim Kit when installing it on my AR-15 to get the proper alignment.

Best ar-15 magazines

Now to get into the nitty-gritty. I have used all types of AR-15 magazines and never had any issues with them.

I still prefer the Magpul P-Mags with the window slot. (The Gen 3 version of these if possible)

These are great magazines, and I believe they are the best. They are also affordable and can be found everywhere.

Click here to check the current prices of the Magpul P-Mags

If you feel like getting frisky, it’s always nice to have at least one of the Surefire 60 Round Mags. They work well and anti-gunners hate them, so there’s that.

Click here to check the current prices of the Surefire 60 Round Mags

Also, don’t waste money on drum-style magazines. They suck.

Best ar-15 sling

When choosing a sling for your AR-15, you have several options. The two-point style sling or the single-point style sling.

I like the two-point slings with a quick adjustable loop or pull tab.

The Ferro Concepts Slingster is my favorite, and it works great. The Vickers Sling is also a good alternative.

Click here to check the current prices of the Vickers Sling

If you are set on having a single-point sling, the Magpul MS4 works, but I would highly recommend trying a two-point sling.

Other AR-15 Parts to Consider

The rest of the parts I’m going to mention are just small little tweaks to your AR-15, but they are nice little touches to really complete your rifle. These also depend on your shooting style.

They are in no way necessary, but why not get the most out of your AR-15 and continue to make it user-friendly as well? Everyone will have a different shooting style.

Best AR-15 Charging Handle

The Radian Weapons Raptor Charger Handle is my favorite aftermarket ambidextrous charging handle. It is ambidextrous and has extended tabs for ease of use.

It looks cool too, and helps with chambering rounds or clearing malfunctions.

Click here to check the current prices of the Raptor Charging Handle

The Geissele Super Charging Handle is also good, but I prefer the Radian Arms one.

An enhanced charging handle is a good quick, and easy AR-15 upgrade.

Click here to check the current prices of the Geissele Charging Handle

Best AR-15 Ambi Safety

Even if you are not left-handed, you could always add an ambidextrous safety selector to your rifle.

I didn’t do this because I have been training for so long without one and don’t like having the extra safety lever by my trigger finger when I am indexing it.

Also, I didn’t swap out the safety selector because I like the standard ones. An ambidextrous safety selector digs into my trigger finger, which is always annoying.

Even when shooting weak side, I have gotten so used to a regular safety that I didn’t think I should upgrade it.

If you are not like me and want to upgrade this, the Troy Safety Selector is what I would recommend.

Click here to check the current prices of the Troy Safety Selector

Best AR-15 Bolt catch

The Geissele Maritime Bolt Catch is another nice little upgrade for your AR-15. This is an extended bolt release.

An extended bolt release allows more surface area to engage the bolt and is easier to manipulate, especially while wearing gloves.

This extended bolt release is one of the best ones on the market.

The Milspec design only leaves you a small button to lock the bolt back, and the paddle to release the bolt could be larger.

The Maritime bolt catch solves both issues and is a nice little AR-15 upgrade.

(Note: If you plan on installing a new trigger or anti-rotation trigger pins, install both of them first before installing the Maritime bolt catch)

Click here to check the current prices of the Maritime Bolt Catch

Final Considerations

The parts, upgrades, and accessories discussed in this article will bring your AR-15 to the next level. This gives you the most out of the platform and truly is one of the most accurate, reliable, and lightest AR-15s

This is how mine is set up; the difference is night and day. All of my AR 15 upgrades serve a purpose and increase the platform’s performance.

If you choose to go with the same AR 15 upgrades and accessories as I did, this build will also work great with night vision.

For a police officer or military member, you will love all of these accessories for your AR build. If you are just a normal citizen, make sure you follow and know all of the local laws in your area.

The best-value gun parts are expensive, and you can piece your AR build together as you go. If this is a new rifle or a backup, better shooting experience and accuracy may take some time.

Prices are constantly changing and seem to be on the rise lately, so sooner rather than later might be better to purchase some of the items mentioned.

Lots of stuff is selling off the shelves quickly, and availability is becoming an issue in the firearms industry.

However, you set up your rifle, make sure you are always safe when shooting.

You may have to prioritize your parts and upgrade as you go. Maybe start with a free-floating handguard or an AR trigger first, then add a new trigger guard and extended bolt releases.

Thanks for reading, and please let me know in the comments what you think of the parts I selected and if you would do things differently.

Common Questions FAQ

Why should I upgrade my AR15?

The AR platform is great for swapping out parts and adding accessories. It is easy to work on, and the customizability is endless. Being able to fine-tune and personalize your rifle to your standards and preferences is great.

Nothing wrong with keeping a rifle stock, but we live in the golden age of firearms, so you should take advantage of it.

Best AR-15 Upgrades & Accessories

What should I upgrade on my AR-15?

Optic, handguard, trigger, stock, grip, bolt carrier, sights, barrel, muzzle device, and gas tube are all samples of common upgrades that are easily down to the modern sporting rifle.

For most of these upgrades, no special tools are needed, and are simple to change and swap out parts.

Best AR-15 Upgrades & Accessories

Can you upgrade any AR-15?

Most rifle parts can easily be changed, and removing some of these parts could greatly improve your rifle’s performance.

The great thing about the AR platform is that it is universal, and parts can be changed throughout without worrying about compatibility issues. One thing to note is that some parts are designed for mil-spec rifles, and some are for commercial.

About 99 percent of parts are made for mil-spec, so you shouldn’t worry. DMPS rifles are commercial so just keep that in mind.

Best AR-15 Upgrades & Accessories

Is it cheaper to build your AR-15?

The initial purchase of one piece AR15 is likely cheaper than constructing one. However, when building an AR-15, you can buy preferred components having higher durability and quality.

If you plan on upgrading or adding many different accessories, then it will be cheaper to do an AR build.

Most people upgrade as you go, so it might make better sense just to buy one first, so you have a functioning rifle, then add stuff over time.

Best AR-15 Upgrades & Accessories

Are all of these AR15 upgrades worth the money?

That is a personal decision you must make for yourself. Is your safety worth any specific amount of money?

What about the safety of your family? How much is that worth? Just something to think about, and no one can decide for you.

I also look at firearms, accessories, and equipment as investments. I am investing in my future, safety, and family. All this stuff holds its value and will help you sleep better at night.

Complete List of Items Mentioned

(Click the links for the most up-to-date prices)

Have you added any accessories to your home defense rifle? Have you changed the AR trigger? Are you a gun enthusiast?

Did you initially start with a red dot and replace the backup iron sights?

Let me know in the comments below.

Further reading on Firstworldcrusader.com: Are you interested in learning more about guns and gear?

This list of the Best Red Dot Sights can help you choose the best optic for your rifle.

In addition, here are the Best AK-47 Upgrades & Accessories that can help you get more out of your primary battle rifle.

3 Comments

Tim Landini says:

November 24, 2020 at 6:21 pm

Check out Elftmann triggers. Best drop-in trigger assembly I’ve used especially with a sub 2.5lb pull.

1. Joseph Kocik says:
  
  November 28, 2020 at 11:50 pm
  
  Never heard of them but I will definitely check them out!
  
CJ Wilks says:

January 22, 2022 at 4:04 pm

If you choose to use anti-rotation pins along with the Geissele trigger, I believe KNS’s mod2 gen G are the only pins specifically designed to be used with Geissele triggers. Otherwise, Geissele recommends not using anti-walk pins with their triggers due to possible reliability issues.