Best AR-15 Upgrades

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Importance of Upgrading

When it comes to upgrading your AR, some people question why parts should be changed out from the factory. There are certain entry-level rifles on the market that have great features and good bones to start with, but lack modern features. For someone who is trying to have a fantastic rifle but doesn’t have $2,000+ to spend on a rifle, piecing it together with quality parts may take more time but will end with the same result. You may be able to put together a rifle with various parts while keeping the cost lower, with less upfront cost. For people with fixed incomes or on a budget, it's a fantastic way to slowly put together a quality rifle without the large price tag up front.

Optics 

One of the absolute necessities when it comes to having a usable rifle is some sort of optic, whether it's a Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO) or red dot sight. If you happened to miss the best optic for AR-15s article, be sure to click the link here to check it out. Most individuals don't know how to use iron sights and for a pair of quality iron sights, you can get a reliable, long-lasting red dot sight or entry-level LPVO. Being able to make accurate, consistent shots with your rifle is an absolute necessity. An easy trap to fall into is thinking you need a minimum of $1,000+ for an optic; that's simply not true. There are plenty of high-quality and reliable optics on the market for $150 and up.

Handguards

One upgrade that doesn't get much attention but can make a massive difference for building out a rifle is a quality, sturdy handguard. There are a number of entry-level rifles that have the traditional clamshell handguards. Having a quality flat top rail allows you to mount whatever accessories you may need. Whether it's a vertical grip, weapon light or laser. Another consideration that most don't think about is the idea that a handguard can change the entire look of a rifle.

Whether it's a smooth M-LOK rail or old school picatinny rail, it can give off an old school retro or modern rifle vibe. The ability to put accessories on it, though, is where it really starts to matter. For picatinny rails, I prefer the Knights Armament RAS rails, LaRue Tactical rails or the Daniel Defense RIS II rail. For M-LOK rails, BCM makes some great options along with Geissele and the new Daniel Defense RIS III rail. Handguards may not be the most exciting upgrade, but having the ability to attach other accessories can drastically improve things.

Triggers

When it comes to precision and longer hunting rifles, having a quality trigger is almost a necessity. Compared to bolt-action triggers, AR-15 triggers are considerably worse with more creep. Installing a match-grade trigger or improved two-stage trigger can allow for tighter groups when shooting at distance. I put this one further down the list because although they are a great upgrade for every rifle, for shorter AR pistols and SBRs, it's certainly not a necessity. A standard mil-spec trigger will do just right and if you plan on learning to train with a rifle, I'd much rather have more ammo than a fancy trigger on a shorter rifle.

For longer rifles, though, it really is the difference between pulling shots with a crummy mil-spec trigger and making your hits at 400+ yards. It's hard to beat the LaRue Tactical MBT-2S trigger at $115.99. When it comes to bang for your buck, these are some of the best triggers on the market at that price point. If you want to go more expensive, the Geissele triggers start at $245.99 and go up to $330, depending on the model. Depending on what your AR-15 is, it can make a world of difference when shooting long range with an upgraded trigger. It's not an absolute necessity, but it's certainly a good choice for a better overall experience.

Bolt Carrier Groups

When it comes to a vital internal component of AR-15 rifles, it doesn't get more important than the bolt carrier group. This is the absolute beating heart of any rifle and not all bolt carrier groups are the same. Upgrading to a better bolt carrier group with a better finish can often improve function for a longer period of time without cleaning. If you plan on running a suppressor on your rifle or AR pistol, it's never a bad idea to throw an upgraded bolt carrier group with some sort of PVD or Nitride finish, as well as titanium or chrome treatment.

These bolt carrier groups offer higher lubricity, which allows for the bolt carrier group to be naturally slicker without oil present. This allows the rifle to function when extremely dirty and can assist in faster cleaning as well. An upgraded bolt carrier group is definitely helpful with cleaning and in conjunction with a suppressor. There are plenty of options on the market from Lantac, BCM, and other manufacturers. I wouldn’t put bolt carrier groups at the top of the list, but if you plan on running your guns rough with less than ideal maintenance, I would certainly consider one of these upgraded bolt carrier groups.

Overall Thoughts 

When it comes to AR-15 upgrades, there are a number of choices available to start with. Personally, I believe optics are the most useful upgrade since everything else can be added on in time, but that is one of the most important components to ensure you have a capable rifle. There are plenty of other options on the market today, with handguards, triggers and bolt carrier groups all being great options as well.

Let me know what your favorite upgrades are in the comments below. If you have questions about AR-15s or firearms in general, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and we will see you in the next editorial.