Practical AR-15 accessories that impact how a rifle handles, performs

Rifles built on the AR-15 platform are not only the most popular rifles available today, they are also the most versatile and easiest to customize, with a wide array of accessories from their manufacturers and from after-market companies.

ARs can be accessorized for hunting big game, predators, and varmints. The right accessories also can make them top performers in target competitions, and enable them to provide for home defense.

Whether you want to enhance accuracy, improve ergonomics, or add versatility to your setup, the right combination of upgrades can make all the difference. Accessories like optics, grips, and hand guards aren’t just cosmetic additions, they can significantly impact how the rifle handles and performs.

With countless AR-15 accessories available, this platform allows owners to tailor their rifles to fit specific shooting styles, personal preferences, and performance needs. For many, however, choosing the right accessories can be confusing.

Grant Ubl, who’s been shooting AR rifles for more than five decades, and has built hundreds of custom rifles, helps us wade through the myriad of accessories to find the most practical ones for all-around use.

OPTICS

Most AR-15s don’t come with any sights, so good quality optics are a vitally important accessory. Depending on its intended use, best choices include: red dots, low power variable optics (LPVOs) scopes and prism scopes.

Red dots are excellent for delivering fast shots at close ranges inside 50 yards. They offer unlimited eye relief, fast target acquisition and a wide field of view.

Dot sizes generally range from 2 MOA to 6 MOA. A smaller dot provides more accuracy down range, while a larger dot is easier to pick up quickly. You can also run a magnifier behind a red dot to stretch your range.

Ubl cautions that one of the drawbacks to the system is that as ambient light increases it becomes necessary to increase the intensity of the red dot.

“And in some instances you’re not going to have enough time to do that,” he said.

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LPVO scopes can compete with the red dots for close-range, and then send rounds downrange with excellent accuracy. LPVOs can take you from 1X out to 8X and beyond, but power ranges from 1-4X and 1-6X are the most popular and most economical.

Ubl favors scopes with 1-4X magnification for general use, “but if your targets include smaller predators and varmints, you might want six power or higher,” he said. “You not only want to make sure you get a mount for your scope that’s 2.6 inches above the centerline of the bore to help ensure a proper cheek weld on the stock, but also be sure to position it far enough forward so the back end of the scope lines up with the back of the receiver for the proper eye relief.”

A prism scope with a fixed magnification is a useful compromise between and variable power scope and a reflex sight.

“In a prism scope, I don’t recommend anything higher than three power. A reticle that includes a dot and round circle will work well on close and longer shots up to 200 yards. If you sight in the rifle to put 62-grain factory ammo 1 inch high at 100 yards, you’ll be 1 inch low at 200 yards,” he said.

BARRELS, UPPER RECEIVERS

Although some larger calibers based on the 5.56 case can be used by swapping barrels, Ubl cautions against attempting it.

“The process is complex, and most shooters don’t have the skills or the tools to properly do it,” he said. “Also, I want an upper receiver with a bolt carrier group that has been worn in to that specific barrel extension.”

For those looking to switch between different cartridges in their AR-15, Ubl recommends purchasing different upper receivers chambered for those specific rounds.

“All you need to do is punch out two pins and you’re good to go,” he said.

For those considering adding a larger caliber cartridge to their AR-15, Ubl notes there are many popular choices – from 6mm to .450 – but he recommends the .400 Legend.

“It has plenty of power for bear, hogs and other larger game at ranges up to 200 yards without excessive recoil.”

HAND GUARDS AND RAILS

Handguards and rail systems offer multiple mounting options for a variety of accessories, such as lights, grips, and lasers. KeyMod, M-LOK, and Picatinny are popular rail types, with M-LOK being particularly user-friendly for beginners.

Ubl notes that tactical lights, lasers and front-grips can be easily mounted on M-LOK rails, but suggests these are more practical on a rifle that’s used for home defense than for use in the field or on the range.

A bipod attached to an M-LOK rail is an excellent accessory for shooters aiming to enhance stability and precision. A well-designed bipod reduces fatigue, improves control, increases rifle stability, and ensures consistent shot placement, making it a critical component for competitive marksmen and recreational users.

PERFORMANCE E UPGRADES

While adding accessories to your AR-15 can aid its performance, Ubl says replacing certain parts can improve performance even more.

Replacing the original stock is one upgrade he favors.

“I like the Magpul CTR model that you can adjust to the best shooting position and lock it tight so it isn’t rattling.”

The trigger is another part Ubl recommends replacing.

“A quality single-stage trigger with a 3-pound pull weight is a good choice for most shooters,” he said.

Quality brands he likes include Timney, Triggertech and Rave triggers from RISE Armament.

“However, installing a trigger is not a do-it-yourself project for most,” he said.

Ubl also recommends a replacement free-floating handguard made from 6061-T6 aluminum for ultimate lightweight performance while maintaining the rifle’s structural integrity.

When adding accessories to your AR-15 remember they can significantly impact the rifle’s overall weight. Heavier setups can improve stability, which is beneficial for precision shooting, but they may also reduce mobility and increase fatigue during extended use. Consider the shooting you’ll be doing and how much weight you’re comfortable managing.

MAGAZINES, CASES, SLINGS

Because AR-15s, chambered in 5.56 x 45 mm, generally include just one 30-round magazine, you’ll likely want to add a few more to allow more shooting and less reloading.

There also may be some situations where you might want a lighter, reduced-capacity magazine, and some hunting regulations may require it. Quality, reputable brand magazines are relatively inexpensive and a worthwhile investment.

A case provides added safety when transporting a rifle, and in some jurisdictions it may be illegal to have an uncased rifle in a motor vehicle. Ubl favors a padded soft case with compartments to hold extra magazines.

Some might consider adding a sling to an AR unnecessary, but a good sling provides increased mobility by making carrying your rifle more convenient, and it can help improve accuracy by providing more stability when taking the shot.

A two-point sling is especially popular because of its simplicity and ease of adjustment, making it a practical choice.

“I use a two-point Blue Force Vickers quick-adjust sling that goes around the neck and under the right arm for right-handed shooters. It attaches to the front of the forearm and towards the back on the side of the stock so the butt is closer to the right shoulder and goes diagonally across the body,” said Ubl. “It’s really a good sling for maneuvering your rifle in the woods.”