Aftermarket Upgrades for AR-15 (Legal in Oregon)

[Atomic_Dog9601]

I am looking to upgrade my AR. Function upgrade is priority but aesthetic is not unwelcomed. Any suggestions on trigger, bolt carrier group, sights etc. Or a good rail system or sling. I am looking to optimize CQC effectiveness at distances of 100 yards or less. My AR is a carbine length 5.56 1:7 twist barrel with a full auto bolt carrier group. It currently has standard furniture and basic iron sights.
Am trying to keep to a budget so low to medium priced options are preferable but can save up if no other choice.
I appreciate any help. Thanks

 

[edwardware]

I am looking to upgrade my AR. Function upgrade is priority. . .

So what functions does it fail to perform adequately that you would like to improve upon?

If you don't know have a shortcoming you are improving, you're just playing Mr. Potato Head; fun, but poorly focused.

 

[Atomic_Dog9601]

Overall trigger has a bit of creep and poor return. I am looking for a better trigger system. Also better Iron sights would be helpful. It has the standard front post sight and a rear flip up.

 

[Chuck R.]

I'd first look at how much you have shot it, and under what circumstances, "as is" before recommending anything. The basic M4ish carbine is pretty well set up for HD type use with the simple addition of a light and sling. Another addition would be an RDS, or LPVO to speed things up.

I'd spend the money on ammo and a class, before buying add-ons, you just might save yourself some cash in the long run.

I've been playing with ARs since 1978 (M16A1s then and M4's by the time I retired in 2005). I've also taken multiple carbine classes and shoot ARs in 3gun matches and a 9mm Ar15 in PCC matches. None of my guns are as how they started out, it's been an evolution based on my own learning curve.

 

[edwardware]

Overall trigger has a bit of creep and poor return. I am looking for a better trigger system. Also better Iron sights would be helpful. It has the standard front post sight and a rear flip up.

Trigger: you can spend a lot, but I find the balance of value and performance in basic name-brand triggers. LaRue, or Brownell's NiBo coated are all I've kept.

Sights: I'm uncommon in liking iron's on defensive ARs. Again, balance of value and performance; an optic half as reliable and tough as steel and aluminum aperture and post sights would cost as much as the rest of the gun.

I use DD and MI rears, and simple Taiwanese rail mounted front sights. All of my ARs are POA/POI on man-sized targets to 300-yards, and I don't require more.

I lean simple/reliable/inexpensive pretty hard here, so you may well prefer more features.

As @Chuck R. says, lights are excellent in the dark. I use Surefire G2s in Elzetta FSB or rail mounts.

 

[Atomic_Dog9601]

Thank you for the information. I'm sad to say I haven't gotten to the range as much as I would like but am trying to go at least once a week. I have already started looking for carbine training courses in my area as I agree that nothing beats hands on instruction

 

[Atomic_Dog9601]

I'm sure you guys can tell I'm new to the world of semi auto. I grew up shooting bolt or lever actions but recently decided to broaden my horizons. I'm really more of a hobbyist than anything. So any information I can gain from those more experienced is welcome

 

[GunnyUSMC]

The trigger should be your first upgrade if you’re looking for better performance. There are many different ones on the market.
I’m thinking that you only have one AR and you plan to use it for home defense, target shooting and just an all around gun. If so, you want to stay away from the light target triggers and stay more with a duty type trigger.
AGL makes the A.C.T (Advance Combat Trigger) . It breaks clean and has a good reset. It sales in the $80 range. There are three EDT (Enhance Duty Triger) triggers by HIPERFIRE the the Heavy Gunner, the Sharpshooter, and the Designated Marksman. These triggers will cost you around $100.
I have the ACT, Heavy Gunner and the Sharpshooter in several of my ARs. I have found that I really like the Heavy Gunner trigger. It breaks crisp and clean and has a great reset.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I'm sure you guys can tell I'm new to the world of semi auto. I grew up shooting bolt or lever actions but recently decided to broaden my horizons. I'm really more of a hobbyist than anything. So any information I can gain from those more experienced is welcome

Post a pic of your AR so that we can see what you have to help you better. Posting pics is easy. Just click the upload a file button, next to the post reply button. It will take you through a few easy steps and you’ll be posting pics like a pro.

 

[CapnMac]

Triggers sometimes just need to be "learned" (and some are just flat -out bad--this is both objective and subjective, sadly).
Sights are also a learned thing. A nice squared post will allow corrections for holding off for medium-range targets. For close-in targets and reflexive shot, the king of competition remains the red dot sight. Which one is best? Answers to that are all over the place. Prices are, too.
For 2¢ I'm fine with Holosun on an AR. Others differ.

 

[JohnB-40]

AGL makes the A.C.T (Advance Combat Trigger) . It breaks clean and has a good reset. It sales in the $80 range.

I'm very satisfied with mine

 

[stillquietvoice]

You could try a larue mbt - 2s for about 80. The trigger on mine is a psa ept trigger, enhanced polished trigger, not a bad trigger for a milspec trigger.

 

[Kp321]

I am running CMC 3 1/2# triggers in all of my AR’s and have had very good luck with them. No mater which rifle I pick up, the trigger is the same. They are very simple drop in installation. There are cheaper triggers but not all will work with rimfires,CMC does. Palmetto runs them on special often.

 

[Atomic_Dog9601]

My rifle is A generic carbine comprised of a Palmetto State Armory kit with a Anderson lower receiver using D&H aluminum 30 round magazines if that helps.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-carbine-length-chf-m4-5-56-1-7-rifle-kit.html

This is the link with the stats. I

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Here’s one of mine that is basically the same as yours, but with a midlength gas system.
Upgrades:
Magpul MOE butt stock
Magpul MOE Slim handguard
Magpul MOE+ grip
Y.H. Phantom flash hider




Strike Industry enhanced mag release
Strike Industry extended bolt catch
Hiperfire Heavy Gunner trigger.


Strike Industry enhanced takedown pins
Ambi safety
Extended mag release button
Magpul MOE trigger guard


QD sling attachment back plate


Strike Industry extended latch added to a standard charging handle, with instructions on how to start.


Now all of these upgrades are not needed to make a gun run nice. And not everyone like the same things.
Sometimes you can spend a lot of money on something that doesn’t do much, or a little on something that will help out a lot.
I got the ambi safety for $20. Big plus
The Magpul furniture is a big plus for me and the cost is really not that much. I like the slim handguard because it covers the bottom of the front sight and gives you about two more inches of handguard.
You might be able to tell that I like things made by Strike Industry. They make some good stuff.
This rifle is one of my favorite setups and have built several very similar to it.
Just remember that little things do add up.
But the trigger is the one item that will really make a difference.
The PSA EPT trigger is a little better then the standard milspec trigger, but the AGL ACT trigger is way better. AGL does offer a cheaper trigger that is similar to the PSA EPD trigger. The LaRue MBT triggers are really nice. I have them in two of my hunting rifles. But I find the trigger surface a little to wide for a duty gun.
But if you ask most of the members that build or upgrade their ARs, they will tell you that they have a few spare parts from some upgrades they didn’t like.
I’ve got a box full of just flash hiders.
Here’s an offer. If you would like something other then a standard flash hider, send me a PM and I’ll send you one for free.

 

[Atomic_Dog9601]

Thank you for the information. You have been extremely helpful.

 

[Atomic_Dog9601]

Also. By PM you mean postmark correct?

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Also. By PM you mean postmark correct?

Private message

 

[taliv]

i'm going to disagree with some above.

by far, the biggest improvement will be a red dot sight. if you don't have the budget for it, save up until you do.
second, ammo and more ammo
then more mags, preferably PMAGs although there's nothing wrong with the D&H you have. you just need more mags. at least 10.
then get a sling

in a very distant 5th place, I'd upgrade the stock
6th, a muzzle device if needed, like a flash hider or comp
then some of the controls IF NEEDED, like a tac latch charging handle, possibly an ambi safety if needed
then handguards IF you really need it, but if I was doing that, I would also replace the gas block with a low profile one so i could get my hand farther out
and finally, i'd upgrade the trigger. and i say that as a trigger snob

IF your intent is to do all of those, just save up your money and buy or build a new one with the parts you want.
if you're on a budget just do the red dot, ammo and mags

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Red Dot sights are great but are prone to failure. Batteries go bad or die. And hard use and abuse take their toll on them. That’s why most people have backup sights on their guns. Trust me, I’m talk from experience.
I have red dots on most of my rifles, but replacing a six pound gritty trigger, with a rough break, with a good trigger with do more for the performance or the rifle.

 

[taliv]

That red dot sight and the eotech might be prone to failure but the aimpoint micro and full size are not. They’re incredibly durable and batteries last multiple years. I have several going back 15 years of 3gun and carbine classes and have never had a failure. Not saying there’s never been a failure. But those sights are absolutely not “prone” to failure.

and the objective data will absolutely show that the difference in speed and accuracy from moving from irons to optics is way way way more than the difference in a gritty 6 lb mil spec trigger to a smooth 2-3 lb $300 trigger that breaks like a glass rod.

the shot timer and holes in paper will show the speed and accuracy.

this fact is even plainly evident from the fact that most all the competition organizations have separate categories for optics vs irons so iron sight shooters don’t have to compete against the much faster optics. But I can’t think of any organization that has a division based on triggers. In fact the only rules about triggers are usually safety related.

 

[mjsdwash]

the Joebob trigger adjuster is around 10$, and takes about 15 minutes to install. $15 with upgraded springs. Its not going to give you a match trigger, but it will improve a factory enough to tell you if you want to pay more for a bigger upgrade. The only downside of the Joebob is that it removes the cam force from the trigger, and I'm not sure its dropsafe with the safety off. It may be, I have never tried.
Its also not compatible with some lowers, specifically some (not all) Anderson lowers. Anderson and maybe some others don't thread their grip screw recess all the way. Its easy to check if your is threaded or not.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

That red dot sight and the eotech might be prone to failure but the aimpoint micro and full size are not. They’re incredibly durable and batteries last multiple years. I have several going back 15 years of 3gun and carbine classes and have never had a failure. Not saying there’s never been a failure. But those sights are absolutely not “prone” to failure.

and the objective data will absolutely show that the difference in speed and accuracy from moving from irons to optics is way way way more than the difference in a gritty 6 lb mil spec trigger to a smooth 2-3 lb $300 trigger that breaks like a glass rod.

the shot timer and holes in paper will show the speed and accuracy.

this fact is even plainly evident from the fact that most all the competition organizations have separate categories for optics vs irons so iron sight shooters don’t have to compete against the much faster optics. But I can’t think of any organization that has a division based on triggers. In fact the only rules about triggers are usually safety related.

So what you are saying is that you have no real world experience other then the range and shooting competition.
Have you ever tried shooting an AR with a nice scope with a Milspec trigger and then try the same rifle with a better trigger?
But like I said before, different people will prefer different upgrades.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

the Joebob trigger adjuster is around 10$, and takes about 15 minutes to install. $15 with upgraded springs. Its not going to give you a match trigger, but it will improve a factory enough to tell you if you want to pay more for a bigger upgrade. The only downside of the Joebob is that it removes the cam force from the trigger, and I'm not sure its dropsafe with the safety off. It may be, I have never tried.
Its also not compatible with some lowers, specifically some (not all) Anderson lowers. Anderson and maybe some others don't thread their grip screw recess all the way. Its easy to check if your is threaded or not.

The biggest problem with putting in a lighter spring kit is shooting ammo with hard primers, and light primer strikes.

 

[mjsdwash]

The biggest problem with putting in a lighter spring kit is shooting ammo with hard primers, and light primer strikes.

obsoletely correct. I've not had an issue with the springs on mine being too light. Even on rimfires, but have heard that can be an issue with some spring kits.