5 Rifle Parts to Replace on Your AR

Assuming you bought a fairly standard AR off the rack with a tropical handguard and a flash hider, there are definitely some rifle parts that you could replace on that thing to boost performance, handling, and overall functionality.

Here are 5 of them.

The Stock

First, we have to issue a caveat: this only applies if you bought an AR off the shelf with a fixed stock. Fixed plastic stocks, as you might find on the M4 carbine or M16, and which you sometimes, although less commonly, encounter on AR-15 rifles, are just average.

They get the job done, but they don’t offer any adjustability, not just to length of pull, but to comb height. That leaves some functionality on the table.

There are numerous adjustable stocks compatible with most AR-15 buffer tubes that allow for easy adjustments to length of pull and comb height to optimize fit of the rifle to you as well as eye relief. On top of that, some of them are also folding stocks that will enable you to minimize the footprint of the rifle for transport.

The Handguard

If your AR came with a Pic, M-LOK or KeyMod handguard, you can leave it well alone. But, if it came with a tropical handguard, like military models (and some do) that’s something you’ll want to fix.

Tropical handguards produce a relatively comfortable shooting experience, and good tactility, but when it comes to expanding the rifle, they fall flat. More modular systems like Picatinny rails or KeyMod rails, or perhaps best of all, M-LOK rail systems, are much more versatile.

Also, not only do they give you the flexibility to expand the rifle with shooting accessories and other attachments, but in the case of M-LOK and KeyMod handguards, there’s a pretty decent chance they are lighter than tropical handguards.

The Sights

If your AR came with standard iron sights, then what you might want to do to improve the performance of the rifle is mount an optic over the receiver and put some offset-flip up iron sights on the rail somewhere else.

Standard irons are good, but an optic in tandem with upgraded AR15 sights in the form of offset flip-ups is a much better combo.

Not only will adding secondary backup flip-up sights bring you closer in line with the maxim that two are one and one is none, but the spare flip-ups will offer you a solid option if your optic is ever compromised by dust or fog, or if it’s a red dot and the batteries die.

Plus, optics generally outperform iron sights unless you train heavily with them, and this option will let you run both on one rifle.

The Muzzle Device

Whether your AR is mil-spec or not, it likely came with a flash hider. That is a practical muzzle device in that it helps prevent you from being temporarily blinded by the muzzle flash, but that’s about it.

Beyond that, it just adds unnecessary weight to the barrel. There’s not much going on there otherwise.

There are way better, more practical muzzle devices you can invest in - namely a muzzle brake.

A muzzle brake with the right thread pattern will install just as easily as a flash hider, but it will do a lot more for performance.

Muzzle brakes can reduce felt recoil by anywhere from 10% to as high as 50% in some cases, which, with a light-kicking cartridge like 5.56 or .223, is a big deal. A good muzzle brake can all but eliminate felt recoil.

Or you can stick with your flash hider that won’t reduce recoil - your choice - but this is one rifle part that, if you upgrade it, can make a big difference to handling and overall performance.

The Bolt Carrier Group

You don’t have to upgrade this rifle part, but if your AR has a phosphate (mil-spec) bolt carrier, it might be another good swap to make.

Phosphate bolt carrier groups are non-reflective and have a slightly toothy finish, which helps them hold oil better for the purposes of lubrication.

But in terms of permanent dry lubricity, they’re pretty bad. There are many other optics out there, including black nitride, DLC, titanium nitride, nickel boron, and others, all of which offer better permanent lubricity than phosphate.

This means that, for one thing, the BCG will run more smoothly with less liquid lubrication. It also means that, since they need less oil, less fouling will stick to them, which can extend the service life of the bolt carrier group, holding all else equal.

On top of that, because they exhibit better dry lubricity, they’re easier to keep clean because fouling will not adhere to them as readily.

Shop These and Other Rifle Parts Here

These are only 5 of the rifle parts that you could swap on your AR, but each of them can make a difference. If you’re considering making any of these upgrades, take a look through our full collection of AR15 parts and if you have any questions, get in touch with us directly.