Sequence of modifications

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

I think we’ve done this before but typically it’s been a newer shooter looking for advice and they tend to unhinge, or they are older threads and I think it would be interesting to start fresh.

Caveat is that you have to start out by stating what application you’re designing to: precision, CQB, plinking, competition, etc. (you are not limited to these categories).

Then the question is what order you would make your modifications. Do you install a new grip first? Optics? Stock? what do you do next? and most importantly, WHY? It doesn’t have to be “I would install a Magpul MOE stock” but instead should just be “replace the stock”.

Let’s assume starting with a Colt 6920 as well, and from there everything is fair game from the barrel to the stock to the sights to the muzzle device.

And lets skip the “training” response. It’s pretty well established at this point that most of us here believe in it, and those that don’t aren’t going to change their minds, so let’s just avoid it altogether here. we can also skip, “ammo and mags” as they are pretty self evident right along with training.

The idea here is to see if we can establish a consensus on the sequence of modifications for a given purpose that later on we can point newer shooters/buyers to in order to help them prioritize.

2

rob_s,

The question is really are the modifications needed? Or is this just a hypothetical situation?

Generally when I build something for myself I already have an idea on how it will be set up and I install everything at once. The exception being if something new comes around and I test it out by replacing something on my AR. If I decide to keep it, it stays.

3

Let me try to clarify.

You have limited funds. You are given (or buy, whatever) a Colt 6920. For your purposes (and please state what those purposes are), and knowing everything you know now, what do you change first on the gun? What do you change second. You. Personally. I don’t want to get into “need” vs. “want”, but I think we all would agree that if you’re going to use the 6920 for HD at some point you’re going to need to add a light. The question is do you do that first, second? If second, what comes before it and why. Etc.

For example, every AR that comes to me, the first thing I do is change the A2 grip out if it comes so-equipped. If for some reason I can’t do that, I add a Gapper. Sometimes even if it comes with another grip (such as the MOE) I still add the Gapper. Reason being that I ran an SR15E3 through TD1 at an EAG class with an A2 grip on it and by TD2 my finger was not only raw but actually bruised from the bump and the triggerguard wings. So every gun, regardless of what I’m doing with it, gets attention at the grip first thing.

My list would go on from there. But I want to see if we get any replies first before simply posting my list for people to pick apart. In fact, it would be nice if this thread could avoid people picking apart each other’s lists other than to ask people for clarifications on their choices and their “why”.

4

Posting from the phone, so I’ll be brief…if I understand your line of thought correctly, Rob, this my order, for a CAN/general purpose set up…

1- Sling
2- Light
3- Aimpoint
4- Ergo type stuff:
Pistol grip
Stock
Charging handle latch
5- FF rail/handguard

That what you looking for?

Bob

5

Intended use:

Home defense, Competition, Training.

  1. Weapon mounted light. (with this I prefer to mount on a short light weight rail such as a DD 7". I feel the rail provides a better surface to grip or “catch” my hands if wet)

  2. Sling. Never know when you need your hands free.

  3. Optic. (Aimpoint micro)

  4. Grip (if pinching issues) - Mine never felt “right” changed to MIAD and is perfect now.

  5. Stock (if not comfortable to shoot extended periods) My M4? Stock cut deeply into my shoulder during classes changed to CTR (moe would be fine CTR eliminates the “wiggle”.

  6. (added) Although I have yet to add this shooting some BC 1.0 - 2.0 equipped rifles, I would like to add one of these muzzle devices for ease of follow up shots / flash reduction.

That’s it. I followed this same upgrade path on my current rifle (ddxv) and so far there is nothing I would change. (on my rifle sub out Aimpoint for an Acog that was a B-day present.)

6
  1. MOE forearm (because step 2 depends on it)
  2. Light
  3. Aimpoint
  4. Sling

This is what I do, now. Cannot imagine what else I’d want on a carbine.

7

Well,there are a lot of variables here, not least of which is the experience of the shooter. Like IG, I tend to do it all at once when I assemble rather than replacing each part individually.

If it was myself, and assuming this will be my only carbine, then it would have to be a “general purpose” build.

Though I much prefer the magpul flavor, I am quite comfortable with the ergos of the A2 grip and M4 stock, so those would stay.

I think the iron sights are fine for most uses, so my first investments would go to a quality light source and method to mount it, if that meant a magpul MOE and mount-n-slot, so be it.

Next would be a good sling to use as both a carry and shooting aid.

Next would be the optic.

Furniture comes next, followed by gizmos.

So, in short:

  1. Light and mounting solution
  2. Sling
  3. Optic
  4. Furniture/free floating set up
  5. Gizmos (triggers, muzzle devices, etc)
8
  1. Grip
    2)stock
  2. Hand-guard

From there i would go shoot and see if any of those needed replacing , sometimes i have found that even though i want to like a product i just cant (like the tango down grip) . Since im a bit more on the vertically compact side its important to me that my rifle be comfortable because if not then ill have a hard time wielding it.

4)Sling
5a) optic
5b)Light
6)every thing else , forward grip,sights,ambi safety etc…

Again my goal is to make it comfortable first and then with my limited funds add on as needs dictate. i believe that with this template i can out fit any rifle for any purpose . The only problem is i have to make a list because i know me and i have a habit of buying stuff i dont need . I hope this didnt deviate to far from what you were looking for.

9

I recently went through this with my patrol rifle.
I aded a short piece of rail and a M3 light.
At the same time,
I replaced the A2 style grip, that hump in it bothers my fingers.
I added an oversized trigger gaurd, it serves two purposes the larger opening is good with the gloves I wear and it fills the gap.
The light was first. For this thread I consider the others 2 and 3.
I chose these three for the following reasons.
A light is good for work, the grip makes it easier for me to manipulate the safety while maintaining my grip. I am a lefty. The trigger gaurd fills the gap and allows me to keep my winter gloves on.

10

with the ar i just got, that will be my patrol rifle. i just ordered a moe grip and stock. bcm mod4 charging handle, and magpul aluminum trigger guard. it just makes my rifle more comfortable for me. i think it all depends what task you will use your rifle for. i think some people like to mod for the sake for modding

11

My first AR dropped in the “Home defense and recreational shooting” category.

The list of modications I did went as this:

  • Aimpoint Optic
  • Magpul MOE stock and grip
  • 12.0 FSP rail and magpul AFG
  • Weapon light
  • Sling mounting and sling

If I went back in time and would have changed that, I would have went with:

  • Sling
  • Aimpoint Optic
  • No magpul accessories unti I had shot with the standard stock and grip for a long time
  • Would probably have still got the rail, I like my hand further out like this rail provides and where I can mount the light
12

my first list when i got my bushmaster was as follows

-EoTech
-GG&G Foregrip, which I ended up hating
-PMags

Now, I have a Matech BUIS, CTR Stock, which felt like a big improvement as my OEM one was rattle-matic, Ares sling, DD FSB 12in rail, Magpul stubby foregrip. Also, a development of the thumb break method that I have found is beneficial for me as I gots long arms and big paws.

If I would have done it again:

-A better quality rifle
-PMags
-Quality 2 point sling
-Ammo
-Shoot irons

13

Assuming I would start with the 6920 with carry handle as base and i’d slowly add parts and pieces as time goes by:

Red Dot Carbine

The What:

  1. Magpul Trigger Guard.
  2. Magpul Moe Grip.
  3. Magpul Bad Lever.
  4. BCM Gunfighter Charging Handle.
  5. 14.5" Midlength Pencil Barrel w/ Fixed FSB.
  6. Moe handguards.
  7. VTAC / Surefire Mini L4 in VTAC mount on handguard at 1 o’clock on a magpul cantilever moe rail.
  8. ASAP Plate and Sling.
  9. T-1 w/ Larue 1/3 co-witness mount.
  10. Magpul Folding Rear Buis.
  11. Magpul Moe Stock.
  12. Smith Vortex FH.

The Why:

  1. Receiving rubbing on index finger really hurts when handling the carbine a lot. I think everyone that shoots a lot agrees that mitigating this is high up on the list.
  2. Stock Grip too small
  3. Getting use to this device in the manual of arms requires practice.
  4. By this time the original charging handle would start to bend with 1 sided charging.
  5. Carbine length handguard are really cramped. Skinny barrel takes weight away.
  6. Need a place to the the light
  7. Good single output light. Don’t like pressure switches.
  8. Need to sling it somehow.
  9. Time to ditch the charging handle.
  10. T-1’s are tough BUIS can come later.
  11. Little more comfortable.
  12. Why not at this point.
14

SD Rifle:

MOE PG or A1 (I also don’t like the finger groove).
MOE HG - keeps the weight down
Off-set light mounted to small rail towards the front on top of MOE HG. (keeps from interferring with use of rail. Thumb activated.)
Two point sling with some kind of QD. Mounted to side of rifle. I use the Colt style front sight side mount. Again, keeps the rail clear (especially when using a small carbine size rail).
Aimpoint in quality QD mount
DD 1.5 fixed rear or fold down BUIS
Lefty- Ambi safety

Plinking / period rifle:

Whatever is correct for the build

15

Intended use - HD

  1. Ergo Suregrip, BUIS, RDS, flash light, mount for flash light.
  2. Ambidextrous controls
  3. Stock

This is all I need on a HD rifle. I even removed the sling from this rifle as I don’t feel dealing with other things that might get in the way in the middle of the night.

16

Use; self-defense and offense

  1. Aimpoint w/appropriate mount (I can hit better and quicker with one than with irons)

  2. Simple white light (gotta ID the target).

  3. Back-up rear iron sight (not #2 only because the Aimpoints are so reliable).

  4. Pistol grip (I like the MOE as well as any. Better comfort & better trigger reach dimensions. The Ergo is okay too.).

  5. Buttstock (MOE, CTR, or Rogers’ new one. The factory stock’s toe isn’t quite low enough for best use).

  6. 2-point sling (the Vickers or the VTAC both work well).

  7. VFG (this probably drags along the purchase of a cheese-grater forend too, so this is a high dollar deal. I prefer an uncluttered view through the Aimpoint too, so this upgrade will also drag along a flip-up, rail-mounted front sight. Hard to justify from a purely $ versus performance standpoint.)

  8. Roomier trigger guard (the Magpul is as good as any).

That’s about it for me, regardless of whether I’m on a budget or am given a blank check.

Rosco

17

For plinking, CQB and starting with a 6920 as you state Rob, this is my list:

1- Change pistol Grip/Trigger Guard
2- Sling
3- Ambi Safety/BAD Lever
4- MOE handguards + White Light
5- Troy BUIS
6- Gunfighter CG Mod 4
7- Change Stock
8- Aimpoint RDS

This is the order that comes to mind, but depending on coming across certain deals on the used market, and given how cheap some of the mods are, some of the mods might be done sooner.

Now the why:

1- I like skin on my fingers, middle knuckle takes a beating with stock setup

2- Sling so I can start getting out to shot right way and not have to carry my rifle everywhere in my hands, to me NOT having a sling is a SAFETY issue too for anything other than bench shooting.

3- I am just use to the BAD lever, and having an ambi safety, I am faster this way and in my opinion safer because it’s easier for me to get my safety on whether I am shooting strong handed, or switch to support side.

4- The MOE hand guards are light and allow you to mount lights, VFG’s, sling attachment points etc. You can use the MOE illumination kit, or go to IWC for a variety of options. I think this is the most versatile hand guard without forking over big $$ for a rail.

5- I prefer a flip up rear BUIS and to me Troy is the standard.

6- This is a SOLID CH and you can do the “gas buster” mod as per USMC03 and you’re good to go. I like the Medium because it doesn’t get in the way and gives you enough of a purchase point. Noveske must feel the same as it comes on most their kits now.

7- There’s is nothing wrong with an M4 stock, but I prefer something with a better feel to it with more solid lock up.

8- This is where I would most likely catch some slack. Most guys have the RDS at the top of their list. To me, for the cost of a quality sight I can knock out everything else in my list first. It does nothing for me to have an RDS but no sling to carry my weapon, no white light to identify targets, and my finger getting chewed up by the A2 grip, and no ambi safety for quicker manual of arms. I can also still shoot my gun with just irons (as I have).

I do know the advantage of the RDS over irons, (you know this Rob) but I still put it at the bottom of my list. If I could do everything all over again the RDS would still be last.

For a new shooter because I think you need to learn how to use your irons, and for an experienced shooter it wouldn’t hurt you on a new build to get some time on the irons since your AP probably has not gone down in forever.

Just my $0.02 :smiley:

18

Range and Basic Training with a very distant likelihood of SHTF use

  1. .22 Conversion kit. I live within 5 minutes of an indoor pistol range that only allows rifles if they are .22lr. For every one 5.56 round I put through an AR, I usually put 1000’s of .22lr.

  2. Magpul MOE furniture all around. I don’t like the M4 handguards and like others, the A2 grip starts to eat into my hand rather quickly. :mad:

  3. Sling

  4. Light

  5. RDS

  6. BUIS

Honestly, that’s about it.

19

As has been said: Sling, light, grips, stock, BUIS.

For LH shooters or those who want to train shooting both ways, ambi controls can help. Safety selector at minimum, some also find the ambi CH and ambi mag release to be worthwhile (see Military Moron’s reviews for choices). I’ve not added these extras yet but am considering the ambi CH.

20

Starting with a 6920 for a general use rifle (HD, training, range use) I would do the following.

  1. Replace grip and trigger guard. While the A2 grip works, it just doesn’t “fit” my hand very well. While doing this I’d change the TG to a Magpul model.

  2. Light setup. This would include a way of mounting it to the rifle. Currently I like the MOE with a IWC mount.

  3. Sling. 2 point or a single to 2 pt convertible. This would also include mounts for sling. Would utilize the 6920 M4 mount on the front and add a mount at the rear of the receiver. I tend to buy “used” from various board EE’s so the mount may vary.

  4. Again shopping the EE’s I look for (in no particular order)

BUIS, BCM GunFighter, Magpul BAD, BAD ASS, CTR

  1. RDS, this purchase may happen anywhere along the “build” as a deal presents itself on a EE board.