If you have an AR-15 there is a good chance you have added accessories to it and then later removed them. I’m guessing you changed the optic multiple times and debated on a different barrel length or caliber too. The good thing about AR-15 rifles is there are so many options and configurations available. That said, it can be hard to decide what you need on your rifle, and what you don’t need. What looks cool versus what is practical? Search AR-15 accessories and would take all year to look at them all.
Setting up a rifle is a process that should include a few different considerations. What is the intended purpose of the rifle, where you live, and your state laws should all be considered. Budget, experience, and other factors also play a role in setting up your AR-15. I will state up front that I can’t tell you the best way to set up your rifle. This is because it’s YOUR rifle and it needs to work for you. What I can do is provide some options and advice for you to consider as you go through this fun process.
What is the rifle for?
Most people who buy an AR-15 rifle plan to use it for home defense. If you wake up to the news that someone let the zombies out, you want to be ready. Others may buy an AR-15 for sporting events and competitions, hunting, or a combination of these. The purpose of the rifle is important because it may change the entire setup, caliber, and length of the rifle.
When selecting a rifle for defense purposes, your location, and the population around you should be considered. If you live in a populated area with houses next door, you need stopping power but with less over-penetration. If you live in a desert and can see 40 miles in any direction, a longer-range gun may be ideal. We will go over some suggestions for setting up an AR-15 for both short and long range.
General Use / Go-To AR-15
If you want a rifle that is versatile and not set up for a specific purpose, here are some things to consider. Select a barrel that is 14-16 inches. This keeps it long enough to reach out a ways, but not so long that it’s clumsy in a home. For an optic, I would recommend an LPVO. I like red dots more for close distances, but an LPVO gives you some magnification. Vortex makes some great LPVO’s for a reasonable price like the Strike Eagle.
If you want high quality, check out the Vortex Razor, Trigicon Credo, or Nightforce ATACR. These are all great LPVO’s, but they will cost as much as, or more than your gun. I don’t always use backup sights with an LPVO so that again will be up to you. Upgrading the trigger is a good improvement to any AR-15 regardless of its purpose. Just make sure you buy a quality trigger because this is not the place to skimp.
Close-Quarter AR-15 setup
Setting up a rifle for close quarters is perfect for home, personal, and vehicle defense. In this case, you want a heavier bullet that provides good knockdown more than long-range ballistics. I would recommend a 7–14-inch barrel chambered in 300 Blackout with subsonic ammo.
The heavier bullet will provide more knock-down power and less over-penetrating power at the same time. There are several lights that can work for close quarters but one of my favorites is the Viridian 4LUX CQ Grip Light. This light acts as a forward grip and has a built-in light on the end. This keeps the gun slim and low-profile. The light is not bright compared to individual lights, but it also doesn’t take up any room and the two CR2 batteries are easy to change.
If you want a larger stock, the Magpul UBR Gen 2 stock is a good choice. It has a storage compartment for holding an extra flashlight/red dot battery and has a single-point sling attachment. For the red dot, I would go with a Romeo 7S if you’re on a budget or an EOTech XPS2 300 BLK Holographic Sight. Just remember these are my recommendations but there are a thousand other set-ups that work too.
Long-Range AR-15 Setup
If you live in the middle of nowhere and must drive for three hours to get your BigMac, I recommend customizing your AR-15 to shoot a little further. In this case, you want to pay more attention to your barrel, ammo, and trigger. I would recommend a Wilson Combat barrel that is 16-20 inches long. A 16-inch barrel will get you out there a long way but the longer the barrel the better the accuracy at further distances.
Adapt As You Go
Think of setting up your rifle the same as getting dressed in the morning. If it’s cold, you wear more clothing than you do if it’s hot outside. If you’re going to the beach, you wear flip-flops, but for hiking you wear boots. Your gun doesn’t have to stay the same way all the time. Set it up for a specific purpose based on the area you live in. If that purpose or location (or law) changes, adapt for it.
Some states have laws that restrict a lot of things on guns. If you live in a state with restrictions, set your rifle up the best you can. You may find a setup that you like and never want to change. You also may find yourself changing things around from time to time. There is nothing wrong with either case, just make sure it works for you. Also, don’t forget the basics of the gun. It shoots a bullet when you pull the trigger. The accessories may help with this process or make us more efficient, but the gun shoots without them.
Only add what you need and what makes the gun better. Some accessories are so heavy they outweigh the benefit of having them attached. Other items are “cool,” but they don’t improve anything on the gun. Be open-minded and rethink your setup regularly. Do you have a favorite AR-15 rifle set up to share with us? If so, feel free to leave a comment below.
