RECCE ROOM

Now comes the meat and potato of the upgrades... the optic. Simply put, you will want to select a well-known manufacturer for the optic you choose. The best fighting optics come in one of three categories: red-dot, variable-power scope, fixed-power scope. Red Dot Aimpoint. 'Nuff said. The only other red dot I might consider would be a Trijicon RMR or a Trijicon RX01.  The advantage is quick, two-eyes open shooting. Also, generally speaking, red dots are the lightest of the optics. The disadvantage is long range. Red dots are generally only practical out to about 300 yards / meters. Though there are some out there that have successfully shot farther, I'd chalk that up the the rifleman more than the optic. Variable-power scope This is the largest category. In general, this scope will be "1x-4x" though there are some high quality variants. Bushnell, Nikon, Leupold, and others have quality scopes represented in this category. Even Trijicon has a version. ...

Major advantages to having a free float rail or tube: 1. Improved accuracy. 2. Being able to rest the gun and/or use a sling without shifting the POI. 3. Heat dissipation. 4. Weight - most FF quad rails are lighter than the non-FF versions. Major considerations for selecting a free float rail or tube: 1. How thick / wide / tall is it? I once had a YHM rail. It did the job, but was very heavy and very wide. I sold it for a more comfortable (read: slimmer, and lighter) LaRue. End of story. 2. How heavy is it? 3. How sturdy is it? Here is a chart that helps with external dimensions, as well as weight. It is a great tool. .

Now, let's talk barrel upgrades. This is a two-part conversation. First, you must decide if you want precision as a priority, or if you prefer reliability under the stresses of high volumes of fire as a priority. If precision is your choice: Get a stainless steel heavy barrel. 16" - 18" - 20" are all valid options. Get the midlength gas system on the 16" - but get rifle length gas systems on the 18" and 20". 1:8 twist is ideal. 1:7.7 and 1:7 are not bad. No reason to get a 1:9 if precision is your desire. Make no mistake, a 1:9 can be just as accurate as a 1:8, the difference is that the 1:8 and 1:7 can shoot heavier bullets (which can be more accurate than lighter bullets). Usually, there is no cost difference. Free float your barrel. More on this later.  If high-volume fire reliability is your choice: Get a chrome-lined barrel. 14.5" - 16" - 20" will be your most common choices. Midlength gas system preferred on the shorter ...

The difference in a stock trigger and a specially-designed AR15 trigger is insurmountable. I've yet to meet a person who purchased a good trigger that ever went back. There's just no point. A good trigger will have a pull of under 5 lbs, and will have zero reliability issues. Do not go cheap on a trigger. Do not try to get a gunsmith to do a "trigger job." Get a professionally manufactured trigger group that is known for quality and reliability. Geissele Chip McCormick Timney .

It is natural, as an AR15 owner, to want to upgrade your rifle. Before you do, it is wise to figure out what you want to upgrade and why. Do things methodically, and based on fact. Avoid upgrades based on emotion or the "oh, that looks cool" factor. Rule Zero You must own a rifle and ammo. Rule 1 You must forge yourself into a marksman. Learn basic marksmanship . Make your marksmanship practical . Hone your skills . Rule 2 You must learn to fight with your rifle.  Rule 3 You must modify your rifle to fit you. Now it is time to go and buy the necessary equipment. Word to the wise: while an inexpensive red dot or scope is perfectly acceptable for starting rifle owners, the American Rifleman has a high quality optic. Other key components on the primary rifle will also be high quality. High Quality: Barrel - $300+ Bolt - $150+ Trigger - $150+ Optic - $500+ Free float tube/rail - $200+ Yes, I just told you to invest $1200+ into your rifle. In all fairness,...

Handling corners. Also known as "clearing" rooms. There are several good schools of thought on this. Tactics will vary depending on how many people you have with you. If you are alone, your strategy must (by default) be significantly different than if you have three armed friends backing you up. Know how to handle a corner. Know how to handle multiple corners in a field of view. Know how to handle stairs - up & down. Be prepared to do same in low light. Be prepared to handle concealing objects. Be focused on target identification. Most importantly, understand when you should clear, and when not to! .

Next up - the use of unconventional positions. In a gun fight, things do not happen magically, nor are they "pretty." People fall down, trip, get pushed over, and have all sorts of locomotion problems. Can ya blame them? They have people shooting at them! In addition to practicing shooting while moving, and shooting from cover, a rifleman must know how to shoot from unconventional positions. Shoot from a supine position Shoot from laying on the side (both sides) Shoot from urban prone Shoot from squatting Learn how to stand back up properly. .