Not sure what furniture or accessories to make your AR-15 run better?
With our guide, you’ll be able to make a better-informed decision on how to make your AR-15 the best fitting and looking one out there.
We go over our favorite buttstocks, all kinds of grips, rail protectors, slings, and more. You ready?
*Update 2018*: New stuff added!
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We consider the pistol grip, buttstock, and handguard the primary furniture of the AR-15 since almost all AR’s need to have the three essential ingredients to function comfortably.
Best AR-15 Pistol Grips
So-called a “pistol grip” since they resemble the grip angle of pistols as opposed to traditional rifle grips. For most, the pistol grip is more ergonomic, not to mention more “normal” looking on an AR.
If you bought a stock AR-15, it most likely came with a standard A2 grip that for most is a little too skinny and cheap feeling. It’ll do fine, but there are too many affordable options out there that will fit your hand much better.
- Magpul AR-15 MOE Grip: The go-to grip for our ARs…lighter, more comfortable, and still affordable. Also has a hollowed space with a cap on the bottom to store essential items like an extra bolt. Comes in several colors and around $18. Also, the MOE+ Model which has a rubber anti-slip coating ($23) which we highly recommend.
Magpul AR-15 MOE Grip
- Hogue Overmold AR-15 Pistol Grip: Another of our favorites that is ergonomic and very grippy due to the larger size, rubber material, and finger grooves. ($20). With the beavertail which we prefer.
Hogue Overmold AR-15 Pistol Grip
- Magpul MIAD AR-15 Pistol Grip: And for those of you who want the best fit and customization, we recommend the Magpul MIAD which gives you a couple swappable choices for the palm size and front finger grooves. $34
Magpul MIAD AR-15 Pistol Grip
Best AR-15 Buttstocks
It’s that thing you rest your cheeks on. Here’s a couple of ones we own and use with some specialty designs thrown in for fun.
- Magpul MOE Stock (Mil-spec): Our go-to for a collapsible buttstock that fits carbine length mil-spec buffer tubes. Light, ergonomic, and affordable. ($38)
Magpul MOE Stock (Mill-spec)
- Magpul MOE-SL: New slimline version that offers a better cheekweld and some weight savings. Great so far in my testing. ($56)
Magpul MOE-SL Stock
- Magpul UBR Buttstock: Ingenious design that offers the stability and consistent cheek weld of a fixed stock while still allowing you to change the over length of pull (LOP). Comes with its own buffer tube but you’ll still need a carbine spring and buffer. ($200)
Magpul UBR Buttstock
- Magpul PRS Buttstock: For the precision rifle. This buttstock offers fine adjustments for both cheekweld and length of pull. Almost 2 lbs but built to last. Requires rifle length buffer tube assembly. ($240)
- VLTOR Imod Stock (Mil-spec) (Brownells, Optics Planet): The most comfortable adjustable stock we’ve tried and what we used to run in our race carbines. It has a sloped cheek weld that just feels right. Light enough but a little expensive. ($90). Or go with the Emod which is 1.5″ longer.
VLTOR Imod Stock (Mil-spec)
- Ace Skeleton Buttstock: A fixed length buttstock that is as light as they get. You’ll see these on everything from light KISS (keep it simple, stupid) builds to competition builds. Decently comfortable with the foam padding and comes in two lengths. ($90)
- B5 Bravo Stock: My current favorite that is light and reasonably priced. Great cheek weld that’s almost as good as the Imod Stock but sheds ton of weight and saves you a couple bucks.
What’s your take on having a great buttstock and cheekweld?
Best AR-15 Handguards
We’ve covered these in detail in the previous article on Best AR-15 Upgrades.
But we do want to go over rail protectors which are polymer attachments that keep your Picatinny rails in tip-top shape and give you a better grip. They also look great when done in contrasting colors.
- Magpul Rail Covers: ($11 each)
- Magpul XTM Rail Covers: Thicker covers that cover the rails entirely. ($8 for 4 pieces)
Magpul XTM Rail Covers
AR-15 Sling Plates and Slings
There are tons of choices for sling plates and slings, but we like the Magpul (seeing a pattern here?) series that lets you choose between one-point and two-point sling attachment.
- Magpul RSA Sling Attachment: Mounts securely to your Picatinny rails to give a front sling attachment point. $30
Magpul RSA Sling Attachment
- Magpul ASAP Sling Plate: Takes the place of your standard AR end plate and gives you a sturdy sling attachment point. Better than fixed attachments since it allows you to quickly swing over from strong side to weak side shooting. A minor annoyance is that it rattles if no sling is attached. $30.
Magpul ASAP Sling Plate
- Magpul QD End Plate: An attachment point for quick-detach swivels on your slings. No more rattling problem like the above. Just make sure you choose the right end plate for your kind of sling. ($30)
Magpul QD End Plate
- Magpul MS3 Sling: Lightweight and durable sling that lets you easily transition between one point and two point sling modes. $50
Magpul MS3 Sling
- Vickers Combat Applications Sling: Our new go-to if you don’t need quick detachment options. Used by tons of US troops. Simple, tough, and easy to adjust. ($45)
Vickers Combat Applications Sling
Also, check out our full review of the best slings for your specific purpose.
Miscellaneous Accessories
Best AR-15 Vertical Grips
Vertical grips give you potential increased weapon handling and control. Here’s a couple of our recommendations.
- Troy Vertical Grip: Very sturdy grip that has a bar to lock down entirely onto the rail instead of just being held by one screw. Also modular so you can choose the perfect size. ($70) or the CQB-sized version. ($45)
- Magpul RVG Vertical Grip (Picatinny): Another great Magpul product that fits onto Picatinny rails. Comes in a wide assortment of colors. ($23)
Magpul RVG Vertical Grip (Picatinny)
- Magpul MOE Vertical Grip: Version that fits onto Magpul MOE handguards that are not Picatinny rails, or on the newer M-LOKversions. ($18-21)
Best AR-15 Alternative Grips
Other grips that aid in control of your AR-15 but aren’t exactly vertical grips.
- Magpul AFG : The Angled Foregrip offers a grip that is closer to the bore compared to traditional vertical grips. Seen a lot on builds where vertical foregrips are not allowed by law. ($33)
- Magpul Hand Stop: Low profile way to improve weapon handling and prevent your hand from reaching the muzzle for shorter AR-15’s. $18
Magpul Hand Stop
Best AR-15 Bipods
- Fab Defense T-POD G2: How about BOTH a vertical grip and bipod?
The T-POD G2 is a good sized grip, releases to become a bipod quickly, and allows your rifle to cant left and right when deployed. The feet could be better traction on hard surfaces though. ($120-135)
- Harris Bipods: The old school tried & true bipod. Spring loaded with quick telescoping legs. Just make sure to choose the correct method of attachment to your rail and leg length. ($70-100)
- Atlas Bipods: What we run in our precision rifles. We love the ability to “push” into the bipod for a repeatable and very sturdy shooting platform. Expensive but you really get what you pay for. ($220-280)
It’s what we use on all our precision rifle setups.
Magazine Related Accessories
- Magpul Magazine Pulls: The company actually started with these magazine pulls (get it?) that attach to the bottom of magazines to assist in removal from a rig and to cushion drops. ($12 for 3)
- Magpul Mag Coupler: Lets you join together two magazines to have an extra 30 rounds on your rifle. Just be aware of the extra weight. Fits PMAG30 and PMAG 30 M3 magazines. ($17)
What’s Next?
We’ve covered tons of AR-15 stuff but we’re not done yet! Check out the rest of the AR-15 guides.
What is your favorite accessory? What do you upgrade first? Let us know in the comments!
Just learning about rifles after a long hiatus away from long guns in any capacity. Great article. Read through this to better understand options and preferences from a total beginners perspective. Thanks Eric… I’ll be reading more.
Hi Eric,
Will a LUTH AR LAR MBA3 or MAG PUL PRS adjistiable butt stock fit a 6.5mm cm Ruger Per Rifle wiithout modification??
Thanks in adv for your reply…
DT
For slings, I am a Vickers man every time. Vickers just released a “Push Button Sling” that has QD hardware on each end. This is now my go-to. $77 at Blue Force Gear. I fasten it directly to my Magpul MOE stocks without additional hardware, and add a Magpul QD sling attachment (MAG528) for $20 to the front tip of my rail.
Hey Eric, how are you mounting the Atlas V8 to the MLOK rail? I want to make sure I order the correct mount and I am having some trouble. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
I like your articles and your products but some are just way to pricey for my taste. $220 for a bipod? Most people like myself are on a budget an d getting anything for my AR is a luxury
item. Ammo included. Some items for the budget hungry guys like me would also be a treat. Keep The articles coming. I enjoy the read.
He used a Harris bipod. Those aren’t too expensive. But you buy a budget bipod then it night crap out on you. I had a Harris bipod break on me while I was slinging my rifle. The rifle fell and almost landed on a rock that would had broken my optic. You get what you pay for. If you have to save for mo ta to get something nice do it. Dknt go the cheap route.