AR Gear: 23 Must-Have Pieces of Equipment to Add to Your Arsenal

5.11 tactical AR Gear — 5.11 Tactical Shock Rifle Case: The 36-inch-long Shock Rifle Case provides protection for your AR with a rugged 600D polyester outer shell that repels moisture. The padded 300D polyester interior features a retention system so your weapon won’t shift in transit. The case features adjustable shoulder straps for backpack mode, or the straps can be stowed when using the carry handles. Sandstone, DoubleTap and black versions are available.

barrett AR Gear — Barrett REC7 6.8 SPC Gen 2 Magazine: Finding a reliable 6.8 SPC magazine is no longer an issue since the Barrett REC7 6.8 SPC Gen 2 magazine was designed to deliver optimum performance and a 30-round capacity. The magazine is constructed of steel, so it can endure hard use, and it’s also corrosion resistant.

bravo company usa AR Gear — BCM Enhanced Lower Parts Kit: Bravo Company’s Enhanced Lower Parts Kit is packed with excellent-quality parts including a BCM PNT trigger assembly, a Gunfighter Mod 3 grip and an enhanced triggerguard. The kit also includes a magazine release, takedown pins, detents and springs and everything you need to rebuild your lower. The pistol grips are available in Black, Flat Dark Earth and foliage green.

beatenzone AR Gear — BeatenZone Gen 3 Advanced Tactical Charging Handle: Powerful optics with large eyepieces can make getting to a mil-spec charging handle a challenge, especially with gloved hands. The Gen 3 Advanced Tactical Charging Handle (ATCH) from BeatenZone Manufacturing has an extended locking latch lever for better traction and leverage. This Gen 3 latch is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and has been designed to be stronger, more versatile and self-retracting.

blackhawk AR Gear — BlackHawk AR Blaze SSD Trigger: The AR Blaze SSD (Single-Stage Duty) trigger bonds nickel-boron to the steel parts to create a smooth and crisp break that lasts and will not wear. Plus, the trigger does not require lubrication. This trigger comes with a full-power spring set for duty and defense work and a reduced-power, red-colored spring set for target shooting.

caldwell AR Gear — Caldwell Accumax AR-15 Barrel Cooler: The Accumax AR-15 Barrel Cooler cools your AR innards and barrel in half the time using a powerful fan. This device will fit in any mil-spec AR-15 mag well, and it’s powered via a rechargeable battery. Expect a three- to four-hour run time before charging is required.

caldwell mag charger AR Gear — Caldwell Mag Charger Tac-30: The Mag Charger Tac-30 speed-loader is designed to directly accept 20 live rounds from any common 20-round ammo manufacturer box or up to three 10-round stripper clips. The entire process of filling the Mag Charger Tac-30 with ammo and loading all 20 to 30 rounds into a magazine takes less than 10 seconds.

galco AR Gear — Galco BATTL 2 Sling: Galco’s refined and streamlined BATTL 2 sling features a 2-inch-wide shoulder pad that is comfortable for extended wear without getting in the way or impeding your mobility. The adjustable shoulder strap fits over body armor, chest pouches, hydration systems and other mission-essential equipment. The sling also uses a Fastex release buckle.

gemtech AR Gear — GemTech Suppressed Bolt Carrier: The drop-in replacement Suppressed Bolt Carrier is designed to increase the reliability of suppressed AR-platform firearms. The adjustable bolt carrier allows operators to choose between suppressed and unsuppressed settings without any permanent modifications to the firearm. An added benefit is a reduction in carrier speed and less felt recoil, bringing the cyclic rate of the suppressed rifle down to unsuppressed levels.

hazard 4 AR Gear — Hazard 4 Overwatch Pack: The Overwatch roll pack is a well-sized backpack suitable for transporting a lot of different gear, including a rifle. The pack features a thermoformed back panel, a thermoformed cap to protect sunglasses, large organizer pockets, a removable MOLLE-compatible belt and sleeves that unroll to allow for the vertical carry of rifles of various lengths.

hexmag AR Gear — Hexmag Series 2 Magazines: Series 2 Hexmags are next-gen magazines made of fiber-reinforced polymer and compatible with virtually all AR-platform rifles in 5.56mm NATO and 300 Blackout. The magazines also feature stripper clip guides at the rear for easier loading. The hexagonal texturing on the sides provides a unique look and enhanced traction for faster reloading. The hexagons can be filled with Hexmag grip tape for even more traction, and the HexID system provides brightly colored followers and floorplates to easily identify your magazines.

hogue AR Gear — Hogue Contour TriggerGuards: Hogue uses G10 material to create an oversized triggerguard for AR-15 rifles and carbines. The triggerguard replaces a standard triggerguard in minutes with its easy-to-install design. The unit’s oversized bow allows more room when operating a weapon with gloved hands. These triggerguards are available in dark earth, red lava, blue lava, pink lava, solid black and green.

hoppe's AR Gear — Hoppe’s Gun Medic: Hoppe’s Gun Medic cleans and lubricates a weapon quickly in just one application. It’s a bio-based lubricant that was originally developed for jet turbines. Spray it on grime and powder residue and it evaporates within 60 seconds, leaving a thin coat of high-performance lube. Gun Medic is available in 4- and 10-ounce aerosol cans as well as a 2-ounce liquid.

hornady AR Gear — Hornady Rapid Rack: The Rapid Rack is an empty-chamber indicator that also operates as a load-assist device so you can keep your AR carbine, rifle or pistol ready with a fully charged magazine and an empty chamber. Insert the Rapid Rack into the empty chamber and close the bolt, then insert a loaded magazine. The colored lever visually shows that the chamber is empty, but when you shoulder the weapon, grab the lever and pull straight back, the Rapid Rack will fall to the deck. The bolt carrier group will spring forward and now your weapon is fully charged. This device does not interfere with your AR’s standard operation.

lancer AR Gear — Lancer Adaptive Maxwell: Machined from 6061-T6 aluminum, the Adaptive Magwell is designed to fit mil-spec 5.56mm AR weapons. This easy-to-install unit increases the diameter of the magazine well and thereby increases the speed with which the weapon can be reloaded.

magpul AR Gear — Magpul PMAG D-60: Magpul’s PMAG D-60 holds 60 rounds of 5.56mm NATO ammunition for any AR-15/M4-compatible weapons. The polymer PMAG D-60 drum magazine is durable, lightweight and reliable. The drum design also allows for prone firing, and it features a rear window so shooters can instantly see how much ammo is remaining.

magpul new AR Gear — Magpul QDM Quick Disconnect Swivel: The Magpul QDM is designed to work with 1.25-inch slings. It offers a lower-profile sling swivel for one-handed manipulations and an optimized bale that rotates freely and canalizes rifle slings to prevent rollover. The two-point engagement design prevents accidental releases in the field.

secureit AR Gear — SecureIt Tactical Fast Box Harrier: Bolt the Fast Box Harrier to the inside of your vehicle’s trunk or the bed of your truck to create a hidden storage space for your AR. The unit measures 40 by 6.5 by 13 inches, making it well suited for an AR-15 equipped with an optic and a 30-round magazine. Made of all-welded steel with a protective pad inside, the Fast Box Harrier uses an electronic lock with a key override along with a three-point locking system to make sure your weapon stays secure.

sig sauer AR Gear — Sig Sauer SBX Pistol Stabilizing Brace: The SBX Pistol Stabilizing Brace is an updated version of the SB15 with a slimmer design and a thicker strap for extra stability. Like the SB15, the SBX is BATFE compliant and will fit on all AR-style pistols with buffer tubes measuring 1 to 1.2 inches in diameter.

surefeed AR Gear — SureFeed Magazines: Previously only made for the U.S. government, Okay Industries’ .223 Remington/5.56mm NATO AR-15 magazines are now available commercially for manufacturers, law enforcement and civilian shooters. Since co-developing the original 30-round M16 magazine with the U.S. military in 1973, Okay magazines have earned a reputation for being the best USGI versions available. The new civilian-ready SureFeed mags are 100-percent made in the U.S.A. with components that meet or exceed demanding mil-spec requirements. The magazine bodies and floorplates are made from lightweight aluminum that has been heat-treated to mil-spec standards for durability.

tac-con AR Gear — Tac-Con 3MR Trigger: The 3MR trigger offers three modes of fire control: safe, semi-autom and Tac-Con’s patented “3rd Mode,” which gives the firearm the fastest reset possible. In semi-auto and “3rd Mode” positions, the trigger has a non-adjustable, 4.5-pound pull weight. This is a drop-in installation for ARs with right-handed selector levers.

tnw firearms AR Gear — TNW Firearms Gas Piston System Kit: Retrofitting your AR’s direct gas impingement system to use a gas piston system is simple with this kit for standard carbine-length ARs. The kit includes all the parts and instructions to convert an AR to a piston system so it will have less carbon buildup on the bolt carrier assembly and internal moving parts.

voodoo innovations AR Gear — VooDoo Innovations LifeCoat Low-Mass Bolt Carrier: The VooDoo Innovations LifeCoat Low-Mass Bolt Carrier is 20-percent lighter than a standard bolt carrier, which translates to less reciprocating mass, thus reducing felt recoil. The bolt carrier is full-auto rated for use with direct-impingement systems. It is compatible with mil-spec and commercial upper receivers and their associated components.

A good weapon can be made even better when you look at some of the finer details. Replacement parts like magazines, triggers, build kits and more making using an AR-platform rifle or carbine easier, and easy is good. Thankfully, a number of companies are producing high-quality products to enhance your shooting experience. Here’s a look at some AR gear to keep your rifle running smoothly and keep you on target.

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For more information about the AR gear featured in the gallery above, please visit the following sites.

5.11 Tactical
http://www.511tactical.com

Barrett
http://www.barrett.net

BeatenZone Manufacturing
http://www.beatenzonemfg.com

BLACKHAWK!
http://www.blackhawk.com

Bravo Company USA
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com

Caldwell
http://www.btibrands.com

Galco
https://www.galcogunleather.com

Gemtech
https://www.gemtech.com

Hazard 4
https://www.hazard4.com

Hexmag
https://www.hexmag.com

Hogue
https://www.hogueinc.com

Hoppe’s
http://www.hoppes.com

Hornady
http://www.hornady.com

Lancer Systems
http://www.lancer-systems.com

Magpul (PMAG D-60)
https://www.magpul.com

Magpul (QDM Quick Disconnect Swivel)
https://www.magpul.com

SecureIt
https://www.secureitgunstorage.com

Sig Sauer
https://www.sigsauer.com

SureFeed Magazines
http://www.surefeedmagazines.com

Tac-Con
https://www.tacconusa.com

TNW Firearms
http://www.tnwfirearms.com

VooDoo Innovations
http://www.voodooinnovations.com

This article was published in ‘Black Guns’ 2017. For information on how to subscribe, please email subscriptions@outdoorgroupmags.com or call 1-800-284-5668.

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