by Scott Smith | Contributing Editor
Millett’s 1-6 DMS showing the locking rings on the turrets and the Magni-Lever for fast smooth change of magnification.
Over the last few years the AR15/M4, Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR) has become the biggest selling firearm in the industry. Reports indicate that the MSR accounts for one in four of all firearms sales. With the huge number of firearms sold since 2008 that is a significant number of firearms and has led to its own industry: building accessories to make the Modern Sporting Rifle unique to its owner.
When the name MSR was coined years ago, I shuddered, but over the last few years I have come to realize that this is a good name for the AR/M4 platform. Today this rifle is used for plinking, competition, duty, home defense and serious big game hunting thanks to the development of large bore calibers. Enthusiasts also like the ability to customize the MSR to fit their individual requirements. The latest in accessories is what we are going to look at in this article.
LANTAC’s 556 Dragon Brake; you can see the four ports on top which mitigate muzzle rise and the side ports to stabilize movement. This is a brake that works.
My base gun for this article is Ruger’s $749 AR 556 which TheGunMag reviewed in February 2015. Out of the box this is one of the best buys on the market today and can be enhanced to make it a perfect rifle for competition, duty/defense or field use. The heart of the Ruger is its barrel which has a 1 in 8” twist .556 NATO-chambered medium contour carbine length gas system. Out of the box I found this rifle to be wicked accurate with all popular .556 ammunition on the market, making the AR 556 a solid rifle to customize.
When improving the fit and feel of a factory rifle or when building an MSR for hunting and competition, the most prominent part of the rifle that begs to be changed is the forearm. Factory M4s tend to install a short “GI” style carbine forearm. If you are a tall person with long arms this forearm cramps your reach,
Mission First Tactical’s Battlelink Utility Stock (BUS), showing the traditional sling slots and QD sling points. You can see the locks on top of the stock that allow access to the battery storage area inside the BUS.
attaches to the sight base affecting accuracy and there are no provisions to attach lights, bi-pods, etc. When replacing the forearm you will most likely need to remove the front sight and install a low profile gas block (price varies from $19-$60) and most of the parts we are using. I suggest perusing Brownells (Phone: 800-741-0051; Online: brownells.com) to find ones that fit your barrel and needs. You will also be able to find information to remove and install the parts of your AR on Brownells website or Youtube.
Other than making the MSR more comfortable, removing the GI forearm allows you to free float the forearm for accuracy and to reduce weight. Midwest Industries (Phone: 262-896-6780; Online: midwestindustriesinc.com) is one of the companies setting the standard for tough lightweight free floated forearms. The Gen2 SS is the forearm I picked for the Ruger. The MSRP for the 15” version is $189.95 and weighs a scant 10.5 ounces. Once mounted with proprietary barrel nut and set screws, I found the G2SS forearm to be solid; during testing I could not make it flex to touch the barrel. I intentionally leaned on the rifle and the forearm would not touch the barrel. What this does is to ensure the barrel and optic are aligned the same shot after shot; something that will not happen with a GI style forearm.
The set screws that secure MidWest Industries’ G2SS forearm to the barrel nut.
Another feature I like of the G2SS forearm is its size, 1.5”OD. Midwest has streamlined their newest forearms so they comfortably fit the smallest shooter’s hands, while giving those with large hands plenty of aluminum to grab. With many competitive shooters moving to the hand forward “hand over” grip, it is important to have a forearm that will accommodate this grip. If the grip is too large you will not be able to smoothly drive the muzzle of the rifle from target to target during recoil.
Midwest ships this forearm with three 2.5” rail sections; one has a QD swivel point which you use to mount lights, a sling, bi-pod, etc. A bonus set of “rail” covers ship with the rail, too. I find these to be a great addition during heavy range sessions when the aluminum forearm gets hot; these covers keep the forearm comfortable to the touch. The Gen 2SS is not the only offering from Midwest, you will find free float rails using M-Lok or Key-Mod attachments. Whichever forearm you install, you won’t go wrong.
Hexmag’s magazine with Grip Tape inserts for a sure grip in all conditions; this is a one of the best polymer magazines we have tested.
The next external change I made, was adding Mission First Tactical’s (Phone: 267-704-0001; Online: missionfirsttactical.com) Battlelink Utility Stock. The BUS can be had for both commercial and mil-spec buffer tubes, retailing at $124.99. You will find the BUS to be packed with features; QD attachment points, traditional sling slots and a battery storage area under the non-skid recoil pad. Yes, there is a recoil pad which tames the recoil when shooting heavier calibers and unlike GI butt stocks the MFT BUS will not slip. For those who prefer not to use boring black, MFT offers the BUS in flat dark earth, foliage green, grey and scorched dark earth as well as black. My sample was for a mil-spec tube and it fit perfectly, adjustments were smooth and secure with a perfect cheek weld with red dots or magnifying optics.
Midwest Industries’ G2SS with its rail covers installed; top rail has a polymer ladder rail cover from Ergo Grips installed.
At the opposite end of the rifle, I swapped out Ruger’s flash hider for a LANTAC Dragon Muzzle Brake purchased from Brownells with an MSRP of $125.19. The Ruger AR 556 was not going to be used for duty, but 3-Gun competition, which is why I wanted the Dragon. From the numerous videos I have seen on Youtube and knowing a few guys who are running the Dragon, I knew this brake would reduce muzzle rise.
LANTAC reduces muzzle rise with two sets of graduated ports on the top of the Dragon. The larger ports are closest to the muzzle of the barrel and smaller ones at the exit of the brake with three pairs of vertical ports between them. These pairings yield virtually no muzzle rise in a .223/556. I fired hundreds of rounds in low
Nordic Components MXT with clamp installed on author’s Mossberg 930 to give a magazine capacity of 9 shells.
light and found the three prongs at the exit also reduce muzzle flash in all but the brightest, dirtiest loads. Overall I found the Dragon to be an ideal three gun and all round use muzzle brake which I will install on another AR I use for 3-Gun; it would be perfect if my suppressor would mate with it, but alas it will not, (heavy sigh) but we cannot have it all.
Next up on the easily seen changes is the pistol grip. In days gone by folks changed this to get rid of that damn finger groove on the A2 style grip. Now, thanks to Accu-Grip (Phone: 866-409-5699; Online: accu-grip.net) the shooter can adjust pull length and get the feel of a 1911 grip. This gives you consistent trigger finger placement on the trigger, yielding more consistent, accurate shots.
When I heard of the Accu-Grip, I was skeptical of it being just another gadget, so I had them send me a sample to play with. The simplicity of the grip was amazing, a block that attaches to the lower receiver and the pistol grip with adjusting ridges screws to the block, giving you a half inch of adjustment. Nothing fancy, but it works and when screwed together is rock solid. I found adding 1/8” to the length centered my trigger finger on the Timney trigger on the AR556. While I am far from a CMP shooter or the next 3-Gun champion, I found my splits on short range targets were quicker and that I could massage the trigger to tighten up my 200-yard shots. Accu-grips are available in black, OD, FDE and desert sand with models for ARs and AKs. They are competitively priced with a MSRP of $39.95. In my opinion Accu-Grips are a good piece of kit for your AR or AK.
Accu-Grip installed on the AR556 showing custom trigger pull length to the Timney Skeletonized Trigger.
If you wish to bring out the accuracy of your AR, you need a crisp consistent trigger pull and it’s tough to beat those from Timney (Phone: 623-223-111; Online: timneytriggers.com). Being a one-piece unit the Timney AR trigger unit is easy to install and ensures you do not put the trigger springs in wrong. To install the new unit, after you remove the lower receiver, remove the safety, drive out the trigger pins and replace the factory trigger with Timney’s unit and you now have a 3, 4, or 4.5 pound trigger that will last the life of your rifle.
For the AR556 project I chose the skeletonized 4lb. model. I wanted the rifle’s trigger pull to be similar to my pistol for consistency. Since installing the trigger last year, I have had zero ignition issues and the rifle consistently shoots MOA out to 200 yards (That’s the longest range I have at my club). This is a $291.15 purchase that is worth every penny.
Once you have a rifle that fits you well and has a good trigger to ensure you have a clear crisp sight picture you need good optics. Good does not mean you have to spend thousands of dollars, which it is easy to do. I did not want to break the bank with the AR556, so I looked at a scope from Millett (Phone: 913-752-3400; Online: millettsights.com) a 1-6 DMS selling for $389.95. To make it more user friendly the scope was mounted with Millett’s 30mm Cantilever mount at $97.95 and Magni-Lever throw ring at $59.95. At under $550 full retail (look online you will find better pricing) you have a fine entry level rig for 3-Gun.
The DMS has many features that set it apart from other optics. First is the locking ring on the horizontal/vertical adjusters; there are no caps to lose. Simply rotate the grip prongs and you can then set the zero on the optic. Once zero is set, loosen the locking screw, lift the adjusting cap and set to your true zero.
Up next is the Donut Dot BDR1 reticle. This reticle gives you speed on wideopen close targets and precision at mid to long range and it is illuminated with 11 settings. At distances out to 50 yards I found on a standard IDPA target, if the circle is centered you can let the shot fly and hit the target. After that, use the centered dot and the bullet drop stadia on the vertical leg for longer shots.
Millett’s Magni-Lever allows you to quickly transition from the true 1-6 power when transitioning from those close targets, to longer range targets requiring better visual identification and precision. Over the last several months I have had this scope mounted on a Stag 3TM upper. It has been tossed in the back of the SUV (not cased), used in smoldering hot temperatures, rain, snow and Arctic temperatures. The Millett DMS has held zero, never fogged, and never failed to perform. If you are getting into 3-Gun or need a good all-around optic you will be hard pressed to beat this scope. I know many folks will tell you that you need XYZ big name scope, but when you only have so much in the budget, the DMS is a tough scope to beat.
To finish the rifle I turned to Duracoat (Phone: 715-720-6128; Online: lauerweaponry.com) and used their Swiss Army template and camouflage finish kit which costs roughly $100 ($70 if you use the Easy Way Kit). Duracoat is a heat cured two-part finish that allows you to apply one finish that will protect and personalize your firearms. Over the years I have found the finish, if properly applied, is tough as nails.
Hopefully we showed that you can built an accurate, reliable and affordable rifle for duty, competition, hunting and personal protection if you shop around and choose gear for your needs for less than the cost of a “custom” name brand AR15 and you can build it one step at a time as the budget allows. If you follow the parts and rifle TheGunMag used, you will have roughly $2200 in the rifle.
A new accessory I found at the SHOT Show is the Hexmag ($14.99) from Hexmag (Phone: 970-460-2000; Online: hexmag.com). What sets Hexmags apart from other polymer magazines is the bright orange anti-tilt follower/Hex lock and hexagonal pattern on the body and the locking pad. This pattern gives you a solid grip when you have wet cold hands and can be enhanced with Hexmag Grip Tape ($9.99). This fits into the hexs on the body, when once installed you will not drop the magazines. Hexmags are available in black, OD green and flat dark earth which can be customized with Hex ID($11.99) followers/hex locks; black, zombie green, lava red, panther pink, hazard yellow and nimbus blue. I have used my Hexmags in a number of ARs and they function flawlessly in every one. These magazines are quality kit with the Hex ID; it is easy to spot your gear on the range.
In the world of 3-Gun, shotguns have the lowest magazine capacity and you need to be able to carry the maximum your division rules allow (the most popular Practical allows 9 rounds loaded at the start). Shooters balance magazine capacity with how the shotgun handles, so you generally see shotguns with tube capacity of 10-12 rounds. The last item of this year’s accessory review gives shooters this capacity, the MXT Extension Tube and Coupler from Nordic Components ( Phone: 952-442-8908; Online: nordiccomp.com).
Nordic Components MXT Extension and coupler ($59.95-79.95) allows the shooter to purchase a coupler that mates the extension tube to the shotgun and then easily swap out various length/capacity mag tubes. This allows the competitor to compete with most popular shotguns in Practical, Factory or Unlimited class with the same shotgun. If you purchase one of Nordic’s MXTs and increase the capacity by more than two rounds over the factory capacity, purchase a barrel clamp ($31.95+) to ensure proper operation on the extension. I suggest checking with Nordic Components to ensure you purchase the right parts for your needs to ensure you get the most benefit from their MXT coupler, and, if needed, barrel clamp with your shotgun.
Hopefully we have brought you a few ideas on how to affordably upgrade your stock AR to a customized rifle you can build yourself. Have a safe summer and when you head to a 3-Gun match or to the range to plink; shoot safe, shoot straight and have fun.
