Rifle upgrades dilemma

[Johnie]

I'm constantly tweaking my rifle with stuff like barrels and triggers. But now I gotta ask, what upgrades are really worth it and at what point is it better to just buy a whole new rifle?

 

[Silvertip1]

Hi Johnie, Your question is somewhat general. A couple of questions for you. What kind of rifle is it (AR 15/M-4), Ruger 10/22)? What are you using it for? Are the upgrades replacing worn out parts, or are you trying to achieve some specific goal/purpose? What condition is the rifle?

 

[Johnie]

It's an AR-15 mainly for 3-gun stuff and the range. I'm looking to boost its performance, not fix it. I'm thinking barrel, trigger and maybe optic first. The chassis and bolt are fine for now and the rifle's in good shape.

 

[Howard]

It's an AR-15 mainly for 3-gun stuff and the range. I'm looking to boost its performance, not fix it. I'm thinking barrel, trigger and maybe optic first. The chassis and bolt are fine for now and the rifle's in good shape.

Im working on the same thing. I dropped a Larue trigger in mine and while 'OK' its far from ideal for competition type shooting. All my bolt guns have 1# or less triggers, I'm really looking for something with a sub 2# clean break. Open to suggestions on that. Upgraded the optic to a DNT TOR 7x35 (A $500 optic that performa WAY above its price point.) which really helped. Not for all types shooting but I'm mostly LR. I've got a SBR for CQB. Finally, I'd do a bit of accuracy testing. My stock PSA which I put together for under $500 shot .5 MOA at 100 yds and got on steel at 1050, so thats the last thing I'd look at. I also found that a muzzzle break helped, I picked one up on Ebay for abut $20 and it really helps with muzzle flip.

 

[Silvertip1]

You stated that the AR-15 receiver & bolt are good. Have you priced out the features you are thinking about replacing?...if so, have you compared those to the cost of a new rifle which would, in your opinion, would be more acceptable than the one you have now? Should you decide to keep your current rifle, I would suggest that you start the parts replacement on a step-by-step basis to observe if that item is making an acceptable difference, and if it were me that first replacement would be the trigger assembly, because that is one of the key factors for improved groups down range (others, not all, are your shooting technique and shooting experience); the next would be the optics; and lastly (if necessary) the barrel…I put the barrel at the end of the list, because, unless you are looking for an integral muzzle attachment, or to change barrel twist, and/or to do some serious target shooting, the barrels on AR-15’s these days are usually good enough to provide acceptable performance for the reasons you listed above; if you find that is not so then replace it. Good luck.

 

[Farr]

For me, a nice trigger and a good barrel are way better than just getting another gun

 

[Howard]

For me, a nice trigger and a good barrel are way better than just getting another gun

And you don't have to deal with any f.F l fees or government bullshit