With so many options in customizing an AR 15, it can be hard to know just where to start. For those that are new to the weapon, one of the best options to consider for an easy customization to the gun is a new set of rails.
There are many different options in AR15 rails. Getting the right option for your gun will be a factor of personal preference and style, how much you shoot the weapon and how you will be using the gun. While the handguard and rail is much more than just an aesthetic feature of the gun, the choice isn’t so critical for casual shooters as compared to hunters or competitive shooters.
Railed Handguards
One modification to consider is to move from the standard AR15 rails to a railed handguard. These can be drop-in style, which means they are very easy to change out, even for those with limited experience in working on the gun.
Most of these designs offer a quad rail configuration, which means there are rails on the upper and lower surfaces as well as the two sides. It is possible to mount any accessories you want on any side of the weapon. The one drawback to these options is that they do move slightly when the weapon is fired. For this reason, they are not recommended for scope mounts.
Free-floating types of railed handguards are also available. These can be longer or shorter to suit the specific needs of the shooter. As they can be as long as sixteen inches, they offer a wide range of options for mounting accessories. They are also ideal for mounting optics, which makes them a choice for many hunters and serious shooters.
There are also AR15 rails that can be customized to your weapon. These can be longer or shorter or even customize designed to meet your needs. Investing in new rails can open up a new possibility for accessories mounted to your gun as well as a completely different look to the weapon.