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Posted: 2/7/2005 3:33:42 PM EDT
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User; Old time Marine ('79-'84). Ok, I traded my post-ban Bushmaster M4 type A-2 for a Bushmaster pre-ban M4 type A-3 16" Patrolmans carbine with A-2 flash suppressor. I am looking to accessorize said rifle. I'd like to get it right the first time, with minimal effort, potential damage to the rifle and my wallet. Some ideas I have involve handguards that will enable me to mount a light or perhaps a foregrip, etc.... Some type of holographic or red dot sight, or tritium. Some sort of tactical sling, etc..... My philosophy is minimalist, and mostly involve SHTF or home defense scenarios. I live on 5 acres out in the woods. I like value and rugged dependability over just pricy or flimsy. And I could care less about who is impressed with the rifle, except those on the wrong end. My budget is limited. I am not an armorer and have limited tools. In your opinion what brands and type of accessories would you recommend to trick out said rifle to potentially take on all comers? And why, or why not. Pictures are welcome. Thanks for your help and the value of your experience. |
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Oh boy, you asked a lot. I'm still a Rookie here, and learning myself. But on a budget, I would recommend the following: YHM 2 piece handguards. No gunsmith needed, and cheaper than everything else, but good quality. Tango Down grip. Seems to be the most liked around here. Surefire flashlight and mount from Brightflashlights in the "Industry" forum. He has some inexpensive sets that will work well. Aimpoint and LaRue or ARMS mount. Seems to be a good all around optic, and not real expensive. 3 point sling from Specter. This stuff is actually the way I'm going too! How's this setup look, AR Veterans? 
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James_Gang Here are a couple of common configurations for your type of carbine:  or  It could involve: (not all pictured- and these are from ADCO, a premium builder listed in the Industry Forum here on AR15.com) a FF Fore-arm (either YHM, Daniel Defense, Troy, LaRue, or Knights, etc) $150-$300 BUIS (ARMS, Troy, or LMT) $200 more or less- fore and aft Upgraded stock (LMT, Vltor, or Magpul) zero to leave as is-- to $200 Optics: (Aimpoint, ACOG, etc) $350- $1,000 [ouch!] Grip (Hogue, Magpul, Tango Down) $20-60 Vertical Grip (Tango down) $50-$65 weapon light: (Surefire) $200 - $400 or of course, you could leave as is, and it would be just as deadly! |
Sounds like a couple of rookies Just kidding!!! It sounds like you guys are on the right track. The YHM's are great. I've got'em and I really like them. Their very solid and well made. For about 4 bucks you can get a sling swivel from yhm that screws into the guards and it works very well. The tango down grip is very good but does not fit the YHM correctly do to dimensional requirments of the grip. The new YHM hand guards should be hitting the market soon and should correct this problem. Might I suggest looking at the 1st Samco battlegrip. I've got one and it fits the YHM's perfect. It is very strong and feels good in the hand and has a storage compartment as well. As for lights, surefire is a good way to go. Slings: the spector 3-point is good, but somewhat bulky. Just my opinion, I'm probably just not used to it yet. I can also HIGHLY recommend the EoTech holosight. I've got a 551 rev. F and it's one tough reliable sight. Nice thing is, none of these options require tools!!! Have fun with your toys. And your new addiction:BRD 
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Appreciate the 'food for thought'. Nothing worse than paying good money for something, and not being happy with the end result etc.... then having to replace it after having modified your rifle making it fit, etc.... We've all been there. In my view, nothing worse than ones hobby turning into a permanent account on E-bay, etc..... Anybody else? Feel free to share your mistakes in outfitting your AR type, as well as your successes. And why you feel your initial purchases may or may not have provided what you were after. Appreciate the pictures, Fish. Sharp weapons. I would feel extremely well equipped with either, and a little time to adjust. Especially as far as my wallets concerned  .
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Hey Leatherneck... another Devil Dog here. The only things I've only grudgingly regretted (because stuff can always be re-used or traded later) have been the First Samco M33's. They proved to be a bit too lightduty for me, but it turns out they work great for my kids. Also, I got a side-mount for my front sling mount, but later, since I got the four-rail YHM handguard, this turned out to be a bit irrelevent since the YHM allows for a $3 sling mount to attach literally less than an inch from where this $24 piece part attaches to the barrel beneath the front sight. Otherwise, I've been fortunate in being pleased with everything else I've purchased for my M4geries. Here's a pic of 'em:  The one on top is mine, while the one below is for the kids. |
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Semper Fi, Edge. Looks great. Thanks about the heads up on the Samco 33's being light duty. Light duty in the sense that they are similar in strength to the stock guards with just the attachment points on top and bottom? What type of front sling mount is that? It appears to attach to the barrel instead of just wedging in between the front sight mount. What type of front grip is that on your weapon? And what's the deal with the elongated trigger guard? What rear sling attachment point do you use? Single point, etc....? How much effort's required to unscrew my A-2 flash hider and replace it with a Phantom? And which one do you recommend, the 4 port that requires no timing, or the 5 port that does? Is it worth doing? Thanks. BTW, you got some well equipped kids there. |
Old Grunt here '81-'89 Aimpoint M2 or ML2 for red dot, Trijicon ACOG for 4X if magnification is desired. Those are some of the most rugged optics you will find, and probably one of the best upgrades you can add (What our military currently uses BTW). |
FYI this isn't true. Any current production YHM handguards are true to spec and have been for some time. Yes, this comes from first hand experience.
Unless you are getting night vision equipment, get the Eotech 511 or 512. It has the exact same durability but costs about $80 less. |
Thanks for the compliments on the gear. The kids love their stuff... hehe... gotta make sure the troops are as well equipped as the command staff! To answer your questions, your assertion about the M33's being as tough as standard but not quite tough enough with the rails is correct. They are very firm, but when you hold the weapon with the front grip alone, the plastic yields uncomfortably. FF tube's simply don't move at all. The front sling mount is the standard USGI sling adaptor. I got mine online from a site online that sells surplus equipment (got it new, but I forget from where... it was a long time ago!). The front foregrip on mine is a Knight's foregrip, which is really solid and fits perfectly to the YHM handguard. The trigger guard is the Magpull trigger guard, and gives a bit more room for the finger in the trigger well. It's a minor change, but it does make at least a little difference. Also, it makes the trigger area just a bit larger so that you can use it with gloves without having to open up the trigger area. As for the FS, mine are both perm-attached, since I'm using 14.5" barrels. FS's are easy enough to remove (there is a really good thread on ARFCOM on how to do it), and easy enough to put on, but on the 14.5" barrels, you have to perm-attach 'em. It costs around $25+ to have that done by a smith, so depending on your comfort level, you may want to look into that. Difference between four and five port? I don't really know, but I've seen some threads recently that had some data about how effective the different FS's are. You may want to take a look at that... pictures and all! I hope this answers your questions! Semper Fi! |
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