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2/5/2016 7:18:38 PM EDT
So I recently just bought my first AR-15  The Olympic Plinker Plus if your interested.  So I bought a quad rail, and a Sightmark red dot system.  Now there are so many things out there and I am very overwhelmed about it all.  I was suggested to buy a new collapsible buttstock and a free float rail.  Now I know what the free float rail helps with accuracy but what will a new stock help?  Other than comfort and possibly a better grip to help with shooting what would that really help?  Are there anything I need to worry about when buying one?  I saw that there are different sizes for it?  What makes it "commercial"? Really new to it all and I kinda dove head first with very basic information.   So any help would be very appreciated.
2/5/2016 7:36:50 PM EDT
[#1]
I would say all that money would be better spent on ammo......JMHO.

enjoy

Lon
2/5/2016 8:53:44 PM EDT
[#2]
As you said you are new to the AR, welcome. I second that you should shoot it, if you change it now without any experience I gaurentee you'll be doing it again especially if you get hooked. I'm a nobody on the internet but Trust me.

Buy ammo, shoot it, learn how it operates and enjoy.

If and when you decide to make changes you'll have the knowledge of knowing what you want.

2/5/2016 10:27:40 PM EDT
[#3]
Don't make any changes for at least a year. As mentioned, shoot it, get to know it intimately first..  
2/6/2016 1:53:57 AM EDT
[#4]
Yes you should just learn what works best for you, go get training and ammo. As it is you bought a quad rail which IMO are not very useful if its not free float.

Re: the free float you won't at this point notice anything anyway.
2/6/2016 9:36:35 AM EDT
[#5]
Unanimously. buy a few thousand rounds, a 1/2 dozen magazines and shoot that thing!
 



Edit: The only thing that I might swap out right away is the pistol grip. I think a positive change in the way the rifle feels can make a huge impact.
2/6/2016 11:09:19 AM EDT
[#6]
What generally happens if you catch the bug, after some time you will realize the gun is fine the way it is.  But......you will want a gun to achieve a little different purpose. It's at this point you will start with a stripped barrel that meets your new need, then......,, well, "and now you know the rest of the story".
2/6/2016 12:12:03 PM EDT
[#7]
Instead of offering unsolicited advice, I'll actually answer the Op's questions.

First, congrats on the new rifle. This site and a few other forums have more info than you'll ever need to know.

You won't notice any significant improvement with a free float quad rail unless you're The Incredible Hulk and have really bad form, or you're shooting 200+ yes. You'd have to replace or remove, modify, & reinstall the front sight to install one anyway and that probably sounds a bit intimidating right now.

Buttstocks and pistol grips are a matter of preference. I hate the std collapsible stocks and use Magpul STRs or SOPMOD Bravo's on all my rifles. Commercial vs mil-spec is in reference to the receiver extension (aka buffer tube). They have different outside diabetes and the back end of a commercial tube is slanted. You have to buy a stock made to fit your kind of receiver extension or it won't fit right. Just google mil-spec vs commercial buffer tube and you'll find lots of info.


Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
2/6/2016 5:53:22 PM EDT
[#8]
I'm also new to the AR and just assembled my first. The bug hits and you want to try one of everything. I have a buddy who's ex-military and he keeps me on target which helps. He's also in the "Just learn to shoot it correctly before you add/change a bunch of shit" camp. So I'm just starting with a good base MOE kit and am going to "shoot the barrel out" with irons before I change anything.

The one thing that won't cost you is reading everything you can find so you have at least the theory if not the practical knowledge.
2/7/2016 11:29:21 AM EDT
[#9]
I'll echo what others are saying.

If you're worried about accuracy, start practicing.  

If you believe you've wrung out every bit of performance possible from your rifle, then start making upgrades.

2/7/2016 10:00:39 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Quoted:
Instead of offering unsolicited advice, I'll actually answer the Op's questions.

First, congrats on the new rifle. This site and a few other forums have more info than you'll ever need to know.

You won't notice any significant improvement with a free float quad rail unless you're The Incredible Hulk and have really bad form, or you're shooting 200+ yes. You'd have to replace or remove, modify, & reinstall the front sight to install one anyway and that probably sounds a bit intimidating right now.

Buttstocks and pistol grips are a matter of preference. I hate the std collapsible stocks and use Magpul STRs or SOPMOD Bravo's on all my rifles. Commercial vs mil-spec is in reference to the receiver extension (aka buffer tube). They have different outside diabetes and the back end of a commercial tube is slanted. You have to buy a stock made to fit your kind of receiver extension or it won't fit right. Just google mil-spec vs commercial buffer tube and you'll find lots of info.


Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
View Quote

2/7/2016 11:00:38 PM EDT
[#11]
OP, do you have access to a range or area where you can shoot often? Worry more about learning your new rifle, safety, and shooting it well. If you remain interested, the rest will come in time.
2/8/2016 9:45:17 PM EDT
[#12]
Ok, thanks for the information.
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