Building custom rifles is one of the most popular pastimes among many Americans. Among these rifles, the AR-15 reigns supreme, with an estimated 15,000,000 Americans owning the rifle.
One of the many reasons for the AR-15’s popularity is the incredible versatility on display. Gun hobbyists can tweak and customize the rifle to a nearly endless extent. While there’s plenty of controversy around firearms, the popularity of the AR-15 remains strong and growing.
If you’ve been looking into customizing your rifle or purchasing a new personalized AR-15, we’re here to help. Read on for ten vital tips.
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Proper Cheek Rest
One of the first things to look into for customizing your rifle is a cheek rest. Getting a proper cheek rest is crucial to your gun no matter what you intend to use it for.
If you’re using your AR-15 for hunting, you’ll be spending countless cumulative hours with your cheek pressed against it. With a poor cheek rest – or even no cheek rest – that will be more than uncomfortable. A poor cheek rest can make your aim poor and your posture weary, and it can ruin your hunting experience.
Using a bad cheek rest can also end in injury. If your cheek rest is low-quality, rough, or has any sort of edge to it, recoil can cause damage to your skin. A bad enough cheek rest can cut you or make shooting flat out impossible, so invest in a good one!
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Keep the Grip Simple
Some rifle hobbyists will make their custom rifles with different grips to help with stability. However, this can end up completely backfiring if the wrong grip is chosen. It’s also worth knowing that some states have restricted and enacted certain bans for rifle grips, so stay up to date with your state’s codes.
Simple pistol grips are common and can give a better, more comfortable aim. While some have opted for complex grips that are marketed on ergonomics or novelty grips, these are often bad for performance. Custom hunting rifles work best with simple, effective grips.
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Comfort and Stability
Sometimes while designing custom rifles, you may get so carried away with adding shiny new pieces that you forget the basics. By the time you end up with your new rifle in your hands, you realize that you’ve accidentally made an uncomfortable new purchase.
While you’re customizing your rifle, consider comfort. Custom rifle stocks, for example, will need to be something that can give you stability while being comfortable to use. Make sure that your rifle is comfortable and stable rather than flashy and showy if you intend to actually use it.
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Function Over Form
Comfort and stability isn’t the only reason to avoid flashy, showy rifles if you’re customizing a rifle for actual use. Some novelty attachments and custom pieces can end up with a pretty rifle that can’t hold its own on the field. Whether you’re hunting, practicing your marksmanship, or defending yourself, you want a rifle that can function well.
To that end, a practical rifle will favor its function over its form. Use sights that are simple and effective rather than flashy and bright.
This is especially the case if you’re making custom hunting rifles. Showy, fancy rifles can be harder to hide from animals, especially if your shiny accessories reflect light. Do your best to keep your focus on making a rifle for its use rather than an impressive but useless appearance.
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Best Rifle Barrel Possible
Custom rifle barrels can be a bit complicated at times. Unarguably, the barrel is one of the absolute most important parts of any gun. A barrel failure can mean the complete destruction of your gun and very serious injuries, so make sure not to skimp out.
Building custom long-range rifles mean that you’ll be considering your barrel much more deeply. Deciding barrel length, design, composition, and material is integral to designing good custom rifles. Focus on a high-quality barrel for a high-quality rifle no matter what you intend to use it on.
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Give It Time
With any new purchase, you might take a while to get used to it. If your new rifle feels a bit strange, give it a moment to adjust to. It’s likely that you haven’t gotten used to the new layout rather than that there’s something wrong.
This isn’t a guarantee, of course – if there’s something clearly wrong with your rifle, you need to get it checked. You’ll likely know quickly if something is installed wrong, loose, or outright not what you asked for. In that case, immediate action is needed.
Of course, some rifles might need time for such things to show. Even if a rifle feels perfect, give it a few tries before you get comfortable. It could be that problems are taking a bit longer to show than usual.
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Think About Rifle Weight
As you begin to stack on the accessories, you’ll be adding on weight with each and every one. Custom rifle actions, barrels, stocks, sights, scopes, and rails all play a part in the ultimate weight of your finished custom rifle.
There’s a sweet spot you’ll want, depending on what your use will be. To light can make holding your rifle steady to aim difficult. Too heavy can make aiming difficult as well, paired with your rifle now being a pain to lug around.
Different styles have different weights. Custom long-range rifles tend to sit around nine or ten pounds, though there’s some wiggle room. Light-weight custom rifles tend to stick close to seven pounds, and going less than this can impact your aim.
Do a bit of research and testing. If you already own some rifles, go through your usual routine using one of the weights that your new personalized rifle will be using. That way, you know whether you want it heavier or lighter, or if you’ve picked a good weight.
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Heed Professional Advice
One of the most simple tips for building a custom rifle isn’t directly related to your rifle at all. Rather, it’s to the people helping you build it. You sought them out, you want them to build your new rifle, so do them the courtesy of listening.
Many experienced firearms experts have gotten to where they are today because they know what works and what doesn’t. Sometimes you might go in with an exciting idea or a new trick you want to try for your rifle. Make sure to ask them their opinion or advice on whether it’s something that should be implemented or not.
Ask them about different parts and their suggestions. Consider asking if they suggest one AR 15 bolt carrier group over another or their recommendation of sights. This can not only build rapport but improve your weapon and experience.
If your builder says that something won’t work or that it will impact the integrity of your rifle, listen to them! Be negotiable and ready to adjust to the expert’s advice. This not only makes a good rifle but a good relationship with your expert for future work.
That isn’t to say you should bow down to what they tell you. It simply means that you should strongly consider what an expert in the field is telling you. Your custom rifles are in their hands, so put your trust in them as well.
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Don’t Reinvent the Wheel
Customizing a rifle is fun and exciting. You’ll likely be tempted to try something new, maybe even something that you’ve never seen done before. The reality is that some things haven’t been done because they shouldn’t.
Don’t try to reinvent the wheel when you’re designing your new custom rifle. Firearms have been around for hundreds of years, and people know what works by now. Stick to what works rather than trying to revolutionize the world of firearms with your custom rifles.
That isn’t to say you shouldn’t try anything new, of course. Just be wary that what you’re trying isn’t impacting the integrity of your new custom firearm. Research, listen to experts and test for yourself before you make any bold new decisions.
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Research Your Build and Builder
You should trust the experts, but before you do that, you need to make sure they’re actually experts. Research around and make sure that the person constructing your rifle knows what they’re doing! If your custom rifles are built poorly, you’re never going to see the performance you want.
There are other issues as well, of course. Make sure that you know you’re working with someone that can deliver the product in a timely manner. A good reputation is key in the firearms industry, so don’t go for someone that doesn’t come well-reviewed!
Building Custom Rifles
Purchasing a stock weapon is fine for beginners, but custom rifles are where expertise and personalization start to really show. Do your best to research and plan before you jump into your new custom rifle build. With some time and effort, you’ll have your dream rifle in your hands before you know it.
If you have any further questions or concerns, be sure to browse through our informative blog.
