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Hi everyone!

I just bought my first rifle yesterday at the Houston Gun Show! I got a RRA Elite Operator 2 AR-15! It had everything I wanted on it...quad rail, complete rear and front sights, etc. I don't plan on modifying it anytime soon...But I just want to know since this is my first AR...what upgrades did y'all do?

Get a red dot. An aimpoint pro is worth the 400bucks. I bought a vortex sparc before they came out with the pro and I am not disappointed at all with its performance, but the pro's 3 year battery life is well worth the money imo. Get a good sling, I like the magpul ms2/ms3 series since you can go from single to dual point rather quickly. Then decide on vertical or afg personally I tried both I like the vertical better.

Sputz

This is what I'd start with...

Ammo. It's kind of like investing in precious metals. Buy cheap when you can, seems to only go up in price. Lots of ranges don't allow FMJ, so consider some JHP/OTM/SP etc.
Extra Magazines. 20 rounders can be handy on a bench or prone, but definitely get some 30's.
Ammo cans. For the aforementioned magazines loaded with the aforementioned ammo.. .30 or .50 cal are the rights sizes. Those big 40mm cans are a nice size, until you fill 'em with ammo and have to move them.
Sling. I like the BFG VTAC 2-point slings. Can be turned into a single-point with the right accessories.
Carrying case. To transport your boom stick and misc. accessories.
Clean/Lube supplies. To keep her healthy.

Probably a red-dot. Aimpoint Pro Patrol rifle optic or Micro T1 are well regarded. That 2-MOA Micro T1 is calling my name... Hear it? I've had very good luck and customer service from Marshall @ Primary Arms and he has some less expensive options if you're not ready to commit $400-$700+. SWFA also has some nice options for glass.

The first thing I would do to that new-to-you rifle would be to upgrade the trigger.
Geissele makes a heck of a product.
I would also look at Timney and AGL Defence.
The new ALG brand of triggers is a high quality mil-spec trigger that has been tuned by the people at Geissele.
Its still basically a mil-spec trigger but MUCH nicer.

I like that handguard so I would keep it.
I would also look at replacing the muzzle device with a BattleComp device. There are a couple options available depending on your needs but these things are amazing to say the least. Just look em up on YouTube and you'll see what I mean.

Stock: Good
Grip: Good

Whats going on with the trigger guard?

As mentioned before....AMMO!
Try several types and see what your rifle likes best. What twist is the barrel?

If you go with a red dot I personally don't see spending 400.00 on one if you're not going to be a professional operator when there are cheaper, quality options available.
Check out Vortex and Primary Arms.

Training.

Later? A light and a sight.

In my opinion, buy 1000 rounds and some spare magazines. Shoot the 1000 and then you might determine if you need anything else besides more ammo.

I built mine from the ground up, so the final result was never a matter of "upgrading."

Magazines, ammunition, and training.

A training class from a competent instructor will give you a better idea of what is junk and what is not, and what gear you can stake your life on and what gear you shouldn't.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

The Annoyed Man wrote:I built mine from the ground up, so the final result was never a matter of "upgrading."

THIS.
When my buddies are talking about the price difference between buying and building I always try to explain that the difference may be small or even non-existant. The reason I prefer to build is so that I don't have to upgrade and then have a pile of OEM parts that are of fairly little resale value.


OT: AMMO!!!

Terlingueno wrote:In my opinion, buy 1000 rounds and some spare magazines. Shoot the 1000 and then you might determine if you need anything else besides more ammo.

Yep, go shoot the freaking gun....

I don't think he was asking about magazines. I personally don't consider a magazine as an upgrade to the RIFLE itself.
I consider it an accessory much like an optic or a light.
I think he was asking about ways to make the rifle better, not add ons.

gigag04 wrote:Training.

Later? A light and a sight.

Most of the stuff people put on ARs just add weight and serve no real purpose than looking "tacticool." The most important upgrade you can put on an AR is a good light. Next a trigger upgrade and a decent optic. You don't have to spend a bundle on the trigger a JP Enterprises trigger spring kit will usually be all you need. Quality mags and ammo are way more important than useless attachments.

Learn how to use the gun and train, train, train,

The rifle is perfect! Don't change a thing.

Upgrades: Get a good single stage reloading press, .223 rem dies, load manual, powder scale, case trimmer/chamfer/ deburrer, and good powder dispenser. Borrow someones Chronograph and dial your rounds in. Collect 5.56/.223 shells when you go to the range and then all you have to buy is bullets, powder, and primers.

I'd look at a variable powered scope unless you'll be kicking in doors and need a 1x powered red-dot.

MoJo wrote:

gigag04 wrote:Training.

Later? A light and a sight.

Most of the stuff people put on ARs just add weight and serve no real purpose than looking "tacticool." The most important upgrade you can put on an AR is a good light. Next a trigger upgrade and a decent optic. You don't have to spend a bundle on the trigger a JP Enterprises trigger spring kit will usually be all you need. Quality mags and ammo are way more important than useless attachments.

Learn how to use the gun and train, train, train,

Mostly agree....Good training can be a better investment than gadgets. For years, the standard M16 rifle was a pretty basic weapon, all things considered. Generations of American veterans performed very well with nothing more than a an adjustable rear peep sight and a front sight post. Think '03A3 Springfield, M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, M14, M16, M4....... Training (plus a smidge of natural talent) was the difference between an average marksman and a great marksman.

BUT......

There are a lot of us who live in the real world and for whom a good training class is simply something that we either can't afford, or we are physically unable to do it, and so we prioritize our purchases accordingly.

I don't see well enough anymore to consider my iron sights to be my primary sighting system. I have them zeroed, I can use them at limited ranges, and they are cowitnessed with the reticle in my EOTech, but at my age and vision, irons are strictly a backup and my primary sighting system has to be some kind of red dot/holographic system, preferably with a magnifier on a swing-to-side mount. My eyesight simply isn't sharp enough to be very effective without the added crutch of a lighted reticle and a degree of magnification.

As to training, I'd love to do a good carbine class some day. Unfortunately, most of my disposible income lately has gone to paying medical bills, including the physical therapy I am currently undergoing to try and restore some of my mobility. One does what one can, and sometime down the road I'll hopefully be able to get some training.

Like most things having to do with guns, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to how to augment the original purchase of the firearm. But, if you have decent mobility and eyesight and can afford it, I would definitely urge you to buy ammo and pay for training.

Being able to reload your ammo is a good thing if you're really concerned with match accuracy, or if you think you can beat the price of bulk ammo by reloading; but the cost of a proper reloading setup can easily approach or exceed the original cost of the rifle, so you'll have to amortize the cost over many thousands of rounds and years of use before you recoup the investment. OTH, there is a great deal of satisfaction in crafting your own loads.