Top 5 AR-15 Upgrades To Make On A Stock Rifle With Army Ranger Dave Steinbach

Retired Army Ranger and former member of the Army Marksmanship Unit, Dave Steinbach, shares his top 5 AR-15 upgrades to make on a stock rifle.

There are a ton of rifle upgrades one can make—there is no shortage of parts manufacturers.

If you’re wondering what you should really consider upgrading with your AR-15, this video is for you!

TACTICAL HYVE LINKS

FOLLOW US

RECOMMENDED

VIDEO EQUIPMENT WE USE:

(DISCLAIMER: This post may contain paid advertisements or affiliate links. What is an affiliate link? It means that if you click on one of the product links, Tactical Hyve will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows us to create more content for you! Thank you for the support!)

#tacticalhyve #ar15 #rifles

[TorstenHoff]

I would also strongly recommend replacing the stock trigger guard with one that fills in the gap by the pistol grip. Unless you need to use your rifle in a freezing climate with mittens and take advantage of the fact that the stock trigger guard can be opened up, replace the trigger guard so you don't slice up the middle finger of your primary hand. It's not a real problem if you go plinking at the range for an hour, but if you handle a rifle all day, that sharp edge at the gap can definitely cut up your finger.

[Goldenwithaleash]

Nice. Ambi safety is a must for any defensive rifle in my house as wife is a lefty. I never minded a milspec trigger until I got my first Geissele then I was ruined.

[Valorius]

Trigger, CF furniture, ambi safety. That's about it for me. Im lefty, i like the OEM CH.

[bdub]

My PSA trigger is heavy, 6 ish pounds. But there's zero takeup or slop. It's just squeeze, break and it's consistent. Trigger would be good to upgrade for sure but not #1 for me for a defensive rifle

[adrnacad]

1. Optic
2. Sling
3. Flashlight
4. Magazines
5. Ammo

You don't need all those internal upgrades unless if it breaks!

[marklepollo]

My upgrade would be:
Trigger to ACT trigger
Raptor charging handle
Good optic, LPVO or RDS, your choice
Good sling. I like MS3 so I get a dual/ single choice
Good WML
Good mags and good training.
That’s it!

[xSPCTREx]

Weapon light would outweigh a replacement trigger to me

[MUCKLEECH]

Runs an ambi to help reduce the risk of an ND, but then has a BAD lever to make the risk even worse. Interesting…

[erazco]

I completely upgraded my AR15 556 (8500)
I installed a rise armament 3.5 drop I n trigger, a giessele H1 buffer and spring, a magpul plus grip, and magpul cte butt stock, I ditch the 7 inche hand gaurd And installed drop in free float utg pro 15 inch hand guard, I installed a radian raptor LT charging handle, for my optics I have a monstrum tactical 1x4x24 LPVO scope and I’m running a Vikings tactics adjustable sling I do need to upgrade the ambidextrous Saftey switch and flash hider personally after buying a inexpensive AR and building it up I appreciate it more and it has my name on it because it’s my build so to say

[MikeA]

after a necessary light-sling-optic, you can make a case for each of these.... except the BAD lever imo.

[colejohnson]

No BAD levers! I want nothing in my trigger guard but, my finger and the trigger! I already have a bolt release Thank You very much.

[DRay-ortc]

I’ve run all 5 of your list of improvements for years.
I’d add WML and Optic; RD or LPVO.
Good Vid.

[BV-frbf]

Thank you for a good AND concise video!

[jklop]

Weapon light, sling and optic for me. Awesome video as always.

[jimziogas]

Nice pics Ranger! I have to agree on all 5 and comply on all my builds, but I throw in Phase 5 bolt catches in too for 308 especially.

[DavidPatrick]

I would recommend upgrading your buffer assembly along with the saftey, charging handle, muzzle brake or comp, and trigger. These are thing to make your more pleasant to operate shoot flat. The flatter your rifle shoots makes it that much easier to get back on target after each shot.

[bryy]

Great video! I can agree with most of it except the BAD lever. Living in colder climates, wearing gloves is basically a must many times of the year, so that's a no go for me even with enhanced trigger guards. My sausage fingers just don't jive and I'd rather keep my "muscle memory" the same for each setup. Plus when my finger is in the trigger guard, it's just to shoot. Just a mental thing for me. All our milage varies so if it works for you, rock on! Thanks again!

[eddietat]

I can run a stock AR all day, carry handle sight and all. But, please god, give me quality magazines and a decent sling like the Vickers sling from Blue Force Gear.

[claponclapoff]

The first five changes.I use the Elftmann Ambi push button safety. No strange hand movements to activate safety. A receiver tension screw. Trigger guard. Ambi charging handle. MOE- K grip no beavertail. Sharps bcg coming. I did the shoestring break-in on mil-spec trigger. A big difference.

[elbryan]

Why a brake or comp instead of a flashhider?