Best Sniper rifle: an AR Accessories review

Could AR Accessories make the AR the Best Sniper rifle on a budget?

I think it’s pretty clear the AR platform won’t produce the best sniper rifle.  But, it’s entirely possible to ratchet up the accuracy and long range performance of the AR-15 with some key AR accessories.  In fact you can get pretty good performance with just a few small parts.  The best sniper rifle is the one you have with you when you need it.  SO for many reading this: you may be able to produce the best sniper rifle within your budget on the AR platform; again it’s down to which AR accessories make sense for the specific task.

Thousands of AR Accessories to stretch your rifle’s capabilities

Because there are thousands of options, we are going to cover only a handful, so look for more articles in the future that will highlight even more as they come into the market, or as we get the chance to use them in person.

Below is a list of some of the better products in the segment.  Yes many of them have affiliate links attached.  If you decide to purchase via our links we appreciate it, but for us it’s mostly about the content on the site, so we want to provide full disclosure.

AR Accessories #1:

The Magpul MIAD pistol grip:

The Magpul MIAD is the best pistol grip on the market today.  The ability to change size and feel on a whim, may allow you to find a much better handhold, directly and positively affecting your accuracy in a variety of situations.  It’s one of the least expensive ways to change your accuracy immediately. The best sniper rifle, starts with the best hand hold.  The MIAD is one of the more versatile AR accessories you can find.  The front and rear straps are interchangeable and there is a hollowed out, but secure space inside the handle to keep a spare bolt head and firing pin and/or some key small parts.  Buy the proper MIAD MOE insert for the proper storage without the rattle and shake, or the lost or broken.  It’s clean looking, functional and a really well made piece, so you can rest assured you are buying quality. $45 approximately for the pair listed above.

Take a closer look at the Magpul MIAD GRIP HERE.

Take a closer look at the Magpul MIAD grip INSERT HERE.

AR Accessories #2:

The Magpul PRS Precision Adjustable stock:

Staying in the Magpul theme we should take a look at the PRS which stands for Precision Rifle Sniper stock.  The drop in stock we always dreamed of on a precision rifle, but made for the Ar-15 platform.  As far as AR accessories go, Magpul makes some of the easiest to use and most functional directly out of the box.  It’s literally plug and play 99% of the time with Magpul. Arguably the best sniper rifle style buttstock for the AR-15, when you are looking purely at adjustability, and when you can opt for a stock which has similar dimensions to a fixed stock.  The stock has an adjustable comb, Length of pull, and a bottom facing picatinny style rail for mounting other items (our choice is a monopod).  It mounts to a full size buffer tube, and is a heavy duty version of an AR stock, utilizing its fair share of anodized aluminum and steel. This thing is substantial. Price is approximately $255 (Our link below has it significantly cheaper).

Take a closer look at the Magpul PRS Precision Adjustable stock HERE.

Ok one last Magpul brand product, because it begs for a mention:

AR Accessories #3:

The Magpul MBUS AR-15 sights:

The MBUS is the Magpul variation on the flip up back up sight.  Now, no sniper in his right mind in today’s urban (or otherwise) environment would be without an optic. But there are times where a scope cannot b used, or where you will be angry with some irreparable damage done to your costly optic and the inability to take an accurate shot.  Enter the best cheap AR accessories you can find to put you on target.  Fully removable flip down/up sights.  The MBUS aren’t the best ones you can buy in my opinion, but they are hands down the best you can buy at this price point.  For under  $60 for the rear and under $40 for the front, this is $100 well spent, especially since they are able to be removed and used only when necessary.

Take a closer look at the Magpul MBUS REAR AR-15 sights HERE.

Take a closer look at the Magpul MBUS FRONT AR-15 sights HERE.

AR Accessories #4:

The American Trigger Corporation AR Gold Trigger:

Jerry Mickulek considers the AR Gold Trigger a pretty substantial contributor to his 3 Gun Nationals win.  It’s flat out the best thing available for trigger work from the factory and takes the guesswork out of the trigger and firing control group equation.  The company that makes it is sure enough of their product that they will buy the part back from you if you can’t shoot better after thirty days of using it. It removes the standard geometry from the Hammer and sear engagement and turns it on its head.  The take up is smooth and light and the break is clean and clear, as crisp as any trigger I have ever used in the AR-Platform.  If you consider the trigger to be key to accuracy, then this is one of the best AR accessories to buy.  It’s got no competition because nothing else can replicate it.

Take a closer look at the AR Gold Trigger HERE.

AR Accessories #5:

The Midwest Industries Inc. Gen 2 SS-Series tube:

This ultralight free floating handguard hugs the contours of your barrel (or lack thereof) to provide you with a full upper rail; bolt on partial rails for tactical accessories and a clean look. It’s easy to install, comes with the right pieces and has a spot for a bipod stud. If you have to shave a bit of weight because you went heavy with other essential parts, this is a good spot.  It’s tough, good looking, and adds a free-floating attachment for your barrel, and accessories, without overdoing it or putting useless rails in the way. Approximately $190.

Take a closer look at the MI Gen 2 SS-Series Free Floating tube HERE.

 AR Accessories #6:

The Precision Reflex Delta Gen 3

This is a throwback, but in a functional and good looking way.  It’s reminiscent of the original triangular delta style 1960’s and 1970’s handgaurds, but made with a modern twist and with the best engineering and materials you can buy.  The flat bottom makes it an excellent tub for use with a bag rest or on another type of support system.  The anti-camming deign of the handgaurd also promotes the best accuracy.  It’s not cheap at around $375, but it’s made with exotic materials and has a lot of functionality.  As AR accessories go, this is more of a “statement” than most, it’s not going to be on a lot of other rifles at the range, and there are few handguards that can match it’s suitability for the task at hand.  The best sniper rifles in the AR platform are going to be using items like this to accomplish the goal of putting the most shots on target in the most efficient manner.

Take a closer look at the Precision Reflex Gen 3 Delta Handguard HERE

AR Accessories #7:

The J P Enterprises tensioning pin

In the first part of this article series, we talked about the accu-wedge, an old school version of the solution to the sloppy fit of the receivers.  The JP pin is one of the essential AR accessories to have, especially if you want to isolate the potential for accuracy concerns.  It’ doesn’t in theory give any real benefit for accuracy, but it does allow you to determine that all parts which do affect accuracy, are in the spots they need to be in, rather than getting all sloppy inside the receiver halves.  It’s cheap, useful, and while it may not promote the “best sniper rifle” concept we are exploring here directly, it’s a good addition to the AR accessories listed on this list.

Take a closer look at the JP Enterprises pin HERE.

AR Accessories #8

The Versa-pod Bipod

Versa-pod makes a ton of products and they are all unique to the style and situations you’ll be shooting in.  They are also amongst the highest quality built AR accessories you can find, but they aren’t cheap.  Luckily, if you buy correctly, you can use the same bipod on different rifles with just the additional adaptor plates.  One of the best ways to get into the Versa-pod line, if you are unfamiliar with them is the (relatively) cheaper Model 1 which is priced at about $80 and comes with a universal adaptor.   Rock solid, interchangeable and high quality, Versa-pod is in a league of their own.

Take a look at the Versa-pod bipod HERE.

AR Accessories #9:

The Harris Bipod

If you have a bottom facing picatinny rail (and if you don’t they have one for you too) Harris now makes a rail adaptor which allows any rail attachment to any of their bipods, and they now have a fully rotating plate for mating the rifle to a stationary bipod with pivoting abilities. Cool.  The rota-pod and the HBRS 6-9” bipod are a good fit for the AR platform. These two will turn your AR-15 into the best sniper rifle an AR can achieve…on a turret.   The ultimate multi-shot engagement tool from a specific position.

Take a closer look at the Rota-pod HERE.

Take a closer look at the Harris HBRS HERE.

AR Accessories to put your rifle into another class

Because of the abundance of AR Accessories on the market for transforming your AR-15 into the “world’s best sniper rifle” we have to break this segment back up into a multi-part article.  There are just too many to cover for one to do it justice.

Yes, we know that conventional wisdom, ballistics and reality will dispute that the AR platform is a suitable contender in the “Best Sniper Rifle” category, but for the money, and the do-it-yourself segment of the market, the AR-15 is a worthy platform for short range sniper rifle action, and the AR accessories listed above will certainly help in the process of transformation.  Fear not, we still believe that getting long range precision rifle performance is possible in a variety of platforms and models, so just make sure in the case of the AR-15, that you are using the best AR Accessories and you will be moving in the right direction.

Look at the series of articles to find some unique and formidable AR accessories for different situations and rifle builds.