AR-15 Rifles [The Definitive Resource]

The AR-15 is America’s most popular sporting rifle. And because of that, there’s dozens of reputable manufacturers, tons of options, and thousands of accessories.

Whether you’re starting the search for the perfect AR-15 as a first-time buyer, looking for your next AR, or building one with the perfect upgrades and accessories…you’re in the right place.

Table of Contents

From buying to upgrading and building your own AR-15, this guide has you covered:

BCM Recce 16 Rifle with MCMR Handguard
Chapter 3

AR-15 Complete Rifle Reviews

We have tons of AR-15 complete rifle reviews but here are some of our favorites that stand the test of time.

Long range scope
Chapter 5

AR-15 Optics & Scopes

Your AR-15 probably came with iron sights or even bare-nekkid…time to upgrade for a much better shooting experience! We’ll cover non-magnified sights such as red dots and holographic sights, all the way to prisms and magnified scopes.

Best AR-15 Optics & Scopes: Red Dots to MagnifiedBest Budget Red Dots (Under $200)Best Holographic SightsBest 3x Magnifiers (Under $200)Best Rifle Scopes with View-ThroughsBest 1-6x ScopesBest Backup Iron Sights (BUIS)Best Offset Iron Sights
Complete BCM AR-15s (L to R), 11.5, 14.5, 16
Chapter 6

AR-15 Upgrades & Accessories

Unless you spec-ed out your AR-15 completely, chances are it can improve to meet your needs. We’ll cover all the essential upgrades from internals (triggers, BCGs, etc) to external accessories (lights, lasers, grips, etc).

Lower Receiver and Its Working Parts
Chapter 7

Building Your Own AR-15

It’s adult Legos! Learn how to choose the best parts for your budget and purpose, essential tools, and proper building techniques. And for the even more adventurous…how to build from your own 80% lower receiver.

Best Parts - Overview

AR-15 Parts ListBest AR-15 Stripped UpperBest AR-15 Stripped LowersBest Lower Parts KitsBest AR-15 FurnitureBest AR-15 Barrels Best AR-15 TriggersBest AR-15 Handguards

How to Assemble an AR-15

Best AR-15 Build ToolsHow to Build an AR-15 UpperHow to Build an AR-15 LowerHow To Paint an AR-15Building a Featureless AR-15 [CA Legal]

80% AR-15 Build

What is an 80% ReceiverBest 80% AR-15 ReceiversHow to Finish Your 80% AR-15 Receiver

AR-15 Build Series

AR-15 Build Series: M16A4 BuildAR-15 Build Series: RECCE BuildAR-15 Build Series: CA Home DefenseAR-15 Build Series: BRN-180 Fighting RifleAR-15 Build Series: Pin & Weld Blue-Collar Duty RifleAR-15 Build Series: 6.5 Grendel “Yeet Cannon”AR-15 Build Series: Ultimate Spare Parts AR-9 [Pandemic Build]AR-15 Build Series: Garrow Arms .17 HMRAR-15 Build Series: 6.5 Grendel Hunting BuildAR-15 Build Series: Colt AR-9AR-15 Build Series: AT3 Budget LightweightAR-15 Build Series: Sig P320 Matador ArmsAR-15 Build Series: Block 1.5 SOPMOD M4: America’s Workhorse
Everything AR-10
Chapter 8

Everything AR-10

The AR-10 is the AR-15’s big brother in terms of overall size and caliber. If you ever wanted a semi-auto .308 that feels almost exactly like an AR-15…the AR-10 is the way to go.