Building a perfect rifle is borderline impossible. Everybody, from retired veterans to tri-gun shooters has their unique way of setting up a rifle.

That being said, there are some handy rifle accessories that every rifle could benefit from. We’ll be talking about the AR platform for the most part, but some of these accessories will work fine on the AK side of the family as well. Let’s get started!

Flashlight

If there’s one thing every rifle out there should have, it’s a flashlight. This is especially true for home defense guns and any gun that could potentially see real-life use. When something goes bump in the night, you’ll want that ability to positively ID a potential threat before you squeeze off around.

There are countless cases of people accidentally shooting their loved ones in the middle of the night because all they could see was a shadow.

We suggest getting a flashlight with a pressure switch that can be mounted to the handguard. You’ll want the ability to press and hold for light, instead of using an On/Off switch. Light discipline is essential at night.

Flash Hider

With muzzle brakes being all the rage lately, it’s easy to remember how impractical these things are, especially in low-light conditions. Squeezing off a round from a short-barreled AR will create a fireball unless you have something to contain it with. For example, AR-15 flash hiders exist for a reason. When it gets dark, a flash hider makes all the difference when it comes to retaining some of that natural night vision.

There are plenty of awesome brands that offer great products in this category. Also, there are plenty of hybrid designs. Take your pick.

Foregrips

Foregrips, whether angled or vertical, have become an important requirement for proper weapon manipulation. This is especially true for the AR platform where establishing that C-clamp grip depends on you having a solid anchor point on the handguard.

Like most things, foregrips are a matter of personal preference and taste. That being said, stubby foregrips have proven to be a timeless classic that works in all environments.

Glass

One of the best things about the AR platform is the ease with which you can mount an optic to it. That being said, your choice of glass should be dictated by your environment and intended use. LPVOs are becoming increasingly popular due to their flexibility, but sometimes all you need is a decent red dot.

Most modern red dot sights are more than capable of taking you out to 300-400 yards consistently if you do your part. Then again, if your intended application involves frequently reaching targets at these ranges, an LPVO is a better option.

Sling

If you own a rifle, you should own a sling. It’s that simple. Without a sling, your rifle can very easily cease to be yours. Besides, good slings are everywhere these days. You can choose between the standard 3 point slings, the now obsolete single-point designs, slings with QD mounts, and more.

Larry Vickers from Vickers Tactical offers what is arguably one of the best rifle slings on the market right now. It’s affordable and functional. You can’t go wrong with it.

Sound Suppressor

Mounting a can on your gun brings many benefits to the table. Even if you decide to run your rifle with supersonic rounds, you’ll still get to enjoy many of these benefits. For one, suppressors will reduce the sound signature of your rifle.

Is a suppressor going to make your rifle whisper quiet? No, not even remotely. But it will reduce your signature and if you’re outdoors, it will mask your location. If you’re running a short gun, make sure to use flash hider end caps on your can. They make a massive difference in low-light conditions.

BUIS

Backup iron sights are slowly becoming a thing of the past as modern optics improve in terms of reliability. That being said, some people appreciate having a backup. There are plenty of pop-up iron sights you can get, with Magpul offering a few strong contenders. If you decide to get a set of backup irons, make sure to train with them. Otherwise, they won’t do you much good.

Decisions, Decisions

Customizing an AR is pretty much an art form by now. Some of the accessories we’ve listed above should be found on every rifle, but most come down to your personal preference. Whatever build you decide to go for, make sure to train with it until any new accessories become a part of that second nature.