When it comes to navigating the vast sea of AR-15 accessories, it's easy to feel lost amidst the conflicting advice and myriad options. Every AR-15 owner seems to have a preference, whether it's for M-LOK handstops, KeyMod handstops, or tactical grips. The only unanimous advice? Customize your firearm as you choose. Yet, even with this sage counsel, the question remains: how do you choose among the plethora of options for each component?
Factors to Consider in Your AR Weight Customization Journey
The weight of an AR is crucial, impacting factors like portability, recoil, and accuracy. Lighter rifles offer increased mobility and reduced fatigue, while heavier ones provide stability and better recoil absorption. Customization allows users to tailor the weight to specific needs. Balancing factors like maneuverability and accuracy is key when selecting the ideal AR configuration for a given purpose.
1. Functionality: Tailoring Your AR to Purpose
The pivotal question when selecting any AR-15 accessory is its functionality. Understanding your end goal is crucial. If the aim is to enhance your grip on the forend, options like rail grips, handstops, and rail scales come into play. Consider your preferred grip style and the intended use. A lightweight, textured option might be ideal for hunting, providing a dedicated gripping point. Conversely, range time might call for a larger, tactical grip to enhance stability and support a prolonged firing stance.
2. Weight: Balancing Act
Weight plays a crucial role, especially for those who seek balance in their AR-15. While some revel in an extensively accessorized firearm, others opt for minimalism. Each component may seem lightweight on its own, measured in ounces, but cumulatively they can significantly impact the overall weight. A rail grip weighing half a pound, when attached near the front, can alter the balance and feel of your AR. Understanding the anticipated function is key; a hunting-centric AR benefits from being as light as possible, while a home defense AR can afford a bit more weight.
RailScales: Elevating Your AR Experience
In this maze of choices, RailScales emerges as a beacon for AR enthusiasts. Established in 2014, RailScales has been at the forefront of the firearms industry, crafting accessories that combine innovation, durability, and functionality.
History of Excellence
Founded in 2014, RailScales has swiftly become a trusted name in the firearms industry. Their journey is marked by a commitment to excellence, with each product reflecting precision engineering and superior design. As a testament to their dedication to quality, all RailScales products are proudly made in the USA.
Industry-Leading Designs
RailScales doesn't just offer accessories; they present industry-leading designs that cater to the diverse needs of AR owners. From the patented AR15 rail grip to handstops like Anchor, LDAG, and Karve, RailScales products are meticulously designed with weight, durability, and versatile usage in mind.
Customer Service Par Excellence
Beyond their products, RailScales prides itself on customer service. The team is not just knowledgeable about their products but also passionate about helping customers make informed choices. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a novice, RailScales is ready to assist.
Budget Considerations
Understanding that every AR owner operates within a budget, RailScales ensures that their products offer unmatched value. The durability of RailScales accessories means they're not just purchases; they're investments that stand the test of time.
Choosing Your AR Weight and Material Wisely
When it comes to kitting out your AR 15, you’ve probably found that every owner will give you different advice. Yes, even for something as small and seemingly-innocuous as an aid to help you get a better grip on the forend of your AR. First, someone tells you to choose an M-LOK handstop. Then someone else comes back with, “No, KeyMod handstops are better.” A third voice will inevitably pipe up with, “Wait a minute, you don’t even need a handstop! Get a tactical grip instead!” With so much conflicting advice out there, it can be hard to know which way to turn. Especially if you’re still relatively new to AR ownership.
The only real advice that you’ll hear just about any AR 15 owner tell you? Customize your firearm as you choose, because that’s what the AR was designed to do. When a group this opinionated can actually agree on something, it’s bound to be true! And, ultimately, that’s what every accessory choice comes down to. Of course, that doesn’t help you narrow down your options when there is such a wide range of different choices for every component of the upper receiver. Whether we’re talking barrel lengths, rail systems, or sights, there are bound to be dozens to hundreds of different options. Rather than closing your eyes and pointing to choose, there are a few major factors you can weigh to help you make a decision about any new part or AR-15 accessory.
AR Function
First and foremost, the big question should be whether the part or accessory will do what you want it to. Which generally means you’ll need to know what the end goal is, functionally. Do you want to give yourself a better grip on the forend? Choosing between rail grips, handstops, and rail scales will depend largely on how you prefer to grasp your AR, but it will also depend on what your usage is. Maybe when you’re hunting, you prefer a small, light option with a bit of texture just to give your hand a dedicated gripping point. But range time can be completely different. You may prefer a larger option, maybe a tactical grip, to give you a bit more stability and make it easier to hold your firing stance longer and improve your precision. When you’re looking at swapping out components of your upper or you’re trying to find just the right accessory option, stop and question what it is you’re hoping to achieve, so you can narrow down your options based on that functionality.
AR Weight
Some AR 15 owners prefer a firearm that is even more accessorized than the most complex Swiss Army knife. Of course, at the other end of the spectrum, there are plenty of owners who want to pare down their firearm until it’s as light as can be. The weight of each component on its own may not seem like much. After all, many of the upper receiver components are measured in ounces or tenths of an ounce. However, add all those ounces together, and you’ll still end up with several pounds. An AR 15 rail grip that weighs half a pound may not seem like much, but when attached near the front of your rails, can shift the balance of your AR enough to make it feel off-kilter when you fire. Of course, the other question here ties back to our first point: the anticipated function will also matter. If you’re primarily going to be using your AR for hunting—which yes, can be done! We’ve talked about it before—you’re probably going to want to keep your AR as light as possible so those weekend hunting excursions aren’t painful. On the other hand, an AR that is primarily kept for home defense won’t need to be kept as light, as long as everyone who may wield it can do so safely. When shopping for parts and accessories, think about not only how much weight that part will add to your firearm as a whole, but where on your AR it will go and whether that will affect your accuracy and precision when firing.
There’s more that goes into choosing a part than just the weight and function, so be sure to stay tuned to RailScales for part two, and even more details on narrowing down your choices. If you’re on the hunt for the best AR accessories, start with RailScales. We design and machine our patented AR15 rail grip and handstop options with weight, durability, and versatile usage in mind. Visit our Anchor, LDAG, and Karve pages to learn more about our process and the benefits of our different grip options. Still not sure? Contact the RailScales team; we’re happy to help! Or, if you know what you need, shop online today and enjoy the lightweight and durable AR15 rail grip options we have in store!
RailScales FAQ
Q1: What sets RailScales apart from other accessory manufacturers?
A1: RailScales stands out due to its history of excellence, industry-leading designs, and a commitment to crafting accessories in the USA.
Q2: Are RailScales products budget-friendly?
A2: Despite their premium quality, RailScales products are designed to offer excellent value, ensuring they cater to a range of budgets.
Q3: How can RailScales assist in choosing the right accessory?
A3: The knowledgeable RailScales team is always ready to assist, providing insights and guidance to help you make informed choices.
In your quest for the best AR accessories, let RailScales be your guiding light. Explore their offerings today and witness the transformation of your AR experience.
Visit www.railscales.us to explore more options from RailScales. We have our XOS line of G10 and polymer scales to help reduce heat and increase grip for MLOK equipped rails. Our vertical and angled grips the Anchor, LDAG, RSB, and RSBM-P are great choices for any rifle or firearm that needs a grip.
