When it comes to firearms and shooting, having the best ar-15 accessories are paramount for comfort. After all, you want to be able to shoot your gun for an extended period of time and not feel too taxed afterwards. That being said, when it comes time to invest in an AR-15, you want one that is perfectly suited to you and to your firing style. So should you buy or build your AR-15?

RailScales makes premier AR rail accessories in 2026, including an AR rail cover to help improve the comfort of your shooting by making it less hot from firing and by making it easier to grip. We invest in only the best materials, the G-10, which is a fiberglass composite, and our rail grips are extremely thin, making them easy to grip. Below, we'll take a look at the pros and cons of building your own AR-15. Shop our tactical rails online today!

PROS OF BUILDING YOUR OWN AR

When you build your own AR-15, you can 100% customize it to you and your needs. From the right handguards to the right buttstock, you can add AR parts and accessories to make it fit your shooting style and needs. Build kits come with all of the component parts, including the high-quality gas system and the reduced power trigger spring that the ARs are known for, but you can still make it your own. Most ARs you buy in stores are barebones, and you'll need to spend money on building your own AR, such as RailScales' rail covers, in order to make it comfortable for you.

Understand The Inner Workings of Your Gun

If you are someone who likes to know how things work, then building your own AR-15 is for you. You'll know the intricacies of how your gun works inside and out, so if something breaks, you'll most likely be able to save the cost of a professional gunsmith and fix it yourself. You'll also be better able to buy replacement parts and to customize your gun as well.

You Can Spread the Expense Out

An AR-15 rifle can get expensive. By building your gun yourself, you'll be able to invest in parts slowly rather than all at once. You can also wait for deals as well, such as Black Friday when parts for your AR and AR accessories are more likely to be cheaper.

You Could Find a New Hobby

Building guns is a great hobby to cultivate, especially in this time and place. You may discover by piecing together your AR and your favorite AR accessories, such as RailScales AR rail grips, that you love doing this and want to do more. You could even turn your hobby into a business at some point. You could start fixing your buddies' guns, and it could snowball from there. At the very least, you'll increase your gun knowledge tremendously.

CONS OF BUILDING YOUR OWN AR

Building an AR-15 can be time-consuming, error-prone, and more expensive than expected, especially for beginners who may buy incompatible parts or need specialized tools. Unlike store-bought rifles, custom builds lack a manufacturer’s warranty, leaving you responsible for repairs and mistakes.

AR Builds Can Take Time

You may be waiting on parts to come in to finish your AR build. This is time that you could be shooting rather than waiting. It also takes time to assemble your AR rather than just purchasing one at your local gun store that has been pre assembled for you and is ready to shoot. And if you are new to this, it will most definitely take time to learn as well.

Can Mess Your AR-15 Up

While assembling an AR is not rocket science, it can be done incorrectly, resulting in an inferior firearm than what you would have gotten at your local gun store. You can also end up buying the wrong parts, as some parts are specific to certain models. You could also be investing in the wrong parts for your needs, such as buying the wrong length gas tube and handguards for your AR's intended purpose. RailScales definitely recommends researching parts thoroughly before you start buying and partnering with a professional gunsmith for advice and for help when needed.

No Warranty

When you walk into a gun store and purchase an AR, it usually comes with a manufacturer's warranty so if a part fails, you're covered, and you just send it back to get it fixed. When you build your own AR, there is no warranty, so if something goes wrong, you have no recourse.

Can Cost You More

While you can save considerably when building your own AR-15, it can also quickly become a money pit if you're not careful about what you invest in. From purchasing AR accessories to buying premium, competition-grade components, costs can add up quickly. The best way to avoid this is to keep track of your expenses and budget ahead of time.

You'll Need the Necessary Tools

Putting together an AR is like assembling any other DIY project you undertake, and you'll need tools to do so. Some of the firearm tools you will need include an armorer's wrench, a set of roll pin punches, a level, a torque wrench, screwdrivers and other basic tools, a vise and receiver vise blocks, and more. Granted, you will most likely use these firearm tools in the future, especially if you develop your gun build hobby, but initially this can be a big investment you might not be ready to make.

Post-Covid Supply

The world as it was prior to 2020 was filled with uninterrupted supply lines for consumers and businesses alike. If you wanted something, it was usually in stock and ready to ship. When the world as a whole practically shut itself down in 2020 due to Covid-19, demand grew to untenable levels and the supply lines that businesses were using became affected by the shutdown or just imploded on themselves altogether. So this is a con in today's world as buying a rifle straight from a manufacturer is possibly a better option if the wait times are not bad compared to piecing out an AR-15 parts list from multiple manufacturers. Even if the best accessories to build an AR-15 are from different companies, the products you desire may now be subject to the high demand from like-minded buyers and the inability of the business to satiate those demands in a timely manner for today's lofty standards. AR-15 accessories and complete from the factory AR-15s are in such high demand that it might not be feasible to get what you want when you want it. 

CHOOSE RAILSCALES FOR ALL YOUR AR ACCESSORIES TODAY

RailScales offers the best rail covers for your AR-15 and all of your other firearms as well. These super thin AR-15 rail accessories are made of the highest-quality materials, resist heat build up, and give you a better grip, making them more comfortable to shoot. They help fend off wear and tear and damage, and they come in a variety of cool colors to match or customize your firearm.

Founded in 2014 with the belief that we could make a better product using fiberglass composite materials, our rail covers are the best on the market. At affordable prices, you will see and feel the difference immediately. Easy to install, your new rail cover will be a great addition to your new AR build. Visit us online, and order today! 

Additional Considerations When Deciding to Build or Buy an AR-15

While the pros and cons above cover the core decision points, there are a few additional factors that experienced shooters often weigh when deciding whether to build or buy an AR-15. These considerations tend to emerge after time behind the rifle and can influence long-term satisfaction with the platform.

Fit, Ergonomics, and Long-Term Comfort

Factory AR-15s are typically built to appeal to the widest possible audience, which means compromises are made in grip texture, rail diameter, and overall ergonomics. Builders, on the other hand, often focus on how the rifle feels after extended shooting sessions. Thin-profile rail covers, properly placed hand stops, and heat-mitigating materials can dramatically reduce fatigue during long range days or training cycles.

RailScales rail covers are frequently chosen during this phase because they allow shooters to fine-tune grip texture and hand placement without adding bulk or unnecessary weight. Over time, this can make the difference between a rifle that feels “good enough” and one that feels purpose-built.

Accessory Selection: Where Builders Gain the Advantage

One of the most overlooked benefits of building an AR-15 is the ability to select accessories based on performance rather than availability. When purchasing a complete rifle, accessories are often chosen by the manufacturer to meet a price point. When building, the shooter controls every decision.

Rail Systems and Heat Management

Heat buildup is one of the most common comfort issues with AR-15s, especially during high round counts. Builders can prioritize M-LOK handguards and pair them with ultra-thin rail covers made from materials like G10 fiberglass composite, which reduce heat transfer without increasing circumference.

RailScales rail covers are intentionally designed to preserve the slim feel of modern handguards while providing grip and insulation—something many factory-installed polymer panels fail to achieve.

Hand Placement and Control

Whether a shooter prefers a thumb-forward grip, a neutral support-hand position, or a more aggressive clamp, builders can select hand stops or low-profile vertical grips that reinforce consistent hand placement. This becomes especially important when shooting under stress or transitioning between targets.

Long-Term Ownership and Maintenance Considerations

Understanding AR-15 part compatibility helps simplify future upgrades, while investing early in durable, high-quality accessories reduces long-term replacement costs as standards and components evolve.

Parts Compatibility Over Time

AR-15 standards continue to evolve, and one advantage of building is understanding how each component interfaces with the rest of the system. This knowledge makes future upgrades easier and reduces compatibility issues when swapping handguards, barrels, or accessories.

RailScales accessories are designed to be platform-agnostic within their mounting standards, allowing builders to retain rail covers, hand stops, and grips even when other components change.

Durability vs. Disposable Accessories

Many shooters who start with factory rifles eventually replace lower-quality accessories due to wear, cracking, or heat deformation. Investing in higher-quality accessories from the beginning—especially those made from reinforced composites or precision-machined materials—can reduce replacement costs over the life of the rifle.

FAQ: Building vs. Buying an AR-15

Is building an AR-15 only for advanced shooters?
No. While experience helps, many first-time builders successfully assemble AR-15s by researching components, following proper torque specifications, and using quality tools. The learning curve is part of the appeal for many owners.

Do custom AR builds shoot better than factory rifles?
Not automatically. Accuracy depends on barrel quality, ammunition, and shooter skill. However, a well-planned build allows shooters to prioritize components that directly affect performance and comfort.

Can I upgrade a factory AR instead of building from scratch?
Yes. Many shooters start with a factory rifle and gradually upgrade components such as handguards, rail covers, grips, and controls. This approach offers many of the benefits of building without starting from zero.

Are aftermarket rail covers really necessary?
While not mandatory, rail covers significantly improve comfort, heat management, and grip consistency—especially during longer shooting sessions or high round counts.

Will upgrading accessories affect reliability?
Quality accessories designed to proper specifications will not negatively impact reliability. In many cases, ergonomic upgrades improve control and consistency, which can enhance overall performance.

Accessory Recommendations to Complement Your AR Build

Without altering your existing recommendations, builders and buyers alike often consider the following RailScales product categories as finishing touches:

• G10 RailScales® for heat mitigation and grip without added bulk

• XOS / XOS-H panels for increased coverage on M-LOK handguards

• Karve® hand stops for consistent indexing and recoil control

• Low-profile rail accessories that preserve balance and handling

These upgrades are commonly added after the rifle is assembled, once shooters have identified where comfort and control can be improved.

Building Smarter, Shooting Longer

Whether you choose to build or buy your AR-15, the end goal is the same: a rifle that fits you, performs reliably, and remains comfortable through extended use. Understanding the tradeoffs outlined above—and investing in well-designed accessories—helps ensure that your AR-15 continues to meet your needs as your shooting skills evolve.

RailScales products are designed to support both paths, offering durable, lightweight solutions that enhance comfort and control without unnecessary complexity. Over time, these small refinements add up to a rifle that feels purpose-built rather than off-the-shelf.

 

Disclaimer:

This blog content was generated by a human and with the aid of artificial intelligence. It may contain errors or inaccuracies and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. This content is for SEO/entertainment purposes only and the views expressed in this content does not necessarily reflect the views of RailScales LLC. For more information, please refer to bullet point #13 on our FAQ.