When it comes to purchasing an AR-15, one of the crucial decisions you'll need to make is choosing between the Picatinny or M-LOK rail system. Understanding the advantages of each system can help you make an informed decision, tailored to your specific needs and preferences.
When you purchase your first, second, or tenth AR-15, it’s an exciting feeling. You have a wonderful piece of home defense, leisure, and hunting equipment, all in one. One of the exciting parts of owning an AR-15 is the ability to deck it out any way you want. The modifications you can do to personalize your piece are endless.
Luckily though, decking out your AR-15 with accessories doesn’t have to be expensive. Manufacturers like Monstrum make exceptional Picatinny accessories without the hefty price tag.
We spent dozens of hours comparing attachments and combined them into one list. Enjoy!
Why you need a hand stop:
A custom hand stop or foregrip is usually one of the first attachments people put on their AR-15. It improves the usability, comfort, and overall look of your firearm. Additionally, foregrips come in many different styles and shapes for a truly unique look and feel.
Looking for a step above the typical foregrip? Combine comfort and efficiency with a tactical advantage into one easy to use piece of equipment. You can control the high-powered class 3 laser with the switch of a button, conveniently located on the bottom front of the grip.
The laser itself can pinpoint your target up to 100 yards in daylight. At night, that distance reaches up to 2 miles!
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Low-profile forward grip/hand stop takes advantage of natural body mechanics to give the shooter more precise control, faster pointing, and less operator fatigue. This foregrip is extremely easy to firmly attach and remove, even though it doesn’t offer a quick-release.
Slides over any Picatinny-style rail and locks securely in place with a hardened steel crossbolt.
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Why you need iron sights:
Even if you have the world’s best red dot sight mounted on your AR-15, you’ll still need iron sights. The red dot could malfunction, break, or something as simple as dead batteries could render you without a sight. This is where iron sights come in. They are simple, durable, and will always work.
Every AR-15 should include backup iron sights. Even with proper maintenance, red dot sights and scopes can fail. Or perhaps you forgot to turn them off the last time you used your firearm. With flip-up iron sights, you’ll always have a reliable sight to fall back on.
The spring-loaded ambidextrous release mechanism lets you hit the grooved tab on either side of the sight to deploy and lock it in place.
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Why you need a red dot reflex sight:
When you use an AR-15, two sights are essential. Your iron sights and red dot sight. While iron sights alone can be accurate, they take more time to zero in on your target. A red dot sight can dramatically increase target acquisition, decrease zero-in time, and improve overall accuracy. There’s no need to guess, as the red dot will show you where the bullet will land.
See our list of favorite gun sights under $50
At just around $50, this RS-30 reflex red dot sight from Feyachi feels, looks, and works incredibly well! The sight conveniently mounts on your Picatinny rail or rail riser. Additionally, the height of the back of the sight can be adjusted, so you can line up your red dot exactly with your front iron sights to achieve co-witness.
The sight includes multiple levels of brightness and a few different reticle shapes.
The Bushnell TRS-25 is probably the most popular entry-level, yet a step above the rest, red dot sight on the market. It’s small and compact, which makes it a great cross-gun sight. It works well on rifles, shotguns, and handguns, just as it does on an AR-15.
The Bushnell TRS-25 features 11 brightness levels, a multi-coated lens for optimal view during any lighting conditions, and it just overall looks and feels great.
It’s a compact sight, though, so if you are going to install it on an AR-15, you could benefit from a riser. The best way to find out is to mount the sight, cheek weld the rifle, and see if you’re in a comfortable position and can see through the sight.
Why you need a bipod:
A bipod is one of the most useful, overlooked accessories for an AR-15! Whether you’re going to the range, plinking, or actual hunting, a bipod relieves the rifle’s weight almost entirely. This makes it easier to make accurate shots since there’s virtually no sway.
Additionally, most bipods fold up to take up minimal space when not in use. Or, if you plan on using a bipod occasionally, get one with a quick-release feature! This allows you to snap the bipod on and off in just seconds.
At under $25, this bipod holds an amazing value. The legs extend from 6 to 9 inches and have a rubber coating for improved shock absorption. Additionally, the legs are spring-loaded, which allows for quick stow-away and fold-out. This bipod is made from hardened steel and aluminum, with an anti-rust black anodized finish.
Lastly, it includes a quick-release Picatinny sling adapter. So if your AR-15 doesn’t have a sling receiver, snap this quick-release adapter on, and you’re ready to go!
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Does a bipod fit on Picatinny rails?
Most bipods are made to fit on sling receivers; it looks like a small ball with a hole on each side, typically in the front of your rifle. Now, depending on your AR-15, chances are likely you don’t have a sling receiver. Most AR-15’s have a full Picatinny rail or combination of Picatinny and M-Lok.
Solution? Get a sling receiver Picatinny mount. The bipod above actually includes a quick-release sling receiver for free.
Why you need a sling:
A sling allows you to carry your AR-15 in your body, rather than having to carry it. Additionally, the strap acts as a stabilizer when used while shooting, as the tension will counter sway. All in all, a sling is a great addition to any AR-15, especially if you hunt or plink outdoors. If your AR-15 is multi-purpose, you’ll be happy to know that most slings are easily detachable as they have a clip on each end.
Note, pay attention to where you will mount the sling. If your AR-15 features a top Picatinny rail and an M-Lok rail on both sides and bottom, you could be better of going with an M-Lok sling mount. We listed one of each below!
This high-density nylon sling strap is both durable and comfortable to wear on your body. This bundle also includes 2 Picatinny sling mount adapters for a great value. In other words, you’ll have everything you need in this bundle to start carrying your rifle on your body, under $20.
Looking for more of a bundle? This set includes two types of sling mounts, one for an M-lok rail, and one compatible with universal stocks. It also includes the sling as well.
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Why you need a flashlight:
Most home invasions happen at night. If you hear a sudden sound in your home at night, it’s one thing to get up and grab your rifle. But what happens from there? Will you hold your firearm in one hand while searching for the light switches with the other? What if you don’t have time to reach a light switch? Would you fire at an unidentifiable figure in the dark?
There are some exciting flashlight attachments for AR-15’s, including those that are pressure-activated. You could install the flashlight pressure switch on your foregrip, for example. As a result, you grab your firearm and instantly light up the direction you’re aiming towards. It could mean the difference between life and death.
Here are some simple and advanced flashlight attachments for AR-15s:
This flashlight bundle made by Feyachi offers an amazing value. At under $40, you get a 1200 lumen flashlight, 2 18650 batteries, a battery charger, a Picatinny mount, and a pressure switch.
The pressure switch allows you to activate the flashlight without looking for the on/off switch. A good place for this pressure switch would be near the front grip, for example.
Not a fan of the pressure switch or wish to use the flashlight separately from the rifle? No problem. The flashlight comes with a regular butt-cap, additionally to the pressure-switch butt-cap.
Looking for a flashlight that focuses more on hunting than on home defense? This is the flashlight for you. The green light helps to spot wildlife without scaring them. Let’s face it, a bright light moving around the forest at night is sure to alert any wildlife in a few hundred-yard radius. But that isn’t the case with this green light.
Humans see green light relatively the same as regular light, but animals do not. This flashlight allows you to greatly enhance visibility, up to 350 yards, while remaining virtually invisible.
If you hunt at night or have been considering hunting at night, you have to try one of these flashlights. At under $40, you can’t really go wrong. Plus, if you don’t like it, return it, no questions asked.
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Why you need a laser:
A laser can help to land accurate shots while under stress, with little to no experience. Wherever the laser dot is, the shot will land. Or at least close to it. But, unfortunately, lasers aren’t perfect. Initially, you would sight in the laser at a certain distance, such as 10 yards. Then, at 10 yards, the laser is an accurate indicator of where your shot will land. But at 30 yards, that laser could be off by a foot or more.
It’s for this reason that lasers are often considered “tacticool” rather than tactical. Or, in other words, a fancy gadget that looks cool but isn’t very practical.
Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of a laser on a handgun, though. Since pistols are mainly used for self-defense, at a range of 7 yards or less, a laser can be an extremely effective tool. And you won’t suffer from the distance offset as much, as you’re not likely to shoot your handgun at 50 yards for home defense purposes.
It’s hard to believe that this green dot laser kit doesn’t even cost $30! This laser has a triple mounting system. It mounts on a Picatinny and Weaver rail and a scope with the included 1″ ring adapter.
This laser reaches a distance of up to 100ft during the day and a whopping 1,000 feet at night. It’s made from high-grade aluminum for enhanced durability.
Lastly, this laser includes a pressure switch and a manual switch. This will allow you to mount the pressure switch on your rail, and simply gripping the rail will turn on the laser for those moments when a second can make a difference.
If you’re looking for something more low-profile, this Picatinny laser from Tacticon is a great buy. It’s a compact yet effective laser that includes a Picatinny rail. In other words, you could mount another accessory on top of the laser!
This little laser is ideal for AR-15 or handgun home-defense, with a range of 150-300 feet. To top it off, everything you need is included, such as the hex key and batteries.
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Why you need Picatinny rail sections:
Most AR-15’s come with a Picatinny rail on top and M-Lok rails on the sides and bottom. Since a Picatinny attachment will never fit on an M-Lok rail, and likewise, a Picatinny rail section can be installed on the M-Lok rail. This will allow you to use any Picatinny attachment you wish!
This can be convenient if you have multiple Picatinny attachments and wish to install them on your M-Lok rail without buying more attachments.
Wish to install a Picatinny attachment on your M-Lok rail? It’s possible, although you’ll need to install a Picatinny rail section. While there are plenty of M-Lok attachments out there, they are much more limited.
This bundle includes a 3-slot, 5-slot, 9-slot, 11-slot, and 13-slot Picatinny section. Each section is made from aluminum for extra quality and durability.
Why you need these items:
Sometimes small convenience items can go a long way, whether that’s a refillable ammo storage container, magazine holder, or custom decal.
These items are designed to enhance the quality of life or make your AR-15 genuinely unique. Take a look!
Having multiple magazines makes a trip to the range much more enjoyable. You can have them loaded and ready before you head out, so you spend less time reloading and more shooting.
But as far as storage goes, finding a place to store multiple magazines can be troublesome. Look no further. This ar-15 magazine mount allows easy storage for 5 magazines, with minimal space.
These wraps give a truly customized look and feel to your AR-15. In addition to looking good, they also add a protective layer to your magazine.
These wraps are available in a wide variety of themes and styles.
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The Picatinny rail dates back to the 1980s and was created by the military in order to mount attachments on combat rifles, such as AR-15’s.
Previously, firearms came with attachments that were fixed on the rifle. There was no easy way to change them, and the attachment selection was very limited.
The use of Picatinny rails greatly enhances the versatility of an AR-15. You are not limited to one or even two sights. Most combat rifles feature a magnified scope or red dot sight (or both) in addition to iron sights. Additionally, they often include a flashlight, laser, and sling.
While Weaver rails are similar, the Picatinny rail has quickly become the standard for modern rifles.
Final thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this article. When I first purchased my AR-15, I was struggling to find the right attachments. If this post helped you in any way, we’d love to hear from you below!
If you want to keep reading, we recommend the best handgun and rifle sights under $50 next.
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Good article and helpful information. thank you !
Thank you, James!
Good info for a beginner to get their feet wet with customizing a weapon. Love the prices of the accessories. Some of these accessories out here these companies are getting carried away with the cost. I dont carr if you pay 1000.00 for and item and it dont perform well. Then the 30.00 unit is smoking hot. Well those over priced units suck. Especially when they dont perform as advertised. In my experience the low prices umits work much better than the crazy high priced unit. So what if I cant see Jupiter with it. Can’t shoot and hit it anyways so whats the point of it!
Thanks for making it clear that two sights are necessary when using an AR-15. That is what I will try and get then. But I need to find two sights that I like first.
https://www.aec-outdoors.com/catalog/optics