Top 8 Smartest Ruger AR 556 Upgrades. Why Eight? ... Goals, That’s Why!

[@At3tactical]

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[@Tipsby_blake603]

Depending on what you are using it for should determine what you do to it. I heard this marine say "my target/range gun has a lot of polymer and gadgets, my SHTF rifle is billet aluminum, super simple, sling, red dot, back up irons and a light. " He spoke to the point when you are in a survival situation you will want things as strong and as light as possible.

[@At3tactical]

Words of wisdom.

[@magdump7380]

While all good considerations, I have found my AR-556 to be my one AR that i do not want to modify. I love it just the way it is. Accurate and reliable as hell.

[@havespacesuitwilltravel9607]

The most important upgrade is definitely the optic. Like, the one component that actually allows you to put lead on target should absolutely be the place you sink some serious cash. Don't upgrade the stock unless you just have that "effit" money. Put your cash into the optic and the ammo, that's why you bought a budget AR, right? After that, flashlight. Seriously. Optic and flashlight. Everything else is just a vanity upgrade

[@ThaRealest616]

👍

[@slicedbread5692]

I just scored a gently used Ruger 556 this morning. It's my first rifle. The original owner barely shot the thing. No dents, no dings, and the bolt looked brand new. The guy put a floating handguard on it, an angled foregrip, rail covers, a sling, and a set of flip up MBUS sights. I only spent $600 on the thing... I got home and found a Holosun HS503CU for $199 on Optics Planet. I'm pretty stoked.

[@havespacesuitwilltravel9607]

My dude, you're about to have some fun! You absolutely got a sick deal there too! @@slicedbread5692

[@christophermitchell7925]

Optic, light, sling and foregrip are all equally important. A vertical foregrip also helps tremendously. Stocks & grips aren’t cost prohibitive, so that’s not anything someone should ignore. Ambi charging handle, safety & bolt catch are affordable & useful. Extra magazines are always useful. Trigger upgrades are worth their weight in gold.

[@Tipsby_blake603]

Amen...

[@scott3708]

This is why this is the most popular rifle in America, because we can personalize all we want, or not at all, everyone has an opinion on what to do, this is what make them so appealing. Me personally, If get rid of the A2 front site/gas block and handguard, there are way too many more options all tailored to your wallet. But this is the best part, you can do it a little at a time. Perhaps first should be trigger if your performance minded. Just have fun and make it yours.

[@At3tactical]

Absolutely! There's nothing that says you have to upgrade it all or upgrade AT all.

[@wescraske1252]

I was just out in t he woods shoting mine an hour ago. Frankly, it is the stock gun, snd I obliterated my target. No upgrade needed.

[@ChargerusPrime]

I have a Ruger AR-556 and i have 4 major upgrades i want to do as of now. A captured buffer system, a cryptic coatings dlc bcg, and eventually a cold hammer forged chrome lined barrel along with a radian raptor charging handle. As for optics, my plan is for a simple ACOG and a thermal scope that i can trade off depending on the situations. As of now (2024) war has never been closer to actually breaking out so my rifle will in fact be my duty/service weapon to defend myself, my family and my home.

[@At3tactical]

Those are all good upgrades. If you are looking to upgrade your barrel you may find this video helpful kzbin.info/www/bejne/onipq56CZrySqbs

[@dennydavis2914]

I really liked my AR556 when I got it, over the years I have installed a Ruger Elite 452 trigger (3.5 lb), Magpul CTR stock, magpul MOE+ grip, replaced gas block with a low profile gas block and rail handguard. With these upgrades I absolutely LOVE my AR556.

[@At3tactical]

💯 💪

[@erazco6568]

Post pics

[@Barricade912]

First upgrade was an optic, then cmmg trigger. I went STNGR hwk handguard, fab defense grip and fab GL shock stock. It’s by far my favorite rifle

[@poncho12335]

I kept all my original parts in case I want to go back.

[@Rk-mz4bb]

I put a sling on mine and bought a spare BCG. After watching this I might put a optic on it. My ar556 has been reliable not one problem. Good video.

[@At3tactical]

Right on

[@mr_evil_overlord5]

Keep it light. You should be able to run with it in a sling for 10 miles. All that extra stuff will fall off or break. Iron sights, a sling and some kind of mag monopod are all you need.

[@tommccormick9290]

2 most essential additions are a good weapon light. (At least 800 lumens) and quality red dot optic. (I prefer dot no larger than 2moa for precision.)

[@adriannarobeson4758]

I love my Rugar 556 I had a scope put on it and Im going to put a Hand guard on it , also have a sling for it to.

[@At3tactical]

Good stuff. We love the UTG Pro Super Slim Drop In.

[@Friedbrain11]

I like my Ruger AR just about the way it is. The only thing I don't like is the adjustable stock. I prefer the old-style stock as it fits just right for me and looks much better. I am thinking of making a wood covering for the adjustable stock so it would look more like the old-style stock. I bought a sling from Ruger for it and it seems to work ok on it. Bought a scope for it when I bought the rifle and it works just fine for me. It came with a red dot but I really don't like it much so will leave it off. I got the 8500 model of the AR556.

[@allisonsmith9050]

very good vid. i agree with everything you stated, and your explanations were very logical. i bought my AR about 10 years ago and decided to purchase the cheapest brand name one i could find (was this model) knowing i would upgrade it along the way. without question, the best first upgrade is the handguard. after putting 150 rounds through in rapid fire, i had to let the gun cool down for 5-10 min (granted it was a VERY hot day) because i didnt want to burn my hard. some other upgrades after the ones you mentioned are an ambidextrous safety, BAD lever, extend mag release, KNS anti walk/rotation pins, different trigger springs if you want to less pull to shoot, different trigger guard and dust cover. i have found magpul to be fantastic and almost every after market part they made i installed. i prob spend $500 on upgrades, but no joke, it feels like a $2500 gun.

[@silversurfer806]

I recommend the UTG handguard.

[@Wok-y-Taco]

Thank you for this perfectly executed video. Detailed, articulate, informative, intelligent. A+

[@At3tactical]

Wow, thank you!

[@bentownshend3991]

@@At3tacticalout of curiosity, what size riser do you have on the AR-556 with the fixed front sight? Looking to have mine line up.

[@user-uf2co5yi6o]

I actually switched out the spring and buffer for a damage industries spring and spikes tactical tungsten buffer. Great AR though, I love my Ruger AR 556.

[@CiviTac]

Every fighting or defensive rifle needs 3 things: sights, white light and a sling. I don’t even think these are considered upgrades. They are requirements

[@rsc557]

In this particular model the trigger is garbage, I'm telling you from experience, it was the first thing I updated

[@haroldonowa5474]

I get why one would want to put on upgrades, but I've never found anything wrong with the basic stock options. I've even hit a 300 meter target one time with two shots using iron sights while standing. My only ar complaint is mags

[@MissingDeeds]

so, i just bought the 556 with the moe handguard. Def going to change it out.

[@Lord_Fried]

I changed my 11” free float to a STNGR 15”. That’s about it. Everything else is just accessories, optics, light, etc

[@ThaSilentOne420]

Randy I was upset u was leaving BRS to only find out u came here . Freaking awesome

[@At3tactical]

Yeah BOI!! Haha! Glad you're digging it my man. -Randy

[@ItsZerexy]

amazing video answered tons of questions i was looking into. Thanks!

[@At3tactical]

Glad it was helpful!

[@allorientablesurface]

Top notch video, real quality stuff. Just what I was looking for. Liked and subscribed. Thanks.

[@At3tactical]

Awesome, thank you! Welcome aboard!

[@technicaldifficulties2522]

🤘🤙🇺🇲 MERRY CHRISTMAS AT3!! STAY RAD 🇺🇲🤙🤘

[@jamesensminger7321]

Nice video Sam

[@trueamericangaming1991]

It’s interesting, I picked up a new Ruger-556 recently and it came with no sights but an upgraded hand guard.

[@JaredHayes541]

My first upgrade was definitely the stock and grip. Next will be removing the fixed sight gas block. Kind of surprised that wasn’t mentioned at all in the video. LVPO seems like the go too when it comes to a 16” barrel. I’d go with a red dot for a SBR setup.

[@At3tactical]

Don't worry. Round Two of this video will cover those more "gunsmith-y" type upgrades... like that dreadful trigger!

[@briankelliher5026]

The looks are not important to me. my first mod would be a better trigger.....

[@rsc557]

In this ruger ar15 especially this model the trigger because it is terrible was the first thing I did because it is over 7 pounds the magpul furniture came with that the trigger that I put on it was a foshtech binary sport really vake that update is worth it

[@huntermillard8141]

I put a nikon 223 3-9x40 scope on mine. The front sight post looks like it would be totally in the way, but you can’t see it in the scope and it doesn’t get in the way at all.

[@bigpermsgarage6290]

When I had put my scope on back in the day the front sight was in the way so I busted out the band saw and gave it a little haircut lol.

[@mikehawk7294]

What about the garbage trigger?

[@At3tactical]

Yes, we cover that in kzbin.info/www/bejne/onipq56CZrySqbs

[@Biggerfoot]

I have heard discussions that the buffer tube being aluminum is a failure point and upgraded to a steel buffer tube makes it better

[@mrniceguy3006]

Thank you for this video. I’m leaning on getting this Ruger 556 as my first AR. Do you have any recommendations for replacing the trigger? I’ve heard the stock trigger isn’t all that great. Again thank you for this great video

[@matthewlayne5151]

I kinda love it bc it feels amazing for me and just works with my body idk how to explain it other then I put a optic on it with a sling and called that bitch a day and it’s my favorite rifle

[@jamesjerome7227]

Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t the Ruger flash surpressor is part of the barrel. The barrel is not threaded so it’s not a simple unscrew one off & screw the new one on

[@pattonjames8060]

What about the 9lb trigger?!

[@rsc557]

That Ruger trigger is crap, I had to change it. I had never shot an AR15 with a factory trigger as lousy as on this particular Ruger model.

[@kevinmartin2096]

I’m thinking about switching the upper to 223wylde

[@At3tactical]

Remember 223wylde is just a 223 barrel that will run higher pressure 5.56. If you already have a 5.56 barrel no need to change.

[@Five0fiddy]

Think you could make a video on optics and how they’re relative to barrel length? Currently building a 13.9 with a pin and weld warcomp to get 16” I don’t know if I should just stick with a holo / red dot or if I should go with an LPVO / magnifier / fixed zoom & canted

[@Five0fiddy]

PS: the only reason I ask is because when it comes to red dots, the parallax shift, brightness & seeing circuit boards makes it seem like Night vision inclusion is their only redeeming factor

[@At3tactical]

Hell yeah. On the list of topics to tackle. Thanks!

[@dennislosee]

Just build your own and you have exactly what you want

[@At3tactical]

Definitely a fun way to do it!

[@thomasz9226]

I need to know, because its a decision im struggling with. Why not remove the front post site (easier said than done) and do a longer handguard?

[@At3tactical]

It can be done, but the labor needs a couple extra considerations, tools and steps. The A-frame version is typically bit more tricker. I'm actually working on Level-2 upgrades for this video and I plan to attempt this myself and give my notes. If you can hold off for a few more weeks, we should be pushing it out by the end of the month.

[@jaimeluis6465]

I have the ruger 5.56 MPR Any suggestions on that?

[@At3tactical]

The MPR is a great AR15. We would suggest: Sling, Quality Optic, Mags, Ammo, Weapon light & Training and Practice. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGnQoXSqg6mGprM

[@adarkwind4712]

Have an MPR went optic light sling and later a bipod. Currently, I have a sig scope on it. I used to run a red dot on it, but I got a second AR and use a holographic on that one and a 1-6 msr tango on my MPR for longer range.

[@mc4056]

No mention of supressors?

[@At3tactical]

Ahhh, next video we're getting more technical with upgrades... triggers, muzzle devices, lower parts kits and a few more that require a little more than a screwdriver to install. 👍

[@willydiesel2081]

Man Randy I hope you can help me Ruger 556 AR-15 also two to three. I have had 2 neck fusions. And I am looking to extend the butt of my AR-15. To make it longer so I can look down the sights better. I would like the butt that hits my shoulder to be longer for support so I could lift up the height of the AR when I shoot. Any recommendations? I hope you get this. I mean the stock

[@At3tactical]

Thanks for the question. I really took a hard look at the stocks with the longest length-of-pull, longer than the 13"-ish standard A2. ..... They're out there, but they aren't the cheapest in the world. YT won't let me link, but the two longest I saw (at least on our AT3 Tactical site) was the Odin Works Zulu - which will get you out to about 16". The other is the FAB Defense RAPS which pushes a about 1/8" longer than 16". I hope that helps a little. -Randy

[@chriswiebler6151]

Hey!! This isn’t bulk reef supply

[@At3tactical]

🤣

[@williamwells8672]

What's the best charging handle for the Ruger AR 556 Standard?

[@At3tactical]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHaynYSjdrh0b8U

[@williamwells8672]

@@At3tactical I ended up going with the Warhammer.

[@Dirty2Clean1980]

Or radian raptor , that's what i have with the radian safetis as well. The warhammer is great as well. My two favorites.

[@williamwells8672]

@@Dirty2Clean1980 I ended up with the warhammer.

[@sebastianobando5413]

Is there a link for these?

[@At3tactical]

Unfortunately, "They" don't like when we post links like that. But a quick search on the interwebs will help you find these at places like AT3 Tactical. 👍

[@kc3905]

AR 556 it was good.guns it worked.good in storms war it was worked ground sand dirty water. and mud water it was shooted test so weell

[@davidjohnson4918]

Beautiful Rirfles No doubt, l bought 2 and Planning On Upgrading 1 of them With Some Nice Color Designs to Give that Sex Appeal 😉 thanks for Sharing 😊

[@grayrecluse7496]

Just buy a stag arms!

[@Harley.Davidson]

😂 just build a 7.62 from scratch! You ruined thus beautiful carbine! 😢

[@drunkendragon2771]

So the Ruger 556 I bought has been at the least, disappointing, and at most, disconcerting and depressing. I was raised on Ruger arms for the most part and during covid I though that having an AR would have been an alright Idea seeing 7.62x39 was fairly hard to come by in my area. I've cleaned an lubed my rifle diligently and found that my rifle was more keen on smashing my rounds above the chamber, a feature that is, pleasantly, not ideal for defense, hunting, or shooting paper. I've experimented with ammo and magazines and nothing has changed. I've been told I need to fiddle around with my gas-block. Is there anything else I should be made aware of for possible reliability improvements before I sell off the rifle to some other poor sod?

[@olegvorkunov5400]

When you end up in 2 way shooting range, who cares if your gun look sexy or not. :)

[@Sarge51BG]

The smartest upgrade is to get something that’s not a Ruger.

[@jwinfrey6298]

If your looking for a great rifle these are it. Stay away from cheap options like magpul. Anytime drilling on your new gun is required ugly ugly

[@shootingwithskillz524]

💯💯💯👍

[@carlbecklehimer1898]

Easy. Buy a BCM.

[@bobcat9501]

Lame video I don’t care about looks if it doesn’t shoot worth a damn

[@TB-po5cj]

bro , it aint that serious , just point and shoot the dam gun lol ...i never had any issues , never changed anything on my rifle and it works like a charm ... right out the box, u dnt always need to upgrade things... its cool if thats what u wanna do but honestly my rifle is perfect with no mods even after 1000+ rounds ... you youtube gun guys be way to extra .. i guess u gotta feel tough some way or another lol ...

[@At3tactical]

Solid feedback, thanks! This video probably has far more context after watching our 17-Episode AR-15 Beginner's Guide. kzbin.info/aero/PLvexlTF9ttDqpICeC3Um-QCj1fkSUXEEc Honestly though, here in 2023, I believe it's extremely shortsighted to not discuss options for your AR-15 that make you or your rifle function & perform better. Believe me, after carrying the Army "special" for 16yrs around the world... I'll go to the grave recommending that shooter's make their rifle "their own". There's zero chance that a shorter guy with my build is going to find the ultimate shooting experience as the same guy who's 6'10" and over 200lbs. I'd bet that each guy would wind up being a much better shooter overall, with small tweaks to make their rifle more comfortable and ergonomic. But, end of the day, you're right. Gotta feel some kind of way though. LOL -Randy

[@Section_230]

Sounds like you're the only one with a need to feel Tough. You dog on people who Want to upgrade their gun, simply because you Don't want to. That's childish. Even posting this comment on a video you Knew was going to be about upgrading is Extra, as you say.

[@ldrj2a..181]

I have a ruger AR556.. don't even use the sights or the scope, hit my target every time

[@TheTruth-mo2sq]

Just pick the damn the up and shoot. If you need upgrades, don't even own a rifle.

[@Section_230]

I guarantee there's a distance where your advice means you're a worse shot than others. It's fine if you don't want to upgrade it but that only means you'll have lower performance. Maybe you shouldn't own a rifle if you think you can determine the qualifications of gun ownership.