Category Archives: AR-15 Basics

Buyer’s Guide: Best AR-15 Triggers for Duty & Defensive Use

What Makes an AR-15 Trigger Truly “Duty-Grade”? A duty-grade AR-15 trigger has to do three things perfectly when everything else is going wrong. First, it must stay safe when your heart rate is 170 and fine motor skills are gone. Pull weights between 4.5 and 6.5 pounds are the proven safe zone for law enforcement […]

AR-15 Foregrip Showdown: Angled vs Vertical, Which Is Better for Your Build in 2025?

When upgrading your AR-15, few accessories make as big a difference in control and comfort as the right foregrip. Whether you build a lightweight competition rig, a duty-ready carbine, or a do-it-all home defense platform, your foregrip choice (or not choosing one) directly impacts recoil management, wrist fatigue, and target transitions. In 2025, the classic […]

Building an AR-15 Lower Receiver — Components, Tools, and Assembly

AR-15 lower receiver

When you’re planning an AR build, it’s tempting to focus on the upper, as that’s where all of the fun stuff seemingly gets attached to. Sometimes building the lower can feel like a bit of an afterthought where you simply picks the parts and go through the motions of assembly. We think this approach is […]

Ballistic Advantage Barrels: A Comprehensive Review for AR-15 Builders

In most of our builds in 2025, we’ve been leaning towards Ballistic Advantage barrels. Paired with Pro parts and the Mod 4 handguard from Aero Precision, we feel its the perfect balance of cost and performance. So, just why are we so high on Ballistic Advantage with so many other quality barrels on the market? […]

Are Free Float Handguards Worth It?

When upgrading or building an AR-15, one critical decision is choosing the right handguard. Handguards are more than just a stylistic choice…they impact your rifle’s functionality, accuracy, and versatility. Among the options, free float handguards have gained popularity for their performance benefits, but are they worth the investment? In this guide, we’ll dive into what […]

Ballistic Advantage vs. Aero Precision: Choosing the Perfect AR-15 Barrel

The barrel is the heart of your AR-15, the single most critical component that defines your rifle’s accuracy, reliability, and purpose. When starting a build, it’s the first piece you should choose, as it influences everything from bullet velocity to recoil management and overall performance. A well-selected barrel, paired with the right bolt, ensures consistent […]

10.5 vs. 16 Inch AR-15 Upper Receiver: Barrel Length Showdown

Choosing the right AR-15 upper receiver is a pivotal decision when building or upgrading your rifle, as the barrel length profoundly impacts performance, handling, and versatility. The 10.5-inch and 16-inch AR-15 upper receivers stand out as two of the most popular options, each offering distinct advantages and trade-offs tailored to different needs and scenarios. This […]

Building the Perfect AR-15 with Aero Precision Lower Receivers

Aero Precision has earned a strong reputation in the AR-15 community for producing components that balance precision, durability, and affordability, making their lower receivers a top choice for builders crafting reliable rifles. AR-15 Aero Precision lower receivers stand out for their quality craftsmanship and practical enhancements, offering a solid foundation for any build. This guide […]

AR-15 Cleaning Kits: How to Clean Your Barrel, Avoid Mistakes

Maintaining your AR-15 is essential for reliability, accuracy, and longevity, however, the simple fact is that a lot of folks don’t do the cleaning that they should be simply because they don’t have a cleaning kit, or the basic info on what to clean and how. This is unfortunate, as a quality AR-15 cleaning kit […]