Must have AR-15 accessories for tactical use

Accessorizing your AR-15 for tactical uses isn’t as straight to the point as it may seem. Tactical uses can range from clearing a house to walking through the woods during a SHTF scenario.  But we don’t have enough time to go over setups for different scenarios. So, we’re going to talk about accessories that are universal and can also work in different situations. 

Hopefully, by this point, you already have an AR-15 that you can rely on, and you’re training to deal with these situations and not becoming an expensive loot drop. If you aren’t training, then you should start as soon as possible.

Let’s talk about AR-15 accessories.

If it isn’t, then we just made it up. We’re going to tactify your rifle to cover a broad range of situations from indoor home defense to keeping-your-head-down-in-the-woods. 

I’m going to take the liberty of not holding back with expensive items like high-quality optics and other accessories. 

Speaking of optics, that’s where we’ll start. 

Tactical use means running your firearm hard, banging it into things, and falling on the floor a few times, and ultimately, taking a beating. 

And since we’re going for a more overall approach, we will need a magnifier on top of that so you can reach out a bit further if need be. 

Or, you can run an LPVO with an offset red dot sight. Either way, you’ll need an optic with a track record for durability. 

I suggest Aimpoint, EoTech, Night Force, and a Trijicon for the offset if you run an LPVO. 

While I know these optics are expensive, these optics are also proven in multiple roles around the world where durability is paramount. So if you want to be tactical, you’re going to have to spend some money. 

You definitely want to keep your precious rifle close. If you slip and fall or have to switch to the handgun, the last thing you want is to lose your rifle. 

Slings aid in maneuvering your rifle in and around your body as well. So you want the ability to tighten it when you need it close but still have the ability to extend it out when needed. 

You know, to go from shoulder to shoulder and avoid getting hung up on gear. 

The Ferro Concepts Slingster V2 is what I found to be the best sling on the market for tactical situations. It has a pull tab to secure the rifle to your body and be loosened when need be. 

And it’s inexpensive. Nice. 

Maneuverability is another main component of being tactical. As well as being able to control the AR-15 that you will be using.

Being able to shoulder the rifle properly and put those rounds on target before the target puts rounds on you makes the foregrip or hand stop an accessory you shouldn’t go without. 

Here, you can save weight by going with a simple hand stop. They keep a low profile while still giving you the extra space to firmly grip the rifle and move it where you need it. 

Arisaka makes a CNC machined hand stop that I’ve found to hold up to the abuse. I’ve broken a few, but not this one. 

Operating in the dark is not ideal. For one, you can’t hit what you can’t see, and two, you can’t see. 

So, you need a way to illuminate what is in front of you. Not only does bright light show you the way, but shining a bright light on an unsuspecting individual can take them off their game.

And sometimes they’ll give it up right away, which is a preferred outcome, of course. 

As far as a light that I recommend, it is a Rein 3.0 from Cloud Defensive. They have the best distance out of any light on the market, and if you see something in the distance or hear rustling, you’ll need that throw. 

If you have night vision capabilities, all the better. Operating at night is essential to being effective in a tactical situation. It also gives you the upper hand if someone doesn’t have those tools for the job. 

While you may not need the best gear to be tactical, it sure does help you be more effective in certain situations. 

You can simply start off with a sling, a light and a solid optic. Learning the fundamentals and movements you must accomplish when moving low and trying not to get shot is more important. 

Let’s face it: if you clear a room and it’s your first time, you’ll die. 

You don’t need thousands of dollars worth of gear, but when you’ve trained enough and want to take it to the next level and have more capabilities, then having IR lights and lasers sure does come in handy. 

Have fun and happy hunting.