

One of the most thrilling aspects of owning an AR, besides shooting it, is dressing it up in a way that eeks out every extra ounce of its performance. Make your badass black gun even badder looking — and performing — with these six accessories.

ATI 15-inch Forend with FS8 Nose Cone & Rails
This versatile, yet super sturdy eight-sided free-float forend is made of Type III anodized, 6061 T6 aluminum and weights only 9.3 ounces. Rails can be mounted at 45 degrees around the circumference of the forend for maximum accessory positioning. Meanwhile, the wicked nose cone anchors into any corner, door jam, fence or surface for improved accuracy and stability. ($160, atigunstocks.com)

ATI AR-15 Strikeforce Package
This package includes addresses the rear of the rifle with six-position, collapsible buttstock with the Sure-Grip nonslip removable Scorpion Razorback buttpad, ergonomic Sure-Grip textured pistol grip, adjustable (and removable) cheek-rest for better cheek-to-stock weld when aiming, a laser-etched buffer tube and comes equipped with a sling swivel stud and slot for a tactical sling if that’s your preference. ($110; atigunstocks.com)

Crimson Trace Rail Master
Available in red or green laser versions, the Rail Master attaches quickly and easily to any Picatinny rail and boast versions that partner with LED lights to form one compact, easy-to-use unit. Users can choose between five operation modes: light and laser, laser only, light only, laser with strobe light and light in strobe only. Activation is done quickly and easily with a tap-on/tap-off feature. ($149-$269; crimsontrace.com) [Available with discount at gundigestore.com.]

SilencerCo Specwar
A well-made suppressor makes shooting so much more enjoyable without degrading accuracy and if you can cough up the change needed to get your federal permit to own one, they will be worth the money. SilencerCo’s Specwar sound suppressors are available for 5.56 and 7.62 rifles and attach easily via their included Trifecta RS flash hider. The unit attaches and detaches quickly and features a tapered shoulder designed to improve accuracy and repeatability. ($800/5.56 & $900/7.62; silencerco.com)

Aimpoint Micro H-1
A super versatile sight, the Micro H-1 is also super compact to fit on anything, including AR rifles. The red-dot sight is fully waterproof and features ACET technology for 50,000 hours of constant-on operation, two dot sizes in 2 or 4 MOA, is nonmagnifying and parallax free and attaches using an integral Weaver-style mount. Twelve settings permit use in any lighting situation. ($606; aimpoint.com)

TruGlo Tru-Brite Xtreme Illuminated Rifle Scope
Want a great little 3-9x scope with an easy-to-see illuminated reticle and that won’t break the bank. The Tru-Brite Xtreme boasts a dual-color illuminated reticle that adjusts between red and green in low-light conditions. It can also be used without illumination. Windage and elevation are fingertip adjustable with a zoom at the 9 o’clock position for better ergonomics and quicker adjustment. ($150; truglo.com)
This article appeared in the July 15, 2013 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

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