Accessories

Optics and Sights

Optics are the most impactful single upgrade for most firearms—a quality red dot on a defensive rifle or carry pistol improves target acquisition speed and accuracy more than any other accessory. We carry red dots, holographic sights, rifle scopes, LPVOs, magnifiers, thermal and night vision optics, and iron sights from Holosun, Trijicon, EOTech, Aimpoint, Leupold, Vortex, and others. See: Optics, Red Dot Sights, and Rifle Scopes.

Holsters and Carry Gear

Holsters for IWB, OWB, ankle, shoulder, and duty carry from Safariland, Alien Gear, Blackhawk, DeSantis, Galco, and Uncle Mike’s. See: Holsters.

Weapon Lights and Lasers

Rail-mounted lights from Streamlight, SureFire, and Olight for pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Laser sighting systems for defensive and tactical applications. See: Weapon Mounted Lights and Lights & Lasers.

Magazines

Factory OEM and quality aftermarket magazines for pistols, rifles, and shotguns from Magpul, ETS, ProMag, and Mec-Gar. See: Magazines and Drum Magazines.

Gun Parts and Upgrades

Triggers, barrels, stocks, grips, handguards, muzzle devices, and bolt carrier groups for AR-15s and other platforms. See: Gun Parts, Triggers, and Muzzle Devices.

Cases, Bags, and Storage

Hard cases, soft cases, range bags, and ammo storage from Pelican, Plano, and others. See: Gun Cases & Range Bags and Ammo Storage.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning kits, solvents, lubricants, bore snakes, and maintenance tools for all firearm types. See: Gun Cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions: Firearms Accessories

What accessories does every defensive rifle need?
At minimum, a defensive AR-15 or rifle should have: a quality weapon-mounted light (Streamlight ProTac or SureFire Scout) for target identification in low light, a sling for retention and hands-free carry, and a red dot or low-power variable optic for accurate shot placement. A spare magazine and a quality trigger (if the factory trigger is poor) are meaningful upgrades. Start with the light — shooting in the dark without positive target identification is the single most common defensive rifle mistake.

What is the difference between a red dot and a magnified scope for an AR-15?
A red dot (Holosun, Aimpoint, Trijicon MRO) provides unlimited eye relief, both-eyes-open shooting, and fast target acquisition at close to medium range — ideal for home defense and 0–200 yard use. A magnified scope provides precision at longer distances but is slower for close-range work. A 1–6x or 1–8x LPVO (Low Power Variable Optic) bridges both — at 1x it functions like a red dot, at higher magnification it serves as a precision scope. For a do-everything AR-15, an LPVO is the most versatile choice.

Do I need a foregrip on my AR-15?
A vertical foregrip (VFG) on an AR pistol converts it to an AOW under NFA rules — avoid vertical foregrips on AR pistols unless properly registered. Angled foregrips (AFG) do not trigger NFA classification. For rifles, a VFG is a personal preference item — many experienced shooters prefer the C-clamp grip without any foregrip for better muzzle control and weight savings.

See Also: Weapon Lights • Slings & Swivels • Bipods • Red Dot Sights • AR-15 Parts