How To Setup Your "Go-To" AR-15 Carbine 

Just recently became a first time gun owner. I'd like to thank you, these videos helped me know what I wanted to look for and feel comfortable going in and asking for it. The first time purchasing a gun was something I was anxious about and didn't want to play 20 questions at the gun shop. These videos helped me know exactly what to ask for and the right questions to ask at the counter. I was originally against owning guns but have come to see that I was against something I didn't know much about. Now I believe that with proper education and respect of your firearm it is something that makes me feel safer and an awesome hobby to meet some real cool new people at the range. Thank you ClassicFirearms and keep up the amazing content!

Keep it simple, keep it light as possible. Nough said.

Bro you’ve been killing it with the vids lately!!! I’m absolutely loving the recent vids!

I'm a minimalist. I have a 16'' carbine, mid length gas system and an M-16 2nd gen 3-prong flash hider. No rails, detachable carry handle and all Mag-pul furniture and running the Fixed Carbine Stock. It's also bayonet capable. The only thing it really needs is a light.

Just seeing how much you've improved in under a year is crazy. Keep pushing. Great channel. This video was 11 months from your latest today July of '21

Classic firearms has been spot on with everything I've ordered from them so far even in these scarce times...keep up the good work boys 🤘🏼

simple always works! iron sights never run out of battery. I run linear muzzle brakes on most rifles. Makes it nicer to shoot with others and doesn't send up a dirt signal when shooting prone. A small forward grip comes in handy for stabilizing against barriers. add an m1 garand sling and some rubber inner-tube to silence the metal and you have all you need.

I started out going full tactical back in the 90's. But now that I'm in my 60's things have changed in the last quarter century such as physical issues that makes it too painful to hold a heavy long gun in the off hand position, can't be physically active as before, and so on. What I want in a go to PDW long gun has also changed. Now I'm looking to go back to the simplicity, ruggedness, and the lightness of the old school basics. First of all, I see long gun PDW's as a sub 200yd weapon. Plus even though I can shoot with greater precision with optics like a red dot our low power magnifier due to degrading eyesight, I now prefer no optics and just irons for speed with unobstructed peripheral vision (especially in low light conditions) and not have to be concerned with loosing zero, dead electronics, broken glass, or with added weight and bulk, and so on: That is no accessories at all, just a plain Jane. Now days I prefer the old school military basic as my go to PDW long gun for it's handyness, simplicity, and ruggedness. Of course for SDM and CSO roles, optics and such are a must. In short, I just want something that can be just left laying around for months at home, or in a vehicle, but know I can go and grab it in a time of emergency and not have a second thought about dead batteries, being knocked out of zero, and enjoying it's slim light handyness by being free of accessories and "upgrades" that add weight and bulk. I used to be doing completion in my early years, and what I used and preferred back then reflected that with optics, electronics, accessories, and upgrades. But now I can appreciate the difference between wanting a so called "tactical" weapon and a "fighting" weapon.

If I had to recommend 3 things it would be an optic, light, and two point sling.

I use the same rear stock and I also go for absolute co witness with my optic (RMR). I have a few differences though: 1. Short stoke piston conversion with roller bearing cam pin 2. Magpul k2 grip (ODG) 3. Noveske KX5 Flaming pig (30 cal size) 4. Trijicon Dual Illuminated RMR (ODG) with Midwest absolute co-witness QD mount 5. Co-Witness irons (Troy fixed front with chevron front post, and LMT tactical A2 Rear) 6. Magpul SL rear stock (ODG) 7. 10.5" 6.5 Grendel barrel -AR Stoner, polished chamber and feedramps 8. Gieselle SSA trigger, super 42 spring, and carbine weight bufffer 9. E-Lander or C-Products mag 10. 100 grain HPBT match for paper punching, and 95 grain V-Max for self defense 11. Midwest 9.650" handguard with Magpul grip panels (ODG) 12. Magpul MS3 sling I still need a weapon light. My favorite mods are the short stroke piston conversion, and the chevron front sight post. I really like the 6.5 Grendel over my 300 BLK for supersonic work from a short barrel at 0-300 meters.

Thanks Cliff! My Savage MSR-15 Recon came already well equipped. Trigger (enhanced GI by Blackhawk) was 1st thing "ejected" for a single-stage match-grade 4-pounder. Comps replaced the stock "bird cage": Miculek for competitions and matches and WarComp for a duty work. Original MI M-LOK rail was great, but I put 15 in slim M-LOK and added BCM angled pistol grip for fully extended support arm's Handstop/Barricade Rest. Added full ambi controls (yes, I practice ambi) and Magpul B.A.D. OEM pop-up irons, but considering replacing with 45 degrees offset sights. Ambi "no-latch" charging handle (by Blackhawk): love it; never failed me. Aimpont CompM5 when on standby for home defense or 1-8x zoom scope on Burris P..E.R.P. cantilever when getting out of my AO into the open (both with QD mounts). Harris bipod with QD mount staged inside the range bag (I added short rail next to the foregrip at 6 o'clock). Light/laser (green) at 3 o'clock for support hand's thumb operation.

Just for anyone interested in mk18 builds, DSarms offers GTG mk18 mod0 and mod1 complete upper receivers for around $600 with correct rail, BUIS, and barrel length. They sell out fast though. Keep an eye on it.

I run my carbine, a Stag, with a lightweight M-Lok handguard (the Radical Firearms MHR; superb handguard for the money, and it hard-indexes to the barrel nut) and a lightweight bipod permanently mounted. I installed the most efficient compensator I could afford, noise be damned. The MHR handguard gives me quad mounting points at the muzzle end for accessories, without the weight or discomfort of full-length rails. I used a Magpul CTR stock on the back end for no wobble. The optic is a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24. My other AR is a full-length A2 with triangle handguards, with a Sig Romeo 5 on top the carry handle. I installed an upgraded compensator on it, carefully chosen to retain bayonet capability.

This a wonderful channel doing great things. Im appreciative of patriots like Clint giving back to his supporters. Keep it up

Why does he seem like such a cool guy to have a beer and talk guns with?

Clint, Dude your awesome. How you break things down and explain all there is to know about setup, type: of Ar’s. And you give two points of view your preferences and why and just plain advice. Very nice.

With mine I kept it simple. Replaced a collapsible stock with and entry stock. Added an EOTech for optics and a simple black nylon sling.

My favorite 2 things on my set up is... 1. Patriot ordanace factory nickle boron teflon rolling cam pin bolt carrier group 2. Jp enterprise h2 silent capture spring

1st time visitor...was a suggested vid. Moved a 2 point on a 10.3 pistol from rear receiver plate to the end after giving consideration to the issues that you raised about strong to weak transitions. Thank you Sir and keep making quality material.

Totally agree with the A2 grip, the index bump doesn’t work with my hand. I usually dremel it down. As for weapon light placement, I prefer to mount the light on my strong side so I can manipulate the back cap switch without the switch pad in the event of some kind of failure.

I have my 11.5 set up the same way pretty much. That bad lever is a Godsend for a lefty! Also I have the same irons, and I can confirm that they don’t hinder sight picture. Once you get used to them they just disappear into the background. But if your optic goes down then your sights are already deployed, I’ve never gone back to folding sights after that.

Cliff, your knowledge of weapons and the parts that enhance those weapons to your satisfaction allow me t6o learn a little more about this out-of -control firearms world that has sprung up over my lifetime!!! Born in "47" served USN during Vietnam Era '66' to '70', always had guns at home mostly rifles but although they were priced right they were not a high priority in our life, occasional hunting, but in time they were not in my life as muich as I would like because they were just too expensive, and frankly they still are, too expensive! These days, health is a major problem for me, having had a Stroke in "03" my left side is basically useless, so semi-auto pistols are a major problem, to rack for me, since strength on my left side is non-existante. I bring this up knowing there are hundreds if not Thousands of gun enthusiast with many of the same type of problems I have and all of us need some help of some kind!!! So THINK OF US now and then when your reviewing a product, CAN WE USE IT, WILL IT HELP THOSE WITH PHYSICAL PROBLEMS????? Just a little thought and consideration could increase our enjoyment as much as everyone else, So don't forget about the Physically Handicapped!!!!!

This guy... so many you tubers love to offer their insight and then the background and surroundings are an absolute mess which discredits anything they say... this guy! His work area is tight! Great advice!

thanks to you Clint i'm designing my AR's changing parts on them. watching your video helps me to do the civilian way of having AR's. used to the military style weapons. it a lot of adjustments.

I have only two as a newby to ARs. One is the KE Arms/Brownells CDR. Basic setup a sling, a Holosun Red Dot and a light. The other I put together (except for pinning the A2 front sight). Again a sling, iron sights (detachable carry handle A4 style I think) and a light. Both are 16" barrels w/ mid-length gas systems, the KE Arms polymer monolithic lower. The CDR has the Faxon pencil weight barrel profile, the built by me has the Faxon 16" Gunner profile barrel. I am loving them both as they are a big change from my normal wood and steel milsurps (nothing newer than the Korean War/early Cold War era).

Absolutely agree with the light setup... Right side, Surefire M3 Weaponlight with blue filter

I have a POF Renegade 556. I have a Vortex Razor Gen3 1-10. Great scope. I have a skeleton vertical fore grip. I installed a cheap small flashlight mounted in a scope ring at the front under the barrel. I’m new to the AR and still trying to get a good feel with the scope. Great setup and should bring me years of great shooting I don’t think I’ll add more stuff but will upgrade to a slimmer light

Clint asked for our builds so here's mine. A Tavor chambered in 556mm, a curved butt plate, a ventilated hand-grip with the flashlight through the front with a finger pad on the added hand grip, added a safety lever on the right side so I have a safety on both sides, replaced the top rail that runs always down to the grip with a half rail 1/2" tall. The new rail makes the gun look ugly but it is functional for me. Added the optic that the IDF uses which is the MEPRO M21 with a dot recital, put a 3x magnifier pull and twist to the side. Both optics have the QD mount. I my opinion, the 12 pound trigger pull is to much for the quick trigger pulls I take from time to time. So I replaced the trigger with a Timney adjustable two stage with a pull of 4.5 pound pull, (it has it's problems, scared the hell out of me the first time it functioned improperly, that is all I will say about that on social media). I am hoping that Clint will do a video just about added magnifiers. Got any suggestions?

Just bought my first AR 15 … thank you democRATS! They helped make the decision really easy. Been loving your videos … I’m learning a lot. Thank you

I have a 16", midlength PSA AR-15A3 clone, with a stainless steel barrel. Iron sights with an A2 carry handle and a Magpul rifleman's sling. Already sighted it in (25-meter) with about 500 rounds through it.

That's a solid setup for a tactical rifle. I have almost the same setup: EXPS3, backup flip irons, light with thumbpad (and UV if you're running NODS), handstop, and a good adjustable 2 point sling. That's the core of a good tac set up, you nailed it.

I like your rifle setup philosophy. It all makes sense and serves a purpose which is what our rifles are to represent. I advised the safety guy at work who just bought his 1st AR to put the ladders or covers on his quad pic rail fore grip. I have M-LOK which came standard on my Ruger AR 556 optic ready rifle. I like it okay enough to keep it. Pic is easier to setup I think and pretty damned beefy. Your advise on flash lights really perked up my ears cause I don't have one on my rifle and CZ Scorpion yet. That day is rapidly coming though.

Ka-bar tactical spork bayonet, you put a marshmallow on it and then you fire off a couple rounds and make smores.

I love the FosTech Trigger I have on my go to AR. It’s great for that double tapping your targets. Great trigger even on single semi. Crisp and great reset. But it should be this way for a $600 trigger

Your equipment is top notch.I have two Colt m4a1socoms and both are set up pretty simple . I've replaced both Ras rails with DD omega rails and both 16in barrels with 14.5 usgi barrels.They both have Vltor stocks,Magpul grips and Surefire scout lights.Eotech 553 and Trijcon ta31rco are the optics.One has a Matech and the other has a DD fixed rear sight.Those are my go to weapons and they have both been 100% and the socom barrels are extremely accurate.

I try to put as much on the sides of my quad rail so they hit me in the nuts and remind me how much of a man I am.

As someone who is brand new to the whole ecosphere of AR's this is quite informative. I peeped the website but could not find these items but I really liked both the grips you had, the charge handle I think is something I would like, especially it being ambidextrous, and I saw one of these with like a cheek well added I would end up with that myself but I also liked the flashlight you had on this :) I'm not entirely sure where to start myself but I like the rails but I feel MLOK is the route I'll end up going. Great video though! :D I saved it so I can look back on it later.

For me, it's 10.5" with red dot indoors, and 16" with 3x ACOG outdoors. Simple Surefire G2 taclights with tail switches, 2 point slings, and YHM suppressor mounts on both. Everything kept light and simple. I prefer quad rails, too. Better purchase when wet.

My go-to is a 16" A2 style carbine with a trijicon front post and car15 buffer tube and stock.

My preference is the Daniel Defense Grip n Rip Charging handle paired with the Lantac NiB Bolt carrier group. I do love my radian ambi 45 degree safety that came with 4 position options. I love your setups bud! Keep building.

The RIS2 is bombproof, but heavy and VERY expensive. That being said, I don't regret selecting it for my severe duty platform.

Nothing I haven't heard before, but I love AR setup videos

I get an education every time I visit. Thanks and keep up the great work.

Loadout based off of your usage. I like simple: fixed iron sights, optic, forward mini grip, light, and QD sling.

11.5" Pistol with TLR-2 light/ laser under barrel. run with Romeo5 red dot and MBUS backup sights CW also have phase 5 extended mag release with phase 5 extended bolt catch/Bad lever all in one

Beside flash suppression I've found suppressors to also make it much harder to locate the shooter by ear .It makes the sound to seem to come from a location much further ahead of the shooter typically 60-100yds in front of the actual shooters location. Also alot of rifles shoot better groups as they act as a harmonic dampener.

I'm a new AR owner as of this year. Bought a new Windham Weaponry MPC-RF, and I love it. I'm a "KISS principle" practitioner, so I won't do much to it besides a carbine-length Magpul handguard, Magpul buttstock, a red-dot optic, and a light. I'll probably get a new trigger for it as well, and it also needs a new end plate for either a clip or QD sling attachment. But other than that, it's good to go.

It needs to be simple, light, and have a high quality barrel and BCG. I've got a Type-A 10.5" 5.56 pistol AR with a folding stock topped with MRO, Troy tritium BUIS, and a Cloud Defensive Rein Micro complete.

I run my taclight (Surefire m600df) on an Arisaka low profile straight mount at the 1030 position on an m-lok rail (DD Omega 9.0). I use the tailcap, rather than a tape switch, for simplicity and weight savings. I have it positioned forward enough and in the right position vertically (1030 o'clock) so that the tailcap sits where my thumb does, without impeding my natural grip with my off hand. I run a Vortex Micro 3X magnifier behind an Aimpoint T2, with a folding rear sight (Troy battle sight) right between the RDS and the magnifier.

Very nice rifles man! I like the flag rail cover, I have one on mine. You're definitely one of my go-to guys for info! Thanks for sharing !

I run a 16” M-LOK aero percsion atlas rail with a primary arms 3x acs reticle magpull vertical grip and a odin works adjustable comp

Hi Clint! I run a red dot on my AR plus my stock flip up iron sights plus my 45° offset sights. On my rail, I have a flashlight with pressure pad hanging from 2 point sling.

Interesting comment about the "loudness" of the muzzle brake vs the flash suppressor.

It looks good. The set up is personal to each rifle owner. You know, use what works for you and the mission requirements for your area….

Two point slings definitly way to go, been slapped before in the "no no joe" zone before as well, it will change your outlook on things especially regarding certain gucci gear.

Great vid! Got a DD MK18 10.3 SBR myself. Surefire warcomp and Socom556 RC2 suppressor. My go to rifle.

I like to run lights on the left because of offset RDS on the right would be blocked by light on right. Plus, cord is pretty short so switch on left works as well.

Sling: MS3 by magpul. Excelent sling and convertable, so you can try both and ultimately decide on two points

My DD Mk18 setup the same as yours Awesome video, keep up the good work

Mines a 10.5" carbine length gas system, with the Aero quantum rail because I don't need pic rail like that. SilencerCo 556k and I'm running the Sig Tango 1-4 FFP. Tossed a Valhala Baldr light on it and a shorted vertical grip. All in all shoots amazing. Adjustable gas block on a spikes reduced weight bolt carrier group and a jp silent buffer system and recoil is minimal

There's something aggressive about the look of a carbine length quad rail and the A2 front post. Rawwwr.

Those are good set ups. Definitely correct about the suppressors, people worry too much about the sound but they don't realize the main role is too eliminate flash signature. From my experience, flash cans work very well too, they just give a little more push back due to the direction of all the gases. Personally, I prefer a fixed power prism optic like a 3x or 5x on my rifles, works for me but it's just personal preference, my pistol I run a red dot with A2 style irons.

Great content bro learning a lot from your vids!

The relationship between Clint and MK18 is something most men and women want in life.

I've owned my Colt for a while, and I'm running a decently similar setup as your 16" DD rail. Would mounting a holographic sight on the rail cause zero break or damage to the sight?

Breek Arms makes awesome hand guards, even 17” hand guards!! Great prices too!

I run my carbine as a SHTF/civil unrest rifle. I keep it as simple as possible. I have an M&P 15 Sport 2 with full magpul furniture and a Colt carry handle with A2 front sight post. I have an Olight mounted. Thats it. Basic as can be, but ultra reliable

Question: With your Fosteck trigger, is there a need to have "anti-roll pins" installed for the trigger? I don't want to say too much about it, but I just bought a Fostech Bradley Fighting TECH-15 and I'm wondering if I should install something like those.

I run an Alex Pro 16" slim carbine flat top with full length MLOK handguards and a Sig Sauer Romeo 4 red dot. I like to keep my rifle light and simple so the only things I have on it are a Magpul AFG and sometimes I put a 900 lumen predator light on it if I'm using it for coyote hunting. I take the light off if I'm doing drills and training during the day because I often carry the rifle all day and weight matters.

Love the set up!

DDM4 RIS rail, magpul stock, MOE grip, stubby grip as handstop, flashlight, peq15 for nod shooting, Accupoint sight, KAC ironsights, and various mag sizes.

Good video bud I run my mk18 very very close to yours. Shit is bombproof, only difference with mine is a fixed front post and I'm runnin a cloud defense mount for my pressure pad.

Love the rundown! I am thinking pressure pads introduce potential point of failure but I know pros use them. I wld go light at 11 that can be controlled with thumb in normal support position

Great videos keep up the great work and thank u for giving us alot of info about the different firearms

Interesting I tried to build mine as light as I could within a budget. I basically made a WWSD carbine minus the carbon fiber fore end and the trigger. Add some polymer backup sights, aimpoint, and a olight Odin and that's mine.

I like how you guys have the springfield armory Saint AR15 in the back drop of most of your videos lol it was my first AR.

Thanks Clint…I learned some stuff!

For a home defense or truck gun your setup isn't so bad I like the new video Garand thumb uploaded seems like those guys setups are more for battle and more relevant items on their setups.

I'm not one to comment but this guy is amazing I like his gestures as in like with his hands in the way he moves in talks hes awesome

Currently, my favorite is my budget build. Sightmark Wolverine/T5 dot/magnifier. Flash comp hybrid muzzle... and the cheapest aluminum BUIS sights I could find online... lol. Running a brace ATM, but were I to SBR it, I'd definitely go with a SOPMOD stock. Grip is a Hera CQR clone. It's all on a 10.5 7.62x39 side charger... I didn't think I'd like the grip at first, but it was a 3d print, so I figured I'd at least try it... and I love it. Also a huge fan of the dot/magnifier combo. The flashlight is another Sightmark product in their LoPro. The upper is a BCA with an enhanced pin. Also did an upgrade to the extractor, as they're bad to go out.. The buffer is an H3 equivalent buffer. The whole project ended up running me just a little over $1k, and will work with NODs, though the dot is a little brighter than I'd like... has IR and white light, and we're I to decide to Form 1 a suppressor, I have the 5/8x24 tap and die set with a drill press and a welder to make that happen on a budget as well. Sightmark products definitely aren't top of the line, but considering the price point and the goal of the rifle (a functional build for $1k that CAN work in most environments) I'm very, very happy with it. Definitely agree with light placement, though if you're anticipating running at night a lot, you may want to consider moving your light to the bottom of the rail. Smoke from the muzzle and/or hot gas tube doesn't block the light nearly as badly as it does if the light is even with or above the bore. Especially with IR setups. My hog setup runs a 940nm IR light underneath, and it took me longer than it should have to figure out why I was having trouble making followup shots with NV gear. I also recommend milspec triggers for home defense purposed weapons. The last thing you need in a high adrenaline scenario is a 3lb trigger pull.

I run mine simple but usable. Want it with a solid light (country life) but nothing that might snag if im grabbing it in a rush. Did a linear comp just incase i cant grab ears.

You mentioned:Yankee hill silencer & screw it on over the flash suppressor - can you list both items for me to buy & which 2 point sling with attachment points (i have none on this build) do u recommend?

Well you say it knocks you in a bad place..not what I experience with my set up at all...but I don't want my gun barrel dragging in the ground...It took me a long while to get my carry good to go...and it is spot on now. Great education...good vids. Just remember we are not all built the same...but we can all shoot just as strait.

I love my Mark 18 with a Euteck and mag sites. Also a bot strap. Semper Fi

I’ve got an ar already but looking to build a custom one. I would like to get a nice trigger and was looking at some hiper fire. It would be a home defense gun. Would those light pull triggers be ok for home defense or should I stay with mil spec

Mine is sort of a SPR/DMR. Put a PA 4-14x FFP ACSS scope on it and love it.

Where can I get the American Flag attachment? That thing is badass.

Love the channel!

Mine is a helenbak arms hb15 with new od green furniture and fiber optic flip ups and a holosun 510 gr elite and an olight pl pro Valkyrie 1600 lumen and a od green angled fore grip running it with gen 2 hex mags and p mags.

Open window optic(eotech, holosun510). A rail light with pressure pad, flash hider, and keep it light

Your guns have got to be heavy as hell

You know more about ar then i ever will.

Awesome video, Thank You Clint.

I’m considering on “building” an SBR… but waiting to see what happens by the end of the month first. Thanks for the video.

Wish I found your website before I got into guns like I did , glad I know where to buy everything now though!!

I don't know why I watch these; I have had my setup dialed in for at least a decade.

I’m one of weird people that just loves the milspec triggers.

I would have the same setup but I would use a aimpoint/ any red dot just so I could have that 5+ year always on battery life

Awesome job Devil Dog! (1993-2015) 😎

Nice collection of toys there!!!!