There are hundreds of rifle upgrades on the market, but what should you prioritize? Listed below are three upgrades that we find essential for every rifle setup, assuming you already have iron sights.

Rifle Lights

We consider weapon lights the first and most important upgrade when building out a rifle. Not only do most violent crimes happen at night, but visibility is also extremely limited. Having a rifle-mounted light is the best way to be able to identify possible threats. To put it simply, you cannot shoot what you cannot see. Below are some of the lights we recommend with varying price ranges all the way from budget to high-end options.

Streamlight Protac Rail Mount HL-X 

The Streamlight HL-X is a good option for those with a tighter budget. It comes out of the box with a Picatinny mount and pressure switch. The HL-X also features a SureFire Scout mounting footprint and thus is compatible with most SureFire mounts currently on the market. The HL-X can run off of two CR123 batteries or one 18650. 

SureFire PRO M640U & M340C

The M640U and the M340C are great all-purpose weapon lights. The PRO series from SureFire comes ready out of the box with both Picatinny and M-LOK mounts and a momentary/constant-on tailcap. The M640U runs on two CR123s, while the M340C runs on a single CR123 battery.

SureFire PRO M640DFT/M340DFT

The Turbo series is SureFire's high candela version of the PRO rifle lights. These lights run off of either 18650/18350s or the conventional CR123s at slightly reduced performance. This greatly increases redundancy and flexibility, especially if you already use optics or lasers that also take CR123s. Like the M640U and M340C, the DFT models come ready to go with both Picatinny and M-LOK mounts and a momentary/constant-on tailcap.

Optics

A good optic is a key component of a defensive rifle. Without a reliable sighting system, you are at a massive disadvantage. Below are a few of the optics we use and trust on our own rifles.

You may be asking yourself whether you need a red dot or an LPVO. This depends on the purpose of your rifle and what you want to do with it. LPVOs are great for distances further out than 100 meters but can be slower than a red dot at short distances or around barricades. Red dots do tend to be more budget-friendly than LPVOs. Check out the video below for a more in-depth comparison.

Red Dot/Holographic Optics

Aimpoint PRO

The Aimpoint PRO is our go-to "budget" optic. It accomplishes all the major tasks of the top-tier Aimpoint T-2 but in a less compact way, which is where the price difference really comes from. It’s durable, reliable, has an extremely long battery life, is easy to turn on and off, and adjust brightness. The PRO comes ready to go out of the box with a quick-detach lower 1/3rd mount and flip-up lens covers.

Pictured above: Aimpoint PRO on a 10.3 FSB build 

EOTECH EXPS/XPS 3-0

The EOTECH EXPS/XPS 3-0 is one of our preferred holographic optics. With super clear glass and a large objective window, this optic pairs very well with a magnifier for longer-distance targets.

While the two models look very similar, they do have their differences.

Pictured above: EOTECH XPS3-0 (Left) EOTECH EXPS3-0 (Right)

Aimpoint Micro T-2

The Aimpoint T-2 is one of the most proven optic systems on the market. It's extremely durable, has excellent battery life, and is night vision compatible. The T-2 we sell does not come with a mount, so we recommend the Scalarworks LEAP.

Pictured above: Aimpoint T-2 on a Geissele 1.93 mount

Low-Power Variable Optics (LPVO)

EOTECH Vudu 1-8 SFP

The Vudu 1-8 has quickly become one of our go-to LPVOs. They can offer many advantages over red dots although they are heavier and are not quite as fast. The daylight bright reticle and high-quality glass provide a clear sight picture at any magnification with a small point of aim. The Vudu is powered by a single CR2032 battery and offers great battery life as far as LPVOs are concerned. The Vudu does not come with a mount, so we recommend the Scalarworks Leap 30mm mount. 

Pictured above: EOTECH Vudu in a Geissele mount with a Reptilia ROF and Trijicon RMR

Vortex Razor HD-E 1-6

The Vortex Razor is another great LPVO option. The Razor is one of the few scopes on the market with a decent daylight-visible reticle. Granted, the battery life isn’t amazing when you’re on 11, the highest setting. So it shouldn’t be treated exactly like a red dot. But if the battery dies, you’ve still got an etched reticle and very clear glass. The Razor does not come with a mount, so we recommend the Scalarworks Leap 30mm mount. 

Pictured above: Vortex Razor HD in a Geissele 2.04 scope mount 

Slings

Slings are an inexpensive upgrade but are invaluable when you need to stow or retain your rifle. Think of a sling to a rifle like a holster is to a pistol.

Not all slings are made equal. Our T.REX sling has 1″ webbing and includes a rapid-adjust feature which can be configured two different ways depending on the shooter’s preference. It can be configured to tighten when the pull-tab is pulled forward (standard throw) or backward (reverse throw). The padded area also adds comfortability by preventing it from digging into the neck of the shooter during rifle-to-pistol transitions or when stowing your rifle to the side/rear. Two shock cords come standard with every sling. These can be wrapped around your rail or stock at various points and then used to stage the sling in a compact fashion against your rifle. You can learn more about setting up your sling HERE.

If you have any more questions, feel free to email us at team@trex-arms.com.