There are many different ways to customize an AR. However, a custom AR may not be able to accommodate everything, which is one of the big challenges that people often find when they start working on their gun.
Ideally, if you are going to customize your AR, there are a few steps to take before you start stripping off stock components and putting on the new aftermarket options. By taking the time to design the gun rather than randomly changing out parts, you can create the look and the functionality you need without having to continually make adjustments.
What Accessories do you Need?
Most of the AR-15s and other AR weapons are going to come stock fitted with a Weaver or Picatinny rail. This offers some basic options for mounting accessories. If all you are going to use is a scope or optics, you may not need to change out the rails.
However, if you want to add a lot of different accessories, going with the longer free floating AR15 Quad rails is a good step. This is also an easy change to create a custom AR and one that most gun owners can do without the need of a gunsmith.
Significant Changes
When making significant changes to create a custom AR, such as changing the barrel size or adjusting the caliber size to create a gun suitable for big game outings, it is important to consider your level of expertise and experience.
It is possible to incorrectly install components or parts on these weapons that may create the potential for injuries when using the weapon. Anything that requires machining parts or modifying parts should be handled by a professional, licensed gunsmith.
This is not just to make it easier for gun owners to get the look and shooting capacity they need, but also for gun safety and to prevent issues with the weapon that can have serious consequences.