How do you have your match AR set up?

[finch6013]

Curious as to how some of us set up our AR's that use them for competition.
What trigger?
Vertical foregrip or no and why?
forend style and why?
buttstock?

I am currently running a mostly stock AR and have been doing quite well considering. But I am also thinking of changing some parts to hopefully gain some ground.
Current thoughts are to add a timney or mcCormic trigger

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[NoAim]

Curious as to how some of us set up our AR's that use them for competition.
What trigger?
Vertical foregrip or no and why?
forend style and why?
buttstock?

I am currently running a mostly stock AR and have been doing quite well considering. But I am also thinking of changing some parts to hopefully gain some ground.
Current thoughts are to add a timney or mcCormic trigger

The question is, what kind of "match"?

For things like 3-gun and Practical Rifle I run what would be called a "Tactical" setup by USPSA (although I push it sometimes with the use of a bipod).

Generally I use a lightened factory trigger. I don't do VFGs very well and prefer the standard slim handguards. Sometimes I'll put on the bipod depending on what the courses will be that day. For buttstocks, I like the MagPul MOE or a fixed A1 length stock.

Otherwise, no frills.

My current setup is a CMMG 16" lightweight midlength with an ACOG on top. A short add-on rail to the underside of the standard handguards allows me to place a bipod or flashlight there. Fixed front sight, flip up rear, Cav Arms lower (or sometimes a standard with MOE stock), standard LPK, but modified to reduce trigger pull weight.

I've run with muzzle brakes before and they do help, but I debate whether to keep them on or not. I'll be trying out the FSC556 on my lightweight.


FYI, I used to run a full free floated, tons of rails, super accurate medium profile rifle and a dual optic setup. In the end, I decided I didn't like shooting the 10.5 pound .223, added complication of 3 sets of sights, etc. So, I went lightweight and haven't suffered in times or accuracy. I find shooting offhand and movement between positions to be easier.

Of course, if I'm feeling a bit more aggressive and still want the heavier rifle, I'll bring out the .308.

 

[NoAim]

Let me add something as well.

Most of your speed and accuracy come from you, not the gun, in a match situation. Case in point:

- A couple of matches ago, two competitors decided to use the "hillbilly assault repeater" (a.k.a. Marlin 336 lever gun in .30-30). One of the guys who usually places in the top 10-15, still came in the top 20 (of 50+) with a 6-round lever gun with open sights.

- In another match, the match winner beat out the other guys with race guns, optics, bipods, etc. with a plain jane A2 iron sighted gun.....at night.

- In our last match, using pre-1948 guns, half of the bolt guns beat half of the semi-autos.

So, get the gun to where you feel comfortable with it, and it's reliable. I find optics for me work really well for the long range targets. Otherwise, the best money spent is on ammo and time for practice.