"Allowable Upgrades" to duty ARs?

[dustyvarmint]

Couldn't figure out a good title.

My goal is to shoot the best I can with a basic gun - what an LEO might be able to carry. Other than grip tape and an OEM adjustable sight (both changes influenced by TCinVA), my G17 is box stock.

I find I'd like to do some upgrades to my AR, but I wonder what police departments allow, if any?

For instance, I'd like an ambi-selector that I could operate with my firing hand index finger, I'd like to smooth out the trigger so it isn't two distinct steps (resistance followed by grit), a grip that doesn't have a finger ridge in the exact wrong place and a Magpul handguard that would allow me to de-Jerry-rig my forward sling attachment.

Do departments allow these types changes? I'm guessing some, like the trigger, absolutely not.

I know I have the ability to do anything I want, but, again, my goal is to stick what an LEO might be able to use.

happy shooting, dv

[Chuck Haggard]

We allow rails, lights, grips, Aimpoints (must have BUISs), ambi safeties, fore grips, changing the stock to something like Mag PUl or Vltor, etc. A sling of some sort is required.

That we aren't stuck with box stock guns like many places may have something to do with me and another SWAT guy having written the regs for rifles at our job.

[Josh Runkle]

Couldn't figure out a good title.

My goal is to shoot the best I can with a basic gun - what an LEO might be able to carry. Other than grip tape and an OEM adjustable sight (both changes influenced by TCinVA), my G17 is box stock.

I find I'd like to do some upgrades to my AR, but I wonder what police departments allow, if any?

For instance, I'd like an ambi-selector that I could operate with my firing hand index finger, I'd like to smooth out the trigger so it isn't two distinct steps (resistance followed by grit), a grip that doesn't have a finger ridge in the exact wrong place and a Magpul handguard that would allow me to de-Jerry-rig my forward sling attachment.

Do departments allow these types changes? I'm guessing some, like the trigger, absolutely not.

I know I have the ability to do anything I want, but, again, my goal is to stick what an LEO might be able to use.

happy shooting, dv

Are you an LEO? Does your agency have requirements posted/written somewhere?

Context?

Why do you want a gun that an LEO might be able to use?

[jlw]

I find I'd like to do some upgrades to my AR, but I wonder what police departments allow, if any?

Understand that there are over 17,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States; therefore, you could get that many different answers.

At my previous agency, you carried it as it was issued to you and only the issued gear was allowed. Period. For general patrol use, that meant a stock rifle. Period.

At the SO, if it is an agency rifle, you can do minor mods such as putting on your choice of sling or an optic, but you had better be able to hand it back to me as a stock rifle on demand. The guys who want to carry tricked out stuff generally submit a personally owned rifle for approval.

[dustyvarmint]

I think I have my answer - in general, shoot it stock.

I used a police department as my example as I thought they are often restrictive and an LEO often has to shoot it stock - for better or worse.

Two more examples of context:

-Bowhunting: I always hunted with the value-point bow - every man's (woman's) bow. That included going to South Africa. Until I got on a factory shooting staff, that is, then I shot top-of-the-line - an experience that I regret BTW.

-Everyman: I just don't think this comes across right. What every man can afford. Not the top of the line. What every man can afford to shoot - the basic.

thanks & happy shooting, dv

[VolGrad]

I know I have the ability to do anything I want, but, again, my goal is to stick what an LEO might be able to use.

To each his own but I don't understand this logic.

I would wager you are thinking, "What if I had to use it for self defense and had to defend myself in court?". I'd suggest not getting stuck in that mindset.

[Tamara]

Heck, an Aimpoint sight is pretty "Everyman" these days, found on everything from the patrol 6920 in the trunk of Deputy Lawdog's cruiser to Pfc. Snuffy's M4.

On the other hand, Deputy Lawdog and Pfc. Snuffy will get in trouble if they go dicking with the as-issued trigger for a number of very valid reasons.

[LSP972]

Heck, an Aimpoint sight is pretty "Everyman" these days, found on everything from the patrol 6920 in the trunk of Deputy Lawdog's cruiser to Pfc. Snuffy's M4.

On the other hand, Deputy Lawdog and Pfc. Snuffy will get in trouble if they go dicking with the as-issued trigger for a number of very valid reasons.

This^.

I too wonder about you motivation for this question, dusty. I'm thinking it has more to do with "battlefield pick-up" than legal ramiifications, yes?

In either event, my advice is don't worry about it. Set up your personal weaponry to suit you.

My old agency just completed issuing AR carbines to everybody (back in my day, only SWAT got company carbines, although the regular troops could field a personally-owned one. The issue shoulder gun for the masses was an 870). The issued guns have irons and a detachable VFG; the troops have the option of fitting a personal optic and/or a white light selected from an approved list, all subject to inspection/approval before fielding. The SWAT carbines come with those two options, but the carbine issued to the rank and file is plain vanilla.

ANY "modifications" other than those listed are grounds for serious disciplinary action.

Again, don't take this as criticism- I understand your question- but it really doesn't matter.

.

[John Hearne]

My agency actually has a good policy on upgrades with specific manufacturers being authorized. We allow upgrade of triggers as long as it is a non-adjustable option. I'm running the factory "enhanced" trigger from Colt.

[dustyvarmint]

I think I have my answer - in general, shoot it stock.

I used a police department as my example as I thought they are often restrictive and an LEO often has to shoot it stock - for better or worse.

Two more examples of context:

-Bowhunting: I always hunted with the value-point bow - every man's (woman's) bow. That included going to South Africa. Until I got on a factory shooting staff, that is, then I shot top-of-the-line - an experience that I regret BTW.

-Everyman: I just don't think this comes across right. What every man can afford. Not the top of the line. What every man can afford to shoot - the basic.

thanks & happy shooting, dv

Other than what is in the original post and what I added, above, I can't offer any better explanation of my shooting goal (shoot a basic gun as best I can) - than what I've already offered and it has nothing to do with liability. While any firearm could conceivably be used for SD, the AR is a recreational shooting tool for me.

Since my AR came as a flat top, Tam's two sentences are pretty much spot on. Except that I've put irons on to shoot with (my goal) and an RDS, at least temporarily, for an upcoming class since the instructor highly recommended it. I'll say that I'm kind of liking the RDS...

Please don't get me wrong, I appreciate and want the discussion - I learn from it.

happy shooting, dv