Thinking about adding a skeleton grip to your AR15? It’ll look cool, lighten the rifle, and might even boost handling. Plus, you’ll never see any problems from a small part like a grip.
Skeletonizing other parts? That might be a different story. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you might want to skeletonize, and the reasons you might not.
The Argument for…
Here’s the big argument in favor of skeletonized AR15 parts: it will substantially lighten the weapon.
As a result, a skeletonized AR15 will handle more nimbly and more favorably. It’ll also be easier to carry it for prolonged periods of time.
There is a secondary potential benefit – if the handguard, for instance, is skeletonized, it may aid the barrel in releasing heat.
There are better things you can do, like installing a fluted barrel, by the way, but skeletonizing some parts may help as well.
This is the main attraction to skeletonized AR15 parts. But there are also those who might look into it simply because of the cool factor.
So you have lightweight, potential heat dissipation, and aesthetics. But it’s not an easy answer because there is a counter.
The Argument Against…
While a skeletonized AR15 can lighten weight and improve handling, there is a big tradeoff. Skeletonizing massively increases the surface area of the platform, overall.
This accomplishes two mainly negative things. On the one hand, it makes it much harder and more difficult to clean the platform.
The worst of the two is that it opens up a whole bunch of entry points for water, dust, sand, and other debris that can gum up the rifle’s works, accelerating corrosion and damage.
Then there are those that will tell you that there’s a reason the military doesn’t skeletonize rifles – because skeletonization, though it slightly lightens weight, does far more harm to reliability and functionality. So take that for what you will.
Now, to be fair, it also depends on what parts you skeletonize. A skeleton grip for your AR15 isn’t going to damage the rifle, nor is a stock; the handguard, parts of the receivers? They could be problems.
There are also others who say that a skeletonized AR15 is like having a gold Glock. It won’t shoot better or be more accurate, but it’ll look cool. So take that for what it’s worth.
The Bottom Line
Rather than publishing an official opinion on whether or not skeletonized AR-15 rifles are good or bad, we’ll leave you with some general guidelines for when and where it works, and when and where it doesn’t.
If you’re just building an AR platform for hobby use or plinking at the range, go ahead and skeletonize. Even if you’re competing, have at it, as long as you’re alright with the extra maintenance and cleaning you’ll have to do.
If this is a rifle that you intend to use for defensive applications or for hunting, then maybe having the AR skeletonized is not in your best interest. In the field, or in situations in which reliability implicates life and death, just go with conventional parts.
Where to Get Skeletonized AR15 Parts?
Looking for AR15 sights? A pistol grip? Some other sighting systems like front and rear flip-up iron sights or red dot sights? AR15 skeletonized parts? Get these and other AR 15 parts online at MCS Gearup. They carry a wide variety of parts for AR rifles along with an even wider assortment of attachments and other shooting accessories.
Check out their collection online and if you have any questions about what they sell or compatibility, get in touch with them directly at Sales@MCSGearup.com.