[Hydra]

First of all iam not a QP but use my AR daily so maybe i can help.
Your question might have already been answered but ill give my two cents, i own an AR-15 with a 16" barrel and love it. When i took an Advanced Combatives Course through a private co. many people there did not like that length. I personally love it even if it is about an inch and a half longer then most AR's floating around. Better accuracy and better shooting will come with a slightly longer barrel. Most of these people with the small barells such as the "kitty kat" and some others do it for looks when they were really designed for things like jumping out of a vehicle quicker etc.
On my weapon i have front rails with an Aimpoint Comp (that optic is what the Army issued to me overseas, had one in Afghanistan, no problems very tough) and a forward hand grip, the normal iron sight configuration is on there still with my Aimpoint pushed forward, so if that optic goes dead i can go iron.
I have taken three multiday contractor courses and saw the "gear queers" overseas too but i guess whatever floats there boat, i would say overall a forward hand grip and a nice red dot or magnified optic (depending on your mission) should be fine.

I think you will have alot of fun with that rifle.

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