3 Tips for Better AR-15 Recoil Control

If you're trying to figure out how to control recoil on your AR-15, chances are you’re doing one of two things wrong—maybe both. Let’s cut to the chase.

This isn’t about running fancy gear or accessories to “delete” recoil. It’s about how you connect with the rifle. Recoil control starts with your rifle-to-body connection.

Now that you’ve got your AR-15 zero’d and ready for the range, here are 3 tips to help you improve your AR-15 recoil control right now—with what you've already got.

1. Mount the Entire Buttstock—Not Just the Toe

A lot of shooters are only mounting the toe of the buttstock (the bottom half) into their shoulder pocket. And no, it’s probably not because your plate carrier or soft armor is in the way. It’s just a bad habit.

Mount the full buttstock—from top to bottom. Not just the toe.

Why does this matter? Simple physics. Mounting just the toe gives you less leverage over the gun. Less leverage = less control. When recoil hits, that rifle is going to take longer to reset. You’ll see your laser or red dot lag and bounce off-target. And that delay? It kills your speed and accuracy.

Quick Tip: Watch your laser or red dot during dry fire or live drills. If it's climbing and taking too long to reset, check your mount. Fully seat that stock.

2. Pressures Should Be North-to-South, Not Left-to-Right

When it comes to applying pressure to the rifle, where you put that force matters. A lot.

Some guys are pressing in from the sides—left and right—thinking that’ll give them more control. But AR-15 recoil doesn’t move left or right. The rifle pushes straight back. So to manage that recoil, you need to apply pressure north-to-south, meaning straight forward into the rifle and back into your body.

Imagine shaking hands with someone. You don’t reach out sideways with your elbows flared, right? You extend your hands straight out, thumbs up, elbows relaxed but aligned. That’s exactly how you should interface with your AR; using natural body mechanics.

Avoid the "CQB elbow." That pitched-out, flared elbow position creates an offline structure, meaning you have less control and more muzzle rise. Keep those elbows in and relaxed.

3. Don't Over-Torque OR Pull The Rifle Into You

Here’s where a lot of people overdo it. They over-torque the rifle into their shoulder, thinking more tension = more control. But over-tensioning often does the opposite. It creates instability and fatigue.

Anchor it into your shoulder, but don’t white-knuckle it. Let the gun recoil into your body with a consistent amount of force. Maintain a stable, relaxed shooting posture with elbows dropped and everything in line.

Watch your red dot or laser next time. If it’s tracking up and down in a straight vertical line and staying in the A-zone? You’re doing it right.

Pro Tip: At 25 yards, if your dot or rounds are climbing into the headbox or off-target, something’s wrong with your mount, your pressures, or your structure.

Bonus: Dealing with Plate Carriers or Shoulder Straps

Running thick shoulder straps or a bulky plate carrier? No excuses. Just mount your buttstock outside the shoulder strap and elevate the rifle to your eyes. Don’t drop your head to the gun—elevate the gun to your line of sight.

Even with massive shoulder straps, you can still mount that buttstock fully and correctly. It’s about consistency and discipline.

Stay disciplined with your rifle mount, even under time and tension. Don’t let fatigue break your form.

Wrapping It Up: See It? Fix It.

If you’re seeing your dot bounce out of the A-zone, climbing into other people’s targets, or taking too long to reset—fix it.

Recoil control on your AR-15 isn’t magic. It’s fundamentals done right. 

Full stock mount. North-to-south pressures. Relaxed, inline structure. And a natural connection to the gun.

Train smart and keep your rounds accountable.