So NJGF, I finally bought a lower from Midwest PX (Great Guy to deal with). Now for the upper, should I build or buy?

 

What advantages does one have over the other?

Depends on what you want.. and what is available.

Building the upper is not difficult but requires specialized tools (barrel nut wrench, torque qrench, bench w/vise, etc). Best thing about building your own is that you can get exactly what you want the first time around. This is specially good for people who want free float rails because they can start off by getting a low profile gas block rather than having to remove and replace the existing FSB or even shaving it down.

With the prices and availability I'd say it's easier (maybe cheaper) to buy a upper already assembled.  Palmetto Armory has some great deals.

 

If you build your own you get to pick and choose the components you want.  If you can handle basic tools it's not hard to build an upper.

BCM also has great complete uppers

BCM also has great complete uppers

BCM is great quality stuff. They sometimes run specials on their assembled uppers giving you some great deals.

Building an upper does not really seem very hard, given the right tools.  I don't have the right tools however.  

 

Looking into individual parts, I don't think there is much cost/benefits savings vs buying from a vendor like BCM.  

 

 

I go with the complete uppers. 

I posted this on break, so I'm just now getting a chance to look at it and update it with what I'm thinking vs. what I want vs. my actual budget and level of patience.

 

I thought about buying one, and there are great uppers out there (I was originally thinking Adams Arms Piston system AR), and then I looked into building one. While getting an upper premade is easy peasy, there isn't much fun in it. IMO, you don't learn your rifle like if you build. But building one requires patience, tools, and free time (Which I'm severely lacking for the next week and a half). 

 

The biggest draw for building one in my eyes is getting exactly what I want. Which would be a low profile gas block, MAYBE a free float hand guard (what are quality hand guards for low budgets?), and if I can find one, a barrel that isn't threaded (the biggest draw for me, since I don't feel like pinning a brake or comp). 

 

The pros for buying one premade, is the fact you can just drop and go. There is no building, there is no making sure everything is aligned, or if you didn't do that one small thing that could mean the difference between a functioning rifle, and an expensive paper weight. 

 

I may build, and buy a couple pieces at a time. That way I can get what I want, and spend as I get the money for the parts. Maybe not the best idea, but I'm open to suggestions. 

Not sure if it's linked to elsewhere, but I saw this article that explained building an AR in a very clear manner

http://www.itstactical.com/warcom/firearms/diy-ar-15-build-introduction-parts-and-tools-required/

I posted this on break, so I'm just now getting a chance to look at it and update it with what I'm thinking vs. what I want vs. my actual budget and level of patience.

 

I thought about buying one, and there are great uppers out there (I was originally thinking Adams Arms Piston system AR)

 

 

 

Y piston?

Piston are/were the next great thing. Problem is a lot of manufacturers use proprietary parts that in the event of a catastrophic failure might be hard to find. IMHO better off with a DI carbine gas system or better yet Mid-Length for a little less perceived recoil.

Why piston? BCG runs cooler than direct impingement systems, not as dirty as DI systems, other than that no real reason other than it's different. But like blksheep pointed out, replacement parts would be hard to find and expensive.

 

If I build though it will be a DI system just for ease of ordering parts.

Why piston? BCG runs cooler than direct impingement systems, not as dirty as DI systems, other than that no real reason other than it's different. But like blksheep pointed out, replacement parts would be hard to find and expensive.

If I build though it will be a DI system just for ease of ordering parts.

I was just curious

 

I run my guns real dirty... And pretty hard... I have only had a gun stop functioning twice... One was a 308 ar that I had literally never cleaned... And the other was a sbr ar that had a part that went bad... I hear all about piston guns and understand them in theory.. But just don't really see the need...

I only know a little bit about piston driven systems. I first saw them used when H&K demo'd the M416 Carbine on Future Weapons. Dumped a drum mag through it, popped the BCG out, and it was cool to the touch. Sand, mud, water, didn't affect it. Ran like a top. It was cool shit then, and it still is IMO. 

 

My decision in choosing to build or buy has been delayed. There was a malfunction in the UPS Harrisburg facility this morning, now everything is delayed. Which just goes with the flow of the day.

Build your own, that's what i did, more fun and not hard to do at all...

 

This is my build... Easy peezy...

I was actually looking at getting a spiral cut fluted barrel. I think I might build my own. It looks like a fun project, Something I would like doing. 

In all honesty, save your money and buy what you want the first time. I'd get a 14.5" BCM complete upper with either a Daniel Defense rail, or a Larue Tactical rail. Bravo Company USA makes and uses top notch parts. They'll even permanently attach a compensator on for you.

 

My first AR I bought a complete Bushmaster and changed out some parts. My second I built the lower and got a complete upper. The next rifle will be a BCM, and I'll know it's perfect.

I'm pretty sure I'm gonna build my upper. I've thought about both options and honestly building sounds like a hell of a lot more fun. Once I get the parts list together I'll post it here to see if I missed anything.

 

Thanks for the input guys.

Heres my parts list.

 

upper:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/898248/ao-precision-upper-receiver-stripped-ar-15-m4-flat-top-matte

 

BCG:

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/bolt-carrier-parts/bolt-carriers/ar15-16-bolt-carrier-groups-prod54072.aspx

 

or

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/bolt-carrier-parts/bolt-carriers/m16-bolt-carrier-group-prod56507.aspx

 

Charging Handle:

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/bolt-charging-handles/ar-15-m16-ar-style-308-bcm-gunfighter-charging-handle-prod32076.aspx

 

Forward Assist:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/787744/dpms-forward-assist-assembly-round-ar-15-lr-308-matte

 

Barrel:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/834998/ar-stoner-barrel-ar-15-556x45mm-nato-m4-contour-1-in-9-twist-16-chrome-moly-phosphate

 

Barrel Nut:

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/barrel-parts/rifle-barrel-hardware/barrel-nuts/barrel-nut-prod4765.aspx

 

Gas block

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/462151/yankee-hill-machine-gas-block-low-profile-clamp-on-ar-15-lr-308-standard-barrel-0750-inside-diameter-steel-matte

 

Gas tube:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1070336395/wilson-combat-gas-tube-ar-15

 

Delta Ring, spring, snap ring

 

Handguard:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/570077/utg-pro-2-piece-handguard-quad-rail-ar-15-carbine-length-matte-with-black-rail-guards

or

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2704123552/mako-tri-rail-handguard-ar-15-carbine-length-polymer

 

So, what do you guys think? Am I missing anything, should I get something else instead of what I have listed?

Midwest PX has NiB BCGs that are coated by WMD. Phosphate I'd still go for a BCM bcg. You still need a compensator. Big surprise here: go with a BCM.

http://www.arpartsfinder.com/

for the barrel you ought to start with raineir armms medcon select barrels. I built 2 with them and they are fking lasers

If You Build Yourself, Do You Have To Worry About Headspacing? Don't Know Exactly What That Is, But Dont Want To Blow Up. Sorry About The Caps.Last Phone Update Did This.

All built rifles should be headspaced before firing, less you wear your rifle on your face. The AR-15 platform however is very precise and very rarely does one find an upper out of spec. I check anyway.

 

In firearms, headspace is the distance measured from the part of the chamber that stops forward motion of the cartridge to the face of the bolt. If the headspace is too small, the round will not chamber. If headspace is too large, the cartridge case may rupture, possibly damaging the firearm and possibly injuring the shooter.

 

There are GO, NO-GO, and FIELD gauges.

 

If the bolt closes on the GO gauge and not the others, your GTG.

If the bolt close on the GO and NO-GO, need to stop and find out why you have met or exceeded the maximum case length allowed.

If the bolt close on the FIELD gauge, you have exceeded the maximum, the rifle is unsafe to fire.

Wait a week or so...I'll have complete laser etched 7075 Cerro forge uppers with feedramps for under $95 with the option to bundle one of our phosphated BCGs for $100 

Wait a week or so...I'll have complete laser etched 7075 Cerro forge uppers with feedramps for under $95 with the option to bundle one of our phosphated BCGs for $100

Can I Put In A Pre-Order?

Can I Put In A Pre-Order?

I will have TONS of these so no worries about them going out of stock.  They're actually here right now and I'll be taking them to get laser engraved on Monday.  They should be ready to go on Wed. or Thurs.  I just said "a week" initially to pad the timeline...the whole underpromise, overdeliver thing

Also, your choice of handguards may not work with the gas block you've selected.  I don't know about the UTG rail but you may need a handguard cap between the gas block and the seat on the barrel.  Then you run into the issue of if the gas port is drilled for a flush gas block installation or for a handguard end cap.  If you can hold out for them, I've got 1:8 twist 4142 chrome moly barrels coming.  Government profile, midlength gas, dimpled for the gas block installation, phosphated finish.  The barrels will be available separately or as a barreled upper, ready for your choice of free float handguards.  Ultimately, we'll be offering them with Fortis free float handguards, barreled receivers, or individually as parts.  

I've been looking are different barrels and might go for one that has the front sight/gas block already attached. I'll definitely look at those engraved uppers when they're added.

 

Until then I just have to wait to get home before I can craft a better reply.

I've been looking are different barrels and might go for one that has the front sight/gas block already attached. I'll definitely look at those engraved uppers when they're added.

 

Until then I just have to wait to get home before I can craft a better reply.

 

I've been looking are different barrels and might go for one that has the front sight/gas block already attached. I'll definitely look at those engraved uppers when they're added.

 

Until then I just have to wait to get home before I can craft a better reply.

you should look here.  For the price, performance, and specs, I challenge you to find a better barrel.  These have been getting fantastic reviews on ar15, snipershide and m4carbine.  I have a 16 and an 18 on builds and they've been outstanding for accuracy.

 

http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=3279