Looking to put my AR together via Upper + Lower... which would you buy 1st? 

I'm looking at the Rock River National Match... I'm debating on which piece to buy 1st, and looking at you guys for your .02..

 

Obviously the upper is more expensive but I have the cash now, and I have a gunsmith buddy that can build me a del-ton lower for about 200 cheaper than the RRA.  My crazy ass mind says then hey, I can buy the rock river later AND have 2 AR's   one for me and one for ..well me   a 20" then a 16".

 

What's your .02. 

Thanks

-P

I always start with the lower first. Since that is the part considered a firearm it takes the most amount (not much) of effort to aquire. You will find that DELTON is not really regarded highly here. I have a DTI upper that's excellent. But its your build and do it how you want. RRA isn't talked about too much either with BCM and Daniel Defense comming up more frequently with top tier AR conversations.

If the upper that you want is available now, I would get that.  Lowers you can find in stock pretty regularly now.

The upper you want might not be available next week. Buy that if you can. Lowers are generally more available and less critical for the application you want the weapon to serve. Meaning a lower is a lower but the upper can be purpose built. And honestly don't pay your buddy to put together a lower. It literally takes 30 min if you've never done it before.

You stated a RRA National Match, are you planning on shooting the National Match Course? In Match Rifle or Service Rifle?  I would carefully consider the short term and long term uses you plan for your first AR.  If you are planning shooting the NM course then I would check the rulebook to make sure of your category and that  your rifle meets those requirements of the category your shooting in.

 

If more for something else, run and gun, plinking, etc., you need to put a little thought into your requirements.

 

RRA is not discussed on this board much because there are not a lot of NM shooters any more.  At my club participation is down more than 50% from the old days.

 

The RRA NM Service Rifle is one of the top contenders on the NM shooting circuit.

You stated a RRA National Match, are you planning on shooting the National Match Course? In Match Rifle or Service Rifle?  I would carefully consider the short term and long term uses you plan for your first AR.  If you are planning shooting the NM course then I would check the rulebook to make sure of your category and that  your rifle meets those requirements of the category your shooting in.

 

 

^^^ This.  You can avoid a lot of headaches by researching ahead of time.  I had some issues getting a rifle that was both Service Rifle legal AND NJ legal.   For example:  most NM uppers come with the A2 flash hider, so you need to special order a target crown.  You can't make them NJ legal by pinning a brake on because Service Rifle rules do not allow muzzle brakes.   Service Rifle rules also specify straight 20rd box magazines, so you'll need to find straight 20-rounders that are pinned.  It's a hassle.

If the upper you want comes with an A2 flash hider you should purchase that first. The reason to purchase in that order is to avoid being in violation of the NJ Assault Weapon Ban. Taking possession of the lower first would mean you need to have the flash hider removed, and have a compensator pinned/welded on prior to taking possession of the upper. Even without assembling your upper and lower, you are guilty of possession of a non-compliant firearm.

Thanks guys!  Couple things..

1) a friend of mine turned me on to this specific one, and it is an Assault Weapon Ban specific upper.  So no beyanette nut, suppressor etc.  I'm looking at the A4 upper, then I'll order the 14x1/4x.040 sights/handle.  I'm piecing it all together, unless I can sell a few things I've been trying to move then I'll get the lower asap as well.

 

2) It's not so much I'll be shooting NM, as an ex-military guy I enjoy the art and skill of shooting from distance.  I've been blessed enough to be able to chew some dirt and be pretty good friends with some skilled guys. 

 

Thanks everyone!  I'm really enjoy ing this place.

 

-P