Cheap Pistol Upper - where to find old parts, barrels.

I just bought two spikes lowers and I don't have any serious plans for the second. In the meantime I think it would be cool to try to piece together a cheap pistol upper.

I'm not looking for anything pretty, or even new. Just want to piece together the cheapest upper I can with a short barrel.

Any thoughts on where I can find a crappy used barrel? Other parts? I've been on the EE quite a bit but I have to figure there are cheaper and very old barrels out there.

The cheapest I can figure with new parts is ~$100 for a Delton barrel, ~$100 for a DSA complete upper, and a $30 gasblock. Not to mention the BCG, but I could share that with its friends. I'm not willing to do it for that price.

Frankly I am thinking the uglier the better!

I am sure plenty of you hate this idea so feel free to click the back button on your browser. Nothing to see here.

i just built my pistol for 500 bucks using parts from the EE, some spares I had, and a new samson evo rail it can be done, but you have to watch the EE like a hawk to catch the best deals

What about gas tube, delta ring pack barrel nut and handguard/ or FF tube. You would want another bolt, at least, for the barrel. You can share the carrier. I've seen complete uppers on sale for around $325.

Just pick up one of the JSE complete uppers. I got mine for just under $400 to my door.

It has been 100% so far

Hey guys the OP has already said he is not willing to spend $230 for it. Why are you posting 4 and $500 options?

SHOWBOAT-HK, you can't find what your asking for. Sub $400-500 AR pistols are simply not there, it's like a $1000 Rolls Royce, look all you want you just won't find it.
At the cost your willing to go I recommend looking at Hi Point.

If DSA sells 16" complete uppers for $250 then how is this not possible? (No BCG I know)

I just need some guidance to where I can find used barrels.

Perhaps the gunshow this weekend... Always lots of junk there.

First the DSA 16" is not 250 it is 265 and it is not complete you need a BCG and a CH so add another 128, for the shittiest available. That is $393 for a complete upper, not 250.
Second the 16" barrel is the most common barrel available and there for the most made with equals the cheapest. The DSA 11" upper in the same configuration as the 16" is 275. or 403. complete. That in itself should tell you something.

You will not piece together a complete pistol upper, ready to shoot, for less then $400+.

The best I've seen with shipping included is $385.94 from JSE

Inexile, you are incorrect. DSA has a middy 16" upper for $250 It is non-fluted. I know because I own one, and just bought it like a month ago.

I said in my post I am not concerned with a BCG. Since I am hoping to make a total clunker POS of an upper, I'm not going to buy an additional BCG. I'll just swap from the others.

Regardless of all that, my question is about used parts. Somewhere out there has got to be a AR-15 junkyard.

Where do worn out barrels go?

Oh, and Palmetto State Arms has BCG with charging handles for $110. And they are not shitty at all, they are MPI bolts and all that good stuff.

cheap barrel.... the chromoly is cheaper by $10, but out of stock.

cheap upper .....assembly not included, but all the parts are there.

barrel nut

gas block

pistol gas tube

my math gets me right at about $223 (fitting) add shipping, and a couple bucks for a gas block roll pin, you'll have a cheap, beater, 7.5" pistol upper. no forearm, or flashider, but I know I personally have a couple of those just laying around.

Well then there ya go. A 16" pistol. Most worn out barrels are thrown away or used as tent/tomato stakes . I don't know of anyone, and I hope there is not anyone on ARFCOM that would try and sell a worn out POS barrel. I would hope we all have a little more class then that.

Good luck in your hunt.

And they said it couldnt be done.

Super helpful post. Thank you!

Oh and: Assembley? We don't need no stinking assembley! ...Or badges.

Cheaper Barrel

So you weren't willing to do it at 230 but 223 is OK?

Cool thanks Coldbore. Might have to go with that.

Went to the gunshow today and found one pistol barrel. Why are gunshows so expensive? In MI anyway.

Yep, that is standard pricing for a upper if you build it with extra or swapped out parts. Hell, I could build a complete AR for $118 with the extra/swapped parts I have. That would be a new upper and lower @ $59 each.

Try to order all your parts from the same place to combine shipping. That could tack on 30 bucks easily if ordering from 2 or more places.

I would still get a new bolt for that and just swap it in and out of the carrier when you switch. I've seen them for ~ $40 but I'm sure you can find it a bit cheaper. My experience with a 7" barrel, and from what i read, is you need a bit more tension on the extractor. You might not need this on you other AR's. That would be worth the $ not to strip the bolt each time but YMMV.
Good luck on your build and let us know how it turns out.

Gunshows. I know your question was rhetorical but I'll vent a little. A lot of it is the "get it now attitude" plus no shipping costs. I buy my lowers for around $60 but if somebody in town was selling one for $100 I would buy it. I pay $60 + $10 shipping + $25 transfer + wait a week and have to drive to get it, bah. Unfortunately, places around here want OTD $140. I could buy 2 online for around that price, shipping and transfer is the same for me.
What amazes me is at the GS I've been to a lot of the sellers high prices are the same for the same item. You would think they would walk the show and try to compete for more buyers. That said, I normally only walk out with reloading components and targets

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