braincramp on selecting an upper....

Torn between four options for a replacement upper. 50-600 yards would be the limits of my intended use, with the vast majority below 300 yards. It'll wear a SWFA SS 3-9X42. Target and hunting primarily. That said, I'd likely never carry it for more than a few miles.

Give me some selective mojo Arfcom, as I've been deliberating all weekend and the only conclusion I can come to is that I enjoy good bourbon more than any man should.

NM upper reciever, sent to ADCO for a medium contour, a standard A4 20" upper in a Daniel Defense 12.0 Lite Rail, a standard 20" stainless upper, or a stock T carbine upper.

I can't make myself go below 20" in .308 WIN.

The 6.8 or .458 SOCOM come out for shorter than 20" work.

So, just FYI and anyone that gives a rat's hinnie:
I HAVE NEVER SEEN AN ARMALITE AR-10A4 {double hand-lapped, chrome lined}
NOT TO BE ABLE TO SHOOT UNDER 1" GROUPS @ 100YDS.
I've gone through four (4) of them. The latest, pic below, my brother shot 3/8" 5rd groups recently.
Earlier he had shot 5/8' & 7/8" groups.

He was the one that taught me how to shoot. He is legally blind
without his glasses. I later earned this the Smith-Barney way:


Out of the two, 20" sent to ADCO.

If'n it was me, AR-10A4. Toss the the A2 handguards and add $80 ARMALITE FFHG
w/gas block spacer and Vortex FH. I'll loan you the barrel nut tool and split beam torque wrench.
Nothing like a Precision Instruments split beam torque wrench.

Looks like this:


I'm 54 and make sure that I take out the 24" AR-10T from 1999 twice during deer season on the 550
acre farm that we hunt on.

Or, go 6.8 and don't be late.

An excellent post and reply, thank you.

I'm convinced on the 20" barrel length. I also happen to have a standard 20" A4 stainless steel upper on backorder through the Armalite Holiday Sale. They overextended the inventory by one (me.) I was going to cancel it and order one else where but you've convinced me to instead order a $80 handguard with it. Not 100% sure of the contour of the 20" SS A4, but I'm hopeful it's "medium." Regardless, I'll have it sent to ADCO for a beadblast so I'll have them spin on the handguard. That should treat me right. Pretty affordable too all things considered. $650 complete upper + $80 handguard....not bad.

What BUIS do you have on there? Not sure if I want any, but I like how compact they look on yours.

Hokie, I have this one http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=U10TCBF&Category=8be021dd-3f84-4aca-bfa1-afcb5ddcc9ba
Use it for hunting, and out to 600 yds. I went with the Pride Fowler 3X9 compact, although being FFP the ret. can get kinda hard to see on the lower power range near dusk.

All ARs in the house have Troy rears and GG&G front flips w/ARMALITE gas blocks.

Ooops, middle daughter's 6.8 has a lo-pro PRI gas block w/YHM FFHG front flip. Weird but neat kid at 20yrs old.

I vote for the T Carbine. In my opinion, if you are going to accept the weight of the 20" gun, then go all-out and get a 24" barrel and you can shoot that thang out to half a mile! Since your range is limited to 600yds, I think the carbine would meet your needs. Having said that, I can't fault you for following the advice of DaveS.

Enjoy your new acquisition!

Multi-Tool

I just ordered a 20" A4 upper w/ the Armalite FF tube and PRI gas block. Pretty psyched!

DaveS, I essentially have the exact same upper being built this week. A4 w/ FF Aluminum HG. I'm substituting the standard gas block for a PRI so I can use a pair of standard Troy BUIS. I'll have a rail on the bottom only to accomodate a bipod when I want it.

Re: the weight. I'm not getting psychotic and forensic trying to save ounces on a 10lbs gun. However, I'm a big fan of balance. I have a CTR stock and an Armalite tube w/ H3 buffer. Thinking of trading it for a standard stock, perhaps a UBR if I want to spend even MORE money. Do or did you find the gun as pictured front heavy w/o the UBR?

Sorry that I am late. Bunches of stuff going on.

An A1 or A2 stock would be just fine. Hell, the standard stock on my factory built 24" AR-10T from 1999 feels fine.

The UBR may nudge the balance factor more in it's favor but a true A1/A2 stock is much less expensive, not as heavy and perfect in
it's own right. I think a complete kit is @ $90 or so.

I no longer do "half an MRE/day/team and all the water you can find". The adjustment factor of the UBR is great
for the weather swings in mid-north Georgia. But I have never felt aggravated/awkward by the standard stock
in any of my AR-10s since 1999.

EDIT: I understand that Maine is another planet.

EDIT II: I can send a rifle length tube and carbine tube along with
an A1 or A2 stock and even an UBR for you to check out fit and balance.

All I ask is that you don't shoot with them if you don't have a standard AR-10 rifle buffer/spring
or Slash kit for the UBR.

EDIT da-da-damn III: I am so tired.
Hey, my FFL doesn't charge me for xfers. I will send my factory
complete AR-10T lower from my 24" T (ARMALITE NM trigger} AND the UBR lower in the pic
{G SSA trigger} if you will cover S&H and insurance. Shoot the hell out of them all you want.
Then send 'em back.

You are a generous man Dave, thank you for the offer.

My FFL would hit me with a $35 transfer fee. Add in the shipping and I'd likely better off with a "safe" gamble with an A1 or A2 stock. As much as I'd love to, at this stage of my financial existence I don't have the disposable income to invest into a UBR / Slash buffer. I suppose I could shove a cleaning kit up the AR10's rear if I wanted a little more weight.

I find the length of pull a big deal. You are spot on re: Maine. Fall / Winter reduces your LOP by at least 3-4", sometimes 5". I think an adjustable would be a better fit but I could likely live with a full length stock.

I could sell or trade the CTR as well, which would help offset the expense.

Of course....I guess I shouldn't bitch too much about the expense of an AR10 - given the price of 308 ammo

And here she is:

20" infantry bbl, Armalite FF tube w/ bottom rail, PRI gas block, Troy front/rear BUIS, Magpul UBR w/ CAR-10 buffer/spring, Magpul MIAD, Armalite 2-stage NM trigger, and SS 3-9X42 HD w/ BOBRO. Range time scheduled within a couple weeks. Can't wait.

Everything I need and nothing I don't. Special thanks to DaveS for his advice.

Adorable. Got her out to the range yet?

In a couple weeks. Damn job, fam, and civil obligations really bog down my BRD.

I have stated in many posts that ARMALITE GREEN/O.D. is my fav...

But, The Little Black Dress will & has never gone out of style. Very nice.

I keep telling him that he needs a 24 inch 10T upper for that thing.

Knowing my BRD, I'm sure it's just a function of time!

The one in front is calling your name:

Copyright © 1996 - 2013 :: AR15.Com LLC :: All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.