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1/2/2013 9:25:56 PM EDT
Hey guys so I have a few lowers assembled and sitting around and have bought built uppers in the past but would like to make some on my own as well.

I see that BCM has stripped uppers in stock and was wondering what else I would need.

I was looking at making a 18" upper, 16" light upper, and 20" A2 style.  

Does anyone have any information about what parts to use to make quality uppers?  All help is greatly appreciated.

I guess what I am really asking is what parts will I need to complete stripped upper in order to attach them to my lowers and hit the range. :)
1/2/2013 10:09:56 PM EDT
[#1]
well you'll need

1) Stripped Upper but be mindful of what barrel you plan on using (if it has m4 feed ramps)
1b) Ejection cover Spring and Pin
1c) forward assist
***if your upper doesn't accept these then nevermind 1b and 1c

2) Bolt carrier group
3)Charging Handle
4)Barrel
5) Gas block and tube and pins to hold it (2 on gas block 1 for gas tube) and decide if you want to do a carbine, mid length or rifle length, also, you need to see what size gas block you will need, .625, .750 or .936?
6) Either a handguard or free float handguard
7) If you go with a regular handguard then you will need a delta ring and barrel nut, free float should come with all the componets to secure the barrel
8) Muzzle break and washer
9) Vise clamp block torque wrench and ar15 armor tool.

Its easy to buy a complete upper but its better to build one from scratch so you can custom tailor to fit what you want it to do or look, like if you want an A2 FSB or flat top or low pro gas block


if i missed anything someone should cover whatever i missed but thats your basic list
1/2/2013 10:20:54 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
well you'll need

1) Stripped Upper but be mindful of what barrel you plan on using (if it has m4 feed ramps) I have heard that m4 ramps are better for feeding is this true?  Would this be better in the 16" upper and 20"?  If I want a true A2 upper did they have m4 ramps?
1b) Ejection cover Spring and Pin
1c) forward assist
***if your upper doesn't accept these then nevermind 1b and 1c

2) Bolt carrier group
3)Charging Handle
4)Barrel
5) Gas block and tube and pins to hold it (2 on gas block 1 for gas tube) and decide if you want to do a carbine, mid length or rifle length, also, you need to see what size gas block you will need, .625, .750 or .936?  I think I will stick with mid length on my 16" lightweight and rifle length on the 20" how do i decide on the diameter of the gas block?
6) Either a handguard or free float handguard
7) If you go with a regular handguard then you will need a delta ring and barrel nut, free float should come with all the componets to secure the barrel
8) Muzzle break and washer
9) Vise clamp block torque wrench and ar15 armor tool.

Its easy to buy a complete upper but its better to build one from scratch so you can custom tailor to fit what you want it to do or look, like if you want an A2 FSB or flat top or low pro gas block


if i missed anything someone should cover whatever i missed but thats your basic list


1/2/2013 10:57:22 PM EDT
[#3]
as far as feed ramps, i couldnt compare as i've only had m4 feed ramps and honestly never had an issue...as far as the a2 with feed ramps i believe they had them but dont quote me on it....on your gas block, take a micrometer and measure the diameter where the gas block will go.  normally from what i heard, normal ar15 barrels will be .750 unless its a LW barrel which i believe are a little bit skinnier....i know my barrel come out of a flat top upper m4 feed ramp LW and measures .625 but to be safe just measure the diameter where your gas block will go
1/2/2013 11:06:48 PM EDT
[#4]
Thanks!  What is the difference between these two uppers?

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=stripped+uppeer

1/2/2013 11:09:14 PM EDT
[#5]
Actually as far as the M4 Feed ramps go, I want to say there pretty much pointless but it seems there becoming the standard.  I have to look around for a picture but I believe you can run barrels with M4 feed ramp into a "rifle" upper without M4 feed ramps and be fine, but you can't or shouldn't run a "rifle" barrel without M4 feed ramps into a upper with M4 feed ramps

Looking into the A2 more, i do believe you can get one with M4 feed ramps and it should be fine with 16" or 20" barrels

BTW i've attached this picture not sure where it came from as i've seen it everywherehttp://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b584/cmfarmer53/feedramps2_zps89b756f7.jpg
1/2/2013 11:11:28 PM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
Thanks!  What is the difference between these two uppers?

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=stripped+uppeer




Looks like the only difference is one is for M4 feed ramp and the other isnt at a glance
1/2/2013 11:26:24 PM EDT
[#7]
Ok great I'm gonna order the upper with the m4 ramps, seems solid.    Could you guys give advice as to what else I need to help complete it that can be bought from the same website?  Thanks in advance for the help, you guys are the best on the net!
1/2/2013 11:31:06 PM EDT
[#8]
give me about 10 minutes and ill give u links from that site you gave me



well i cant really tell you which items to get other than what i mentioned earlier i would say the ar15 armorer tool but hell i dont even see that.
1/2/2013 11:34:32 PM EDT
[#9]
^ Thanks man I owe ya.
1/2/2013 11:39:17 PM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
^ Thanks man I owe ya.


i can give you general ideas tho as far as some parts....barrel for example, try to get a barrel thats MP 1/7 twist rate and chamber for 5.56...chrome lined is nice as well  if you decided to do a carbine length for a 16 hit me up on a pm
1/2/2013 11:49:44 PM EDT
[#11]
Does the website have the rest of the tools to complete the upper?
1/3/2013 12:08:50 AM EDT
[#12]
might try other sites, aimsurplus, CTD, midwayusa, or local gun shop
1/3/2013 12:43:30 AM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
Thanks!  What is the difference between these two uppers?

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=stripped+uppeer



The upper that says M4 in it has the M4 cuts.  The one that doesn't say M4 doesn't have them.

Most 16" barrels will have M4 extensions (the end of the barrel that mates into the receiver).  Most 20" rifle barrels will not have M4 cuts on the receiver extension.  If you buy a 20" barrel, make sure to find out what extension it has.  A catch all is to order the NON m4 cut receiver as it will run both extensions without issue.
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