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Posted: 10/4/2013 6:23:35 PM EDT
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Hey all! I have been reading a lot here and trying to soak it all in. I am a knife maker on the side and figured it's time to make something else, like an AR. Before I start purchasing parts I wanted to clarify my thoughts and make sure I'm correct.
From reading all the threads I could find I keep seeing "a lower is a lower" and "an upper is an upper", and "all LPK's are pretty much the same as are UPK's". Stocks, grips and hand guards are a lot of personal preference and purpose driven. In the end it seems that the main things that affect accuracy are the barrel and the trigger and possibly the type of hand guard used (i.e. free floating or not.) My main goal is to build a rifle with good sub MOA accuracy. And there will definitely be more than one in the future. An SPR, varmint, and lightweight plus others. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that thinking. Also, I have a Colt 6920 that doesn't shoot so great that I have been contemplating swapping the barrel, trigger and hand guard on to make it more accurate. Is it worth it? Thanks in advance for any help and for this great forum of resources. |
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I wouldn't mess with the Colt factory upper, but, I would look at building a new upper that is capable of good accuracy. I'd start with selecting a good barrel. Noveske, BCM, Rainier Arms, Krieger, WOA, and a bunch of others make very accurate barrels. Then, choose a free floating handguard that you like, and pick up the rest of the parts needed to complete an upper (receiver itself, gas system parts, upper parts kit, etc)
And, there is some truth to "a lower is a lower", etc. Most of the AR15 receivers are made of 7075 T6 forgings. The only real difference is the logo on the side, and some are finished differently. Billet stuff, however, is where you see more exotic features like ambi bolt catches, etc. If I were you I'd build (or buy) a new upper, slap it on your 6920's lower, add a nice trigger, and shoot. |
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Thanks, that is definitely helpful. At that point would it be just as beneficial to sell the Colt and do a complete build? I have my eye on an upper and a lower and selling the Colt would make buying and building those possible sooner.
I have also been looking into most of those barrels and it's just a matter of finding one available somewhere. |
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The lower is just a box that holds the trigger group and if it's within spec it should be fine.
I got an upper/lower set off Gunbroker that came with an LPK...it was garbage. Keep in mind: buy cheap, get cheap. Buy from reliable sources. A good two stage trigger goes a long way towards accuracy. There are many available. I'm not up on them as mine are just hobby rifles. Do some research and read reviews. Learn from others, it's cheaper that way! 
Spend the money on a good trigger, barrel and bolt. Oh, and optics...need good optics... 
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Quoted:
Thanks, that is definitely helpful. At that point would it be just as beneficial to sell the Colt and do a complete build? I have my eye on an upper and a lower and selling the Colt would make buying and building those possible sooner. I have also been looking into most of those barrels and it's just a matter of finding one available somewhere. Don't forget about WIlson Combat AR barrels too, they are VERY high quality and they happen to have this one is stock right now. FYI - Wilson barrels are also dimpled which makes gas block install extremely easy. Wilson Combat 5.56mm 16" Stainless Barrel 1:7 twist I would definitely spend the money on a good barrel, trigger, rail system and optic/sights Trigger: I would highly recommend a Geissele, specifically the SSA-E Rail System: Geissele SMR rails, very high quality and the easiest system you will ever install (You don't need to time the barrel nut, just torque it down and you're done.) |
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That is the game plan for sure, I just wanted to make sure I was thinking right.
Good barrel, bolt, trigger and of coarse good optics. Already have the optics on another gun. I'm liking the Geisele SSA trigger and hoping to find a good 16 or 18" mid length match barrel from one of the companies above. Bolt will also depend on where it's available. Sounds like the Colt might go, which I'm fine with. |
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That's a great one, Thanks!
Quoted:
Don't forget about WIlson Combat AR barrels too, they are VERY high quality and they happen to have this one is stock right now. FYI - Wilson barrels are also dimpled which makes gas block install extremely easy. Wilson Combat 5.56mm 16" Stainless Barrel 1:7 twist I would definitely spend the money on a good barrel, trigger, rail system and optic/sights Trigger: I would highly recommend a Geissele, specifically the SSA-E Rail System: Geissele SMR rails, very high quality and the easiest system you will ever install (You don't need to time the barrel nut, just torque it down and you're done.) Quoted:
Quoted:
Thanks, that is definitely helpful. At that point would it be just as beneficial to sell the Colt and do a complete build? I have my eye on an upper and a lower and selling the Colt would make buying and building those possible sooner. I have also been looking into most of those barrels and it's just a matter of finding one available somewhere. Don't forget about WIlson Combat AR barrels too, they are VERY high quality and they happen to have this one is stock right now. FYI - Wilson barrels are also dimpled which makes gas block install extremely easy. Wilson Combat 5.56mm 16" Stainless Barrel 1:7 twist I would definitely spend the money on a good barrel, trigger, rail system and optic/sights Trigger: I would highly recommend a Geissele, specifically the SSA-E Rail System: Geissele SMR rails, very high quality and the easiest system you will ever install (You don't need to time the barrel nut, just torque it down and you're done.) |
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Heart of the rifle is the barrel, if your going cheap this is not the part to save $10. Next, ammo, cheap and bulk are fun but don't get the job done. Trigger, one stage, two stage or something else. Don't live with a bad one.
Most important is TRIGGER TIME. Part in red, know your rifle and its limitations. I won't shoot a high power match with my SBR and M193. That would be a waste of ammo and time. My 2¢. But what do I know
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Here is what I would do.
I'd put a SSA in the colt lower and put a B5 Sopmod on it. I would leave the factory upper alone. I would buy a M4 upper (with build kit), quality barrel in length and profile you want, BCG, charging handle, Free float handguard of choice, good set of low profile sights. Buld that upper and use it on your Colt lower. You will have the best of both worlds. A solid carbine upper to put a red dot on and use as home defense. Put a good scope and mount on the other upper and you can slap that on there and shoot for groups or hunt with it. I'd either go with a RECCE (accurate 16" mid length gas barrel with free float handguard and a scope and mount) or a SPR (18" rifle gas with free float handguard with scope and mount. You can dial in both uppers without fear of your zero changing. |
| I would never sell one of my guns, they are like family. If one of your kids needs braces, get them. That being said, your Colt is a good starting position and you could try a low pro gas block, a trigger replacement such as Geissele or Wilson Combat modular and a free float rail system. Colt barrels are pretty good in my estimation but every now and then you could get a bad one. |
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Thanks guys! I have been really torn about selling the colt. I think I might try throwing a decent trigger and free floating hand guard on it to see if that improves performance.
I do really want to build one so maybe a Recce or SPR style will be the build. I do load so a precision style AR will get reloads. Trigger time is something I need to find more of. |
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After searching I think I will lean more toward a Recce style with a 16" barrel. I really like the Wilson in the link above.
I also found https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=809 from rainier. It's made by WOA and chambered the way I would prefer. Do you guys think its worth the extra cash and weight? I really want to buy once. I also know I am no super marksman so if the difference is negligible I may go with the lighter cheaper Wilson. Thanks again for all the help! |
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Quoted:
After searching I think I will lean more toward a Recce style with a 16" barrel. I really like the Wilson in the link above. I also found https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=809 from rainier. It's made by WOA and chambered the way I would prefer. Do you guys think its worth the extra cash and weight? I really want to buy once. I also know I am no super marksman so if the difference is negligible I may go with the lighter cheaper Wilson. Thanks again for all the help! Either choice would be good. Personally I would lean toward the Rainier just because I am not a huge fluting fan. Weight should be close enough that it wouldn't matter. You will love the RECCE configuration. Mine is one of my favorites. |
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I went with this barrel on my build, and couldn't be happier!
http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Wilson-Combat-Match-Grade-Barrel-556-NATO-Tactical-Lightweight-16-1-8-Twist-Stainless/productinfo/TR%2D556LW16%2D18/ |
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