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Posted: 6/26/2008 1:02:55 PM EDT
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Hey everyone, I would just like to start off saying I am a long time reader of this site, and bought my first AR about 4 years ago, it's a Bushy m4 clone with I believe an A2 upper. What I would like to do it convert it to a flat top by building a new upper. I was initially just going to buy a complete upper assembly however after reading quite a few posts I think I would learn a lot more about my rifle by building it, and eventually I would like to build a complete second AR. I think have a pretty good idea of what I need, barrel assembly, gas block, complete upper (dust cover and forward assist installed, I heard it's not worth buying separate), BCG, charging handle, gas tube, BUIS, and hand guard, am I missing anything? Now time for my big questions: do the parts I need come with what I need to install or will I have to buy every single little part? ie roll pins, barrel nut, delta ring, etc, I have a set of standard (not free floating) surefire quad rail hand guards that I would like to transfer over, however I would like to go with a railed gas block, how does the hand guard cap mount to the barrel, the way it looks to me is that it is part of the front sight/gas block, however I have never seen a gas block/front sight with a hand guard cap. When I was trying to buy a complete upper assembly a couple sites told me that they would not sell to me because I was planning on using my own (existing) BCG. They told me that because of tight tolerances I would have to order a BCG from them, should I buy a new BCG for use with the upper I'm building? my current BCG/upper only has about 150 rounds through it. To me it just sounded like the sales guy was trying to make more money (and the sites I looked at were not big sites at all). Also does anyone have any experience with the VLTOR MUR? This what I'm leaning toward purely based on looks, however I am also leaning toward RRA based on the reputation I've read. And lastly, what tools, do I need? I've read punch set (don't know what sizes I need) and armor's wrench, anything else? thank all of you ahead of time for the help, and I'm sure I'll have more questions later on. UPDATE: After reading what I posted I realized that I didn't clearly state what I want to do. I would like to build a flat top upper, with 16in barrel, a railed gas block, carbine hand guards, and folding front and rear sights. Currently I have no parts for the upper other then a set of hand guards I will be taking off my existing upper. I also have no tools except the standard hand guard removal tool. |
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If you have an A2 and want to go to an m4: Buy a new or used CMT flattop Get an armorers wrench and upper receiver vice block + any decent, bench-mounted vice. Then just follow the instructions in one of our sticky threads on how to disassemble/reassemble (you may need special directions for the particular rail system you are using) If you are planning on using the same barrel, there is no need to get a new BCG or even bolt for that matter (although keeping a spare bolt on hand is a good idea). Even if you are planning on switching barrels, as long as it's new you shouldn't have any problems with your current bolt. Hope this helped, maybe a pic or more detailed explanation of what you're wanting to do would let us help you more... ETA: Just to clarify: Your current BCG would not be affected by a barrel swap (misleading salesman), but the bolt might be depending on the combination- new bolt + new barrel=fine, old + new=ok, new+old=ok, OLD + OLD = BAD(replace bolt w/new) |
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Most barrel assemblies will come with a FSB and a barrel nut; some like BM will sell the entire works...everything forward of the upper receiver. Just ensure what you are buying, completely stripped barrels are also offered. With incomplete barrel assembiles, you will need to get the delta assembly, gastube and handguards...gas tubes generally come with a pin. Not selling you an upper without also buying a BCG as well is a bit suspect regarding BS. |
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After reading what I posted I realized that I didn't clearly state what I want to do. I would like to build a flat top upper, with 16in barrel, a railed gas block, carbine hand guards, and folding front and rear sights. Currently I have no parts for the upper other then a set of hand guards I will be taking off my existing upper. I also have no tools except the standard hand guard removal tool. |
| Thank you guys for your help, I am planning this as a long term (within the next couple months) acquisition, and I will deffenitely keep my eye on this forum in the mean time. I will deffenitely look into the CMT upper, I've seen the name around, but I always see it associated with Stag, and I heard some not so good thing about stag, so I sort of just disregarded it, but I will look further into it. Just curious, but has anyone tried one of the VLTOR MURs, how does this compare to the CMT upper, or an RRA upper? |
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you have heard some "not so good things about stag"? That is the first time I have ever heard anything even close to less than good about Stag ( /CMT). I have found the Stag lowers and the Stag upper I have to be excellent. I bought them after I did my research here on this site and have read nothing but good/great things about Stag/CMT. I have often heard that (currently) Stag offers you the most and best gun for the money. I have heard that said both by dealers (more than one) and from posters here, and as far as I can tell from my expierences from my Stag products those people were correct!....<><....:) P.S. - I am also putting together another AR completely from parts now, and like you there is no definite timetable for the assembly. It is a fun project and so far I have obtained a stripped upper, port door, barrel nut, as well as a barrel and a few other small sundry parts. I am planning on using another Stag lower since my expierence with them has been great!!! Congratulations on you decision to put together an upper from parts and I hope we both have fun and enjoy doing so...best of luck with your project....<><....:) |
MUR is nice looking but twice as expensive as the CMT or RRA. RRA is made by CMT or another forge and is essentially the same thing. If I were you, I'd do it like this: CMT upper $100 Bushmaster barrel assembly $250 Bravo Company BCG $130 Forged Charging handle $20 That'd be a very nice complete upper, minus sights. You can always use a punch to remove the FSB and install a railed gas block. But why? |
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thanks for the help guys, I think I will scrap the MUR idea for this build and go with a CMT this time around. Maybe I'll use it for my next build, after all why spend the extra money for a project I may completely F-up. Just to pose another question in everyone else's OPINION what do you think is the best performing Upper receiver? |
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