Posted: 4/3/2012 5:41:45 AM EDT
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Hey everyone,
OK, I realize this isn’t the AR forum, but though I’d ask my fellow Georgians for your inputs on this. Looking to build up / buy a new AR upper. I keep going around 3 options, and my OCD may be flaring up and I’m over-analyzing the issue, so wanted some outside reality checks and opinions. I want a ‘good’ quality 18” 5.56 upper, something that’ll go good at the longer range. I’m waiting for ATF to get my SBR stamp back, so instead of a 16” I’m thinking 18” (or even 20” if it’s the right thing) to make this more of a SPR vs. a more standard general purpose. This will give me my SBR as my ‘lightweight’ rifle and this as my ‘long-gun’. I’ve come down to 3 options: Option 1. Buy a ‘custom built’ upper, though I’m expecting they’re using mid, maybe even lower end parts. I found a few JSE Surplus has, and the price isn’t too bad. But I’m not sure how the quality of the barrels would be for working my way up to better ‘precision’ shooting as I progress. Option 2. Build it myself. I’m pretty mechanically inclined, and have the required tools needed to properly build the upper. This option would probably be me buying a basic upper with a WOA, Spikes, Black Hole, Yankee Hill or Daniel Defense barrel, and then adding (probably) a Daniel Defense BCG. The price is a little more than the above, but I’m probably getting better components. But I am a little (probably unwarranted) leery about pairing different brands together though. If you like this option, do you think any of these barrel brands are GTG or would you recommend one? Lastly would be buying a full upper from one of the manufactures. One that jumps at me is a Stag Arms 3GH. That’s pretty much the exact rifle I’m looking to build. The advantage is it’s a full build with same-manufacture components, and probably better quality barrel than option #1. But it’s the most expensive, about $800. I’m trying to stay about $650-700, and less is always good. But if it’s the right way to go I’m OK spending a little more. I’d rather spend a little now & not be looking to upgrade anything major for quite awhile. What’s your thoughts on the above? Will the JSE ‘custom’ builds be just fine? Am I better off just building it myself and don’t worry about mixed brand components? If what do you think of the mentioned barrel brands? Or is the best option to bite the bullet & buy the Stag? Is the Stag going to be something I can use for quite awhile & as I learn more & hone in my rifle skills? Are there other brands in the same ballpark of price (or a little less) that you’d consider a good 1st rifle I can grow into as I get better without upgrading too much? Or am I just completely over-analyzing this thing & any of the 3 are a perfectly good option and I need to shut up, flip a coin and move on. Lastly is the whole 5.56 vs. .223 Wylde question. I’ve read up a lot on this, and unless I'm missing something it really seems to be a “6 to one, ½ dozen to another” issue. If I want to shoot .223 and 5.56, is either one going to work just fine? If everything I’ve read is accurate the 5.56 will shoot 5.56 a little more accurately than the Wylde, but is this something I’d even notice? Is this question a non-issue? If not which chamber would you recommend? Thanks everyone. I appreciate any help or input you can provide!! 
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Buy the 20" upper listed here. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_7_159/975830_Larue_Stealth_and_OBR_Lite_Uppers.html. And be done with it. It's a little more than what you want to spend, but this is a $1200 upper with a $100 AAC can mount, and he is asking $915 shipped which in my opinion is more than fair. It is also currently owned by one of the most respected members of the GAHTF. I would purchase with confidence. You can't go wrong with a Larue upper. If I hadn't spent all my fun money on training I would have already bought this upper. |
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This one is pretty nice for $799 (if they ever get it back in stock):
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XAIMLW18&name=AIM+18%22+SS+LW50+.223%2f5.56+Upper+Receiver&groupid=586 
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| I went with option 2 on my GAHTF Lower build. I used one of the few GA-15 matching uppers with an 18" WOA SPR barrel in .223 Wylde and BCM BCG. I cheaped out a little with a YHM free float handguard that has a continuous top rail but only 3" rails at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. It has a look that I like and met my needs. I think I have about $600 in the upper. |
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Thanks for the info guys. Haven't made a decision yet, but leaning towards option #2 and building it up myself. But we'll see.
Medic, thanks for the link to that LaRue. I do like that upper and it definitely seems like a fair price. But I just can't put that much into it right now.. I'm pushing even going to $800....  But, I am going to think it over some more.
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i'd be glad to build you whatever you come up with if you dont feel comfortable building it yourself. i've done 20+ rifles so far and for me i'm better off waiting for deals to come along and build them myself. for the budget you're talking, i dont think you could outdo the Larue upper for sale, but i also understand money being an issue. if you're looking for a cheaper solution, then a WOA barrel would be a good decision. ive used them before and they are good stuff.
as far as the chamber issue, 223 wylde has the throat cut to accept 556 without losing accuracy with 223 ammo. you are NOT going to be shooting for accuracy with 556 ammo anyway, so dont worry about getting a 556 chamber over anything else, its a moot point. if you plan on shooting to the utmost capability of the rifle, you are going to spend big bucks on precision loaded or handloaded ammo, so the 223 wylde chamer worse well in that you can plink with 556 if you can find it cheap enough. i plink with the tula black box 223 russian horseshit that comes from wally world because i cant afford to spend the money on $.50 a round 556. |
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My first build was a varmint rifle. I used a RRA 1/8, 18" bull barrel. Free-floated the barrel with an inexpensive but well-made, two-piece DPMS vented free-float tube. Rifle's a tackdriver; however, since I built that rifle, a friend of mine bought a RRA Predator Pursuit with 20" barrel. RRA uses the same barrel on the Predator Pursuit as on their NM rifles. Friend's rifle shoots at least as well as my bull-barrel build, but weighs a lot less.
If you want to build, I'd suggest getting either RRA or anybody else's match barrel in the length that you wish. Don't know where you heard that 5.56 is more accurate out of a 5.56 chamber than through a Wylde chamber, but that's just b.s. If you're going to build a long-range AR, PLEASE buy a real variable scope with a little power and not a Rambolista ACOG, etc. 
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