Building an Upper

[hystad]

Just bought a stripped lower last weekend. Its a really nice unit. http://www.tacticalinc.com/t15bdx-bi...er-p-1082.html

I am now in the market for an upper and was wondering if it is cheaper to buy one assembled or to put one together yourself. I am sure someone has already done the leg work and priced this out. There are a few places out there that have uppers in stock in the $750 range. This is a bit pricey for me plus you have to take what they have.

What do you guys think.

[hamster]

I think the calculation is that unless you plan on putting together 3 or more uppers that it's cheaper to buy a complete one over buying the specialized tools.

[rabagley]

Looks like a nice lower.

First thing, I would sign up to get notified when the BCM upper groups come back in stock:

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-16-Mid-Length-Upper-Receiver-Group-p/bcm-urg-mid-16.htm

And then I would read and read some more. Answer and then ask some more detailed questions. Do you want a rifle length or mid-length upper (you don't want a carbine-length upper)? Is this for SHTF, plinking, varmint, target shooting?

If you get notified that the BCM upper is in stock and you haven't decided on a different upper, jump on the BCM.

[dieselpower]

If you can find someone with the tools, its cheaper to build it yourself, but not by that much unless you get all the parts from one place to save on shipping cost or you buy used. Buying used is sometimes very cheap and you can assemble the whole thing for $400ish.

[nicoroshi]

Like rabagley suggests:
Know what you want it to do before you decide on anything.
It would be cheaper IMO to buy a complete upper than build one. As hamster says you'll need some specialized tools to build one, and check it so it's safe (i.e head space gauges at ~$28 a piece. Torque wrench, AR tool/ barrel nut tool, etc).
I decided to build mine for two reasons (actually three).
1. I wanted to hand pick the parts for my upper (barrel, comp, rail system, etc)
2. Complete uppers were back ordered till almost next year when I was looking.
3. I just love to build things, and I wanted the satisfaction of saying, "I built this myself".
This being said i think the first move is to decide what kind of shooting you want the rifle to do.

[hystad]

"Please Note: High demand items like, Standard Capacity AR15 Magazines, Bolt Carrier Groups, Upper Receiver Groups, etc, will sell out again in only minutes."

The BCM is pretty much what I was looking for. Armalite has similar pricing. I was looking for a 20" barrel.

I guess I'll be using it for plinking and varmit (I live on a small ranch).

I would like a good lower that does not have all the bells and whistles. I'll add those later. What fun is there if you can't modify it. I think I am just going to order one complete when my wife is out of town.

[rabagley]

Okay, 20" barrel means rifle-length gas system. This is good, as it will be smooth and reliable (mid-length is also typically smooth and reliable). 16" barrels with carbine-length gas systems are a PITA. The link I sent you to was for the mid-length uppers, so be sure to sign up to be notified for the rifle-length instead.

About the BCM upper availability, yeah, it's a tough market right now. Demand is outstripping supply by a healthy margin. If you are close to your computer and read your email regularly, the BCM uppers are some of the best and aren't expensive for what you get.

If you want one (I certainly do), be ready with your CC and jump when you get the email.

[gemini1]

I was also wondering about this. Since its a PITA to find a complete upper at reasonable price, would it then be possible to get a bare barrel and all the parts to complete an upper and have a smith assemble it? I wa think of doing this and then maybe get a gas piston instead of a DI, wonder how much Addax will charge for the service?

[Vinz]

Its like $400 and some change for a GPU upgrade.

Keep your eye out for parts they are ou there just just have to be on your toes.
Email this guy, he usualy has a way of finding parts you may need. He always comes through.
Luis @ lcgarparts@att.net

vinz