Help me decide on first AR upper

[smakbiam]

Looking for some help deciding what upper to go with. I'm leaning towards the Gov Profile 14.5 mid with mid length gas made by BCM. However there are some killer deals on DD uppers that have CHF barrels. My budget is ~$500-600 and open to any quality manufacturer of uppers.

This will be my first AR. The intended use will mostly be Varmit hunting so ruggedness, repeatable accuracy and weight are my priorities. I'd like to hear opinions on the DD 14.5 CHF heavy. Is it too heavy for all day carry? Optimally I'd like to keep it ~ 7lbs, w/o glass. My lower is the PC complete for reference.

Thanks all,

mike

Edit: purchasing today!

[dieselpower]

I have a 14.5 HBAR carbine gas, and love it. A sling is a must for all day hunts. Even after a whole day I can still snap shot on a dime. There are some who find a full day of HBAR tiresome, I do not. Now a 18-20" Hbar...sure I can see that getting a bit much after 10 hours of hiking.

Mid gas is a nice feature in your two choices...thats a hard call. Post what you decide to go with and the reason you are going that way.

[gmcal]

A gov profile might be a bit more rigid than a lightweight barrel helping with accuracy. Free float forearm would also help.

[smakbiam]

Now a 18-20" Hbar...sure I can see that getting a bit much after 10 hours of hiking.

Agreed, buddy of mine has a 18" Hbar, definately not optimal for all day carry IMO. This was the main reason for skipping over 16" and straight to 14.5", significantly less weight and still plenty accurrate out to 100-150m.

[chsk9]

16" BCM REECE

[smakbiam]

16" BCM REECE

Sorry for my nub question, what's a "REECE"?

[gmcal]

Sorry for my nub question, what's a "REECE"?

There is a specific set up used by the military, or there was at one time not sure if they still use it.

In general people refer to a RECCE as a 16" stainless barrel, low profile gas block and 12" free float rail.

[smakbiam]

In general people refer to a RECCE as a 16" stainless barrel, low profile gas block and 12" free float rail.

Thanks gmcal.

About to pull the trigger on this one. Going with the mid length gi system over carbine for a slightly longer but hopefully smoother cycling when firing.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BCM%2DURG%2DMID%2D14&CartID=1

Options being added are BCM A2X attached and BCG/Charge handle

[gmcal]

It's a good choice but if you go to smartgunner.com you can get a chf barrel for about the same price. Just an FYI, I went with BCM also and love it.

Since you're going with 14.5", remember it's more difficult to change to a rail system later on if you want to. It can be done but the muzzle device will need to be ground off and then a new 1 pinned on by someone that knows what they're doing. Not sure if you know that or not.

[dieselpower]

also you are stuck with a fixed 10rd magazine build with the A2X flash hider while in CA. you can use the 30rd mags and disable the mag lock when out of CA.

other then that great choice. you will be very happy with that upper. You can put a rail system on, but your gas block must be either cut off and a new bolt on one used, or the FSB milled off and a railed FSB is used. I have seen both done several times.

[gmcal]

Good points. I forgot about those.

smakbian, this may help:

http://www.03designgroup.com/technotes/ar15-upper-receiver-weight-comparisons

[smakbiam]

Thanks for all the help guys.

Here's what I ended up purchasing.

Daniel Defense (Build Your Own) Custom Lite Rail Upper Receiver Group
Daniel Defense Cold Hammer Forged Barrel: 14.5" 1:7 Govt Profile Mid Length Gas System


Choose a Gas Block: Daniel Defense Low Profile Gas Block


Choose a Rail System: AR15 Lite Rail™ 9.5 FSP (Carbine)


Choose a Flash Hider: Standard A2 Flash Hider (Included)


Daniel Defense Extras:
Bolt Carrier Group, Complete, F/A, HP & MPI Tested
Charging Handle Assembly

Free shipping and no tax!

[gmcal]

Sounds like it will be a great upper. Do you already have sights, will get some later on, or going optics only?

[smakbiam]

Sounds like it will be a great upper. Do you already have sights, will get some later on, or going optics only?

No glass in the near future for this one, keeping it simple with fixed iron and perhaps carry handle.

Sunday - I hear ya, but I think the 18" would have been overkill for my needs. Most of the varmitting i've done was from within 100m or less, ruggedness and weight took precendence over 200m+ accuracy for me.

Anything that's out over 200m is what I have the .308 and glass for.

[Noah3683]

Thanks for all the help guys.

Here's what I ended up purchasing.

Daniel Defense (Build Your Own) Custom Lite Rail Upper Receiver Group
Daniel Defense Cold Hammer Forged Barrel: 14.5" 1:7 Govt Profile Mid Length Gas System


Choose a Gas Block: Daniel Defense Low Profile Gas Block


Choose a Rail System: AR15 Lite Rail™ 9.5 FSP (Carbine)


Choose a Flash Hider: Standard A2 Flash Hider (Included)


Daniel Defense Extras:
Bolt Carrier Group, Complete, F/A, HP & MPI Tested
Charging Handle Assembly

Free shipping and no tax!

Not to rain on your parade, but you may want to call asap to edit your order. Tommy is a pretty good guy to deal with so it shouldn't cause an issue. That is the wrong rail for your setup, you'll want the lite rail 12.0 if you want the micro gas block covered. 9.0 if you don't care that it's exposed. the rail you selected is for a carbine with a traditional front sight. It will look very off. If it's a fixed sight you are wanting, you need to change the gas block to the FSB, and go with the lite rail 9.0 Also you might want to consider upgrading the flash hider to the yankee hill phantom (pinned) as it will save you lots of money and frustration later. The standard A2 flash hider isn't long enough to make the total barrel length the minimum legal 16" and it must be "permanently" attached to the barrel as well.