Help with upper for my new build

[sockaplayr9]

I'm a total newb so I appreciate any help!

I went shooting with some friends this past weekend and shot my friend's Sig 516 and fell in love. I can't quite afford one of those but have decided to build my first AR and have already purchased the PSA AR-15 Complete Lower Magpul MOE Edition - Black.

I need help building the rest of my rifle up. I would prefer a complete upper but would be willing to put one together if it meant getting much better quality parts at the same price. What would you guys suggest for an upper, bcg, etc?

I'm thinking of getting the http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/featured/m4-premium-16-cmv-chrome-lined-stripped-upper-without-bcg-or-charging-handle.html for $289 and separately getting the BCG and charging handle (have seen some that seem good on deals threads, from AIM surplus and some Spike's).

I also saw https://www.primaryarms.com/ATI-16-Complete-Upper-Half-p/atihd1001alpha.htm which is obviously more expensive but it's a complete upper with a Troy Rail for $449. I don't know the quality of American Tactical Imports vs PSA. Is this a good deal?

I would prefer getting an upper and having some kind of rail versus just the normal handle (like in the PSA premium kit). Can anyone make any suggestions on either a complete upper or what upper + bcg + kit + rail + etc you would get and from where so I could see the total? I'd say around $450 is my max for my upper. I would prefer to have some kind of sights in the $450 budget as well so upper + sights deal would be ok if you knew of any of those. I would be willing to go a little higher if it included a red dot sight or anything like that.


On a sidenote I saw this bag with magazines on sale. Is this a good deal? http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...and-a-bag.html


Once again thanks in advance for any help and I hope everyone is having a great christmas eve!

One thing I'd like to note is that I'm not sure if I need specialized tools to put together an upper? Is there a lot I would need? So would I be better off just going with a complete upper?

[sockaplayr9]

btw I'm actually located in AZ but was looking around the forum and the members here are really knowledgeable so I figured I would ask

[davidb]

i have the psa upper and really like it, ive only put 150 through it but it worked 100% and the fn barrel is a plus

thats probably the best price your going to see it at, i paid $350 when it was on sale a few months ago and think its well worth what i paid

[peter209]

If its up between those two I would go with the PSA upper. ATI is an american based company but they use a lot of foreign made parts that might not be up to par. PSA's reputation seems to be better, you just have to be patient when ordering anything from them. If you're looking for the best bang for the buck all around upper I would say go with this:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/complete-uppers/ptac-16-1-9-m4-ss12g2-upper-w-bcg-ch.html

My brother bought the same upper a while ago and he loves it. It shoots great and the finish is really nice. Plus, it comes with a very nice free float rail to start off with. It already comes with a bcg so you're gtg. They also make another one that's basically the same thing but with a YHM free float rail instead of the MI SS rail. You guys in AZ get all the fun stuff!

[prc77]

DANG I just spent $335 on a complete BCG yesterday.

[NiMiK]

Get the PSA as a foundation and upgrade from there.

[fmunk]

DANG I just spent $335 on a complete BCG yesterday.

That is insane. You should slap yourself silly for not paying attention to market prices. Even complete NiB BCG are back to normal prices and below at 160-ish.

[digdug74]

PSA, BCM, Daniel Defense, Rock River, Spikes... the list goes on. Plenty of good companies making uppers out there, really just a matter of finding one that makes a configuration you want.

As far as building an upper, it's certainly an option and not horribly difficult, however, you will need a few specific tools which, if you don't already have them, could push your total cost up bit. Also, unless you buy used parts or manage to find a number of really good deals on new stuff, a "pre-assembled" upper is almost always going to be cheaper. I've built a few uppers myself in every case, spent more doing so than I could just purchased complete.

[Spawn]

Get a Mega or Aero Precision upper, Legion or Black Hole weaponry barrel, BCM or Geissele gas system (length of system will depend on your barrel). Handguards are up to you: Daniel Defense, Diamondhead USA, Geissele, etc. And mussle devices are up to you.

[Arnelcheeze]

That is insane. You should slap yourself silly for not paying attention to market prices. Even complete NiB BCG are back to normal prices and below at 160-ish.

lol

[prc77]

That is insane. You should slap yourself silly for not paying attention to market prices. Even complete NiB BCG are back to normal prices and below at 160-ish.

JP Low Mass BCG nothing better out there.