So where do I get what I want?

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Slateman

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I have decided I want an AR. Being a Marine, its what I'm most comfortable with.

I want a small barrel (prefer 16 inches)

I want 6.8 SPC but the capability of switching it out with a .22LR upper

I want a rail system (naturally)

I DO NOT WANT front sight post that is fixed. I hate that I can see it in my RCO on my M4. It bothers the ever-living crap out of me.

I would prefer for it to have a piston kit



So, does such a rifle exist? Where can I get said rifle? :)

EDIT - Edited the length. Thanks.
 
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14.5" in the civilian world qualifies as a short barrel rifle and requires you either get a permanently attached muzzle device of some sort to make it a legal 16" or longer, or going through all the hoops the ATF associates with SBRs.

Which is kind of a lot of pain for a 14.5" barrel, since if you add any kind of flash hider, muzzle brake, comp or whatever your overall length is probably close to 16" anyway.

Otherwise, there's not much complicated to getting what you're talking about -- various companies make 6.8SPC uppers, and there are a couple different options on 22 conversion.
 
I just purchased a 6.5 grendel kit (which is arguably much better than the 6.8) :neener:;) from j&t distributors. It was a really good price and people seem to like J&T. They have drop down menues that let you build it to your liking. I think the wait time on their kits is like 6-8 weeks though but thats no different than anywhere else. The hard part is getting a stripped lower at a decent price. I just happen to know a guy had one that really needed something that I have that no one can get right now. They can be found on gunbroker for around $200. They are worth about half that. Good luck!

lastly, before you commit to the 6.8 I suggest that you compare it to the 6.5 grendel. Almost everyone feels that the 6.5 is a superior round. Some believe that the 6.8 is amazing. I personally believe the numbers and data.

I doubt you will be dissapointed with the 6.8. Whatever you decide good luck and happy shopping.
 
DPMS panther carbine has an 11.5 inch barel with a 5.5 inch permanent flash suppressor, but has a fixed front sight. You could buy a low profile gas block to replace the front sight, then have a picatinny section instead of front sight. Buy a surefire M-73 quadrail for it, the quality is great. Of course the quadrail market is full of good examples, some better or worse.
A Stag model 3, add a quadrail to it, 16 inch barrel, standard on most carbines.
LMT Defender with gas piston has a removable front sight attached to a quad rail, and 16 inch barrel, very well built, and tough with a gas piston system, not direct impingement.
Im sure there are other models out there also.
 
I have been playing around with a 16 inch barreled 6.8 x 43mm.
I would not go any shorter. In fact I wish I had held out for a 20 inch A2 pattern. Obtaining more velocity is very barrel length dependent. Since I have been loading in a colder climate I am not obtaining any advertized velocities.

I had thought about the 6.5 Grendel which may be a better round as far as down range ballistics are concerned, however the 6.8 is being produced by more manufactures and ammo/brass is more available than the 6.5. Plus there may be some advantage to the 6.8 case (a reworked 30 remington) compared to the 6.5 Grendel which is a reworked short Russian case. At least as far as the AR platform and AR profile magazines are concerned.

That being said, I have serious doubts about either the 6.8mm or the 6.5 Grendel living up to their hype. Too much baloney has been made by pushing the loads from longer barrels or having a reduced rifling twist rate.

If I could jump in my time machine I would not have spent the money on the 6.8 and would have gone for an AR-10 size platform in 7.62 NATO or maybe even a 260 Remingtion.
 
if you cant find a piston drive that you like get an Osprey Industries , replacement kit. The best.
but lots of folks make a piston drive nowadays; dpms, remmy, bushy, patriot, smith/wesson , colt, and others.
 
Buy a complete name brand lower and order the upper made to the specs
you mentioned. There are many companies on-line that can do this. You
must be minimum 16" unless you use a permanently attached muzzle
extension as noted bringing it to that length --unless you want to purchase
the appropriate SBR tax stamp (follow all fed/state/local laws as they apply
in your area).
 
Other than the REALLY expensive barrett, LWRC is the only company that sells 6.8 piston uppers. In .223, POF is my choice. They were planning on bringing out a 6.5 upper, but i think that has been canned.


Any AR-15 type firearm is capable of switching uppers, so just buy a .22lr upper (spikes tactical is the best IMO) and push the pins..


Big question is; How much are you willing to spend?
 
Gave my gunsmith a lower and a check. Being new to the AR world I needed to employ an expert. The whole shopping for parts thing was annoying at best. For $800 (plus the cost of the lower) I get what I want from one of the most respected shops in the USA. Pain in the ass to waiting another 4 weeks but it beats piece mealing something together on my own.

Jim
 
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