Alexander Arms 6.5mm Grendel Gas-Piston Upper

[theoak]

I did some research online and know the pros/cons of a DI upper (less parts, more reliable) vs. gas-piston upper (cleaner); as well as the 6.5 Grendel (higher BC/more accurate) vs. the 6.8 SPC (more energy at close range).

After considering the pros/cons, I have decided to add a 6.5 Grendel to my collection and was thinking of the Alexander Arms Gas-Piston Upper. I read a write up on the AA upper in which they describe the "PWS" g-p design as being more accurate than other g-p designs.

Has anyone fired an AA g-p upper? Is the accuracy comparable to a DI 6.5 Grendel of the same length? Is it worth $1,700 for the upper alone?

(On a side note: I was surprised to see 6.5mm Grendel ammo at Cabela's)

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

No, it's not.

Here's a "6.5 grendel" complete rifle for under $1,250 (least, it "usedtocould" be had for that), which is cheaper both to acquire AND to shoot. AND, it's even more powerful than 6.5 grendel from its short barrel than from a longer-barreled grendel (unless you choose to load it down to equal 6.5 grendel), AND feeds more reliably, AND weighs roughly the same as the typical AR15:

http://www.dpmsinc.com/firearms/firearm.aspx?id=22

6.5 G and 6.8 SPC are *fantastic* concepts for the military and guys with registered AR15 / M16 MG lowers, as they can be controlled in full-auto, and pigeonholed into existing platforms/lowers. But, "dumbing down" to the AR15 platform for a rifle more powerful than a 5.56x45 or 5.45x39 is just not called for by civis without the benefit of ownership of a full auto lower.** Except just for spits & giggles. In my opinion.

**And except for 7.62x39 *IFF* it ever becomes cheap again.

Edit: Hmm, when you click on the actual "Build this Rifle Now" link to any of the rifles, EXCEPT for the .308s, they all say "this product cannot be found" - did DPMS stop production of the .243, .260, and 338 fed?!? If so, I hope that it's only a temporary thing! I'm wanting a LR260 (regular) to complement my LR-260 Light.

 

[theoak]

I thought about a DPMS LR-308, however the backorder is 1+ years.

I already have a PTR-91 and a Colt AR-15. I also have a LaRue 7.62 OSR on order.

I would take a .308 over a 6.5mm Grendel any day. However I like that you can add a Grendel upper to a .223 lower, giving you increased range/energy with the loss of only 4 rounds per mag.

Are there any cons to the 6.5 Grendel aside from ammo availability?

 

[JImbothefiveth]

the 6.8 SPC (more energy at close range).

I think the 6.5 has more energy no matter what the range.

 

[gvnwst]

I think the 6.5 has more energy no matter what the range.

I was thinking the same thing, the 6.5 has more ME, what is with all these people saying that the 6.8 does? It is a heavier bullet going faster, no downsides energy wise. IMO that makes it a better hunting cartridge.

To the OP, i personally would not get the GP upper, DI uppers can be very reliable, and since there is a mass moving above the barrel on GP, it should be less accurate. Plus, most of the piston system designs on ARs are not that great, they add a BUNCH of parts. (i like POFs, they add 1 part, and no extra springs. THey were planning on coming out with a 6.5 rifle, but decided to go with 6.8)

 

[theoak]

Here's the link to the story on the Alexander Arms g-p upper, which is supposed to be more accurate than other g-p uppers because of the "PWS system."

http://www.tacticalgunfan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=266&Itemid=70

I was considering adding a supressor at some point, and I thought that an adjustable g-p system would work better with a suppressor.

I have read the negatives on g-p systems in general (more parts, less accuracy).

The only negatives that I have read on the 6.5mm Grendel have been poor ammo availability, and that it's doesn't work well in belt fed machine guns (a negative in terms of its adoption as service round).

Aside from a g-p upper, is there any reason not to buy a 6.5mm Grendel upper? Would anyone take a .223 over a 6.5 Grendel if ammo availability wasn't an issue?