AR-15 build: chrome-lined 16" vs non-lined 20"

[Shear_stress]

I would like to celebrate my upcoming exile from the state of California with an AR-15 build. To quote Wilfred Brimley from the old Quaker Oats ads,"it's the right thing to do." I realize that assembling such a gun from quality parts will save me little, if any money. No problem. The opportunity to build my own rifle (or, at least, the lower) outweighs the negligable cost savings. It's the principle of the thing.

Though I cannot yet possess the evil, evil lower receiver, I can start accumulating the rest of the gun. After some research on forums like ar15forum.com, I think I have arrived at a good recipe:

1.) RRA lower parts kit with two-stage trigger
2.) A2 style stock
3.) Stag or RRA stripped lower (purchased in exile)
4.) complete A2 upper

I still am undecided on the exact configuration of the upper. At the moment, I am leaning toward Rock River Arms uppers because of their reputation for quality. Plus, new RRA products are very reasonably priced--on par with the used Bushmaster hardware I've seen for sale.

Ideally, I'd prefer the sight radius, smooth cycling, and reduced noise of the full-length barrel, but RRA doesn't make a chrome-lined 20" barreled upper. They do make a chrome-lined 16" barreled upper, however. Does the chrome lining offer enough of an advantage in durability and ability to feed lower quality ammo to drive the decision? If so, how much accuracy, muzzle flash, and "quietness" would I sacrifice with the shorter, chrome-lined barrel?

Thanks!

 

[geekWithA.45]

Keydokee.

Chrome lined barrels are a lot easier to clean, and generally don't require as much maintenance as plain steel.

Unless your name is Hathcock, or you compete at high levels, you'll never be able to quantify, much less miss the amount of accuracy you'll lose to the chrome.

Nor will you lose accuracy due to the shorter barrel. What you do lose is muzzle velocity, which in turn impacts your effective range. Incidentally, it's enough of a velocity loss that you can actually feel the difference in recoil.

.223 terminal performance is _very_ sensitive to muzzle V. Read here for the gory details: http://www.ammo-oracle.com/

AFAIK, chrome has no impact on ammo quality/feed reliability....out of spec ammo that doesn't want to go into the chamber SHOULDN'T.

Sight radius on 16"....hmmm...take a look into "Dissipator" uppers...these are 16" barrels that separate the gas block and sight tower, putting each where they belong. I love mine. Also, consider a flat top with a detachable handle. You'll thank yourself when it's time for optics. (That's the one thing I'll do differently next time around)

Noise difference? I can't tell. I'm half deaf anyway.

Muzzle flash difference? Not too bad, IMO.

Of course, if you're shooting wolf or silver bear, you should expect a 6 foot fireball every 5th round anyway.

 

[Gary G23]

If it were me I would decide 16" or 20" first, then decide on brand. Next I would decide on what chamber, 5.56 or .223. Some people say that if you want reliability and the ability to use a wide range of ammo get a rifle with a chrome lined 5.56 chamber.

 

[ny32182]

Fully chrome lined, and 5.56 chambered has the reputation for best reliability, safe use with the widest variety of ammo, greatest durability, and ease of maintenance.

Personally, I'm no longer clear on what Rock River offers as "standard equipment". They once didn't make chrome lined barrels; now people say that they do, or you can special order them.

Common wisdom says that unless you have a specific reason to *not* pick 5.56 and chrome lining, then that is what you want. Most people with RRA's are very happy with them, but if they don't make what you want, you might consider other manufacturers. I have a 20", 5.56, chrome lined Bushy that is a fabulous example of an AR; in fact it is even better than some other bushmasters I've seen. But my point is that if RRA doesn't make what you are looking for, someone else does.

 

[Shear_stress]

Thanks for the guidance on this. The way I framed my questioned was a little constrained by brand. It's just that Rock River Arms products are so reasonably priced for their quality. Going Bushmaster on the upper would solve my quandary, but their stuff seems to commmand a high price on the new and used markets. There are a ton of other folks out there turning out AR-15 uppers that would fit the bill, but, being new to this, I'd rather stick with one of the "name brands" for my first build. Plus, a lot of the "store brand" uppers aren't any cheaper than the ABCRRA units.

As I said in my first post, I'd rather have the full, 20" barrel--more sight radius (except for the Bushmaster Dissipator mentioned above), less noise, and smoother cycling. It also has more of a traditional USGI look. Chrome lining would be a plus, should my finances have me buying ammo like Wolf.

Still, if the 16" doesn't really have measureable drawbacks, I would be willing to try one of those if it meant getting a handier rifle with a chrome-lined barrel.

 

[Onmilo]

In affordable barrels I have always had good luck with Bushmaster/Quality Parts Company chrome lined barrels and excellent accuracy with Olympic non chrome lined/ stainless steel barrels.
5.56 chamber standard is the best for general use.
.223 chamber is great if you intend to shoot commercial ammunition only and also plan to reload.

I always have used Bushmaster Bolts and Bolt Carriers and have yet to see one fail.

I have been using Evolution Gun Works flat top uppers with excellent results.

Yellow Tavern Arms and local company Prairie River Arms make excellent small parts.

Rock River triggers are the two stage general use trigger standard by which all others are judged. HTH

 

[Shear_stress]

A Bushmaster assembled upper would be great if I could find a good deal. Most of the ones I've seen used on the ar15forum equipment exchange cost nearly as much as new.

 

[TheDutchman]

Shear_stress sounds like a good build however I would like to have a Few extras on mine. I would add a 16inch 1/7 chrome lined barrel, YHM 2 piece hand guard, with a YHM Phantom 5C2 Comp. Also I can not live with Hogue Grip or Viking Tatical sling.

 

[Commissar Gribb]

the bushmaster barrel I have has exceptional accuracy IMO. Their stuff is superior to the colts and armalites I've used.

 

[another48hrs]

Bushmaster offers a chrome lined 20" govt profile barrel in either 1/7 or 1/9 twist. I like your list, but personally I would build one with an a3 upper and buy a detachable a2 carry handle. This way if I wanted to use any optics I could just take off the handle.

 

[Shear_stress]

Though it starts to deviate from the classic look, I also thought that a flat top and detachable carry handle might offer some good flexibility.

Anyone know where I can find reasonably priced new Bushmaster uppers for sale? For used, maybe I should put a "want to buy" ad in the Trading Post section.

 

[homeka45]

eagle firearms has rra uppers for $429, a 16" 1/9 chrome lined mid-length 5.56 A4 flatop no-ban

gandrtactical has cmt/stag no ban uppers for $475 delivered, 16" M4 profile 1/9 chrome lined carbine gas system, A4 flatop no-ban w/ B/C/CH, same thing at eagle firearms for $429, w/o shipping.

I went with the stag lower and rra LPK and I was seriously looking at the RRA mid length but I found a low round count colt upper. I'll probably go w/ the rra upper for my next build on another stag lower I have.

Good luck w/ your planned build.

 

[Shear_stress]

After some more research, I've really warmed up to the idea of RRA's 16", mid-length handguard upper. This configuration seems to strike a good balance between sight radius, gas port placement and weight. A couple of places offer these with the chrome plated bore option for a very reasonable price (as low as $449 shipped!)

Time to abuse my Visa card.

 

[Gordon]

Jacks Black Rifle Shop offers the Wilson 16" chrome lined M-4 spec barrel A2 hider mounted on a RAS numbered Mil Spec wide feed ramps (ala m-4) F.N. reciever for $350 . $130 more for a military spec Bolt and carrier head spaced and numbered. Only way your gonna get better is a Lewis Machine Tool or Spectre or Colt unit. Personally I'd put it on a Colt lower with a cleaned up stock trigger, but there are other nice lowers with STOCK triggers.

 

[homeka45]

Seems like more people are getting into the mid-length gas systems with their better gas pulse, longer life for components and more rail and sight room. I recently ordered an RRA SS mid-length 16" barrel and am gathering parts for my next build. I haven't built an upper before so we'll see how it goes. Building these things can be addicting.
BTW credit cards are just so abusable.

 

[BillL223]

I started with a BM 16" V-Match and it served me well. After some experience and about 4000 rounds, I re-barreled with a Wilson 20" cut to 18" by EGW. They treaded the barrel and added their "Race' comp. This was an improvement for my application which is 3-gun shooting. In general, chrome barrels are not as accurate as conventional barrels. Does this matter? Not unless you are competing. If you are going to build your own, build the upper also to your preferences. Its not rocket science and you only need to purchase a few tools which can be used in the future once you have caught the AR bug.

 

[Shear_stress]

Hah! Today, I sent a cashier's check to Legal Transfers LLC for a RRA mid-length upper with the chrome-lined option. Pete made me an offer that I couldn't refuse.

The lower receiver will have to wait a couple of weeks before I establish residency in the gun-friendly state I am moving to. I'll keep you posted.