Well here it is guys Im building a AR I think Im going to go with 5.56 I really want 6.8 but ammo is not readily available wich is a big concern I reload but this will be a SHTF/ranch gun pretty much in my truck needs to work when I need it... I have a choice right now between CMMG uppers because my buddy owns Nor Cal Black Rifle Gear and getting a deal or going with a Bushmaster m4a3 patrolman upper for around close to the same price the bushmaster is around 40 more or so... Any opinions on what is better more relialble??? I am new to the AR game and need some help thanks!!!
ar 15 upper opinions...
- Thread starter chriso
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10-Ring
Member
get the cmmg -- the $40 would be a few mags worth of ammo!
Z-Michigan
Member
IMHO not much meaningful difference between CMMG and Bushmaster uppers. I think the quality differences would be smaller than either company's variance from one unit to another, and I'm not even sure which company I would claim is higher quality. CMMG gets you a teflon coated receiver, which is nice, though not important. I'd probably save the $40 and take the CMMG.
As for caliber, I think 6.8 SPC is great on paper, but it's hard to find and expensive when you do find it. I think 5.56mm makes more sense for SHTF/ranch use.
As for caliber, I think 6.8 SPC is great on paper, but it's hard to find and expensive when you do find it. I think 5.56mm makes more sense for SHTF/ranch use.
briansmithwins
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I've got one complete upper from CMMG and a stripped barrel from them too. I'd take the CMMG upper over the Bushmaster even if it cost more.
CMMG uses the right F FSB instead of giving you a non-standard tall front sight like Bushmaster does/did to bandaid the fact that they were shipping FSBs the were too short for a flat top rifle. CMMG also got other details right too. BSW
CMMG uses the right F FSB instead of giving you a non-standard tall front sight like Bushmaster does/did to bandaid the fact that they were shipping FSBs the were too short for a flat top rifle. CMMG also got other details right too. BSW
No opinion on the uppers as I do not use either. As to the calibers, 6.8 is a flash in the pan, it is quickly becoming an orphan caliber. It looked good at first but when the military did not adopt it it was not adopted by the public and so it has no real following.
longdayjake
Member
6.8 does have quite a following. It has more of a following than 6.5 though I would argue the 6.5 to be superior. They both have quite the following, but not the ammo availability. Good thing about 6.5 is that brass can be made from 7.62x39 brass and the bullets go all the way up to 144 grains. That beats the .223 by almost 3 times the weight. However it is probably best to stick with 129 grains and under. Now to your question. I would buy cmmg over the bushmaster any day.
Z-Michigan
Member
A couple comments. I have two Bushmaster flattop uppers and both of them have the correct height and type of front sight base. It is not stamped "F" but it is the correct height and shape, etc. etc. Both guns sighted in just fine with carry handle rear sights, without the front sight post being adjusted outside of its normal range (on one of them without the front post being adjusted at all).
You can go back on this very board 5-6 years ago and read innumerable posts where people talk about various brands of AR (most no longer seen) and call them junk, and say get an Armalite or Bushmaster instead. In fact, quality ARs used to mean ABC - Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt. There are lots more quality options today, but I do not see that Armalite or Bushmaster have gone downhill at all.
And FWIW I have a CMMG upper on order, so I have no dog in the fight.
On the caliber war, I expect 6.8 SPC and 6.5G will be available for a long time, in the same way that .257 Roberts, .260 Remington, .220 Swift, the various Weatherby calibers, the short and super-short magnum calibers, etc. are available. In other words, at Cabela's, at a really, really well stocked gunshop, or via mail order to a warehouse like Midway. I do not expect to see any of those at Walmart or Bob's corner bait shop and post office, now or in the future. Availability means different things depending on your usage and level of commitment.
5.56mm/223 routinely uses 75-77gr bullets these days. So 6.5G has it beat by, at most, not quite double. Just nitpicking I know.
You can go back on this very board 5-6 years ago and read innumerable posts where people talk about various brands of AR (most no longer seen) and call them junk, and say get an Armalite or Bushmaster instead. In fact, quality ARs used to mean ABC - Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt. There are lots more quality options today, but I do not see that Armalite or Bushmaster have gone downhill at all.
And FWIW I have a CMMG upper on order, so I have no dog in the fight.
On the caliber war, I expect 6.8 SPC and 6.5G will be available for a long time, in the same way that .257 Roberts, .260 Remington, .220 Swift, the various Weatherby calibers, the short and super-short magnum calibers, etc. are available. In other words, at Cabela's, at a really, really well stocked gunshop, or via mail order to a warehouse like Midway. I do not expect to see any of those at Walmart or Bob's corner bait shop and post office, now or in the future. Availability means different things depending on your usage and level of commitment.
5.56mm/223 routinely uses 75-77gr bullets these days. So 6.5G has it beat by, at most, not quite double. Just nitpicking I know.
sarduy
Member
i vote for the cmmg because i'm a cmmg owner 
Well Im going to end up getting the bushmaster as I have more of a wait for the CMMG and hear good things about both today I went and got a magpul CTR stock some mags a MBUS flip up rear site I plan on running a EOTECH well see how the front site works out what should I be looking for in terms of height with the front site as mentioned earlier??? If the front site doesn't work out ill go with a low profile gas block rail system and a MBUS front site...
Z-Michigan
Member
The Magpul rear "BUIS" should work with the standard front sight base.
Magpul CTR stock comes, IIRC, in both mil-diameter and commercial-diameter flavors. I think the Bushmaster would have a commercial diameter buffer tube, but I'm not certain. Might want to check on that and which size CTR you got.
I have an Eotech and while it's pretty good (and is unique in some ways), I suggest you also take a look at Aimpoints. Each has pros/cons and I don't know what's better for you, just make sure you've looked at both before you buy.
Magpul CTR stock comes, IIRC, in both mil-diameter and commercial-diameter flavors. I think the Bushmaster would have a commercial diameter buffer tube, but I'm not certain. Might want to check on that and which size CTR you got.
I have an Eotech and while it's pretty good (and is unique in some ways), I suggest you also take a look at Aimpoints. Each has pros/cons and I don't know what's better for you, just make sure you've looked at both before you buy.
mcdonl
Member
Chriso.... Have you already started buying parts?
I only ask, because I was able to purchase new, complete for about $350 less then I would have paid for the parts. The uppers and Upper Assemblies are expensive.
Over at AR15.com someone recommended if it is your first AR, as it was mine... to consider new.
Just a thought...
I did not get the best gun, but I got a great shooting DPMS, with 2 30 round mags new in box for $799
I only ask, because I was able to purchase new, complete for about $350 less then I would have paid for the parts. The uppers and Upper Assemblies are expensive.
Over at AR15.com someone recommended if it is your first AR, as it was mine... to consider new.
Just a thought...
I did not get the best gun, but I got a great shooting DPMS, with 2 30 round mags new in box for $799
Maverick223
Member
I am not a AR-15 expert by any stretch so I will not make any comment on the brand...as far as caliber I would take 6.5G over 6.8SPC hands down. I think I would stick with 5.56 before going with 6.8 because it really has no place IMO.
Z-Michigan
Member
The buffer tube or receiver extension is a fixed tube that is screwed into the receiver and inside which the buffer moves back and forth. Mil-spec buffer tubes are slightly smaller diameter (0.03" IIRC) than commercial spec; also a mil spec should be a forging and a commercial spec is an extrusion (typically). A buttstock intended for a mil-spec tube won't fit on a commercial spec tube because of its larger outside diameter. A buttstock intended for a commercial tube will fit but be loose and rattle on a mil-spec tube.
I have not mic'd the buffer tube on my recent Bushmaster purchase but it appears to be commercial type from its shape. See this reference:
http://www.magpul.com/pdfs/technotes/ctr/buffertubeid.pdf
http://www.magpul.com/tech/ctr.html
If you find that you have a commercial diameter tube, AIM Surplus is selling mil-spec diameter tubes for $20.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/DSA_Inc._6-Position_Buffer_Tube.html
Z-Michigan
Member
OK, I'm slapping my forehead now for missing the whole point. YES, the buffer tube attaches to the lower, not the upper, and any AR-15 upper you buy will work regardless of what kind of buffer tube happens to be attached to the lower.
Sorry for the confusion, for some reason I was thinking you were buying a complete rifle instead of just the upper (even though I understood your question when I made my first post). So I'm going to go disappear now...
Sorry for the confusion, for some reason I was thinking you were buying a complete rifle instead of just the upper (even though I understood your question when I made my first post). So I'm going to go disappear now...
TurboFC3S
Member
Go with the CMMG, no doubt. They make top notch stuff.
6.8SPC is pretty cheap to reload for. I just got 1000 pieces of once fired brass off Gunbroker for $160. Just recently saw SSA ammo on Sportsmans Guide for just about 80 cents a round too, so it is getting a bit cheaper. Components are cheap too, just bought a 20" and 18" barrel along with 2 matched bolts from Bison Armory for $390.
6.8SPC is pretty cheap to reload for. I just got 1000 pieces of once fired brass off Gunbroker for $160. Just recently saw SSA ammo on Sportsmans Guide for just about 80 cents a round too, so it is getting a bit cheaper. Components are cheap too, just bought a 20" and 18" barrel along with 2 matched bolts from Bison Armory for $390.
Also check out AR Performance. He is pretty active on 68forums.com and in development of the platform in general. One thing to keep in mind with 6.8 is you need to get a barrel with the right chambering and twist specs for best performance, especially with hot loads. I just got what they now call the Recon upper and couldn't be happier; great barrel, exceptional build quality, very fair price. I had to wait 6 months but that was because he was ramping up production; I think the wait now is considerably less.
carbinero1
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I second ar15performance.com. I bought a 6.8spc upper from him, and he will be offering 5.56 as well. Top notch at price competitive to anything decent. I would choose his over CMMG anyday (I rolled the dice and lost with them), and over BM as well.
As far as 6.8spc, I've NEVER had a problem getting ammo from SSA or Palmetto. Everytime I order, they deliver. As far as "Flash in the pan," it is the 21st century version of .243win, 7.62x39, and .30-30, let alone the archaic Roberts and Savage calibers. In fact, lots of guys who plan on getting a .308 battle rifle decide on 6.8 AR-15 instead. Check out www.68forums.com
As far as 6.8spc, I've NEVER had a problem getting ammo from SSA or Palmetto. Everytime I order, they deliver. As far as "Flash in the pan," it is the 21st century version of .243win, 7.62x39, and .30-30, let alone the archaic Roberts and Savage calibers. In fact, lots of guys who plan on getting a .308 battle rifle decide on 6.8 AR-15 instead. Check out www.68forums.com
carnaby
Member
6.8 is here to stay. With the advent of the Spec-II and DMR chambers, and slower twist rates, 6.8 rivals 6.5 any day. The only thing keeping 6.8 back is ammo price. If we can cut the price by 25%-50% we will have a winner. I think this will happen, as every major AR15 manufacturer offers a 6.8 rifle.
PandaBearBG
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- Aug 3, 2009
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6.8 has it's place and does it's job exceptionally well, distance accuracy, effeciency. However I suggest you get the 5.56 just because of availability. You can get it almost anywhere (maybe not at Walmart b/c they dont really sell rifle ammo anymore, well at least around here) I even stopped at Bass Pro last week and they were literally 40% out of ammunition, (rifle/pistol) or sorely lacking in quantity or variety from 22lr to 338. 6.8 can be cheap if you are an efficient reloader, but for you since you say this is a truck gun, 5.56 (or .223 in a pinch) is the way to go, you can get mags/ammo readily available on the road, state to state, borrow your friends if things get tight. 6.8 if its avaiable and not every place has a cabela's and I doubt you will keep a large quantity of reloaded ammunition in your truck. Just my $.02
carnaby
Member
You can always get ammo online at www.ssarmory.com. They specialize in the stuff and I've rarely known them to be out of stock. The more folks buy 6.8, the more readily available will be the ammo, and the price will come down too. Just doing my part to flog the 6.8
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