AR build questions

[pikid89]

So i want to build an AR from the ground up and I think I want to do a dissipator.

What are my options for a barrel. I want either mid or carbine gas, and I assume I can get a carbine barrel with a FSB on it, but I want a normal sight tower out by the muzzle.

Does anyone sell barrels already gassed for carbine or mid, but drilled for taper pins out at the end for a mock dissipator? Or sell dissy barrels not on an upper?
My preference would be a lighter weight barrel, maybe not pencil, but close. No HBAR.

I know i can get a built upper from PSA, but i really want to do the build all the way

Any help would be appreciated

 

[dvdcrr]

I dont know much about dissipator barrels, but if you are willing to look at 16" midlength there is a ton of options, including free float handguards and gas blocks. My last build because bcg's were hard to find and because deltons are mpi and hpt I bought a complete upper and yhm customizable tube. I really like it.

 

[Scrubber3]

Why a dissipator?

 

[MachIVshooter]

To keep it simple and functional, I'd just do a 16" middy with a 13-15" FF hand guard, unless you're just sold on the A2 hand guard and front sight look.

We just did a 16" fluted medium DSA upper for my buddy with a UTG Pro 13" FF quad rail. He wanted to be able to affix a bayonet still, so we cut off the A2 front sight and milled the bottom of the hand guard to allow a bayonet. I don't have any pictures, but it came out pretty slick. He's just going to run MBUS sights.

I'm also running the UTG 13" on my 12.5" SBR:

 

[horsemen61]

Mach is that your sbr because it is awesome either way I love it must have one

 

[briansmithwins]

It's a lot easier to get the upper already built. I would do a mid length gas system on a 16" barrel. Mid length gas gets you a much softer shooting rifle that doesn't batter the parts as much. 16" gets you the ability to put whatever muzzle device strikes your fancy later.

The taper pin holes can't be pre-done. They are drilled and reamed with the FSB installed in a jig. Personally, I'd just buy the PSA unit.

BSW

 

[MachIVshooter]

Agree with BSW; if you really want an A2 dissy upper, buy it complete.

Mach is that your sbr because it is awesome either way I love it must have one

Yes, with the BCM 12.5" upper installed. I also have a 7.5":

 

[pikid89]

I wanted the rifle length MOE guards with the sight tower
like this

but w/o the eotech and in tan

 

[TrickyDick]

go to the bushmaster website. they sell barrel assembly kits, and that includes a dissipater......however, after a quick check, they're all Out of stock http://www.bushmaster.com/products.asp?cat=7

 

[briansmithwins]

I'd pass on Bushmaster uppers. They do stuff like using short FSBs and then installing a non-standard front sight that sticks out above the FSB ears. BM is also known for parkerizing after assembly of the FSB and front handguard retainer, resulting in rust under those parts from trapped parkerizing solution.

There are better (BCM, PSA) alternatives.

BSW

 

[SpentCasing]

Id try to grab one of these when in stock, if I were you.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/complete-uppers/16/psa-16-hammer-forged-midlength-dissipator.html

"Add to Compare" link shows these were last sold for $539.95 Optional Magpul stuff being extra of course.

 

[wally]

Why a dissipator?

So you can get the same sight radius as a 20" AR with the OAL of a 16".

Really helps these old eyeballs when I shoot irons, its the only AR carbine I bother with trying to shoot with irons these days, everything else has an optic of some kind. SUcks to get old, but I guess it beats the alternative