AR second upper questions

[critter]

I have an AR and want to buy a second upper. Will I need to purchase a COMPLETE upper with bolt and carrier OR will the bolt and carrier that is in my current upper likely fit (or will it have to be fitted and headspaced to the new upper)? If it needs fitting and headspacing, I would rather have a complete upper.

Second part. What is the likely best manufacturer choice for an upper and probable cost (in round number range) for an upper much like an original military era upper?

Thanks guys.

 

[ShaiVong]

I think that there is no headspacing required for bolt assms on AR15's, once the barrel has been properly installed.

If you want quality I would suggest Bushmaster.. If your willing to wait, and want slightly more bang for your buck, I would suggest Rock River Arms.

 

[ny32182]

There shouldn't be any headspacing issues if the barrels are installed correctly (headspace at the shoulder), however, I would recommend that you buy a complete upper.

The upper, carrier, and bolt tend to "wear into" one another, and the higher the round count, the more this effect is seen. Mixing and matching parts like that has been known to cause some problems in certain cases.

 

[AR-10]

You would do best to buy a complete upper with bolt and carrier. The bolt and carrier "mate" to the upper. Switching parts around between uppers will cause premature wear on all the parts.

Bushmaster lists most of their uppers in the $500.00-$600.00 range.

 

[MiniZ]

Good advice given on getting a complete upper.

I've seen them run from $450.00 on up for NIB.

You may want to consider getting an upper from the same manufacturer as your complete rifle, to ensure a finish match.

Otherwise, Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt, RRA, DPMS, etc. all offer quality uppers, and most have configurations to suit anyone's taste.

 

[Amish_Bill]

For complete ease, simplicity and reliability, the complete upper is the way to go.

Bolts and barrel extensions do wear into each other. While you can get away with swapping one between two uppers, the more you shoot the less it is recommended.

Bolt carriers and upper recievers will also wear into each other, but the contact surfaces are flat and sliding, not complex and sliding/rotating. Swapping a carrier back and forth between uppers is not too big a deal.

Now, for the practical side of it.... unless you will only shoot your rifle very little, I'd recommend against sharing the bolt. Between the reduced wear of not swapping parts, one can back up the other as an emergency spare. The carrier isn't very expensive, and it is mildly annoying and somewhat dirty to swap. With the complete bolt/carrier assembly only making about $100-$120 difference when buying a complete upper, I would get it. Besides, it is always easier to complain to a manufacturer about a misbehaving product if the entire assembly is theirs. (on the off chance you have a problem)

Brands.... Bushmaster, Armalite, Rock River, DPMS are all good. You can get a decent to good deal on some DPMS and Rock River products through CMMG - I've talked to them and bought from them before - good people.

Be aware of what you want and what you've looking at. Comparing one vendor's stainless match barrel with another's unlined plain steel barrel or chrome lined rough duty barrel without understanding the differences may push you to a "less than perfect" purchase decision.

 

[Jack19]

If you want quick shipping on Rock River products, order from Pete at Legal Transfers.

Great guy.

 

[critter]

Thanks for the great advise guys!
Will look for complete upper.

 

[Redlg155]

Ahhh..but soon you will think, "hmmm..she sure looks lonely there all by herself. She really needs a lower to be with!"

Good SHooting
Red

 

[444]

".......... an upper much like an original military era upper?"

You don't mention what you have now, but such an upper isn't something made by many companies. I am assuming you are talking about a 20" very thin profile barrel with triangular handguards such as on the M16A1. Or you may be talking about a slick side upper receiver with no forward assist ?
One place that sometimes has these is http://www.sawlesales.com/
Theirs are used, but you can get an M16A1 complete upper for $259 I believe.
However, this presents some problems: these uppers would be pre-ban which can not legally be mounted on a post ban receiver. I don't know if your lower is pre or post ban. Another thing is that the pivot pin would not fit if you lower is not a Colt. This can be easily remedied with an adapter pin but makes take down a little more difficult.

 

[j.wise]

Redlg155 is SO right. After you look at that upper all alone, and think of its uselessness without the shared lower, you'll just HAVE to go out and get a new lower to match it. The good thing about ARs is that you can buy as you go, and pick up the pieces to make the new rifle as you get the money.

Currently, I also have one more upper than lower, so I'm in the market (again.)

 

[Amish_Bill]

two quick points...

A real M16 upper will fit ALL AR clones and some Colts. (Only some Colt rifles had oversized takedown pins - M16's have always had properly sized pins)

There are only two parts of a complete M16 upper that will cause you pre-ban/post-ban grief. The lug & threaded flashider. Both are easy to remedy.

You can use a dremel, file, hacksaw, etc to remove either the locking wings or the entire lug. As long as you cannot "mount" a bayonet with the lug, it doesn't mater how neutered it is.

Take off the flashider and get a CavComp. This product usually comes with a hole pre-drilled in the side, a small pin and a matching drillbit. You just have to spin the comp on, get it linedup, use the drillbit to extend the hole a short distance into the battel's threads, then drive the blind pin into the hole to permanently bind the comp to the barrel.

You can come up with an awfully sweet "post-ban" M16A1 clone this way.

 

[444]

You are of course right Bill, on the M16 upper. I was thinking more along the line of buying something like an SP1 upper rather than a military upper.

Yes, you could certainly modify the upper to post ban configuration. I personally would choose another route (especially since I have the appropriate lower to put it on without modification).

The main point is that without more information on exactly what he wants or what he has at present, we can't make any good recomendations on what to buy, or where.

 

[Amish_Bill]

So true...

Step one - Identify your Target...