best bang for your buck AR upper (preferably complete)

[bhhacker]

I am in the middle of an AR build. A friend of mine sold me a lower for a screamin deal. While searching thr i have seen a few "cheapest" ar build possible upper and lower questions but...

I would like the best bang for my buck. What kind of advice do you guys have? I dont mind spending a few extra bones if its a huge difference than say the 240$ uppers.

I am looking to have this be a plinker and may even take it hunting (will buy a different upper for that later) but it does need to be robust as it will be a southeast alaska gun.

Thanks for your time and I look forward to all of your input.

 

[kimbershot]

palmetto state armory always has specials on their uppers. you can check every couple of days and they usually run holiday specials.

 

[wbrown609]

JSE Surplus usually has some complete uppers ready to ship at good prices. As stated above, PSA also has some good deals.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

I can't attest to their quality but I thought I saw a Cabella's ad for a Bushmaster at under $700 today. Yeah vague. That flyer is in the trash under the fish thanks to my OCD wife.

 

[Warp]

Bang for buck?

PSA
S&W
Spikes

 

[Mot45acp]

BCM lightweight middy.

 

[stsimons]

If you order a PSA better be prepared to wait a month to get it. I swear I have no idea why they list items as being "in stock" when they can't ship them for 30 days because they are being "manufactured". Go figure...

 

[Quentin]

Bang for the buck has to be PSA. During their Labor Day sale I got their $280 midlength upper. The BCG was about $135 and charging handle $15. Slap it on your lower and add a rear sight. They've had this sale a couple more times since then. No doubt they'll have a Black Friday sale.

My upper came within two weeks, but after this election, who knows.

 

[mljdeckard]

PSA, Bravo Company

 

[Girodin]

It is IMHO when PSA has their patrol rifle package sales. They are the FN barreled guns plus an aim point pro for $999. That basically means the AR its self is $600. This is a seriously good deal.

Another good option would be a PSA upper with a BCM bolt carrier group put on a lower you have put together to your liking.

PSA often has good sales (although I really wish they would have another $49 stripped lower sale). I actually almost bought a 6.8 upper once just because of their sale price.

If it was meant to be a duty, hard use, or primary defensive gun, then BCM might be the best bang for the buck.

If you order a PSA better be prepared to wait a month to get it. I swear I have no idea why they list items as being "in stock" when they can't ship them for 30 days because they are being "manufactured". Go figure...

I bought from PSA relatively recently and it shipped withing the 15 day window that they quote you.

 

[Welding Rod]

20" BCM Gov. w/ plastic handguards.

 

[madcratebuilder]

PSA runs sales on uppers that are around $280 less BCG and CH. It's a 15-20 business day wait to get a FN 1-7 chrome lined barrel, parked under the FSB. F marked, pinned FSB, A3 upper. I received two this week and they are well made uppers. I can't buy parts and assemble for that price.

CORE15 has mil-spec BCG's for $120, Nickle Boron coated BCG, charging handle and hammer package for $200.

I've never been a fan of coated BCG's so I thought this would be a chance to compare a coated and non coated BCG side by side in new identical uppers.

 

[bhhacker]

Im seeing some cheap 11 inch barrels...how are those even legal? I thought they needed to be longer than that?


Forgive me if thats a dumb question

 

[MachIVshooter]

Im seeing some cheap 11 inch barrels...how are those even legal? I thought they needed to be longer than that?

If they have a permanently attached 5" flash hider, they're title I legal for rifles.

If not, then they're pistol or SBR uppers. Title I if used on a pistol lower, title II and will require form 1 & $200 stamp if used to make a short barrel rifle.