Building a new AR-15

[Bullfrog213]

Can't decide on a upper lol what is your all's opinion on these?

http://karrisguns.com/kg-defender-Elite-5-56mm-Rise-rifle-upper-bundle.aspx

http://sionicsweaponsystems.com/store2015/16/133-patrol-three-e-ur.html

http://graniteridgeoutfitters.com/A...ngth-Barreled-Upper-Receiver-APPG600231P7.htm

Or waiting for a PSA CHF/Premium upper.

If the upper doesn't come with a BCG I would pair it with a Toolcraft Nickel boron most likely.

Prefer a 16 inch barrel mainly looking for a 0-500 yard gun. Highly open to suggestions, budget is about 500 for a upper

 

[KYregular]

Are you looking for a complete upper? I have always built my own by piece, but you cant go wrong with Aero precision. Still the best rail for the money, nice uppers and lowers. Check out their enhanced uppers if you do.

 

[Chuck R.]

My last build was an Aero Upper & Lower, matched with a Larue PredatAR barrel and Rubber City Armory low mass competition BCG with adjustable gas block and ligt buffer. Very, very, pleased with the Aero upper & lower.

Chuck

 

[KYregular]

My last build was an Aero Upper & Lower, matched with a Larue PredatAR barrel and Rubber City Armory low mass competition BCG with adjustable gas block and ligt buffer. Very, very, pleased with the Aero upper & lower.

Chuck

They have some great complete build kits on sale from time to time.

 

[LoonWulf]

Of the uppers listed id go with the Aero, but were i buying id probably get this.
http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-...per-with-bcg-ch-mbus-sight-set-516447488.html

honestly i prefer a longer barrel than 16" but any of those should be capable of 500yds with little effort.

 

[MistWolf]

Sionics offers top quality ARs and parts and back everything they sell with professional and courteous customer service. You can bet Sionics will get all the details right, such add proper assembly methods, gas port diameter and so on. Buy with confidence

 

[jad0110]

I'm finishing up a build using an Aero Precision upper, without the forward assist. To that, I went with a Faxon 16" mid length pencil barrel. Haven't fired it yet, just waiting for the weather to cooperate.

 

[Everready73]

Sionics is by far the best of what you have listed.

 

[imashooter]

Side charger.

 

[Jackal]

Out of those choices, Aero.

 

[WestKentucky]

Buy your bits and build your own exactly how you want it. For 500 bucks your getting decent parts off of a shelf assembled and sent to you. For the same money you can buy whatever barrel you want, put on whatever rail you want and come out better than 500 bucks, or with a better finished product. My most accurate and most reliable upper is assembled mainly with Doublestar parts.

 

[WestKentucky]

What I would buy in a short barrel. If I were buying an assembled upper.
https://star15.com/16-bull-barrel-standard-flattop-upper-1-8-twist

 

[Bullfrog213]

How hard is it to build a upper? I don't have any tools for that

 

[GunnyUSMC]

How hard is it to build a upper? I don't have any tools for that

Only a few tools are needed, but if your only going to build one or two, it's best to find a friend that has the tools or just buy the upper.
I have bought a lot of stuff from Delta Team Tactical. They sell kits and complete uppers. They also will custom build the upper for you. They have great customer support and stand behind everything they sale.
The last upper I bought from them was a 556 pistol upper with a 7.5 inch barrel. It cost me $150. The upper receiver was a blem. The T marks were not clear in a few slots. Check them out and if you have any questions give them a call and ask for Glen.

 

[greyling22]

How hard is it to build a upper? I don't have any tools for that

If you build it with the traditional m4 upper you need a special wrench, if you use a free float rail it will either come with a wrench or use a standard wrench or something. I really like the utg pro rails.

 

[WestKentucky]

For just a single upper, or even a few (5ish) I would be inclined to buy a cheap Ebay setup. For about 25 bucks I got a lower vise block, upper vice blocks, and armorers wrench. No they aren’t the nicest in the world but they have served me well for 3 builds with several take-aparts thrown in.

To answer the other portion though, it’s pretty simple. The barrel has an indexing pin to line it up where it belongs. Barrel nut slips over the barrel and tightens up with the wrench. There are holes in the barrel nutforthegas tube Togo through. You want your barrel as tight as you can get it using a simple barrel wrench but also lining up a hole to the hole in the upper. Not difficult. Slip yourgastubeinto the gas block and drive in a roll pin. Slip gas tube/block onto barrel and tighten 2 or 3 setscrews. Hand tighten your free float forend and use whatever locking system it has, usually a locknut or another set screw.

First one will take 20-30 minutes because you are overthinking it. Next one will take 5 minutes. It’s really simple.

 

[Driftertank]

Never used an assembled upper.
I've built 8 ARs in various configurations, 5 of them on Aero receivers, 3 on Spikes. All worked well.

I like Criterion barrels, i have used or recommended for people's builds on 5 of the 8, and they've all been fast and accurate.

As for tools, all you really NEED is an armorer's wrench, some punches, allen wrenches and a vice. However, i strongly recommend a nylon or delrin vice block to clamp the receiver. I also would recommend the following set from Brownells, it will make life so much simpler for you:

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...h-tools/punches/roll-pin-holders-prod781.aspx

 

[redneck2]

As noted in Post 16, it's a WHOLE lot easier than I thought it would be.

Got my stuff at Vision Defense. Yeah, you've never heard of them. But, most AR places buy most of their stuff from a supplier source. Vision will build it for you at a really good price exactly as you wish

 

[md7]

Of those mentioned, I’d go with Sionics.