Building a reliable upper, suggestions?

[CMP]

Upper Receiver - (w/ Laser T-Markings) M4 Flat Top (M4 Feedramps) - STRIPPED
$85.95

Ejection Port Cover Assembly - Complete
$5.95

BCM Forward Assist Assembly - Complete
$13.95

BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Charging Handle w/ Mod 3 (LARGE) Latch (5.56mm/.223)
$44.95

BCM Bolt Carrier Group (MPI) - Auto
$139.95

-Would anyone suggest the Ion bond finish over this one, or is it really necessary?
Gas Tube - Carbine Length
$13.00

Delta Ring Assembly - AR15
$10.50

Magpul Moe Carbine Length Handguard Black
$29.95

Total: $344.20 + $100-125 for complete upper

Theres a colt 16in 1/7 twist chrome lined barrel that is used but only slightly that I can get for $100 because its been at the local gun shop for so long. Im not sure if colt barrels only go on colt receivers though, are they any different?

Would these parts be the way to go in terms of reliability? or is there something else that will offer more in reliability?

 

[taliv]

definitely quality components. not a bad price for a good upper. just make sure you assemble it correctly.

 

[GPWASR10]

I'm guessing you mean "with barrel" when you say "Total: $344.20 + $100-125 for complete upper"? Looks like a solid build to me, only one way to see how well it will do though, and that is to build it... and shoot the piss out of it. My guess is though, that you will be happy with the end result.

 

[briansmithwins]

I'd probably skip the fancy charging handle. I had a large CH latch on my rifle when I did a 4 day rifle class. It caught on everything.

I went back to the standard latch. I can run it with my left hand with no problems and it's much lower profile. BSW

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Check the barrel extension on the used Colt barrel. If you use an M4 ramped upper with a standard barrel extension, you'll have problems (you can use an M4 barrel extension with a standard, non-ramped upper though).

Other than that looks good - the Gunfighter Mod 3 is about the same size as the PRI Big Latch and very unobtrusive. I don't have any problem with snagging on my chest rig with the PRI. I haven't done a class with the Gunfighter 3 yet; but so far no problems there either. I did a review of this charging handle over at TFL if you are interested.

 

[CMP]

Yeah I haven’t checked if the barrel has the m4 feed ramps in it yet which I should of but the barrel is going no where but if it doesn’t cant I get an extension to use with an upper with the m4 feed ramps, or is that not how it works? Don’t I want the feed ramps in the barrel and receiver?

 

[MrCleanOK]

Definitely good quality parts.

Read this for a quick lesson in how AR barrels are made. You can't just swap a barrel extension. http://ar15barrels.com/making.shtml

You can put an M4 cut barrel extension into an upper without cuts, but you can't put an extension without cuts into a receiver that does have them. If you have dremmel skills and don't mind cutting on your rifle, you can cut the feed ramps out to make a non-M4 extension match an M4 cut receiver.

Don't forget the rear sight (~$110 for full or chopped carry handle), barrel nut ($9), handguard retainer ($3), gas block / front sight post and related hardware (assuming this is coming with the barrel) and muzzle device (~$20 for A2 flash hider if it's also not on the barrel). If this barrel has been drilled for taper pins, but separated from its original gas block, I would pass on it. Once a barrel and gas block have been drilled, they are a pair for life and shouldn't be separated.

Don't forget an upper receiver vise block ($55) and barrel nut wrench (~$40). A barrel vise block, and a Brownell's bench block may come in handy too. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=20727/Product/AR_15_FRONT_SIGHT_BENCH_BLOCK

Because of the specialized tools required (vise blocks and barrel nut wrench), it may be more economical to buy a complete upper. This will also get you assurance that your upper has been assembled correctly if you order from a quality outfit.

 

[Pony Express]

Don't forget an upper receiver vise block ($55) and barrel nut wrench (~$40). A barrel vise block, and a Brownell's bench block may come in handy too.

I wholeheartedly support this motion. My vise block has been very useful when i detail strip my rifle (not routinely, once every couple months) to clean all the nooks and crannies of the upper receiver and barrel extension. I would buy this regardless of whether you buy the complete upper or all the parts and put it together

 

[Zerodefect]

Looks like a perfect build to me!

Just make sure your barrel has M4 ramps like your reciever and your set. I think the Colt barrel will fit any mil-spec reciever so you should be good there. I prefere the Colt or CMMG handgards to the Magpul Moes.

The ION finish on the bolt will make cleaning easier. It's worth a try if you want, but I don't see any other real advatages to that finish.

 

[CMP]

I’m not worried about putting it together. I know some people that have everything laying around to put an AR together.

I figured out after I made my post earlier that I couldn’t swap them out, I just seen one on bravo company but didn’t actually read into it.

The barrel has everything I need but I think I might take of the front sight and go with a larue low profile gas block and get mid length free float handgaurds.

This will be either my first or second build I’m not sure when I will get to getting the parts, its either start this one or build up a varmint AR.

 

[MrCleanOK]

Good illustration of difference in feed ramps & upper receivers.

 

[CMP]

Thank you, that does clear things up