Need help picking an upper for AR15

[chrissmallwood]

Hi all. Ive decided that Id like to buy a new upper for my AR with my tax money. Right now I just have a basic rifle with a 16" carbine upper and Id like to get either a 20" or 24" upper. Either way I go it would most likely have a flattop with removable carry handle so I could use iron sights with the ability to easily mount a scope. Is there a big enough performance difference to warrant getting a 24" over a 20". I was looking at model 1 sales since Ive heard good things about them. These are 2 that I was looking at. Would either of these be a good choice?
20"
http://www.model1sales.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=USE200&storeid=1&image=ustd20.gif

24"
http://www.model1sales.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=USE240&storeid=1&image=ustd24.gif

There so many choices that its a bit confusing and searching on here brings up so many hits that I dont know where to begin.

 

[EHL]

Get in line. You have several months of waiting for an upper before you would actually get it. My brother has an order with Model 1, they told him 6 months or more. As far as your question about whether to get a 20 or 24 in barrel model, that depends on what you want it for. If you want it for varminting or for bullseyeing, I'd say the longer barrel would be well worth it. It's obviously your call though.

 

[chrissmallwood]

It would mostly be for paper punching.

 

[karz10]

I don't know anything really, but in case you are just looking for comparisons...

Those look like ok prices, this stuff is a little more, but from what I know to be fairly well known quantity in Stag Arms.

I ordered a couple complete kits from this guy, through a group buy on arfcom: http://ar15sa.fatcow.com/store/page2.html

These are the uppers, but he also has deals on complete kits - stripped lower if you need the parts kit, stock, etc.

If you look at the 4H 20" or the 6H Varmint 24" it something to compare to. You save a few bucks ordering through him compared to Stag http://www.stagarms.com/index.php?cPath=14_24

Another one of the smaller companies I've heard good things about in my area is http://www.del-ton.com/

I'm not sure how else to steer you or anything, just thought I'd share a couple other sources if it helps...

I was a little overwhelmed w/ info, and just liked the simplicity of the group buy at arfcom on these complete kits, and got some lowers from Essential Arms to build my first two...

Good luck.

 

[chrissmallwood]

Another qeustion for you all. The 2 uppers I was looking at had an option for a bipod. The 2 choices were the Versa-pod or a Harris bipod. Which one would be better?

 

[Davionmaximus]

Make sure your lower will work w/ the new upper before you plunk down your hard earned cash. Even though this stuff is all supposed to be mil-spec I have seen the odd occasion that two differant manufacturers don't mesh as well as others....
DPMS is one that comes to mind...

 

[chrissmallwood]

Davionmaximus- Thanks for the tip.

Also which would be better from an accuracy standpoint, a chrome moly or stainless barrel.