Question about Changing AR Uppers

[smullen]

I currently have a M4-A3 (carry handle removed) and an Eotech Holosight and a few other goodies...

I have it sighted in pretty much dead on... What I'm wondering is if I buy another upper like one of these...

20" Predator Upper Receiver/Barrel Assembly

or

24" Varminter Upper Receiver/Barrel Assembly

and I put a decent scope on it and get it sighted in at say 100 Yards or greater... Will I be able to switch uppers back and fourth without losing my zero??? I thought I read somewhere that I could...

If I could, I'd have decent rifle for both close range and semi-long range...

 

[ugaarguy]

Will I be able to switch uppers back and fourth without losing my zero??? I thought I read somewhere that I could...

Yes you can. The barrel itself never leaves the upper receiver to which the optic is mounted. The upper swap on an AR is a beautiful thing.

 

[Kind of Blued]

Dangit!

I was hoping (rightfully so) that this thread was about SBRs.

 

[GLOCKT]

I agree also,as long as the scope is of decent quality it will not loose zero.
I used to switch my Bushmaster AK/break shorty with a 24" fluted target barrel and would loose the zero on the target barrel in the switch.
I got rid of the cheap BEC 3x9x40 scope and replaced it with a Nikon Pro Staff BDC scope and the zero holds true.
Eventually I want to buy a 2nd lower to prevent from having to switch the 2 around when I go to the range.

 

[iamkris]

There is no difference between changing uppers and taking an AR-type rifle apart to clean it. You certainly wouldn't expect it to lose zero from a thorough cleaning would you?

The lower has little/no effect on bullet placement/zero

 

[smullen]

Eventually I want to buy a 2nd lower to prevent from having to switch the 2 around when I go to the range.

Same here...

 

[ArmedBear]

The only reason to get more lowers is to have them in different configurations. Otherwise, swapping uppers is trivial and takes about the same amount of time as swapping magazines.

 

[Eightball]

If you have good quality optics, it shouldn't be an issue. Though, those uppers look like they have a wonky curve to them in the alignment between the upper receiver and the barrel....?

 

[waterhouse]

The only reason to get more lowers is to have them in different configurations.

Or to have more than one person be able to shoot at the same time

 

[ArmedBear]

Or to have more than one person be able to shoot at the same time

If they pay for their own ammo, sure. Just bought some, and damn, it's expensive now. It seems like yesterday I was buying boxes of 20 Lake City Federal 5.56 rounds for $3.99 and I thought that was the expensive stuff.

Lemme tellya... I'm LOVING my .22LR upper. That's an investment that pays for itself quickly. Used it at 100 yards the other day; works great. I'll be saving most of the .223 for longer range shooting.

 

[Avenger29]

Lemme tellya... I'm LOVING my .22LR upper. That's an investment that pays for itself quickly. Used it at 100 yards the other day; works great. I'll be saving most of the .223 for longer range shooting.

Yep. I am going to pick up a dedicated .22LR upper later this year, hopefully.

I am in the process of buying my first AR. Picked up an LMT Defender 2000 lower yesterday, and I've got the 5.56 upper on layaway (standard LMT 16 inch flattop config). Going to be stocking up ammo and mags over the summer. If my finances allow it, might get a .22LR lower for christmas (probably a Spike's tactical).