AR 15 build trying to find upper

Joined
Sep 12, 2012
Messages
7
Likes
1
Feedback: 1 / 0 / 0
Hi everyone, I'm fairly new to building AR and I'm trying to find all the parts to do a price out, but I am having a hard time finding AR 15 completed uppers or just barrels that are MA legal. Does anybody have any recommendation on where to find some either online or near the Northshore.


Thanks
 
most places have preban style uppers, IE with features we cant have

some places will convert them for you for the price of labor and parts before they ship it. you can buy one and change it yourself/ buy the individual parts and create you own with legal features.

**** the AWB
 
Remsport Mfg.
413 579 1994
WTS AR Uppers Dealer classiified
If you don't see what you want we will build it for you.
John
 
Last edited:
Stag Arms will do "Ban Compliant" uppers, barrel assemblies or just barrels. I can't speak to the quality of their products. I also think Del-Ton does pre or post ban products. Again, don't know much about their quality. I am still struggling on how to finish my build too.
 
Go see John at Remsport above me. He can assemble it to be MA legal with whatever you want for options and he has most everything right at his shop. You could also just buy a standard pre-ban upper that you like, then just convert it yourself or have a local shop do it. As long as the barrel length meets the minimum 16" length (including the muzzle device), the only other things that have to be changed are: cut/grind off the bayonet lug, and pin/weld the muzzle brake so that it can't be removed with just a wrench.
 
Not near the Northshore unfortunately, but if you got a chance to head on down, First Defense carries complete Stag uppers that are MA compliant.
http://firstdefensefirearms.com/

Rainier Arms is out-of-stock on this, but this is an example of a ban-state complete Stag upper:
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=593

Generally speaking modifying a non-ban state upper will require you to purchase a muzzle brake for extra $ along with the cost of having it pinned and welded. Also, if the upper you settle on has a bayonet lug, that's got to come off as well.
 
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/519542/dpms-ar-15-lo-pro-flat-top-upper-assembly-556x45mm-nato-1-in-9-twist-16-bull-barrel-chrome-moly-matte-with-glacierguard-handguard
519542.jpg


Not perfect, but available (and on sale) I've got one and like it.
~Matt
 
http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17567&cat=250&page=2
2.6lbs - Needs pinned brake / more $, lighter, Wylde chamber for 223 + 5.56
http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17574&cat=250&page=2
3.5lbs - no brake needed / heavier, 223 chamber

Order this with head spaced bolt (+$50) and fluting (+$100) to cut weight then have Remsport or similar build out the rest... /thread

I'm looking for an 18 inch barrel that is not heavy profile, at a reasonable cost. Coming up short. John at Remsport has mostly 16 inch and 20 inch heavy barrels, but no slim profile ones and definitely no 18's.

Anyone?
 
Nice, but that brings it up to $425 for just the barrel, which is not doable for me at this stage of life.

And, why "Wylde"? If I was going to spend that much for a "custom" barrel, I'd get a Practical .20 or maybe a .17 or .19, but that would entail a reloading setup also.

Some people say that the Wylde chamber is a more accurate chamber design if you are going to shoot mainly .223, but supposedly it works for 5.56 as well. If you are building a match type rifle that may be a good option. I personally opted for a 14.5" BCM upper with the midlength gas system. It is chambered for 5.56 (so I can use either .223, or 5.56 safely) and I couldn't be happier with the quality, or function of this upper. BCM is very well respected in the AR community and you can't go wrong if you can find one in that length you are seeking. Out of curiosity, why are you set on that particular barrel length?
 
Like I said, it ain't perfect, but it shoots pretty well and I've got no complaints.
If you NEED an upper now, you won't find one cheaper. You can shop around for a higher-end upper and always sell this one for close to what you paid for it.
I figure this would be a great emergency loaner...
 
... Out of curiosity, why are you set on that particular barrel length?

I wanted something longer than 16, and shorter than 20; but 20 will do, as that is still shorter than the typical 22-26 inch bolt gun, and certainly dwarfed by any 28 inch shotgun. It seems the "middle ground" 18 is kind of elusive, where I thought it would be more popular. I guess 16 and 20 is more the trend for whatever reason.
 
Like I said, it ain't perfect, but it shoots pretty well and I've got no complaints.
If you NEED an upper now, you won't find one cheaper. You can shop around for a higher-end upper and always sell this one for close to what you paid for it.
I figure this would be a great emergency loaner...

I'm definitely thinking about it... I need an upper to complete my zombie lower.
 
I wanted something longer than 16, and shorter than 20; but 20 will do, as that is still shorter than the typical 22-26 inch bolt gun, and certainly dwarfed by any 28 inch shotgun. It seems the "middle ground" 18 is kind of elusive, where I thought it would be more popular. I guess 16 and 20 is more the trend for whatever reason.

Ok that makes sense now. The reason the 16" is so popular is because a lot of guys want the short carbine length setup for a tactical type rig and 16" is the shortest non-NFA length you can have without a permanently attached muzzle device. Since I live in MA and needed a permanent, welded device anyway, I figured that I should have it as short as possible so I opted for the 14.5" (plus muzzle device to make up the difference to get to legal length). I think in your case the 20" will be a good choice since you are not looking for a compact, carbine style setup. That will certainly be much simpler, and cheaper too than your original desire for the 18". One other thing to consider... oce you attach a muzzle device, even a 16" becomes close to 18" in overall barrel length.
 
http://ar15sales.com/

Not sure what your budget is. You don't really save a ton of money, "Building" your own. All you end up with is parts that you picked out.

Check out the Windham in the classi. section. It's a nice AR for the asking $850.00..................
 
Last edited:
Yup, you get what you pay for. By far the worst quality I have ever seen.

+1

Since Cerberus Capital Management made a huge takeover of the firearms industry, it hasn't done many of its acquisitions any favors. DPMS issues were pretty commonplace before being sucked into 'Freedom Group' - along with Advanced Armament Corporation, Barnes Bullets, Bushmaster, Dakota Arms, H&R Firearms, Marlin, Para USA, Parker, Remington and TAPCO. In many cases, facilities that existed before the takeover were closed and much of it is all packed under one roof. Quality control issues are becoming pretty common, so don;t expect much to change on the plus side for DPMS - who's issues are easily 'google-fu-able'... You indeed get what you pay for and cutting corners on even a range toy makes little sense - especially if you have even a minuscule thought that you may one day have to defend yourself with your rifle. If you want an 18" barrel - they are out there. You can build yourself, or go full-tilt boogie and buy an MK12 Mod 0 upper and dazzle your range buddies. On the more affordable end, PK firearms offers an 18" upper on an FN barrel for $550.00. I have no experience with PK, but they seem decently reviewed and FN barrels are GTG... In any case, Madball13 is spot on. Buy cheap and wander into the unknown, or throw an extra hundy or two and get something that is built to last....


http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/18-Barrel-s/133.htm

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/AR-15-18-Rifle-Upper-Group-s/158.htm

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/SPR-Mk-12-Upper-Receiver-Half-Groups-s/131.htm

http://www.surplusammo.com/blackhol...-length-stainless-steel-5-56-1-8-poly-barrel/

http://www.pkfirearms.com/FN_Custom_Uppers/193/c
 
Hi everyone, I'm fairly new to building AR and I'm trying to find all the parts to do a price out, but I am having a hard time finding AR 15 completed uppers or just barrels that are MA legal. Does anybody have any recommendation on where to find some either online or near the Northshore.


Thanks


http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/79124
 
Without a doubt. There are much better uppers on the market. And they are expensive.
Madball13 and MassMark are dead on. Yes, you do get what you pay for.

But, for those of you who want to assemble your first lower for under $600 and have a fully functioning, range AR this AVAILABLE, INEXPENSIVE DPMS upper has been excellent, and of good quality.

WARNING! This DPMS upper is not "Operator-Approved"...

Take it into combat? use it to become a Distinguished Rifleman, Hell no.
Have fun popping water bottles at the range? get a better understanding of the platform without breaking the bank? Hell yes!

I OWN a couple of these uppers and have no beefs.

~Matt
 
Take a look at the various manufacturers' websites. Here are RRA's uppers:

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=200

I'm very happy with my Rock River Arms predator pursuit upper in 20". 3/4"
100 yd groupings. .223 Wylde chamber & stainless bbl. What are you going to use it for? What sights/optics /stock are you pairing it with. Take a look through some of the picture threads to get ideas. Ask questions. Trust but verify. I'm a firm believer in doing it right the first time. I also like multitaskers so this upper gives me the "accurized target / hunting" rifle I wanted to build. My upper took 4+ months from fully paid order to receipt. Quality is worth it. Research prices online but support your lgs if/when you can. First Defense was very competitive. Be patient and don't succumb to impulse buys.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
 
Bravo Company have great products and they will Massify and upper for you. Or you can buy an upper from anywhere and Massify it yourself.

On a side note, it is a travesty that we have to go through this...
 
For a given dollar amount RRA uppers are tough to beat as far as quality and accuracy are concerned. If I was going to Afghanistan, I might choose something else. But for a general use gun, I think they strike a nice balance between dependability, cost and accuracy.

Massmark - thats a heck of a list. I've never seen all the companies in one list. Wow. I hadn't realized they had grown so much. You also forgot Marlin. They were acquired about 3 years ago and they shut down the 100 yr old facility on Kenna Rd. in North Haven CT a couple of years later. (Kenna Rd. was named after the Kennas who bought Marlin out of bankruptcy in the 1920s) All Marlins are now made at the Remington facility in NY.

Don
 
For a given dollar amount RRA uppers are tough to beat as far as quality and accuracy are concerned. If I was going to Afghanistan, I might choose something else. But for a general use gun, I think they strike a nice balance between dependability, cost and accuracy.

Massmark - thats a heck of a list. I've never seen all the companies in one list. Wow. I hadn't realized they had grown so much. You also forgot Marlin. They were acquired about 3 years ago and they shut down the 100 yr old facility on Kenna Rd. in North Haven CT a couple of years later. All Marlins are now made at the Remington facility in NY.

Don

Don - I thought I listed Marlin and neglected to mention that all new Marlin 336's are coming in powdercoated black instead of blued. They have a gritty, cheap feel to them now - sad to see...
 
Back
Top Bottom