Cheapest Complete AR Upper?

[Dr. Gonzo GED]

Hey guys. I've got one third of an AR and I need the top half. I was originally going to take my time and order parts to build something unique and custom, but I'm currently un-armed so I'm starting to think It's time to just get the machine into working order or get off the pot.

Problem is, I'm not on a huge budget, so I'm trying to find the most affordable barreld upper of servicable quality. I'm more concerned with realibily than looks or price, but price is a BIG consideration. (Budget is between $200 - $400, and I'd like to keep it closer to $200 if I can...) Basically I want to get it running for less than the price of a completely new gun if that's possible.

I need the complete upper and the stock / tube / buffer stuff for the rear end.

I also would preferably like to buy from one of our sponsors if you all have any reccomendations.

Can anybody point me in a good direction?

[Bluntforce]

See if S&W sells their sport uppers, they have numerous cost cutting measures.

Thanks to GPWASR10 talking me into an AR, the M&P 15 Sport is what I'm going with. The handguard is el-cheapo but it will be the only thing I replace. Tac-light and cheapo optic and my itch will be scratched.

[L1A1Rocker]

Model one sales has a complete CAR for 330.00: http://www.model1sales.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=301

[Viking350]

Model one sales has a complete CAR for 330.00: http://www.model1sales.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=301

That doesn't include the bolt carrier group or charging handle. Del-Ton has complete uppers, including bcg and ch for right at $400.00.

[j.parker]

its not from sponsers but gunbroker.com has dpms complete uppers with quadrails for 375

[j.parker]

also gunbroker has complete buffer assemblies with magpul ctr stocks for under 100

[Schuetzenman]

http://www.dsarms.com/products.asp?dept=59 Check out this link to DSA's web site. They seem to have some good deals going on.

[Viking350]

I just ran across this site recently. A complete flat top upper in 5.56 $379.99 delivered.

https://sotaarms.com/home/category/view/2

[Dr. Gonzo GED]

I just ran across this site recently. A complete flat top upper in 5.56 $379.99 delivered.

https://sotaarms.com/home/category/view/2
Good deal! You might have just found the rest of my machine!

I don't know much about the 5.56 and barrel twist rates.

This one has a 1:9, is that good?

[Viking350]

Good deal! You might have just found the rest of my machine!

I don't know much about the 5.56 and barrel twist rates.

This one has a 1:9, is that good?

1:9 is pretty standard. It will stabilize most rounds up to 73 grains. If you are going to shoot longer, heavier bullets then a 1:7 twist might be better. Here is a link that talks about all that twist rate stuff.

http://ammo.ar15.com/ammo/project/perf_whattwist.html

[Dr. Gonzo GED]

1:9 is pretty standard. It will stabilize most rounds up to 73 grains. If you are going to shoot longer, heavier bullets then a 1:7 twist might be better. Here is a link that talks about all that twist rate stuff.

http://ammo.ar15.com/ammo/project/perf_whattwist.html
Thanks! I don't want to get terribly fancy with feeding the thing. I'll be working with the standard bullet weights. Since it's a going to be a utility weapon I'll be sticking to utility ammo choices. Not a huge fan of the relatively light impact delivered by a .223 bullet, but they are darn accurate and it will open a human head like a watermelon in the most disturbing way. The accuracy and range seem to be what puts these machines ahead of the Kalashnikovs fielded by our enemies in terms of overall lethality. Of course having the best trained proffessional soldiers in history behind the things doesn't hurt at.

Man, even at $379 it migh be a while before I can afford one. Life gets in the way and all...

[Viking350]

Thanks! I don't want to get terribly fancy with feeding the thing. I'll be working with the standard bullet weights. Since it's a going to be a utility weapon I'll be sticking to utility ammo choices. Not a huge fan of the relatively light impact delivered by a .223 bullet, but they are darn accurate and it will open a human head like a watermelon in the most disturbing way. The accuracy and range seem to be what puts these machines ahead of the Kalashnikovs fielded by our enemies in terms of overall lethality. Of course having the best trained proffessional soldiers in history behind the things doesn't hurt at.

Man, even at $379 it migh be a while before I can afford one. Life gets in the way and all...

Accuracy is the key. I always felt it was better to hit my target with a 22 than miss it with a 44.

I hear ya. I just ordered one recently from them. Haven't got it yet, but right after I ordered it, things got a little hairy at my job. Almost wish I hadn't ordered it, just in case.

[FunkyPertwee]

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/complete-uppers/may-m4-madness-16-cmv-chrome-lined-stripped-upper-without-bcg-or-charging-handle.html

Palmetto state armory has M4 madness going on. Its $299 for a chrome lined M4 upper, but doesn't come with bolt carrier or charging handle.

If your totally without a longarm, get your ass to a pawn shop and pick up a cheap shotgun or lever action until you can get the AR. Its not good to go unarmed.

[Dr. Gonzo GED]

Accuracy is the key. I always felt it was better to hit my target with a 22 than miss it with a 44.

I hear ya. I just ordered one recently from them. Haven't got it yet, but right after I ordered it, things got a little hairy at my job. Almost wish I hadn't ordered it, just in case.
Let me know what the quality is like when you get it. I don't expect much from a bargain basement upper, but I am currious. Like I said, this will probably be the one that gets mated to my STAG lower.

[Dr. Gonzo GED]

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/complete-uppers/may-m4-madness-16-cmv-chrome-lined-stripped-upper-without-bcg-or-charging-handle.html

Palmetto state armory has M4 madness going on. Its $299 for a chrome lined M4 upper, but doesn't come with bolt carrier or charging handle.

If your totally without a longarm, get your ass to a pawn shop and pick up a cheap shotgun or lever action until you can get the AR. Its not good to go unarmed.
And This^^^^

I'm seriously considering it as the price of an AR upper could be two used shotguns. At the moment my "gun" is a damn hatchet.

[FunkyPertwee]

At the moment my "gun" is a damn hatchet.

Seriously, go out tomorrow and get the most affordable gun you can press into service as a defensive arm. Every day is potentially a day you could need it and not have it. It would suck to die in a home invasion because you were waiting for that perfect AR upper.

Or find a way to finance an upper ASAP.

I'd find a cheap pump 12 gauge, preferably from the big three. (mossberg, remington, winchester)

[Dr. Gonzo GED]

Seriously, go out tomorrow and get the most affordable gun you can press into service as a defensive arm. Every day is potentially a day you could need it and not have it. It would suck to die in a home invasion because you were waiting for that perfect AR upper.

Or find a way to finance an upper ASAP.

I'd find a cheap pump 12 gauge, preferably from the big three. (mossberg, remington, winchester)
I wish I could! Honestly right now to spend the $200+ on a fire arm would mean neglecting a few responsibilities that I simply cannot afford to let go. AFA finance? I don't play on credit anymore. No dice! (Layaway might be an option though...)

Fortunately one of the reasons I'm in this spot is that I just moved to a very nice neighborhood and I'm still reeling financialy from my "ESCAPE FROM DA HOOD!!!!" :lool:
If there was a home invasion in our apartment building at least half the tennants would be calling the cops. It's a very quite place. I've lived in the neigborhood on and off for @ five years and haven't heard so much as a single gunshot. It's all artsy hipster kids and families. Even the hobos are good people. It's kind of weird...

Anyways, I'm thinking next month. Used pump gun for sure. I could probably do that in @ four weeks. But today I have to pay the piper first. (By piper I mean the electric company, the phone company, and the realtives who loaned me money for my new place. Especially the relatives!)

[American Rage]

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/complete-uppers/may-m4-madness-16-cmv-chrome-lined-stripped-upper-without-bcg-or-charging-handle.html

Palmetto state armory has M4 madness going on. Its $299 for a chrome lined M4 upper, but doesn't come with bolt carrier or charging handle.

If your totally without a longarm, get your ass to a pawn shop and pick up a cheap shotgun or lever action until you can get the AR. Its not good to go unarmed.

Chrome lined? That's a steal of a deal!!

[FunkyPertwee]

Chrome lined? That's a steal of a deal!!

Yep!

Personally, I would get the hammer forged, double thick chrome-lined barrels. They buy the steel for them from the FN plant here in SC. Its the same stuff they use for the M249 barrels, so I reckon its especially good for sustained fire. They're not the cheapest though.

[Viking350]

I wish I could! Honestly right now to spend the $200+ on a fire arm would mean neglecting a few responsibilities that I simply cannot afford to let go. AFA finance? I don't play on credit anymore. No dice! (Layaway might be an option though...)

Fortunately one of the reasons I'm in this spot is that I just moved to a very nice neighborhood and I'm still reeling financialy from my "ESCAPE FROM DA HOOD!!!!" :lool:
If there was a home invasion in our apartment building at least half the tennants would be calling the cops. It's a very quite place. I've lived in the neigborhood on and off for @ five years and haven't heard so much as a single gunshot. It's all artsy hipster kids and families. Even the hobos are good people. It's kind of weird...

Anyways, I'm thinking next month. Used pump gun for sure. I could probably do that in @ four weeks. But today I have to pay the piper first. (By piper I mean the electric company, the phone company, and the realtives who loaned me money for my new place. Especially the relatives!)

I agree with Funk. Find a reasonably priced shotgun at a pawn shop and put it on lay away if you have to. That is how I bought my first 44 mag.

[NAPOTS]

Big five usually throws Mossberg 500's on sale every so often for pretty cheap.

[Viking350]

Let me know what the quality is like when you get it. I don't expect much from a bargain basement upper, but I am currious. Like I said, this will probably be the one that gets mated to my STAG lower.

I just got a shipping notice from them today. I should have it in a few days.

[American Rage]

Yep!

Personally, I would get the hammer forged, double thick chrome-lined barrels. They buy the steel for them from the FN plant here in SC. Its the same stuff they use for the M249 barrels, so I reckon its especially good for sustained fire. They're not the cheapest though.

please tell me more

oh, and links provided would be triple nice:)

thanks, it's greatly appreciated

[FunkyPertwee]

please tell me more

oh, and links provided would be triple nice:)

thanks, it's greatly appreciated

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/rifle-kits/16-4150-chrome-lined-mid-length-rifle-kit.html
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/rifle-kits/16-hammer-forged-mid-length-rifle-kit.html

Check out those two links. Both are chrome-lined mid-length 16" carbines. However, one of them says "hammer-forged". The steel comes from the FN plant and is called "machine-gun steel". I don't really know much about ARs, so I can't say if its worth a difference in price, but being from SC I want a rifle built here with a barrel from the machine-gun factory in the upstate.

From the website:
Barrel: A proprietary blend of Hammer forged chrome molly vanadium made by FN that is referred to as "Machine Gun Steel" by virtue of its use in FN's M249 and M240 weapons. The hammer forging process work hardens the steel, making it more durable. In addition, the chrome process for the bore allows for a lining almost twice as thick as a standard M16 for enhanced durability. Chambered in 5.56 NATO, with a 1/7 twist, M4 barrel extension, and a mid-length gas system. The A2 style profile barrel is Mil-spec phosphate coated. Barrel is High Pressure tested, and Magnetic Particle inspected, to ensure quality and dependability, and is finished off with an F-marked front sight post with sling swivel, standard hand guards and an A2 flash hider.

[TEN-32]

I just got one of the PSA M4 uppers for a build. Its awesome.
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg198/scaled.php?server=198&filename=20120521125202.jpg&res=landing

[FunkyPertwee]

Good looking rifle.