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General AR-15 Discussion : General AR-15 Discussion

Looking for a new upper ...

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Bishopn87

Posted: Jul 4th 2010, 03:35 AM

So I've been looking at Spike's, GG&G and YHM primarily. I'm looking for 16" barrel length, carbine- or mid-length gas system, and a 4-rail system. Flip-up iron sights all around - no pyramid front sight. I haven't ruled out DS Arms yet either, but if I go with them I'd need to get an FF handguard and replace the FSB.

Any recommendations? I actually haven't ruled out any MFR yet ... looked at a couple LMT's, BCM's, etc ... looking to stay under / around $1500 or so, total cost, for complete upper + Aimpoint / EOTech / Whatever + M4 stock...

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InstructorPyro

Posted: Jul 4th 2010, 01:02 PM

Do you have a specific purpose for this rifle? The reason I'm asking is because if you're not looking for a show piece and want a capable work horse then check out Stag:

http://www.stagarms.com/product_info.php?cPath=14_24&products_id=243

The one has an A2 front sight but Stag will change it out for you as well. You can have them put on a Railed Gas Block and a flip up front sight. That Sampon is rock solid. I ordered this exact same upper.

Gas Block

http://www.stagarms.com/product_info.php?cPath=20_35&products_id=270

Front Sight

http://www.stagarms.com/product_info.php?cPath=20_34&products_id=264

It would probably cost you less then $750 and you'd have $750 for an optic and a stock. And you can buy those both from Stag. One stop shop, they even have a $519 price tag on the Comp ML3. Not bad.

Here is my Stag Model 2HT with ACOG and SOG Graphite Grip that I put together. This rifle, including the ACOG probably set me back around $1750 or so.

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Bishopn87

Posted: Jul 4th 2010, 02:11 PM

Hmm ... you showed me that rifle at the range that time ... I had totally forgotten about Stag.

What model ACOG is that? Where did you acquire it?

Also, re: front sights. Is that an F marked sight, or is it actually an A2 sight?

As far as a purpose for this rifle ... mmm ... a little bit of everything, I guess. I'm not necessarily a brand-name whore, but I do occasionally like to have something recognizable. I'd like to have a rifle that will be happy in the trunk or backseat, or clearing a room at the house, or at the range, or really wherever. I'm really not settled on what I want yet.

Now, I'm still a little up in the air on the subject of carbine vs. mid length, too.

Although ... that Stag setup does look like a good bargain ...

accessorizing with the Aimpoint & mount, then heading over to Bravo Company for a VLTOR EMOD stock set in black and a Tango Down vertical forward grip we're at just a hair over $1500. Then I'd just need some rail covers ...

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Bishopn87

Posted: Jul 4th 2010, 03:17 PM

Then again, looking back at Spike's ...

-Spike's 16" mid-length with rails and F-marked front sight - $690

-Over to GG&G for Aimpoint compM3, mount and GG&G rear BUIS - $590

-Back to Bravo Company for the Tango Down vertical grip ($67.25) and the VLTOR EMOD stock kit ($187.10)

Totals up to $1504.35, vs $1528.35 for the Stag carbine length. About $10 cheaper if I go with Spike's carbine version vice the mid length ... Price with an EOTech 552 and GG&G BUIS is comparable, with a 512 it's about $100 cheaper.

So. What it comes down to I guess:

- Mid length gas system vs carbine gas system.

- Spike's vs. Stag, in general. Both include charging handle and complete BCG.

- ARMS 40 rear BUIS (Stag) vs. GG&G rear BUIS (part of GG&G Aimpoint package)

- ARMS Aimpoint mount (Stag) vs GG&G Aimpoint mount (part of GG&G aimpoint package)

- EOTech vs Aimpoint

Any thoughts?

Edited to add: With Spike's, if I give up the quad rail, I could get the 16" mid length with a stainless Walther barrel, for just a little more money ... but in the end it'd be cheaper because I don't need / can't use the VFG ...

Hm. Still not sure.

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InstructorPyro

Posted: Jul 4th 2010, 09:20 PM

The ACOG is a TA01 and it is an A2 front sight.

Yeah, that was the rifle I had at the range that day you came out. It's a great shooter. It is one of the ones that I've recently sold though.

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Bishopn87

Posted: Jul 4th 2010, 10:08 PM

Hm.

The field has also expanded to include possibly buying a new .45 instead of / in addition to the AR stuff. After all, I -do- already have a nice AR that is complete. (Colt M16A1 top half on DoubleStar A2 lower, Stag LPK, USGI A2 stock.)

My last .45, unfortunately, is now in the possession of some Mexicans that visited the house when I wasn't there. The thought strikes me that I might be best served by either a new 1911 (preferably Sig GSR or maybe a high-end Springfield), or a USP or HK45 ...

So, I could buy a .45 and a shitload of 5.56 and .45ACP ... or maybe I could buy a used .45 and a lower end - maybe a DS Arms - upper, use my current BCG and stock, and still buy some ammo. Or just stick with the initial plan, put together a high-end AR top half, and still spend about 5 bills on bullets.

I need to keep the total cost preferably under about $2000 or so, including everything. (My initial plan was $1500 + $500 in ammo.)

So, now I'm sort of back at square one.

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InstructorPyro

Posted: Jul 4th 2010, 11:11 PM

The prices are GSRs are pretty high for the 1911 market. Not quite as high as a Wilson but comparable to the Kimber range. You can find some nice Kimbers that are decently priced. Believe it or not, Herb Bauer in Fresno has got some ok pricing on 1911s and quite a decent stock.

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Bishopn87

Posted: Jul 4th 2010, 11:18 PM

GSR's are expensive because they're worth it. So, so, sooooooooooo very worth it. :) That's what the aforementioned now Mexican-owned .45 was. It was worth every damned penny of what I paid for it, and cheap at that price. It made every other pistol of any brand I've ever even -imagined- look and feel like a Jennings .380. Or something worse, if that's possible. The only way it could be improved upon is if you were looking at Han Solo's blaster or Captain Kirk's phaser.

Who knows, though... I might just go ahead and spend the money and get both, while I have the cash in fist.

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InstructorPyro

Posted: Jul 5th 2010, 12:51 AM

DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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John Doe

Posted: Jul 13th 2010, 01:07 AM

BCM has a sale going on right now on mid-length uppers. BCG bought with them are on sale too. I got the sale email about two weeks after I bought my upper from them. :(

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Bishopn87

Posted: Jul 13th 2010, 12:26 PM

Damnit ... still gonna be another two weeks until I have the time and money to do anything. I'll be out of town all next week.

And, of course, this is when a buddy of mine needs some money and wants me to buy his truck, too ... so that just makes the process harder. Do I want a new AR upper and a new XD 45 more than I want a REALLY nice F250 4x4?

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John Doe

Posted: Aug 2nd 2010, 11:53 PM

Yes. You do. You didn't start a thread about F250s.

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