AR15 uppers?

[motoman]

Let's talk uppers. Since we've got the lowers that are soon to be ordered I'm seriously considering building my own upper. With that being said as I'm looking at complete uppers as well as upper parts, I'm seeing full length, mid-length, carbine, etc...

I can use my own common sense to see that full length is going to be a 20 inch barrell or longer. What's will the difference between a carbine and a mid-length be?

[black2002ls]

I plan to go with a 16". I'm still learning about the twist stuff. Its 1:7 is needed for the heavier ammo correct? Will it have an adverse affect on the lighter/range ammo?

[motoman]

I think I follow what you're getting at, how does the length of the gas system affect performance?

[IHaveAMustang]

20" SS Bull Upper...but...I blew all my money on a Bulgarian Ak-74

[Chopped54]

I believe that when you are talking mid vs carbine it is the gas system.

I know I am building a 16" with a mid-length gas system and a rifle length rail.
I am still tossing around brands. I like the Vltor, just not sure if I want to drop almost $200 on a stripped upper. May just go with a Wilson...

[Brandon-k]

The longer the gas system the easier on internals your AR will be. Less pressure by the time it gets back to the gas key. I prefer a middy for that reason and for the extra grip out over the muzzle. Also has a longer sight radius for better accuracy.

[GSXRK5]

If we do get a build party together and I can get some help i'll buy parts to build one myself. I'm interested in making one as a 20in rifle. And the other I'm not sure. What is a Bull Barrel for? Exactly? What is the difference in that and a Free float? Maybe newb questions i've just been wondering.

[KBScobravert]

Let's talk uppers. Since we've got the lowers that are soon to be ordered I'm seriously considering building my own upper. With that being said as I'm looking at complete uppers as well as upper parts, I'm seeing full length, mid-length, carbine, etc...

I can use my own common sense to see that full length is going to be a 20 inch barrell or longer. What's will the difference between a carbine and a mid-length be?

What length barrel and handguards are you going for?

What is the gun's primary mission going to be?

I would run a carbine gas and handguard/rail system for a 16" gun that is going to be a blaster.

For a 20+" target gun, run a rifle length.

[motoman]

What length barrel and handguards are you going for?

What is the gun's primary mission going to be?

I would run a carbine gas and handguard/rail system for a 16" gun that is going to be a blaster.

For a 20+" target gun, run a rifle length.

This one is going to be for trips to the range, an extra home defense gun, and some hog hunting, don't really plan on using it for anything more than 200-300 yards, so I'm planning on a 16" barrel. Thinking I'll do between an 8 and 10 inch handguard.

[KBScobravert]

If we do get a build party together and I can get some help i'll buy parts to build one myself. I'm interested in making one as a 20in rifle. And the other I'm not sure. What is a Bull Barrel for? Exactly? What is the difference in that and a Free float? Maybe newb questions i've just been wondering.

Bull Barrel and Free Float forend kind of go hand in hand as accuracy purposes. Bull Barrel being thicker than a pencil barrel and free float referring to the barrel having no contact with a forend.

[black2002ls]

im in the range/home defense/zombie killer group. so 16" with a carbine length gas system? any idea what a reasonable budget to build an upper would be?

[94StangFiveO]

I've got a mid-length w/16" barrel(although entire rifle) coming, will be here early next week. I didn't want the internals getting warn out as quickly plus I like the longer handguard/rails and less barrel showing. Like already said, longer sight radius so easier to be more accurate with them and easier to acquire targets since hand can be further out over the muzzle. Plus when using a bipod you have more stability since it's further out but slightly less maneuverability.

[motoman]

im in the range/home defense/zombie killer group. so 16" with a carbine length gas system? any idea what a reasonable budget to build an upper would be?

From what I understand it's all about how fancy you want to get with it. You can get a basic shooting upper for about $400 and that's buying a complete upper.

[black2002ls]

im gonna look around and see what i can put one together for. whats the advantage to the free floating forend?

[Chopped54]

whats the advantage to the free floating forend?

To improve accuracy. It removes the stock from the equation. Stocks can vibrate, wood can change size with conditions, cheap plastic can squeeze the barrel under your hands. All can move the barrel and/or POI