AR15 choices

[M1911]

So, I've got a pre-ban Colt sporter that I'd like to build into a better gun. It has a traditional carry handle upper, 16" barrel, etc. I'm looking at it as a gun for games and for "social" (anti-social?) occasions. I'm not looking to get maximum range or accuracy out of it -- I've got .308 semi-autos for that.

I want to keep it light, because I'm almost 50 and not getting any stronger. I have no need for a 203 barrel cut.

My problem is that there are so many choices that I don't know where to start.

Barrel - 16" or 14.5? Since I would not go the SBR route, it seems to me that 14.5 is something of a waste. Why not go 16" instead and get a little more ballistic performance? Your thoughts on barrel length?

Whose barreled upper do should I get? There are lots of places, most are out of stock. Many are priced very high. I'd rather stay away from Bushmaster, RRA, etc., as I've heard of varying QC issues. What profile barrel? Who has a lightweight, but good quality barrel?

Fixed front sight or no? I put an EOTECH on my standard 20" flat top and the front sight doesn't seem to be in the way. Your thoughts?

Which backup rear sight? Troy?

Which rail system? I want to mount a flashlight on the fore-end and possibly a vertical grip. No need for laser or other crap on it, though. Do I need to get a free-float handguard system? If I go with a lightweight barrel, it seems to me that a free-float system might make sense. Daniel Defense seems to have a lightweight system. Which length do I get?

I'm not going with a piston gun -- too expensive and for my needs I think the traditional gas impingement is fine.

What mounts for a sling? I'd like to run a two-position sling (Vickers? VTAC?)

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[economist]

This is what I did with my preban lower: LaRue 16" upper, 11" free-float LaRue rails, Viking/Larue padded sling (2-point) with quick release swivels, Magpul CTR stock (QD swivel snaps in for sling), front and rear Troy BUIS, Vortex flash hider, LaRue FUG forward grip. It's a very light, accurate gun.

 

[M1911]

What's the barrel? I really don't want an HBAR.

 

[stinx]

Here is mine. I converted a 20 ich Pre ban sporter to this. Its got a 16 inch pencil barrel, no forward asssit or Brass deflecter, this gun is very light The Gun is all Colt

 

[economist]

The profile on my LaRue is "medium". At the muzzle it is 0.75", and it appears to be that under the rail as well. It is lighter than an HBAR, but not as light as a lightweight profile (generally a straight 0.625" as opposed to 0.75" for the LaRue). An HBAR would be 0.75" at the muzzle but would be at 1" for a portion of the barrel length.

 

[economist]

Here is mine. I converted a 20 ich Pre ban sporter to this. Its got a 16 inch pencil barrel, no forward asssit or Brass deflecter, this gun is very light The Gun is all Colt

Nice. That's about as light as it gets.

 

[MassMark]

No need to free-float. In fact, I think it's a waste of time and money on a fighting rifle. Though Daniel Defense, KAC and LaRue make excellent rails, for the money and the quality, it's difficult, (if not impossible) to top a Troy MRF-DI. You didn't mention your budget, but I think something along the lines of a rifle Economist, or Derek's have is ideal. I would go LaRue Stealth or Noveske in 16", Troy MRF-DI, Troy rear BUIS and a standard FSB. As for optics, I'm partial to the Trijicon Tripower in a Larue 150 and a LaRue PoBoy if you want magnification. If you want a spare BCG, go for a BCM M-16 BCG from Bravo Company USA. Sling should be a Vickers 2-point, or the new Troy, which is the most overbuilt, (in a good way), sling I have ever seen...Plunk that on your Colt lower and you'll have a beast...

 

[Dench]

Here is mine. I converted a 20 ich Pre ban sporter to this. Its got a 16 inch pencil barrel, no forward asssit or Brass deflecter, this gun is very light The Gun is all Colt

very nice!

 

[M1911]

stinx: that's what my gun looks like right now. With my eyes, I want a flat top for optics. And I want to mount a light, so some sort of rail is required.

 

[M1911]

MassMark: Why go with the standard FSB? For optic, I'll transfer the EOTEC that I already have from my 20" AR15 to this gun. I already have a BCG that seems to work, so I don't see why I should get a new one. I'll put on a collapsible stock. Unsure which one, but likely a Magpul CTR or MOE.

As for budget, I haven't fixed that yet. Once I figure out what I want, then I'll try to figure out a way to pay for it (which will likely require me to sell some guns).

 

[MassMark]

MassMark: Why go with the standard FSB?

Again, on a short fighting rifle, it just seems to make sense - one less thing to fail. I have a YHM flip up on my M4 and if I had it to do all over again, I would have insisted on a standard FSB when the build was done. The YHM was a gift from the builder, but one I wish I didn't have. Gas block front sight bases with flip-ups are great for target rifles, or long range guns with long tubes. If you look in the classifieds on a lot of the AR-related sites, you'll see lots of flip-up and gas blocks for sale...As to the spare BCG, if I have two uppers, I like to keep a BCG in each, plus, if one goes down - it's easier to drop in a fresh BCG then add parts. I keep a spare in my range bag and have never had to use it, but it's nice to know it's there. I'm working on building a spare for my M1A as well...

 

[FalArAk]

This is what I did with my preban lower:

Nice.

 

[M1911]

Is there any drawback to free-float handguards (other than cost and possibly weight)?

 

[economist]

Is there any drawback to free-float handguards (other than cost and possibly weight)?

That's about it, cost and weight. The only other thing I can think of, not that it matters in most cases, is that a free float system can be difficult to remove (compared to standard hand guards).

 

[MassMark]

Is there any drawback to free-float handguards (other than cost and possibly weight)?

Not really any drawbacks per se, just more complex, expensive and offer little in accuracy/utility gain with a carbine. The MRF-DI literally drops in and adds only 2oz of weight to your rifle over standard hand guards...

 

[economist]

Not really any drawbacks per se, just more complex, expensive and offer little in accuracy/utility gain with a carbine. The MRF-DI literally drops in and adds only 2oz of weight to your rifle over standard hand guards...

Mark, that Troy MRF-DI is a very slick looking setup, and priced well too. From the reviews I have read it locks up tight, which is all that matters for a forward grip or mounted light. Very nice. I didn't realize how light it was.

 

[MassMark]

Mark, that Troy MRF-DI is a very slick looking setup, and priced well too. From the reviews I have read it locks up tight, which is all that matters for a forward grip or mounted light. Very nice. I didn't realize how light it was.

It's insanely well-made. Everything Troy makes is over-built, (in a good way). Doing the last two group buys made me nutty, as communication with Steve was so sporadic. I think Troy as a business is undergoing growing pains, (too few staff, too much demand), but their stuff is outstanding and worth whatever hassle there is to get it. It also didn;t help that I timed this last group buy with the election... I bought their A3 sling mount and the Troy two-point sling. They're just superb...

 

[johnN]

if you go with a m4 handgard set up, you may want to try this.

http://www.apextac.com/catalog/item/6540836/6656042.htm

i have this on my bushmaster and they fit tight. i think these are real knights but company is spelled wrong.

 

[vellnueve]

That's not a real Knight's. It's a copy made for airsoft and is likely made of zinc/tin alloys...