Build me an upper
I have this nice little lower receiver all built up and ready to go and an EOTech sitting around. The lower has an Vltor stock and a single point sling. I want to turn this one into a bug out carbine (even though some don’t think bug out guns are realistic).
I want it to do double duty as a bug out gun and to run courses with. So, needs to be lightweight. Only gizmos i’d put on it are a light mount so I don’t need a rail farm. I’m leaning toward a lightweight barrel and the Magpul MOE handguards. The MOE has slots for rails and is lightweight.
What say you?
Update and bump: Ok, i’ve decided I pretty much want to build this one.
August 19th, 2010 at 10:00 am
If you want to make me incredibly jealous, BCM has lightweight profile midlength uppers, and Magpul’s bringing out MOE handguards in middy and rifle length sometime this fall. I’m pretty tempted to build one up that way.
August 19th, 2010 at 10:18 am
NIX the light barrel it will start stringing group when it gets hot. The moe handguards are fine but for just a light, I would go with the cheapo chinese tri rail for $30 and move on. For a carbine length upper unless you specific want to build it urself, I would order from M&A parts. They use an LMT upper and inners with a wilson match chromoly barrel. Great performance and thier prices are reasonable and very consistant. They dont gouge prices when the market changes, they only go up when thier costs go up. They do good business and stand squarely behind thier products and workmanship. Great people to do business with and goooooood stuff!
August 19th, 2010 at 10:20 am
I don’t think he’s buying it for benchrest competition.
August 19th, 2010 at 10:31 am
If you want one already assembled, take a look at this one from PK Firearms.
http://pkfirearms.com/select_options/new/1745
$625 for the complete upper. Midlength lightweight RRA chromelined barrel with choice of 1/7 or 1/9 twist rate. Not to mention the Todd Jarrett rifle length float tube.
August 19th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Here’s a great lightweight upper although Bravo Company lists it as currently out of stock.
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-16-Mid-Length-LIGHT-WEIGHT-Upper-Receiver-p/bcm-urg-mid-16lw.htm
Bolt carrier group:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Bolt-Carrier-Group-MPI-Auto-M16-p/bcm%20bolt%20carrier%20group%20auto%20mp.htm
Pick a charging handle, I personally have a PRI big latch, but that’s up to each person.
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/AR15-Charging-Handle-s/35.htm
And mid-length MOE hand guards:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Magpul-MOE-MID-Length-Handguard-BLACK-p/mag418%20blk.htm
August 19th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Ok, i’ve decided I pretty much want to build this one.
August 19th, 2010 at 11:42 am
I look at Bugout Guns in this light: Can this weapon keep me and mine alive for the next 20 years? No guarantee that I can get to my Retreat, nor reach my hidden stashes. As was said in an episode of Babylon 5, “What we got is What we got”. So whatever you chose to build, just make sure its of the highest quality and durability you can afford. Now some people believe that what they need is something just good enough to kill the Bad Guys WTSHTF and they’ll pry the good guns from their cold dead hands, but I’d hate to bet my life on that philosophy. My $.02, of course.
August 19th, 2010 at 11:47 am
What barrel? What receiver? Don’t forget that we get stuff at dealer cost, and you better let me build it or I’m gonna freak π
August 19th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
I picked up a BCM Mid-16 Mod 0 a little while ago, and purely on aesthetics, i love it. The build quality and components are top notch.
I won’t get a chance to wring it out until I heal from knee surgery, however. π
August 19th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
I used a rifle with the MOE handguards through a class at Gunsite last year. The handguards themselves are great, and I think if you’re attaching a light or one of those Magpul AFGs to them then they’ll be exactly what you need. It’s a good combo of saving weight and still having room for accessories.
August 19th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Can’t go wrong with a BCM.
August 19th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
My next build will consist of ordering a BCM mid-length, lightweight upper and MOE hand guards if BCM doesn’t ship’em already installed.
The hardest part appears to be waiting for them to be in stock. π
August 19th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
I think a bugout gun is a fine idea, and that looks like a good one – just be sure to have a good, solid (and maybe secret) bugout destination. When we retire I’m fixin’ to be moving-to and living-at mine. I’m thinking Chris Anarchangel has done his homework and is there already.
August 19th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
It looks like you have made one of the best choices available to you already.
The BCM light weight 14.5″ middy is my new “Ultimate Upper”!
I would pick the Troy TRX/VTAC Extreme or the MI SS handguards but the MOE is a solid choice.
Sell the EOtech to fund an Aimpoint (3.7 oz!), the (5 year!) battery life alone is worth the upgrade.
August 20th, 2010 at 9:20 am
For a light mount you may want to consider the Elzetta ZFH1500 I recently put one on my carbine and love it! Plus it’s designed to work well with the MagPul MOE forend.