Keystone19250
SAINT
So I checked out BCM and I’m sure you get what you pay for. Adding in the cost of what I would hope to be a head spaced BCG that’s close to the cost of a complete rifle for just the upper.
AR15 Upper Receiver Assembly
- Thread starter Keystone19250
- Start date
HansGruber
Ronin
True, they are spendy. But they’re also well made with top quality parts…and the upper is the heart of an AR.
If you’re looking for a decent budget upper, I’d go with PSA before Stoner. I’ve had good luck with all of my PSA builds.
HansGruber
Ronin
On that subject—
Look at a Brownells BRN180 upper…complete, piston driven…they’re really nice. Probably my next build.
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You can typically find some of the best prices on an Aero upper's from Optics Planet and they ship free.
@Keystone19250 if you do entertain Aero Precision look at the M4E1 upper as it has a lot nicer style.
You can't go wrong with Geiselle either as they one of the top tier manufacturers out there.
With the amount of modifications potentially needed to turn the Edge pistol into a rifle considering the Maxim shortened buffer system and BCG it may be cheaper to just buy a complete lower and upper and start fresh.
Checkout Primary arms for some good deals on both items.
Checkout Primary arms for some good deals on both items.
It is exactly this confusion that makes so many of us so mad/sad at the current laws: they'll really only trip-up the otherwise law-abiding, while those who seek to do evil simply won't care.
This old ARFCOM thread actually is worth reading through: https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Pistol_vs_AOW/122-553969/ , and the following write-up is a succinct and clear summary: https://www.walkertaylorlaw.com/post/aow-loophole-closed
And this was an interesting case: https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog...not-pass-muster-in-court-this-is-not-a-stock/
It's a tricky thing, not only at the federal level but also sometimes at the state level. Full-confession, it wasn't until much later in the course of the Rittenhouse saga that I finally found clarification as to the legality of his possession of the AR15 that he used.
There's a reason why I'm a scientist and not a lawyer, it seems.
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Especially if a video of your range session ends up on YouTube.
Well......
Pistol Braces & The ATF: What You Need to Know [UPDATED]
We’re diving into the long-standing beef between pistol braces and the ATF to get you spun up on all the info you need to know.
www.pewpewtactical.com
The meme included in that particular write-up is particularly fitting.
"would/could/maybe" is about as much as any of us can really say.
HansGruber
Ronin
That’s why I suggested the BRN180; it doesn’t need a buffer or buffer spring.
@Keystone19250 -
I wanted to separate this out, as it has nothing to do with legalities, and focuses instead on just the hardware.
Understand that even if you pursued a top-tier upper - as parts or fully assembled - there's still a possibility (however remote) that tolerance-stacking can occur, and the lower you possess may not "play well" with the upper.
This is in-part why complete guns as well as matched upper/lower receiver sets command the premium that they do, as that part of the QA/QC equation will be more completely satisfied.
I wanted to separate this out, as it has nothing to do with legalities, and focuses instead on just the hardware.
Understand that even if you pursued a top-tier upper - as parts or fully assembled - there's still a possibility (however remote) that tolerance-stacking can occur, and the lower you possess may not "play well" with the upper.
This is in-part why complete guns as well as matched upper/lower receiver sets command the premium that they do, as that part of the QA/QC equation will be more completely satisfied.
I have no experience with that particular upper myself but I have read good things on it and It has me intrigued.
I've thought of getting one myself at some point plus the price isn't bad for what you get.
HansGruber
Ronin
I’m looking forward to this. Always something to learn when you make a deep dive into these subjects.@Keystone19250 -
I wanted to separate this out, as it has nothing to do with legalities, and focuses instead on just the hardware.
Understand that even if you pursued a top-tier upper - as parts or fully assembled - there's still a possibility (however remote) that tolerance-stacking can occur, and the lower you possess may not "play well" with the upper.
This is in-part why complete guns as well as matched upper/lower receiver sets command the premium that they do, as that part of the QA/QC equation will be more completely satisfied.
HansGruber
Ronin
A couple friends have builds using them. I have been impressed what I’ve seen.
The buddy who built a SBR using the Brownells lower designed for it (no buffer, just a vertical rail on the back of the receiver) in .300? It’s a beast! Suppressed is a joy—you don’t eat ANY gas, at all.
I've seen the BRN180 stripped lower on sale on Brownells website the weekend of black Friday for just over $100 now it's back up to $170.00 I should have picked one up then....
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TEXASforLIFE
SAINT
And that happens to manufacturers that build in house guns if their own control! Some , even top tier can have this happen?@Keystone19250 -
I wanted to separate this out, as it has nothing to do with legalities, and focuses instead on just the hardware.
Understand that even if you pursued a top-tier upper - as parts or fully assembled - there's still a possibility (however remote) that tolerance-stacking can occur, and the lower you possess may not "play well" with the upper.
This is in-part why complete guns as well as matched upper/lower receiver sets command the premium that they do, as that part of the QA/QC equation will be more completely satisfied.
^ Absolutely. There are mistakes that go out the door with every make. It's just a part of reality.
But what I'm trying to point out to @Keystone19250 is that in this specific case, his case, although going for a supposedly higher-quality (either or both of build/assembly and/or components) upper should give him better chances that the final mating to his lower will be trouble-free, it doesn't guaranty such.
Look at this n of 1 sample of a SOLGW East India upper, via SOTAR's awesome YouTube Channel:
I'm just trying to temper expectations, that's all. Things can happen, even with top-flight stuff.
And more towards this -
^ I think that this SOTAR comparison of five KAC Sandcuttter BCGs (top-tier) is a very good example of minor variances that can potentially show unique issues when placed into unique final systems.
^ And here's an "autopsy" of one singular example of yet another Sandcutter - was this an escape from QA/QC?
Similarly, here is an n of 1 of a LMT enhanced bolt (top-tier) ---->
And finally, even more on-point, this is specifically explaining tolerance stacking - again, all the parts used here are considered top-tier:
Pay special attention to what Albrecht is saying. Tolerance stacking is possible, even with excellent components.
But what I'm trying to point out to @Keystone19250 is that in this specific case, his case, although going for a supposedly higher-quality (either or both of build/assembly and/or components) upper should give him better chances that the final mating to his lower will be trouble-free, it doesn't guaranty such.
Look at this n of 1 sample of a SOLGW East India upper, via SOTAR's awesome YouTube Channel:
I'm just trying to temper expectations, that's all.
Things can happen, even with top-flight stuff. And more towards this -
^ I think that this SOTAR comparison of five KAC Sandcuttter BCGs (top-tier) is a very good example of minor variances that can potentially show unique issues when placed into unique final systems.
^ And here's an "autopsy" of one singular example of yet another Sandcutter - was this an escape from QA/QC?
Similarly, here is an n of 1 of a LMT enhanced bolt (top-tier) ---->
And finally, even more on-point, this is specifically explaining tolerance stacking - again, all the parts used here are considered top-tier:
Pay special attention to what Albrecht is saying. Tolerance stacking is possible, even with excellent components.
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HansGruber
Ronin
And THAT’S what I’m talkin’ ‘bout!^ Absolutely. There are mistakes that go out the door with every make. It's just a part of reality.
But what I'm trying to point out to @Keystone19250 is that in this specific case, his case, although going for a supposedly higher-quality (either or both of build/assembly and/or components) upper should give him better chances that the final mating to his lower will be trouble-free, it doesn't guaranty such.
Look at this n of 1 sample of a SOLGW East India upper, via SOTAR's awesome YouTube Channel:
I'm just trying to temper expectations, that's all.
And more towards this -
^ I think that this SOTAR comparison of five KAC Sandcuttter BCGs (top-tier) is a very good example of minor variances that can potentially show unique issues when placed into unique final systems.
^ And here's an "autopsy" of one singular example of yet another Sandcutter - was this an escape from QA/QC?
Similarly, here is an n of 1 of a LMT enhanced bolt (top-tier) ---->
And finally, even more on-point, this is specifically explaining tolerance stacking - again, all the parts used here are considered top-tier:
Pay special attention to what Albrecht is saying. Tolerance stacking is possible, even with excellent components.
Keystone19250
SAINT
THANK YOU EVERYONE for giving me so much to think about, I really appreciate it and this cements my feelings about this being the best forum ever filled with a group of awesome knowledgeable guys and gals.
Bassbob
Emissary
I guess I have just been lucky with ARs. Either that or my standards and expectations aren't that high. I have mated Anderson Lowers with Bear Creek uppers, PSA lowers with Bear Creek uppers ( and that's arguably the 2 most "Budget" build manufacturers I can think of) and my Adams Arms came stock with an Anderson lower. Never had a bit of trouble out of any of them.
I think a lot of people are holding on to old notions abouts AR's and build quality not considering the advancements made in CNC machining and the programming for them in the past 10 years which had resulted in even budget friendly AR's being really reliable.
I have just under 20 AR's currently of different variations and I have yet to find a combination that didn't work like it should.
The only difference I've noticed with some budget brands is the fit is sometimes a little looser between the upper and lower (this does not seem to affect function) and the finish may have some blemish of be a more basic finish.
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BET7
Ronin
I agree. I have about the same number of ARs, some high end, mid tier, and several fit and match like Bob has. Several of these I bought the uppers in different calibers, and all functions well as you state.