Can you guys help me build an upper?

[Superfly]

Hey, guys.

So, as you know from my intro, I am serving in Kandahar Afghanistan. I will be getting back to "the world" in August at which time I plan on building an upper to add to my existing Bushmaster lower.

I've already placed a White Oak Armament 18" barrel on order and it should be delivered just about the time I'm getting back home. What I respectfully ask your help on is giving me some ideas for the other stuff I need to buy to put it all together. This will be my absolute first upper build, so I could sure use as much detail as possible (down to the washers, length of forearm & gas tube, and tools I'll be needing)

I'm building this rifle to take to my brother's place this November for deer camp, so keeping that in mind what would constitute an upper setup that isn't too expensive but, at the same time, isn't made from cheap parts? Brand names would help, too.

Here's what I have in mind, generally speaking:

- WOA 18" barrel, free floated
- Flat-top receiver with M4 cutouts
- Some kind of muzzle device (I'm torn between muzzle compensator or brake)
- LMT bolt carrier and bolt group

What other stuff should I consider? Like I said, I'd like to have a complete list so I can order the items from Afghanistan and have them waiting for me at home when I return.

Thanks in advance for all your help!!!

Very respectfully,
Brian

[Cold]

Sounds good so far to me.

[ron169]

Well, you will prolly get serveral different options listed from different people considering what they prefer.... but I will just list mine:

Muzzle Brake/ compensator: Since quick follow up shots will be prefered in a hunting environment, I would go with a compensator, especially since you wont have to worry about flash in the daylight.
My personal preference is the Ops Inc. Brake, I have heard good things about it, and plan on getting it myself when I build a SS barrelled upper. http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ ... s%20inc&s=
Another suggestion would be the MSTN Quiet Control brake http://www.mstn.biz/index.php?option=co ... 7143a1dc6b

Just remember that with each compensator, make sure you use hearing protection as it increases the noise from a standard flash hider

As for upper receiver, since it is important to get one with M4 cuts already in, I would suggest a Spikes Tactical. They seem to make quality equipment, and use the M4 cuts, and they are a site sponsor! http://www.spikestactical.com/z/index.p ... cts_id=123

Now as for other products, I would suggest a WOA tuned RRA NM 2 stage trigger, seem to be pretty well regarded as far as reliabilty and price go as far as triggers. http://www.adcofirearms.com/itemdetails ... umber=1499

Well the rest is kinda up to you. Are you going to want a smooth float tube, railed one, or modular? Collapsable stock or Fixed?

[VLODPG]

You might just want to consider a Extreme upper. Hopefully they will be readially available by the time you return stateside.

[Superfly]

Well the rest is kinda up to you. Are you going to want a smooth float tube, railed one, or modular? Collapsable stock or Fixed?

Thanks for the great feedback! Since the only things I am going to be hanging off the rifle are some quality optics and a bipod, I am thinking about a smooth forend with a short picatinny rail thingie on the underside at the very front of the rifle.

With an 18" barrel what length of forend and gas tube will I need? How about a gas block? I would like to hide the gas block under the forend to keep the look and lines pretty clean.

(We've got ACOGs over here...with the PEQ-15 and front sight post, the bottom 1/2 of the sight picture is taken up by stuff, which is really annoying)

[Superfly]

You might just want to consider a Extreme upper. Hopefully they will be readially available by the time you return stateside.

I will definitely consider them. Do you have a link to a website where I can look at these receivers?

[ron169]

I personally prefer this float tube here, its a little pricey, but I think it is just sexy, and you can put the rails where you want them. I would get the rifle length for the 18 in. Barrel.
http://www.jprifles.com/1.4.4_hg.php

Now as for gas tube and block and stuff. What gas length barrel did you order? If you get a standard low profile GB it should fit under the handguard, but I dont know weather it will be placed under the handguard or not... kinda depends on what gas system you went for and how far it is from the end of the barrel.


Links for Xtreme Upper (keep in mind that this is a complete package and comes with a barrel)
http://www.ar15performance.com/6_8_spc
http://www.titanarmory.net

Ar15performance if you live west of the Mississippi, Titan arms if you live east of it. And jsut for reference, im going with the Xtreme myself! But if I were in your shoes, I would stay with the 18 in build for target accuracy/hunting builds, and the Xtreme for a combat/home protection setup. Why have 1 gun when you can have 2!
If you have any questions about the Xtreme, check this thread, it may answer most of them. The first 300 uppers have already been spoken for, but they should open up to future orders in a couple months!
viewtopic.php?f=54&t=3737&start=0

[Superfly]

I personally prefer this float tube here, its a little pricey, but I think it is just sexy, and you can put the rails where you want them. I would get the rifle length for the 18 in. Barrel.

Now as for gas tube and block and stuff. What gas length barrel did you order? If you get a standard low profile GB it should fit under the handguard, but I dont know weather it will be placed under the handguard or not... kinda depends on what gas system you went for and how far it is from the end of the barrel.

I ordered this barrel from WOA:

[img]http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/barrels/68bbls.jpg[/img]

White Oak Armament 6.8mm Barrel, mid-length

· 18 inch 1:11 twist Match Grade Stainless Steel barrel with SPCII chamber
· mid-length gas system
· muzzle threaded 5/8x24 which is the standard for 6.8mm barrels
· 18" barrel is .95" for the first 7", then steps to .840" out to the gas block, .750 at the gas block (like an H-Bar)
· utilizes M-4 style feed ramps for reliable functioning with flat point hunting bullets.

[ron169]

Im almost positive that a rifle length handguard will cover a midlength gas block. Hopefully someone who knows 100% cant post up and say so. Once you decide which handguard you are going to go with, I would shoot the producing company an email and ask them which gas block they would prefer that would fit under the guard with clearance. And when you order your muzzle brake, make sure to get one that matched your barrel size at the brake

[Superfly]

Im almost positive that a rifle length handguard will cover a midlength gas block. Hopefully someone who knows 100% cant post up and say so. Once you decide which handguard you are going to go with, I would shoot the producing company an email and ask them which gas block they would prefer that would fit under the guard with clearance. And when you order your muzzle brake, make sure to get one that matched your barrel size at the brake

That's good SA...thank you.