Building a featureless AR

[redtail]

These fake muzzle device is made to be used as a thread protector. They come already drilled and ready for pinning and welding.

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northerngunparts.com

Neat site / How have I never heard of this place before?

 

[dwa12479]

The rabbit hole is deep, indeed! I’ve been researching obsessively, and it just keeps on going.

Most important rule - Never feed an AR after midnight... they multiply.

 

[Fightingfish]

Ok, so I did some soul searching.

I wanted an 18” barrel. I did. But I realized that most of my shooting is indoors, with occasional trips to an outdoor range with 100-200yd lanes.

After hours of window shopping, I went with this built upper from PSA. I added their premium Nickle Boron BCG, too. Both were on sale.
Quick, somebody tell me I made a wise choice for my first AR build! Or at least tell me to cancel it before it ships.

I like the PSA warranty, and I like the palpable mid-level feel of it. I scoped out some companies that offered built uppers, but had very opaque practices/reviews. I also went the other way and almost talked myself into spending my entire build budget on an upper. This feels like a comfortable medium. Hopefully I’m right!

As far as lowers/triggers. I’m gonna go simple on the receiver, but I wanna splurge a bit on the trigger group. I shot a buddy’s hotrodded AK with a two stage trigger that was delectable. Loved it. But I’m not sure I wanna take that plunge on my own build. Decisions, decisions. Any suggestions on trigger groups to check out? I like both extremes: two stage smoothness, and single stage crispness.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-m4-carbine-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-13-5-lightweight-m-lok-freedom-upper-with-mbus-sight-set-no-bcg-or-ch-516444706.html

 

[BDinPutnam]

What are you going to do about the muzzle device?

 

[Fightingfish]

What are you going to do about the muzzle device?

I meant to speak to that!

Gonna pull it off and have it capped locally. Was either gonna keep it for a future fixed mag build, or give it away for karma.

 

[Fightingfish]

Update: cancelled my order with PSA. I really had my eye on something from Aero/BA, but got frustrated waiting. I realized that I likely wouldn’t have gotten over this, so I pulled the plug. It’s not like I can get out and shoot for the time being, anyway...might as well wait until I can get what I really wanted to begin with.

So that’s the current status. Waiting on stock to build at Aero/BA.

 

[Justincase]

The Aero stuff you want is out of stock everywhere?

 

[Blimey]

Update: cancelled my order with PSA. I really had my eye on something from Aero/BA, but got frustrated waiting. I realized that I likely wouldn’t have gotten over this, so I pulled the plug. It’s not like I can get out and shoot for the time being, anyway...might as well wait until I can get what I really wanted to begin with.

So that’s the current status. Waiting on stock to build at Aero/BA.

with an order at psa by the time it arrived we’ll probably be in lockdown on covid 23

 

[Fightingfish]

The Aero stuff you want is out of stock everywhere?

The combination of barrel, gas system, and foregrip that I’m seeking seems to be so. I learned from my night spent feeding my baby and alternately wondering if I made the right choice that I should wait until what I’m really looking for pops up.

 

[BDinPutnam]

(Dont hate me)

Depending on what it is a foregrip is a feature too.

ETA I assume you mean handguard tho.

 

[Fightingfish]

(Dont hate me)

Depending on what it is a foregrip is a feature too.

ETA I assume you mean handguard tho.

Yes, you’re right. I do appreciate the corrections, for the record. Nomenclature matters, especially when dealing with constitutional rights and efforts to infringe upon them.

 

[Fightingfish]

So I found the exact built upper I was looking for on OpticsPlanet.com.
placed the order two nights ago, and I received an email today that my order was cancelled!

”We have carefully reviewed the details of your order and some or all of the products you ordered are subject to United States federal, state and/or local government laws and regulations regarding the domestic sale of restricted products. We apologize, but at this time we are not able to proceed with processing your order. In order to ensure that we comply with all applicable laws and regulations we are forced to cancel your order.”

Wtf is this about? The barrel was threaded and had a device, but I was unaware that uppers are regulated. What if I was building a fixed mag? What if I was going to drill, pin, and weld it? Spoiler alert: that was the plan.

I sent them an email expressing my disappointment, including the above information. Is this common? Can I really not order an upper with a threaded barrel, or is this like local shops not selling pistol caliber ammo to folks without a permit because they think they can’t?

 

[cgrutt]

So I found the exact built upper I was looking for on OpticsPlanet.com.
placed the order two nights ago, and I received an email today that my order was cancelled!

”We have carefully reviewed the details of your order and some or all of the products you ordered are subject to United States federal, state and/or local government laws and regulations regarding the domestic sale of restricted products. We apologize, but at this time we are not able to proceed with processing your order. In order to ensure that we comply with all applicable laws and regulations we are forced to cancel your order.”

Wtf is this about? The barrel was threaded and had a device, but I was unaware that uppers are regulated. What if I was building a fixed mag? What if I was going to drill, pin, and weld it? Spoiler alert: that was the plan.

I sent them an email expressing my disappointment, including the above information. Is this common? Can I really not order an upper with a threaded barrel, or is this like local shops not selling pistol caliber ammo to folks without a permit because they think they can’t?

My guess is their lawyers deemed there's too much risk in selling parts that can be used in non-compliant configurations in states with Draconian gun laws. Didn't know Optics Planet sold uppers not surprised they have restrictive policies given this isn't their core business.

 

[BDinPutnam]

Not the first time we have seen Optics Planet do douchey stuff on this forum...

 

[Fightingfish]

My guess is their lawyers deemed there's too much risk in selling parts that can be used in non-compliant configurations in states with Draconian gun laws. Didn't know Optics Planet sold uppers not surprised they have restrictive policies given this isn't their core business.

That’s pretty lame, but I understand. Not saying I agree with them.
Sucks, I had a good coupon from them, too. Oh well, back to the drawing board!

 

[Justincase]

That’s pretty lame, but I understand. Not saying I agree with them.
Sucks, I had a good coupon from them, too. Oh well, back to the drawing board!

What was the upper? Can you post a link?

 

[Fightingfish]

What was the upper? Can you post a link?

This, in black, 16” barrel, 12” handguard

Aero Precision M4E1 Threaded 5.56 Mid-Length w/ ATLAS S-ONE Handguard Complete Upper Receiver Up to 15% Off w/ Free S&H — 6 models

Shop Aero Precision M4E1 Threaded 5.56 Mid-Length w/ ATLAS S-ONE Handguard Complete Upper Receiver | Up to 15% Off 4.7 Star Rating on 15 Reviews for Aero Precision M4E1 Threaded 5.56 Mid-Length w/...

www.opticsplanet.com

 

[dwa12479]

There are some companies out there that are shy about dealing with certain states like NY, NJ, CA.... can't necessarily blame them. I've never tried to order an upper from Optics Planet. I have ordered lots and lots of other stuff from them though, and never had an order cancelled. They're taking a very long time to ship right now though. Longer than PSA even. Didnt know that was even possible. Lol.

 

[RooftopKorean]

Opticsplanet is bad like that, they wouldn't send me a KAK can which is not illegal; I have since boycotted them.

PSA is funny like that as well and their order processing to shipping turn around is horrid. (As is my grammar apparently).

Keep an eye on MidwayUSA as they occasionally have discounts on complete uppers and the AR-Stoner line isn't half bad.

If you're looking for budget uppers I'd also suggest giving Bear Creek Arsenal a look.

If you are going to order a stripped lower there are plenty of home based FFLs that will do transfers since most storefronts are closed.

Check Find an FFL Near You - GunBroker.com and type in your zip code. Look for actual names of people instead of business names. Those are home based FFLs who are most likely open.

I know for a fact that home based ones are doing transfers as I did one upstate this past weekend.

And like others have said, the Fightlite SCR is a good option to having an ARish platform. But remember that the lower is proprietary so you cannot use drop in triggers, typical AR triggers, typical fire selector switches and things like BAD levers because of the proprietary lower. There are a few extended/ambi mag releases that will work.

You can also get a good selection of aftermarket stocks from Boyd's for the SCR.

I personally love my SCR and am currently working to fit a Magpul SGA870 stock onto it. I'd take my bastardized AR variant over a fugly Thordsen/Spur gripped one any day (I can't own one in NYC but I wouldn't want one if I could!)

 

[BDinPutnam]

I am a big fan of JSE Surplus and I know for a fact they will ship complete uppers to New Yorkistan.

 

[Justincase]

This, in black, 16” barrel, 12” handguard

Aero Precision M4E1 Threaded 5.56 Mid-Length w/ ATLAS S-ONE Handguard Complete Upper Receiver Up to 15% Off w/ Free S&H — 6 models

Shop Aero Precision M4E1 Threaded 5.56 Mid-Length w/ ATLAS S-ONE Handguard Complete Upper Receiver | Up to 15% Off 4.7 Star Rating on 15 Reviews for Aero Precision M4E1 Threaded 5.56 Mid-Length w/...

www.opticsplanet.com

Gotcha. Maybe because it "could"be built into a non compliant rifle? But that could be anything for crying out loud.

 

[Curmudgeon]

Sadly, I think you'll have difficulty finding much in stock currently.

 

[scooter86]

So I wanted to put an alternative out there. 16" is minimum barrel length for an AR rifle. Instead of getting a thread protector pinned and welded, you can also have a barrel cut and recrowned. Costs a bit more but does look nice. You would need an 18" barrel most likely to go this route.
There are a few manufacturers that sell featureless uppers. Windham weaponry is one, good quality I just wish they would offer something free floated and no railed gas block.
Rightobear.com has a decent selection of ban state goodies and lower parts. I prefer the thordsen over other solutions though. A short throw ambi safety and extended mag release button really aid the ergonomics of the thordsen, and righttobear is a good place to grab that stuff. Mag prices are decent also.
BF10 loaders make fixed mag life better, but I would go featureless if it is your first. Being able to drop the mag in event of a malfunction is easier and safer.

 

[sfoster13]

aim surplus will ship complete uppers to NY

 

[Fightingfish]

Got a nice upper on the way from BA. @ohms139 was kind enough to karma me a charging handle, for which I am tremendously thankful.
I’m going simple on a lower receiver. I see the Aero/BA stuff has set screws that allow you to adjust the fit between upper and lower to reduce shimmy. I hate shimmy. Is that a standardized thing, or should I just go with one of those two.

Also, is there a particular advantage to going with a carbine vs rifle recoil system? My upper had a rifle length gas system, if that matters.

Also still tossed up on drop in triggers. Is there a point of diminishing returns, there?

edit- forgot this. Beers on fight night...bolt carrier groups...is there any point to the titanium stuff? I like the look, but does it really matter? My goal for this build is smoooooth. Where would you go?

 

[ArmedCorgi]

bolt carrier groups...is there any point to the titanium stuff?

No, not really. I mean, sure, but you'd be more than fine with a phosphate or nitride BCG. Go for what you want. A good indicator of a quality BCG is that the bolt is MPI (Magnetic Particle Inspected) and the gas key is properly staked. I would also go with an M16 style BCG over the standard AR15 BCG.

 

[scooter86]

That shimmy has no effect on accuracy. It is annoying. Honestly, my cheapest upper locks up tightest, and my most expensive upper is the sloppiest. I have YHM extended pins that seem a tad oversized because they lock down even the looser combos. I dont use the set screw on the lowers that have them due to these. Other manufacturers may include that feature though. You can always throw an accuwedge in too. Not sure I like any of those solutions on a fixed mag build personally.

Longer gas systems generally have lighter recoil with everything else being equal.

I have Larue MBT triggers in everything now, great value for the price.

BCG finish won't make much difference, Phosphate is a little rougher finish, nitride, pvd, or NiB all tend to be smoother finish and look nicer but function the same. An adjustable gas block, or lightweight BCG, or heavier buffer/spring combo can smooth a rifle out though. Again start with a longer gas system when possible. Rifle length is a great place to start. That and maybe an h buffer probably about all you need.

 

[Vapor]

Get a target crowned barreled upper from JSE Surplus.

 

[cgrutt]

What about this barrel? @meketrefe ? AR15 Heavy Varmint Carb. l. STAINLESS | .223Rem | L:16"

Need a barrel, handguard and stock to build "compliant" rifle... Thinking about project for my kid.

 

[BDinPutnam]

What about this barrel? @meketrefe ? AR15 Heavy Varmint Carb. l. STAINLESS | .223Rem | L:16"

Need a barrel, handguard and stock to build "compliant" rifle... Thinking about project for my kid.

It doesn't mention a weight but for what its worth it is going to be heavy. I have found heavier barrels can get nose heavy on the Thordsen. At 16" that might not be an issue for you.

With that said I have a .750 Lothar with matched BCG on one of mine, they make some very nice stuff.