Uppers, build or buy complete, .224 Valkyrie

[Robin]

Well, I have started my search and have to admit it is dizzying with all that is out there. I looking a a side charger, left hand, in .224 Valkyrie parts and complete. I don't understand how a complete set-up can be had for less than half the cost of parts, with everything else seemingly equal. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Robin

 

[BDinPutnam]

I'm not remotely an expert but it depends on the parts. Quality of barrel and so forth in preassembled uppers may not be as nice as one you piece together for more money.

 

[Mosinitis]

Quality barrel cost money. You can't go wrong with White Oak, the guy who runs it is a perfectionist. What he sells is worth every penny.

White Oak Armament | Quality Parts for Competitive and Casual Shooters

I am not sure he sells left handed uppers. Most of the lefties shoot right handed AR. A lot of parts are different and much more expensive for lefty uppers.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

A lefty BCG and lefty stripped upper is all you really need.

Can you get a lefty bokt for 224v?

Get with the program and shoot righty already. There is a reason they call it RIGHT!

If the upper is cheap then the parts are standard milspec/crap. I would think you are looking at $600-1000$ for a GREAT upper. If you dont wanna spend the coin, it will be hit or miss. You can probably get a PSA for $300 or so, but it will be a righty.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Here you go:

BCA Uppers - Grendel & Valkyrie On Sale!

For $220 complete (i can not access the build specs, but if it has a bcg and ch) you might as well but it. Wtf? For yhat money just gamble. If it sucks, wait till the sale ends (and the price returns to $400+)and sell it for what you paid for it.

My buddy got a barrel from them in 6.8. We cut it down to 12 inches for a pistol build. It shoots sub MOA at 100 yards with crap ammo.

I would say he got the one and only great barrel from them. @Calculon got 2-3 that absolutely sucked moose cock.

 

[Calculon]

True - I had 2 BCA barrels that shot 8-12 inch groups at 100yards with match Ammo. BCA guarantees 1MOA at 100 yards. To their credit they warranteed out both barrels and replaced them for free. Haven’t built anything using them yet.

You get what you pay for.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

I would say not to even bother with 224 Valkyrie.

 

[Mosinitis]

Cut rifled barrels last longer than button rifled barrels. They also retain accuracy longer with slow decline. When button rifled barrel goes south the groups open up very fast. With cut rifled barrels decline starts later and goes much slower. I pay $420 for the Krieger barrels I shoot.

 

[Mosinitis]

A lefty BCG and lefty stripped upper is all you really need.

I have no idea why, but people tell me true lefty barrel extension is also slightly different, although either one will work.

 

[Podmonkey]

I would just stick with the standard top mounted charging handle if I were you. It's easy for a right or lefty to operate. Get on of those ambition charging handles like a Raptor or Geisellle and you'll be fine.

 

[Gonzobird]

Do the math. I have found that you will always spend more if you by the parts for the upper and build it. PSA, BCA and a bunch of other companies sell complete uppers most times with the BCG and charging handle for sometimes up to $200 bucks less then what you would build it for.

If you dont like how it comes you can make your own modification to it as you have the basic upper parts and what costs the most, the barrel. Last upper I bought was an 18" .308 from PSA. Got it for $300 with BCG. Only think I did like was the hand guard. Swapped it out with a $20 magpul one it it was good to go.

 

[dsdmmat]

6.8 SPC Left-Handed Bolt Assembly - Hahn Tactical - Advanced Weaponry - AR-15 Parts and Accessories
BCA AR-15 Left Handed Dual Charging Upper Receiver/BCG Combo .223 / 5.56 NATO
Buy the upper and the bolt then you have a spare left handed bolt for a 223.

224 Valkyrie Criterion 7T
McGowen Precision Home - McGowen Precision Barrels
https://airbornearmsllc.com/product-category/airborne-barrels
these barrels have a good reputation in the 224 Valkyrie circles.

I am running McGowen, Craddock, Wilson and Krieger barrels on my Valkyries.

http://www.chandlerhardwoods.com/HandGuards-s/1837.htm
These guys have some really nice handguards and good prices on them to boot. I am currently running them on four of my Uppers.

 

[Robin]

Lots of good stuff there dsdmmat!!!!!!!! Thank you. I'll be pouring over that for sure!!!
I have a left hand lower, I like the idea of a side charger in and of itself, and when used with a scope it works out even better. I like the .224 Valkyrie in and of itself, and the fact that I have a lower with a fixed magazine set up for the 6.8 SPC, it works out even better. My hobby, my choices, no problem.
I haven't spent a dime yet and I'mm already over budget, but I'm enjoying it. The barrel is the heart and soul, so maybe I should start there. I'm thinking of 22"-24" with the end threaded on which I will pin and weld Mi Blast Can 1/2-28" Thread - 5.56/.223 Caliber. Well, thats my thinking at this point, gotta be legal!
Robin

 

[Gonzobird]

Just make sure you have left handed ammo to go with the left hand lower and upper.

 

[Robin]

I hand load so thats not a problem.
Robin

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Never heard of a left hand lower?

Ambi/lefty safety.
Ambi/left mag release
Ambi/lefty bolt release.

 

[Robin]

Stag Arms.
Robin

 

[dsdmmat]

Lots of good stuff there dsdmmat!!!!!!!! Thank you. I'll be pouring over that for sure!!!
I have a left hand lower, I like the idea of a side charger in and of itself, and when used with a scope it works out even better. I like the .224 Valkyrie in and of itself, and the fact that I have a lower with a fixed magazine set up for the 6.8 SPC, it works out even better. My hobby, my choices, no problem.
I haven't spent a dime yet and I'mm already over budget, but I'm enjoying it. The barrel is the heart and soul, so maybe I should start there. I'm thinking of 22"-24" with the end threaded on which I will pin and weld Mi Blast Can 1/2-28" Thread - 5.56/.223 Caliber. Well, thats my thinking at this point, gotta be legal!
Robin

No need to pin the muzzle device if you got s fixed mag.

 

[Robin]

But I need an excuse to buy a TIG welder.
Robin

 

[Mosinitis]

Stag Arms.
Robin

The lower in that video is a regular lower. The safety lever is ambidextrous, but the lower and rest of the lower parts are regular parts.

 

[Mosinitis]

Standard AR is somewhat ambidextrous rifle by design. Right-handed and left-handed shooters use the same three fingers to operate charging handle, no advantage for either one. Bolt-catch favors a lefty, magazine release favors a righty. Safety lever: righty can use his thumb, lefty can use his trigger finger. Forward assist almost never used, so it doesn't matter. The only real advantage for righties is the location of ejection port. Is it enough to justify building a special rifle, I don't know. When CMP changed the rules few years ago to allow left-handed service rifle, some of the left handed shooters tried them and went back to standard rifles, some liked them and switched.

 

[Mosinitis]

For years the standard marksmanship advice was to shoot the side where your dominant eye is. If it's the same side as your dominant hand, that's great. If not adapt to using a different hand. It will feel awkward at first, but most people can adapt to the point where it doesn't make any difference. There are always exceptions, but this was the standard advice.

 

[Curmudgeon]

The lower in that video is a regular lower. The safety lever is ambidextrous, but the lower and rest of the lower parts are regular parts.

Forward assist is on the opposite side.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

The lower in that video is a regular lower. The safety lever is ambidextrous, but the lower and rest of the lower parts are regular parts.

Forward assist is on the opposite side.

Uuuummmm? That is the upper.....

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Why didn't they invert the bolt and mag releases as well?

 

[Curmudgeon]

Uuuummmm? That is the upper.....

Ummm... whoops!

 

[Robin]

6.8 SPC Left-Handed Bolt Assembly - Hahn Tactical - Advanced Weaponry - AR-15 Parts and Accessories
BCA AR-15 Left Handed Dual Charging Upper Receiver/BCG Combo .223 / 5.56 NATO
Buy the upper and the bolt then you have a spare left handed bolt for a 223.

224 Valkyrie Criterion 7T
McGowen Precision Home - McGowen Precision Barrels
https://airbornearmsllc.com/product-category/airborne-barrels
these barrels have a good reputation in the 224 Valkyrie circles.

I am running McGowen, Craddock, Wilson and Krieger barrels on my Valkyries.

http://www.chandlerhardwoods.com/HandGuards-s/1837.htm
These guys have some really nice handguards and good prices on them to boot. I am currently running them on four of my Uppers.

Went to order the receiver you pegged and they were out of stock, grrrr! Good luck trying to contact them. Ah well I'll keep at it.
Robin

 

[Podmonkey]

I see that Aero Precison offers ambi lowers including the PDQ ambi bolt catch/release.

 

[Mosinitis]

I see that Aero Precison offers ambi lowers including the PDQ ambi bolt catch/release.

This is the same modification that was done for years for a special extended bolt catch to be on the same side as mag release. It's just a little cut that people used to do with a dremmel. It's more for the righties then lefties. Lefties actually don't need it.

 

[Podmonkey]

This is the same modification that was done for years for a special extended bolt catch to be on the same side as mag release. It's just a little cut that people used to do with a dremmel. It's more for the righties then lefties. Lefties actually don't need it.

Yup. That Aero offers the little cut from the factory from those of us that are all thumbs is a big plus. Also the PDQ catch has been difficult to fund in the past.