I finally picked the upper I want, but i hit a snag. i can't decide if i want the sbr or the perm vortex. need help!

Want to pay a $200 tax for having an SBR and think it's worth it (plus, do your local/state laws allow SBRs)?  If not, I'd go for the permanent FH.

I think if I was going to go with a top of the line upper like that I would go the whole route and buy the complete rifle from them.They are nice

Nevermind guys, Decided on the infidel upper in 6.8mm. but in response to engineer's question, I live in Central Texas. our State Law allows SBRs and Class 3 weapons. But another question, I'm joining the Marines in a couple of years. Is it easier to get SBRs and Full-Automatic weapons if I'm in the military and can get permission from my commanding officer? I'm hoping to become a 8541.

Hey Rambo is Here,
Don't impulse buy on this. Choice of flash hiders is an area that John Noveske will work with you and try to give you what you want (to a certain extent). I got one of his Afghan uppers and since he is also a AAC suppressor dealer, he perm attached a M4-2000 FH to get me out to 16". I'm just waiting on paperwork for that now. All of his uppers are equally awesome, but for the infidel to be civ. legal, you must use his KX3 FH. Don't get me wrong, his KX3 works great, but it just wasn't my can of beer (cup o' tea). Also, something else to consider, if your dilemma is because you just don't like the look of the Vortex and want something more mil-spec looking, Sabre Defense makes an extended birdcage FH that when attached to a 14.5" barrel, gets it out to 16". You can buy a SBR Afghan upper and IMMEDIATELY send it out and have the Sabre Defense FH perm attached (Heck, maybe Noveske will do it for you, ask him!). Choices abound, so choose wisely young Jedi, and be happy with your purchase. So six months from now, you won't be saying "Damn, I should have gotten the ________ instead!"

Walsh, I didn't know John was a AAC dealer. Since the m4-2000 was going to be my 1st choice when i get into the marines I might as well get the afghan with the M4-2000 FH. Thanks MAN

Oh, and to your question of buying class 3 weapons in the military: I don't think it matters. Either the gun belongs to you or it belongs to the Marine Corps. If you want it to be your personal gun, you will still have to buy a transferable gun through a class 3 dealer, get a signature, pay the tax, and have it registered. Sure, your CO might be able to sign the form 4, if he is willing, but the rest of the process is the same as a civilian purchase/registration. You, as an individual, even as an active duty military member, cannot purchase a machine gun made after May '86, (i.e. "brand new"). They can only be sold to govt/LE agencies for official use. In other words, the Marine Corps buys the gun and issues it to you, for use only when and where they say. And then you have to give it back when they say because it's not your gun.    

Then how come I see pictures of Force Recon and other SF units and their weapons look like they were brought personaly? oh wait I forgot. I'm going in as a grunt sniper. dammit.

I didn't buy my M4-2000 from him because we are in different states, as you also would be. But, he can set the gun up with the right flash hider to handle the AAC fast attach cans. Look at the pictures of the Afghan upper on his website, that is a M4-2000 and FH for it. The one in the pictures is a phantom style, but he can also has the new SOPMOD style, as well.

RIH,
Sorry, Internet went down yesterday. You're right, many SF guys are using "non-standard issue" stuff. SF and other elite units have been given much more latitude to purchase and use stuff they need (or want) that's outside of the normal supply chain. But if it is procured by the military unit, then it belongs to the military, not the individual. Remember, on a M-16 system, just the lower rec. is, technically, the gun. Everything else is just parts. So who knows, maybe what you see are some SF guys carrying their personally owned upper and accessories on a govt owned lower. Then, when they get back home, they just turn in the lower rec.  Who knows.

That might be. I also decided to go with the complete Afghan Rifle in desert tan and M4-2000 FH. and will probaly go hunting deer with it. I'll probaly also use it at TSRA Competitions.