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Posted: 2/9/2014 6:27:33 PM EDT
I have been building lowers and have few. I guess its time to complete one. So I was told diy upper was a pain. so I have been debating this for about 4 years. I like the point of Learning each part of the gun and its functions but I also want it work properly. I guess what I am worried about is the gas tube. I was told buy a local armory that It was better to just buy the upper vs diy? I just thought I would get some thoughts on this. Should I try it or Buy it?
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If you can screw in a lightbulb, you can build an upper. I would dare say the lower is more difficult than the upper I disagree Barrel nut and FSB/gas block are the two hardest parts involved in the building process, if anything I would say buy a complete upper, build the lower. As for your question OP, If you want any "basic" rifle I would just buy a complete or buy a complete upper and lower and put them together. Unless you have something really specific in mind, its hard to the beat the price and quality of some sub $1000 guns, or for a bit more you can get into the daniel defense realm (~$1300) |
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I disagree Barrel nut and FSB/gas block are the two hardest parts involved in the building process, if anything I would say buy a complete upper Quoted:
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If you can screw in a lightbulb, you can build an upper. I would dare say the lower is more difficult than the upper I disagree Barrel nut and FSB/gas block are the two hardest parts involved in the building process, if anything I would say buy a complete upper seriously. takes 2 seconds if you have a vice block and an average quality wrench. if your drilling your own holes for your gas block then yeah. but most barrel kits come with the FSB already installed. and if your doing a low pro gas block for a rail to go over then its super easy. |
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It all depends on what you want out of the upper, you see I built my first AR myself I bought some tools realized they were junk and bought some better ones and left a few marks on my rifle I wish were not there. In the end I couldn't be happier with it and I won't change a thing, I'm just going to build another.
To actually try and answer your question, if you want the lowest price wait for a sale and buy it or if you want something really particular that can't be readily bought build. |
Thanks Guys, I think I am going to do some shopping around and check in to the build aspect. I don't plan to drill my own holes if I can help it. so I am hoping it is a piece of cake like the lowers. but if I run across a good deal on a upper complete then I will get it too.. For sure going to build either way. 
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If you have a few completed lowers I would say at least do one upper build. Then if you find it to be too much trouble, buy a complete upper. +1 And +2. As a worst-case if you can't get it together you could take it to a smith and have him put it together right, but seriously, like other's have said, it's no more rocket surgery than the lower is, just a different tool for the barrel nut. If the standard tool is not something you own or can borrow there are several free-float handguard that use proprietary barrel nuts that go on with (large) standard wrenches. I have the Diamondhead VRS-T, and it uses, if memory serves, a standard 1 1/8 wrench, no special barrel nut too required. Use a clamp-on front sight block and they are idiot-proof (hey, mine works!). A lot of uppers these days come with the FA and the dust cover installed (I went with the Tactical Innovations, they do) so literally you install the barrel, slide in the gas tube, tap the gas block into place with a rubber hammer (inserting the tube as it goes on), clamp it down, slide the ff handguard on (be sure that it's a low-profile gas block if you want it hidden, otherwise the handguard goes on before the gas block), clamp it down, screw on your muzze device, drop in your charging handle and BCG, attach to lower, make noise, smile! |
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I have been building lowers and have few. I guess its time to complete one. So I was told diy upper was a pain. so I have been debating this for about 4 years. I like the point of Learning each part of the gun and its functions but I also want it work properly. I guess what I am worried about is the gas tube. I was told buy a local armory that It was better to just buy the upper vs diy? I just thought I would get some thoughts on this. Should I try it or Buy it? I'm sure this question goes back for ages and I'm sure everyone who responds or simply reads your question will have a different thought. My first though is that if you aren't lazy and enjoy tinkering then build it! You'll come out understanding the intricacies of your gun far more than if you bought it off the shelf. Not to mention the level of self pride once the gun is up and running. It may not be easy, but it's worth doing. Sometimes I wish assembling/disassembling your gun and maybe even cleaning your gun were required parts of getting your CCW/Pistol Permit/etc. If it's your first consider buying a complete upper and assemble the lower; this way you have one to shoot and one to tinker with. You already know you wont stop at just 1 so then on the second one, build it entirely. That's what I aim to do.
Cheers MattCas |
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