My father is currently looking to build a somewhat low cost varmint/target rifle. He has already built his lower and is now shopping around for a complete upper w/BCG or at least a built upper minus BCG. He has settled on a free float tube and 20" barrel. Most likely he will be shooting primarily factory reload 55gr .223 at 100-300yds but the ability to shoot 5.56 would be nice so it seems a barrel chambered in either 5.56 or .223 Wilde would be best. He's looking to spend about $600 on a complete upper w/BCG but preferably less if possible. He wants to get as close as he can to a tack driver for that price.  So far he has been looking at the following:

20" Bull Barrel Upper Half from Ranger Sales:
http://rangersales.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=599

AR-15 Varmint Upper Half with ER Shaw Stainless Steel Barrel from Gelati International:
http://www.galatiinternational.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=GIO&Product_Code=MDB203

20" Varmint Upper Half from Model 1 Sales:
http://www.model1sales.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=263

I have not been able to find much about how reputable these companies are which is why I am posting here. Also all these uppers seem to carry E.R. Shaw barrels. Have you guys had any experience with these barrels? Would it be better to just stick with a well known brand such as RRA instead of the companies listed above?

Thanks for the advice,
Andrew (PAPERB0NES)

I've got two barrels from model 1, buddy bought a complete upper from them. Our experience has been positive. All 3 have proven to be very accurate rifles.

I own 2 Model-1 uppers in 7.62x39 and both do very well at our 100yd range. They use a Shaw barrel. I have friends that shoot the 5.56 Model-1's and they do well too. My experiance with Gelati Int. has not been a good one. All I have done is look to by parts and the shipping exceeds thee part cost! Beware.

I have bought a barrel and several smaller parts from M1 Sales.  All have been just fine.  Can't say anything about the other two companies though.

I'm looking to build about the same thing.



I'm currently looking at these:



http://jtdistributing.net/store/more_bu_bbu.html#1591



It doesn't say on there, and I confirmed with email that the barrels are 416 stainless steel, chambered in 5.56.    So far they are cheaper than I can find similar uppers for on other websites, and I haven't seen a bad review of them yet.

I believe the Galati offerings are Model 1 products.