Wow, I didn't think I was going to get back in here again--- my former pw didn't work.
Anyway I've read much before posting, and there's many directions to take. So here's the deal and I might as well start with budget. $600-$700. I could pay more but want the experience on lesser grade materials prior to moving up, yet higher cost uppers appear to be coming now with less parts....$1200-$1400 that I think I don't need just yet, so here's what I want)
1) 16" total length barrel that includes suppresser
2) muzzle break is more important than flash suppress (don't anticipate needing to hid flash)
3) 223
4) I like the look of the LaRue float tube but can do with less quality. I want the flat top all across for sights I'm taking off other guns etc. Would prefer the end sight to be retractable etc.
5) I'm use to accurate equipment so the barrel has to be relatively good for 100 yard shooting or more.
6) weight-- as light as possible
I'm just going to buy the upper and barrel assembly first, and think it might be better to get all that done and delivered as one piece. Unless it would be cheaper to do it myself--I do have a garage and tools! I'd consider a used piece set up like this but it probably would have to be for around $450 or so.
The stock and lower seems pretty straight forward that I can order complete or buy parts--not sure about compatability issues with uppers and lowers but from what I've read any upper should fit the lower. (So how does that .22 upper work with the lower 223?)
There seems to be many fine suppliers in the Equipment exchange who are active and I intend to use those resourses as they are active to this list...
Can anyone offer any suggestions? (some of the prebuilt uppers seem to be on back order in 16" yet I'm ready to place order today.)
LMT, CMT, Noveske, BCM, J&T and Del-tom for uppers, perhaps ar15barrels too...
Larue and DD for float tubes etc. just too much info to get through...
Thanks in advance.