Searching AR upper kits

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  • Ponder_MD

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 9, 2020
    4,554
    Maryland
    Wow, is this ever difficult.

    The precise combination of features that I'm looking for is difficult to find and out of stock virtually everywhere:

    Classic or MOE foregrip
    Classic or plain, collapsing stock
    16" HBAR in .223 Wylde
    Rear charging handle

    The easiest .223 Wylde kits to find are those fugly MLOK or Keymod rail systems.
    The easiest MOE or Classic kits to find are out of stock everywhere in .223 Wylde but are available in 5.56.

    If I can stomach the MLOK crap, I can have all the other features, affordably.
    If I'm willing to chamber in 5.56, I can have a more aesthetically pleasing (to me) rifle. Oddly, the classic AR/M4 look is more costly.
     

    SkiPatrolDude

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Oct 24, 2017
    3,331
    Timonium-Lutherville
    Pretty much going to have to build it.

    Wyndham I think makes what you’re looking for, but not sure if they sell just the upper.

    Delton sells classic uppers also.

    Both only in 5.56
     

    mvee

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 13, 2007
    2,487
    Crofton
    It loooks like palmetto has standard hand guard uppers in 5.56. What gas length are you looking for?
     

    Michigander08

    ridiculous and psychotic
    MDS Supporter
    May 29, 2017
    7,685
    "Rear charging handle"

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    Please educate me on this thing. Huh?
     

    Rocinante

    Active Member
    Jul 19, 2018
    182
    Eastern Shore
    Wow, is this ever difficult.

    The precise combination of features that I'm looking for is difficult to find and out of stock virtually everywhere:

    Classic or MOE foregrip
    Classic or plain, collapsing stock
    16" HBAR in .223 Wylde
    Rear charging handle

    The easiest .223 Wylde kits to find are those fugly MLOK or Keymod rail systems.
    The easiest MOE or Classic kits to find are out of stock everywhere in .223 Wylde but are available in 5.56.

    If I can stomach the MLOK crap, I can have all the other features, affordably.
    If I'm willing to chamber in 5.56, I can have a more aesthetically pleasing (to me) rifle. Oddly, the classic AR/M4 look is more costly.

    Del-Ton currently has everything you need in stock including the barrel wrench- that is if you don't mind assembling a mid-length.
    https://www.del-ton.com/AR-15-Buttstock-p/bs1094.htm
    https://www.del-ton.com/Magpul-MOE-M-LOK-Mid-Length-Handguard-p/hg1148.htm
    https://www.del-ton.com/AR-15-Upper-p/ur1022.htm
    https://www.del-ton.com/AR-15-Delta-Ring-Assembly-p/bp1054.htm
    https://www.del-ton.com/DTI-Del-Ton-Inc-AR-15-16-Mid-Length-Pre-Ban-Ba-p/bl1058a.htm
    https://www.del-ton.com/Charging-Handle-p/up1005.htm
    https://www.del-ton.com/Armorer-s-Tool-p/tl1018.htm
     

    Off_paper

    Member
    Apr 30, 2021
    71
    AACo
    "Rear charging handle"

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    Please educate me on this thing. Huh?

    What's your question? Many rifles have side charging handles, and this is also an option for ARs, as shown here:

    CTD_side_charge_racegun_alt_2.jpg


    However, the majority of ARs tend to have rear charging handles:

    037e8ef8968981f890d1f9a0ae5e8249.jpg


    You'll note that the side charging handle means that you don't have a dust cover over the bolt, and don't have the forward assist.

    Compare the top picture with this one:

    apar501603ac-ar15-assembled-upper-receiver-black-1.jpg
     
    Last edited:

    Michigander08

    ridiculous and psychotic
    MDS Supporter
    May 29, 2017
    7,685
    OK. I'm old school. I didn't know about side charging handle. My first introduction to the rifle was M16A1 from Uncle Sam.
     

    TripleEight

    Active Member
    Apr 2, 2013
    124
    Baltimore County
    bearcreekarsenal.com has several .223 HBAR uppers very cheap. Just swap out the handguard for what you want, and I'll take the MLOK handguard off your hands
     

    Ponder_MD

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 9, 2020
    4,554
    Maryland

    This looks great. One of my concerns about piecing a kit together myself, is that I worried that I might choose parts that are not compatible with each other.

    What's missing from this list is the BCG and Del-ton seems to be out of stock. Also, I believe I need a pivot pin and a takedown pin? I see that the buffer and spring can be added when selecting the stock.

    What else am I missing?
     

    bibitor

    Kulak
    MDS Supporter
    Oct 10, 2017
    1,894
    FEMA Region III
    This looks great. One of my concerns about piecing a kit together myself, is that I worried that I might choose parts that are not compatible with each other.

    What's missing from this list is the BCG and Del-ton seems to be out of stock. Also, I believe I need a pivot pin and a takedown pin? I see that the buffer and spring can be added when selecting the stock.

    What else am I missing?

    These will be in the lower parts kit if building from a stripped lower receiver or already installed in the lower if you are buying one complete.

    As far as BCG's, you'll have many options, lots of different manufacturers, just pic the price range.

    Also, if you decide to build, buy or barrow a set of headspace gauges.
     

    Ponder_MD

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 9, 2020
    4,554
    Maryland
    These will be in the lower parts kit if building from a stripped lower receiver or already installed in the lower if you are buying one complete.

    As far as BCG's, you'll have many options, lots of different manufacturers, just pic the price range.

    Also, if you decide to build, buy or barrow a set of headspace gauges.

    I have a pair of 80% lowers that I'm going to mill this winter. I have an experienced friend who will help me. Thanks for the assist!
     

    Ponder_MD

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 9, 2020
    4,554
    Maryland
    Ok, I've put together a "wishlist" on the Del-ton site. I realized that I was missing a ton of parts. I think I have everything added to the list except for the BCG because they're out of stock.

    I'm not entirely clear, does this barrel include the gas block? https://www.del-ton.com/DTI-Del-Ton-Inc-AR-15-16-Mid-Length-Pre-Ban-Ba-p/bl1058a.htm

    All the gas blocks I'm seeing, say that they replace the front sight on the rifle. I want to keep the front sight that comes with this barrel.
     

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