Build or buy AR upper receiver

oregongunner · January 14, 2016, 01:40 AM

This is my first build, Just got done with the lower. So should I build or buy the upper? Planning on putting some magpul furniture or a free floating rail on it. If i were to buy it which ones should I look at? Under 400$ thanks

Jack

marine6680 · January 14, 2016, 01:55 AM

I usually suggest new builders get a complete upper the first time.

Not that it is particularly difficult, it just tends to require more setup and tools than most have on hand, and it's good to know a system before you build the part most important to function and reliability.

mxsailor803 · January 14, 2016, 08:04 AM

marine has a very valid point. Depending on your purpose, you can find a decently accurate shooter upper for around $300. I tend to use Palmetto State Armory a lot and have never had a complaint other than their shipping is a little slow.

rickyrick · January 14, 2016, 08:16 AM

Depends. To me, the upper is easier to assemble then the lower if you have the tools

Mobuck · January 14, 2016, 08:42 AM

You don't save much(ANYTHING) with a DIY upper. I have the tools and put an upper together occasionally if I find a smoking deal on individual parts but not often. I figure the place that assembles a couple of hundred per day (or even per week) is going to have the experience, tools, and so forth to do a better job than some guy with slip joint pliers and a screwdriver(no reflection on the OP).

pilpens · January 14, 2016, 10:20 AM

If you have free access to the tools (torque wrench, vise, receiver block), build. Otherwise, buy: $400 budget = $250 upper w/pinned FSB + $100 BCG & CH + $50 rear sight.
====
Aimsurplus has some free shipping.
Palmetto has some very good sale prices.

FrankenMauser · January 14, 2016, 05:21 PM

With that budget and no tools, I'd say buy.
Don't forget that you may still need to add sights or an optic (and mount).

If the budget is flexible enough to include a few tools (~$80-120) and you have some mechanical skills, and access to a torque wrench and vise, I'd build.

Your 'built' upper will probably cost more than something off-the-shelf, but it also won't have the added expense of customizing after the purchase. (Such as swapping furniture or going free-float.) It'll be what you want, rather than something that needs to be customized.

oregongunner · January 14, 2016, 05:45 PM

I'm looking at a Ptac 16" flat top upper with just the front sight. what tools would I need to install a free floating hand guard? And also who makes a budget hand guard in either fde or od green? Thanks

Jack

bfoosh006 · January 14, 2016, 05:59 PM

PSA makes some great stuff.... Just not in the PTAC line.

I have read about numerous problems from PTAC uppers... step up a level.

BTW, my suggestion was going to be look at PSA... PSA middle class and higher, dollar wise is a good way for a New AR owner to go.

marine6680 · January 14, 2016, 06:47 PM

Magpul is the go to for cheap handguards... Non free float.

To change the handguard to a freefloat... It can depend on what freefloat you get. For most of them... You need a punch set, a low profile gas block. A barrel nut wrench, torque wrench, vise block, vise, new crush washer, barrel blocks...

Some freefloat handguards use the stock barrel nut, so you can get away with not removing the barrel, if you carefully use a dremel cutting wheel to remove the handguard retaining ring. You still need everything else though.

PSA, get the freedom line or better. PTAC is hit or miss, many will work fine, several will not. There is a warranty, but it's still a hassle to deal with if you have problems.

rickyrick · January 14, 2016, 07:13 PM

If you're dead-set on a free float, it might be less trouble to build.

What is your tool situation right now. If you have or can borrow a torque wrench and a vise. Then all you'd need is an AR wrench $20ish.... and receiver blocks.
I recently got a Magpul BEVblock from primary Arms for 34 bucks. It has lugs that engage the barrel extension as well as the receiver.

You may be able to borrow the AR specific tools as well... I've loaned mine out.
Building may not save money, at least for the first time, but it can be like a layaway program where you get bits at a time.

I've bought complete uppers and I've built them. Either way it's fun.
PSA will do you fine if the item is in stock.

oregongunner · January 14, 2016, 09:00 PM

Thanks guys I'll go with the magpul furniture for now. What kind of rear sight works with the standard front sight?

FrankenMauser · January 14, 2016, 09:41 PM

Skip the PTAC uppers.
They aren't worth the trouble.
(I know, I've had two.)

Pretty much any rear sight designed for flat-top use will be fine, unless it says it's not designed for use with F-marked FSBs (which is what flat-tops should have installed).

oregongunner · January 14, 2016, 11:50 PM

I'm looking at an Adams Arms AR-15 Base A3 Gas Piston Upper Receiver Assembly Carbine 5.56x45mm NATO 16" Barrel
How are these ones? seems like a better free float host. One more question now to install a longer handguard than carbine all I would need is a longer gas tube right? Thanks

Jack

oregongunner · January 15, 2016, 12:12 AM

And also what about the AR-Stoner ones? Sorry about all the questions

mxsailor803 · January 15, 2016, 12:28 AM

Adams is good. The AR Stoner is not bad but not my first choice. Take a look at Sota Arms as well. I've got a .300bo from them and like it a lot.

peggysue · January 15, 2016, 04:33 AM

Hardened Arms has been my go to for complete uppers at a great price.

https://www.hardenedarms.com/

Hunter Customs · January 15, 2016, 09:19 AM

I was thinking of building me an AR however after figuring the cost to build just the upper I could add $50 to it and buy the AR I want.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter

oregongunner · January 15, 2016, 04:12 PM

Thanks guys! Another question I have is. Can I use the existing gas tube for a low profile gas block? No matter the length? And can a free float handguard go over the low profile gas block? So I understand that when I get my upper that I'll need a vise block, barrel nut wrench, punches and a low profile gas block. Anything else I need? Thanks! And sorry with all the questions!

rickyrick · January 15, 2016, 10:10 PM

https://www.rainierarms.com/rainier-...inus-fa-w-logo

This is a good deal, no FA though, I just ordered one..... It begins again, and so it shall be.....

January 14, 2016, 01:40 AM	#1
oregongunner Member Join Date: November 20, 2015 Posts: 24	Build or buy AR upper receiver This is my first build, Just got done with the lower. So should I build or buy the upper? Planning on putting some magpul furniture or a free floating rail on it. If i were to buy it which ones should I look at? Under 400$ thanks Jack

January 14, 2016, 08:16 AM	#4
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,237	Depends. To me, the upper is easier to assemble then the lower if you have the tools __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

January 14, 2016, 05:21 PM	#7
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	With that budget and no tools, I'd say buy. Don't forget that you may still need to add sights or an optic (and mount). If the budget is flexible enough to include a few tools (~$80-120) and you have some mechanical skills, and access to a torque wrench and vise, I'd build. Your 'built' upper will probably cost more than something off-the-shelf, but it also won't have the added expense of customizing after the purchase. (Such as swapping furniture or going free-float.) It'll be what you want, rather than something that needs to be customized. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

January 14, 2016, 05:45 PM	#8
oregongunner Member Join Date: November 20, 2015 Posts: 24	I'm looking at a Ptac 16" flat top upper with just the front sight. what tools would I need to install a free floating hand guard? And also who makes a budget hand guard in either fde or od green? Thanks Jack Last edited by oregongunner; January 14, 2016 at 05:57 PM.

January 14, 2016, 07:13 PM	#11
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,237	If you're dead-set on a free float, it might be less trouble to build. What is your tool situation right now. If you have or can borrow a torque wrench and a vise. Then all you'd need is an AR wrench $20ish.... and receiver blocks. I recently got a Magpul BEVblock from primary Arms for 34 bucks. It has lugs that engage the barrel extension as well as the receiver. You may be able to borrow the AR specific tools as well... I've loaned mine out. Building may not save money, at least for the first time, but it can be like a layaway program where you get bits at a time. I've bought complete uppers and I've built them. Either way it's fun. PSA will do you fine if the item is in stock. __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

January 14, 2016, 01:55 AM	#2
marine6680 Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2012 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 4,594	I usually suggest new builders get a complete upper the first time. Not that it is particularly difficult, it just tends to require more setup and tools than most have on hand, and it's good to know a system before you build the part most important to function and reliability.

January 14, 2016, 08:04 AM	#3
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	marine has a very valid point. Depending on your purpose, you can find a decently accurate shooter upper for around $300. I tend to use Palmetto State Armory a lot and have never had a complaint other than their shipping is a little slow.

January 14, 2016, 08:42 AM	#5
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	You don't save much(ANYTHING) with a DIY upper. I have the tools and put an upper together occasionally if I find a smoking deal on individual parts but not often. I figure the place that assembles a couple of hundred per day (or even per week) is going to have the experience, tools, and so forth to do a better job than some guy with slip joint pliers and a screwdriver(no reflection on the OP).

January 14, 2016, 10:20 AM	#6
pilpens Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,696	If you have free access to the tools (torque wrench, vise, receiver block), build. Otherwise, buy: $400 budget = $250 upper w/pinned FSB + $100 BCG & CH + $50 rear sight. ==== Aimsurplus has some free shipping. Palmetto has some very good sale prices.

January 14, 2016, 05:59 PM	#9
bfoosh006 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Posts: 1,089	PSA makes some great stuff.... Just not in the PTAC line. I have read about numerous problems from PTAC uppers... step up a level. BTW, my suggestion was going to be look at PSA... PSA middle class and higher, dollar wise is a good way for a New AR owner to go.

January 14, 2016, 06:47 PM	#10
marine6680 Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2012 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 4,594	Magpul is the go to for cheap handguards... Non free float. To change the handguard to a freefloat... It can depend on what freefloat you get. For most of them... You need a punch set, a low profile gas block. A barrel nut wrench, torque wrench, vise block, vise, new crush washer, barrel blocks... Some freefloat handguards use the stock barrel nut, so you can get away with not removing the barrel, if you carefully use a dremel cutting wheel to remove the handguard retaining ring. You still need everything else though. PSA, get the freedom line or better. PTAC is hit or miss, many will work fine, several will not. There is a warranty, but it's still a hassle to deal with if you have problems.

January 14, 2016, 09:00 PM	#12
oregongunner Member Join Date: November 20, 2015 Posts: 24	Thanks guys I'll go with the magpul furniture for now. What kind of rear sight works with the standard front sight?

January 14, 2016, 09:41 PM	#13
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Skip the PTAC uppers. They aren't worth the trouble. (I know, I've had two.) Pretty much any rear sight designed for flat-top use will be fine, unless it says it's not designed for use with F-marked FSBs (which is what flat-tops should have installed). __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

January 14, 2016, 11:50 PM	#14
oregongunner Member Join Date: November 20, 2015 Posts: 24	I'm looking at an Adams Arms AR-15 Base A3 Gas Piston Upper Receiver Assembly Carbine 5.56x45mm NATO 16" Barrel How are these ones? seems like a better free float host. One more question now to install a longer handguard than carbine all I would need is a longer gas tube right? Thanks Jack Last edited by oregongunner; January 15, 2016 at 12:07 AM.

January 15, 2016, 12:12 AM	#15
oregongunner Member Join Date: November 20, 2015 Posts: 24	And also what about the AR-Stoner ones? Sorry about all the questions

January 15, 2016, 12:28 AM	#16
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	Adams is good. The AR Stoner is not bad but not my first choice. Take a look at Sota Arms as well. I've got a .300bo from them and like it a lot.

January 15, 2016, 04:33 AM	#17
peggysue Junior member Join Date: May 20, 2014 Posts: 1,835	Hardened Arms has been my go to for complete uppers at a great price. https://www.hardenedarms.com/

January 15, 2016, 09:19 AM	#18
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	I was thinking of building me an AR however after figuring the cost to build just the upper I could add $50 to it and buy the AR I want. Best Regards Bob Hunter

January 15, 2016, 04:12 PM	#19
oregongunner Member Join Date: November 20, 2015 Posts: 24	Thanks guys! Another question I have is. Can I use the existing gas tube for a low profile gas block? No matter the length? And can a free float handguard go over the low profile gas block? So I understand that when I get my upper that I'll need a vise block, barrel nut wrench, punches and a low profile gas block. Anything else I need? Thanks! And sorry with all the questions!

January 15, 2016, 10:10 PM	#20
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,237	https://www.rainierarms.com/rainier-...inus-fa-w-logo This is a good deal, no FA though, I just ordered one..... It begins again, and so it shall be..... __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!