Good/Possibly Cheap 18" Upper?

MB21 · July 15, 2013, 11:43 PM

So I was just thinking about my AR-15 while in the shower (shut up, you know you do too) when I thought about something. I have a Nikon P-223 3-9x scope on my Windham Weaponry carbine. Granted, I have killed my fair share of ground squirrels with this setup, but I feel that I am not getting the full use out of my scope, plus I can't even mount my MBUS with the scope, and I feel I wasted $100 on that.

I don't have the money right now, but if things go well I should be enlisting into the AF as EOD with a pretty nice signing bonus (provided I don't wash out). I feel that I can better optimize my personal setup by getting an 18" upper, slap the scope on it, and someday save up for an EOTech or something for the carbine upper. That way, I can use my carbine upper for home defense, and when I want to do some long range plinking or hunting, I can slap the 18" upper and be good to go. Having a 3x scope for home defense isn't by any means optimal.

My question is this: what is a fair quality/fair priced rifle length upper for under $700?

My bolt carrier group shouldn't be affected by the different gas system, should it?

Thanks guys.

mxsailor803 · July 16, 2013, 09:00 AM

Are you looking at just buying a complete upper or build one? A complete one is quicker but with building one you can pick and choose parts over a period of time. Must be nice to get SRB's, haven't scene one the last 3 re-upped in the Navy.

MB21 · July 16, 2013, 10:26 AM

I would just rather get a complete upper to be honest. I won't need a bolt carrier group as I already have one.

mxsailor803 · July 17, 2013, 03:40 AM

At a minimum you will need a new bolt for whatever new barrel you decide on. Old bolts with new barrels (or vice versa) will cause uneven wear. I personally do get new BCG with bolts for every build so I don't have to tear a group down to swap uppers and possibly forget which bolt goes with which barrel. Try looking at Palmetto State Armory. Lots of times they maybe out of stock but they do restock reasonably fast and are of very good quality/price.

Mobuck · July 19, 2013, 06:49 AM

"I won't need a bolt carrier group as I already have one."
That's a line that will come back to bite you sooner or later.
If you buy a second car, do you tell the salesman "Oh, I don't need tires, my first car already has some".

lmccrock · July 19, 2013, 07:45 AM

18" is a specialty length, so tend to be higher end (more $$$). Carbine barrels are most common so are cheaper and more available. So, a cheaper 18" would have to be built. And generally you want a rifle-length gas system with 18" but there are mid-length gas versions out there. Your BCG should not care about gas system length, but get at least a bolt ASAP.

Skans · July 19, 2013, 08:47 AM

I'd try the old bolt first - if it works, great. If it doesn't, then get a new bolt. I see no reason to have to buy a new bolt carrier. I've moved the bolt around in different AR's - never been a problem for me.

MB21 · July 20, 2013, 09:48 PM

I have decided that I will probably end up getting a 20" upper, as I will be able to get a bolt carrier group and still have more money left over than if I were to blow it on an 18" upper. I have done some research and it seems that a 20" upper on a carbine lower isn't too much of a problem, though reliability can take a hit.

July 15, 2013, 11:43 PM	#1
MB21 Member Join Date: November 4, 2012 Posts: 77	Good/Possibly Cheap 18" Upper? So I was just thinking about my AR-15 while in the shower (shut up, you know you do too) when I thought about something. I have a Nikon P-223 3-9x scope on my Windham Weaponry carbine. Granted, I have killed my fair share of ground squirrels with this setup, but I feel that I am not getting the full use out of my scope, plus I can't even mount my MBUS with the scope, and I feel I wasted $100 on that. I don't have the money right now, but if things go well I should be enlisting into the AF as EOD with a pretty nice signing bonus (provided I don't wash out). I feel that I can better optimize my personal setup by getting an 18" upper, slap the scope on it, and someday save up for an EOTech or something for the carbine upper. That way, I can use my carbine upper for home defense, and when I want to do some long range plinking or hunting, I can slap the 18" upper and be good to go. Having a 3x scope for home defense isn't by any means optimal. My question is this: what is a fair quality/fair priced rifle length upper for under $700? My bolt carrier group shouldn't be affected by the different gas system, should it? Thanks guys.

July 16, 2013, 09:00 AM	#2
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	Are you looking at just buying a complete upper or build one? A complete one is quicker but with building one you can pick and choose parts over a period of time. Must be nice to get SRB's, haven't scene one the last 3 re-upped in the Navy.

July 16, 2013, 10:26 AM	#3
MB21 Member Join Date: November 4, 2012 Posts: 77	I would just rather get a complete upper to be honest. I won't need a bolt carrier group as I already have one.

July 17, 2013, 03:40 AM	#4
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	At a minimum you will need a new bolt for whatever new barrel you decide on. Old bolts with new barrels (or vice versa) will cause uneven wear. I personally do get new BCG with bolts for every build so I don't have to tear a group down to swap uppers and possibly forget which bolt goes with which barrel. Try looking at Palmetto State Armory. Lots of times they maybe out of stock but they do restock reasonably fast and are of very good quality/price.

July 19, 2013, 06:49 AM	#5
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	"I won't need a bolt carrier group as I already have one." That's a line that will come back to bite you sooner or later. If you buy a second car, do you tell the salesman "Oh, I don't need tires, my first car already has some".

July 19, 2013, 07:45 AM	#6
lmccrock Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Red Rock. TX Posts: 820	18" is a specialty length, so tend to be higher end (more $$$). Carbine barrels are most common so are cheaper and more available. So, a cheaper 18" would have to be built. And generally you want a rifle-length gas system with 18" but there are mid-length gas versions out there. Your BCG should not care about gas system length, but get at least a bolt ASAP.

July 19, 2013, 08:47 AM	#7
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,332	I'd try the old bolt first - if it works, great. If it doesn't, then get a new bolt. I see no reason to have to buy a new bolt carrier. I've moved the bolt around in different AR's - never been a problem for me.

July 20, 2013, 09:48 PM	#8
MB21 Member Join Date: November 4, 2012 Posts: 77	I have decided that I will probably end up getting a 20" upper, as I will be able to get a bolt carrier group and still have more money left over than if I were to blow it on an 18" upper. I have done some research and it seems that a 20" upper on a carbine lower isn't too much of a problem, though reliability can take a hit.