"Budget" Barrel/Handguard

[rpseraph]

Hey everyone!
I have a new upper receiver sitting at home on the bench... and it is begging to be built up I am looking at building a 16" (but I could be talked into a pinned 14.5" free float red-dot upper.

For the barrel:
- I am looking for something 'budget' for this upper. Sub $150, ideally closer to $125
- I am leaning towards 223 Wylde, but I could be talked into 556.
- Mid-length gas system

For the handguard:
- Keymod because all of my random junk drawer accessories are already Keymod
- Lightweight (nothing ultra light, but I don't want a quad-rail!)

Anyone been particularly impressed with a budget component lately? I appreciate your help! I am sure you guys are hunting around the internet as much as I am

Thanks!

[rickyrick]

Check out AeroPrecision or Ballistic Advantage.

Primary Arms for Hand Guard, but there are many sales out there right now.

AeroPrecision also has hand guard s

[BigBL87]

My choice for a barrel given your criteria ($152, I'm guessing you could spare the $2 ):

http://ballisticadvantage.com/16-inc...um-barrel.html

As far as handguards, I'm a fan of Midwest Industries assuming you're looking for free floated.

[Mobuck]

"(but I could be talked into a pinned 14.5" free float red-dot upper."

Not by me for sure-dumbest set up on the planet. You lose velocity just to look "cool". If you want a shorter barrel, just remove the muzzle device from a 16" and replace it with a thread protector.

[rpseraph]

BigB... i am leaning Ballistic Advantage due to good reviews and they are on sale at the moment!!

Handguard, yes free float. I found a sale on some Aero handguards. The MI is a classic choice, and I may try to find someone with a Primary Arms to try it out!

[bedlamite]

https://www.andersonrifles.com/produ...rel-223-wylde/
https://blitzkriegtactical.com/?view=store&prodID=638

[rickyrick]

Primary Arms sells other companies stuff, sometimes cheaper. They do have their own branded optics that are pretty good.

I have an Anderson barrel that was 80$ and has been a good one so far, plain 4150 cmv, nothing fancy.

[DubC-Hicks]

I'm a big fan of Aero Precision/Ballistic Advantage and Faxon for barrels. Even PSA's melonited barrels are nice for $100 or less. Heck, Ive been wanting to try the new AIM Surplus branded barrels too

My favorite handguard I've used so far is from CIM Tactical. At $120-150 they aren't exactly budget, but not terrible either. UTG and Guntec make some decent inexpensive options though.

[rpseraph]

Oh found this one! Even better deal on Ballistic Advantage 16" 223 Wylde

http://www.monmouthreloading.com/sho...16-spr-barrel/

Anyone have experience with Monmouth Reloading?

**EDIT** Nevermind, ordered :-) I'll let you know how they are, haha.

[rickyrick]

You will be pleased with Ballistic advantage

[rpseraph]

Got it all!

Blem Upper 29.99 from RightToBear
Ballistics Advantage 16 SPR barrel $127.99 ($152 sale on BA website!)
Aero Precision 12" Handguard $69.99 through RightToBear($99 sale on AP website!)
Random Upper parts kit
Aero Precision Melonite Gas Tube
Aero Precision Gas Block

I'll get some pictures up when I get it all together. Thanks for the help gents!

[Ibmikey]

Aero owns Ballistic Advantage, i have both and are excellent barrels, Faxon is equally exciting with their barrel offerings. I have a cheapo Omni AR with I believe a meloniite DC Machine barrel that will shoot dime sized groups at fifty yards with open sights.

[Fishbed77]

For a budget Keymod handguard set, it's hard the beat the B5 handguards (unless you are looking for a free-float system).

[Chainsaw.]

Way to late of a post

[rpseraph]

READY TO START ASSEMBLING!!! woo hoo!

[rickyrick]

Nice, I recently got a hand guard from AeroPrecision and it was my best one to date.

Report back when you shoot it

[Ibmikey]

Try Aero's Enhanced Upper combo, receiver and hand guard. Not cheap but I built two for a buddy and they are really nice AR's...used Aero BCG and Barrel also, probably as good a rifle as one at twice the cost.

[gshayd]

I just purchased this from Joe Bobs and I like it. It is a slim profile handguard. it has a slim barrel nut so you don't have to play the align the hole game for the gas tube.

http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Matr...ma-foxtrot.htm

[rpseraph]

Since I said I'd post pictures...

[Hokicake]

Omg u sooooooooo overspent on the ugly barrel. Should have looked on classicfirearms.com and they have so many nice fluted ones for less than 100 dollars even. It's where i got mine.

LOOK AT THIS BARREL THATS LIKE JUST AS PLAIN JANE AND IT'S ONLY 60 DOLLARS
https://www.classicfirearms.com/arba...arrel1in8twist

[rpseraph]

Well where were YOU a month ago when I was asking? haha! I am happy with it, I am taking it out to the range tomorrow. We'll see what it can do!

[rickyrick]

You will be pleased with the BA barrel.

[Hokicake]

the hoki is everywhere! I been on other forums till sum stupidhead kicks me out for no good reason. IT'S DEF BETTER QUALTIY THAN YOU CAN GET PREBUILT AT THE PRICE SINCE I PUT IT TOGETHER YOURSELF BUT I DON'T LIKE ALL BLACK STUFF, TO SCARY!

[Hokicake]

I've been sooo itchy to make a pistol version now that i just finished my own ar build. I think i'm gonna use a mlok handguard this time

[rickyrick]

Pistol version will cause you to rethink what your "perfect zombie squisher" is.

AR pistol is funner than tickling baby monkeys.