20" AR Complete Upper Halves?

GTS9 · August 21, 2017, 11:36 AM

Hello, I'm looking to get a AR upper half with a 20" barrel. This would be a general purpose coyote shooting, plinking gun that I also just want just because I want one. Either chrome lined or stainless is fine with me. Don't want a very heavy barrel, though; government profile and contours with walking instead of benchrest accuracy in mind are good. I'd take one with front sight gas block, but I'd replace it when I got it.
And for the whole complete upper half with BCG, handguard, and charging handel, etc I would like it to be in the $800-$850 range if possible.

The only thing I've found fitting this description is the BCM KMR-Alpha with 15" handguard, but I don't really like having just one choice. Can anyone suggest any other ones?

Mobuck · August 21, 2017, 01:53 PM

I have a 20" H-bar that is coyote accurate past 350 yards. It's a little heavier than a "Govt profile" but holds steadier and a 1/4# isn't that much extra. I think mine is a Bushmaster 1-9 about 10-12 years old but I've seen similar uppers on sale @ PSA lately in both 1-7 and 1-9.
I don't tote the 20" much anymore since we mostly go quiet while hunting yoties and I'm too short to carry a 20" plus the muffler in the snow.

berettaprofessor · August 21, 2017, 01:54 PM

What it sounds like you really want is a Stag 4H. $544.99 with a 20 inch barrel, BCG, and handle.

https://www.stagarms.com/model-4h/#ProductSpecsDetail

At that price, you can switch out any of the handguards, etc you don't want.

Stag has their 6H Varminter; 24 inch bull barrel, if you really want accuracy (first link below). I've got one in left hand configuration and it's accurate as heck.

https://www.stagarms.com/model-6h/#ProductSpecsDetail

DubC-Hicks · August 21, 2017, 04:19 PM

Does it have to be complete, or can you build?

Ive got an upper I built with a Faxon 18" Gunner Profile barrel, and it'll do 1moa with 75gr Hornady HPBT. Can get it in 20" as well.

Grumpy_Bottom · August 21, 2017, 08:10 PM

Hard to beat this http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-2...ng-handle.html : add their nickle-boron BCG and charging handle like so http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-p...l-spec-ch.html and voila, for under $450 you get a great CHF chrome lined setup.

larryh1108 · August 21, 2017, 08:24 PM

I bought this unit a while ago. I am very happy with it.
https://www.cbcindustries.com/collec...ant=5689769731

Eazyeach · August 21, 2017, 08:50 PM

You could find a used Remington r-15 vtr for that price. I picked up a 22" version awhile back and it will put 5 fiochhi Vmax 50gr. bullets in a cloverleaf at 50yds. And I'm not much of a shot. Haven't had a chance to go past 50 yet. The range was too crowded when I sighted it in.

I know Remington isn't the company it once was and I only got this rifle because I made a good trade for it, but I am more than pleased with it.

Eazyeach · August 21, 2017, 08:51 PM

If it has to be just an upper, check out white oak armament. I've heard good things.

GTS9 · August 22, 2017, 11:33 AM

I've looked at White Oak. I like what I see, but a 6 lb upper just seems like it's on the heavy side for me.

DubC, I could build, but just want to keep it simple this time. Really not wanting to add much more than a gas block or handguard.

With a little searching I've actually found some good looking uppers from places like CMMG (MK4 3GR and MK4 S) and RRA (ATH and R3 Comp) in my price range that would fit my wants quite well, they just have 18" barrels. I'm 6'2" barefoot, and a 16" barrels just feel too short for me, that's one of the reasons I'm wanting a more M16 style setup. But SPRs do seem to be all the rage. I'll have to think about it.

hagar · August 22, 2017, 01:03 PM

I have an 18 inch R15 that shoots very very well with 60 grain Vmax's. Almost as good as my .223 VS at 200 yards, and no rifle I own can beat the VS.

Fishbed77 · August 22, 2017, 01:41 PM

You are on the right path by looking at BCM. Frankly it's the best option of those indicated so far in terms of quality and value.

smee78 · September 10, 2017, 09:21 AM

I would take a hard look at what PSA offers, I have built a few AR's with their parts kits and have had no problems with accuracy from them. They have a 20" barrel I'm about to purchase to build a nice 20" upper to round out the collection.

2ndtimer · September 10, 2017, 03:25 PM

If you could make do with an 18" barrel, PSA has what looks like a pretty good deal:
http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-1...516446759.html

August 21, 2017, 11:36 AM	#1
GTS9 Junior Member Join Date: August 7, 2017 Posts: 3	20" AR Complete Upper Halves? Hello, I'm looking to get a AR upper half with a 20" barrel. This would be a general purpose coyote shooting, plinking gun that I also just want just because I want one. Either chrome lined or stainless is fine with me. Don't want a very heavy barrel, though; government profile and contours with walking instead of benchrest accuracy in mind are good. I'd take one with front sight gas block, but I'd replace it when I got it. And for the whole complete upper half with BCG, handguard, and charging handel, etc I would like it to be in the $800-$850 range if possible. The only thing I've found fitting this description is the BCM KMR-Alpha with 15" handguard, but I don't really like having just one choice. Can anyone suggest any other ones?

August 21, 2017, 04:19 PM	#4
DubC-Hicks Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2009 Location: Backwoods, Northern MI Posts: 1,031	Does it have to be complete, or can you build? Ive got an upper I built with a Faxon 18" Gunner Profile barrel, and it'll do 1moa with 75gr Hornady HPBT. Can get it in 20" as well. __________________ ”Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.” ~Unknown

August 21, 2017, 08:24 PM	#6
larryh1108 Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2008 Location: NC Posts: 813	I bought this unit a while ago. I am very happy with it. https://www.cbcindustries.com/collec...ant=5689769731 __________________ Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

August 22, 2017, 01:03 PM	#10
hagar Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2000 Location: Colombia, SC Posts: 745	I have an 18 inch R15 that shoots very very well with 60 grain Vmax's. Almost as good as my .223 VS at 200 yards, and no rifle I own can beat the VS. __________________ I don't have time for busy people

September 10, 2017, 09:21 AM	#12
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	I would take a hard look at what PSA offers, I have built a few AR's with their parts kits and have had no problems with accuracy from them. They have a 20" barrel I'm about to purchase to build a nice 20" upper to round out the collection. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

August 21, 2017, 01:53 PM	#2
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	I have a 20" H-bar that is coyote accurate past 350 yards. It's a little heavier than a "Govt profile" but holds steadier and a 1/4# isn't that much extra. I think mine is a Bushmaster 1-9 about 10-12 years old but I've seen similar uppers on sale @ PSA lately in both 1-7 and 1-9. I don't tote the 20" much anymore since we mostly go quiet while hunting yoties and I'm too short to carry a 20" plus the muffler in the snow.

August 21, 2017, 01:54 PM	#3
berettaprofessor Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2008 Posts: 1,091	What it sounds like you really want is a Stag 4H. $544.99 with a 20 inch barrel, BCG, and handle. https://www.stagarms.com/model-4h/#ProductSpecsDetail At that price, you can switch out any of the handguards, etc you don't want. Stag has their 6H Varminter; 24 inch bull barrel, if you really want accuracy (first link below). I've got one in left hand configuration and it's accurate as heck. https://www.stagarms.com/model-6h/#ProductSpecsDetail

August 21, 2017, 08:10 PM	#5
Grumpy_Bottom Member Join Date: January 30, 2014 Posts: 75	Hard to beat this http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-2...ng-handle.html : add their nickle-boron BCG and charging handle like so http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-p...l-spec-ch.html and voila, for under $450 you get a great CHF chrome lined setup.

August 21, 2017, 08:50 PM	#7
Eazyeach Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2014 Posts: 706	You could find a used Remington r-15 vtr for that price. I picked up a 22" version awhile back and it will put 5 fiochhi Vmax 50gr. bullets in a cloverleaf at 50yds. And I'm not much of a shot. Haven't had a chance to go past 50 yet. The range was too crowded when I sighted it in. I know Remington isn't the company it once was and I only got this rifle because I made a good trade for it, but I am more than pleased with it.

August 21, 2017, 08:51 PM	#8
Eazyeach Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2014 Posts: 706	If it has to be just an upper, check out white oak armament. I've heard good things.

August 22, 2017, 11:33 AM	#9
GTS9 Junior Member Join Date: August 7, 2017 Posts: 3	I've looked at White Oak. I like what I see, but a 6 lb upper just seems like it's on the heavy side for me. DubC, I could build, but just want to keep it simple this time. Really not wanting to add much more than a gas block or handguard. With a little searching I've actually found some good looking uppers from places like CMMG (MK4 3GR and MK4 S) and RRA (ATH and R3 Comp) in my price range that would fit my wants quite well, they just have 18" barrels. I'm 6'2" barefoot, and a 16" barrels just feel too short for me, that's one of the reasons I'm wanting a more M16 style setup. But SPRs do seem to be all the rage. I'll have to think about it.

August 22, 2017, 01:41 PM	#11
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 4,862	You are on the right path by looking at BCM. Frankly it's the best option of those indicated so far in terms of quality and value.

September 10, 2017, 03:25 PM	#13
2ndtimer Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 293	If you could make do with an 18" barrel, PSA has what looks like a pretty good deal: http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-1...516446759.html __________________ NRA Endowment Member