Suggest an upper to pair with spare A2 lower: Opinions needed!

mellow_c · January 12, 2018, 03:28 PM

I've found myself sitting on a spare and complete lower with rifle buffer system and A2 fixed stock. This is basically what I'm working with...

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-p...-receiver.html

The problem is. I don't know what to do with it. A2 stocks are a little long for me, but I can still work with them and I want to leave this lower exactly as it is.

I originally thought I'd like to get a dissipator upper for it. Something like this...

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-1...issipator.html

But Dissipators almost look kinda funny to me with the long A2 stock instead of a collapsible stock.

I thought maybe this 18" magpul upper would look good with a MIAD pistol grip added. But I don't know...

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-a...bcg-or-ch.html

I could also do some sort of scoped upper, but don't really have a need for one. Although it could be neat to do a 20" upper with a low mounted 40 or 44mm scope.

I could also just do the "right thing" and get a matching A2 style rifle length upper like this. But I already have something real similar.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-2...516446027.html

I could really use some help making this decision. I'm open to any and all opinions! Pictures and links would really help.

This particular lower is fitting real well with every upper I try it on. The trigger group is PSA's Enhanced Polished Fire Control Group and is paired with Wolff reduced power ar function pak spring kit, and it feels very good for such a basic and economical setup. The whole thing is nice and tight and worthy of whatever upper I decide to put on it, I just haven't been able to decide. Nothing looks right to me so far except a classic 20" A2 integrated carry handle upper and I really don't need that.

HiBC · January 12, 2018, 04:26 PM

Its not costing you anything just sitting on the shelf.
If you can't figure out what you want,wait till you have a need.
We don't know you or what you do.
And you may have your own priorities.
I build a tool to do a job.I don't have a "look" I'm trying to achieve. I build a rifle to fit me,so a stock that's too long would go.

Townsend Whelen is credited with saying "Only accurate rifles are interesting"

For my tastes,I tend toward flat top uppers,free float barrels,I don't do pencil barrels or pinned on gas blocks. Not too heavy,I want to be able to take a walk with it.IMO,20 in is long enough. I prefer heavier bullets,so 9 in or tighter twist. Mid length forend and gas tube minimum for me.

And I like a Rock River 2 stage National Match trigger or better.

For a pretty good middle of the road reasonably accurate utility rifle,the chrome lined hammer forged Daniel Defense 18 in S2W profile with a Yankee Hill smooth forend will build a decent rifle. Its chrome lined,so don't expect sub MOA,but my sample of one is good for about 1.25 MOA or so.

For more of a prairie dog gun I might go with a White Oak SPR or SDMR.
But that's just me.

I tend toward Magpul or Rock River collapsible stocks and Rock River Ring mounts.

DubC-Hicks · January 12, 2018, 05:01 PM

I had the same dilemma. I ended up building an 18" with a Faxon Gunner profile barrel and ADM 15" M-lok handguard. Pretty lightweight and handy, and possibly my favorite AR. It's just so pleasant to shoot, and I think 18"s look best on a rifle stock.

Capt Rick Hiott · January 12, 2018, 05:28 PM

Be careful with "Opinions" on this site...............

mellow_c · January 12, 2018, 07:33 PM

I really don't have any "need" for this, and probably never will. I'd just like to mate it with an upper that looks good and makes sense. I'm open to any suggestions aside from using it for an SBR.

Irons, scope, red dot... Whatever.

What would any of you do if you had a spare A2 style lower?

I'm kind of leaning this way, because it's the only thing that really makes sense to me beyond an 18"+ upper with low mounted scope, and I'm not to excited about spending money on a nice upper and scope and mount and all that.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-2...516446027.html

turtlehead · January 13, 2018, 12:21 AM

"What would any of you do if you had a spare A2 style lower?"

I'd replace the stock. Hate those stocks. Too heavy and too long for me.

DubC-Hicks · January 13, 2018, 01:31 AM

Does the upper have to be complete? Or can you build?

mellow_c · January 13, 2018, 03:18 AM

I'd prefer a complete upper, but I could build one too.

DubC-Hicks · January 13, 2018, 03:22 AM

Like I said in my previous post, a lightweight 18 or 20" barrel with a lightweight free floated handguard is a fun rifle. Can run irons to keep it really light, or toss a red dot or scope of some sort on it to reach out a little further.

stagpanther · January 13, 2018, 04:13 AM

50bmg upper is one of the few I haven't tried yet.

Mobuck · January 13, 2018, 08:03 AM

I recently bought an 18" 6.5 Grendel upper and put it on an A2 lower. This is an excellent combination for looks and utility. Basically neutral weight bias and the A2 buffer handles the rambunctious 6.5G well.
About 1/3 of my AR's are 20" barrels and all those have A2 stocks as I dislike the imbalance an obnoxiously muzzle heavy rifle.

Big Shrek · January 15, 2018, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mellow_c

I really don't have any "need" for this, and probably never will. I'd just like to mate it with an upper that looks good and makes sense. I'm open to any suggestions aside from using it for an SBR.

Irons, scope, red dot... Whatever.

What would any of you do if you had a spare A2 style lower?

I'm kind of leaning this way, because it's the only thing that really makes sense to me beyond an 18"+ upper with low mounted scope, and I'm not to excited about spending money on a nice upper and scope and mount and all that.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-2...516446027.html

I'm looking at a .300 Blackout for my next AR, uses the same mags & stuff as the 5.56,
only thing different from what I'm reading, is the barrel

Simplicity...love that!

Besides, this AR thing looks like it could easily get real spendy if one isn't careful

FrankenMauser · January 15, 2018, 08:07 PM

Of what you listed, I'd be leaning toward a Dissipator ... but with an 18" barrel.

Other than that... For me, fixed stock AR lowers are used for punching holes in paper, varmints, and big game. Adjustable stocks are for the loaner and other 'screw around' uppers. I like the simplicity, limited failure points, and reduced noise of fixed stocks (though I think the Magpul MOE stock is a much better option than the A2 stock).

As such, I'd be looking at .458 SOCOM, maybe .300 Blk since a .30 cal suppressor is in my near future, or, perhaps, a heavy-barreled varmint upper (20-24").

I'm sure none of that appeals to you in any way...

bfoosh006 · January 16, 2018, 05:05 PM

IMHO... buy a more expensive upper.... with a better barrel... scope it and stretch your shooting distances.

And use it for varmints or target shooting.

https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/category-s/389.htm

https://www.whiteoakarmament.com/sho...te-uppers.html

ttarp · January 16, 2018, 05:08 PM

Quote:

"What would any of you do if you had a spare A2 style lower?"

https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/com....html?Itemid=0

GLK · January 17, 2018, 03:02 PM

Quote:

IMHO... buy a more expensive upper.... with a better barrel... scope it and stretch your shooting distances.

And use it for varmints or target shooting.

https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/category-s/389.htm

https://www.whiteoakarmament.com/sho...te-uppers.htm

l

This

Kvon2 · January 17, 2018, 09:01 PM

Quote:

, a lightweight 18 or 20" barrel with a lightweight free floated handguard is a fun rifle. Can run irons to keep it really light, or toss a red dot or scope of some sort on it to reach out a little further

this is what I'm thinking too. Stainless fluted barrel perhaps?

DubC-Hicks · January 17, 2018, 10:24 PM

I'm not the biggest fan of stainless unless it's a heavy barrel made for real precision work. I ended up with a Faxon Gunner 18" and it does 1moa with good ammo. Plenty good enough for me, especially for a lightweight barrel.

mellow_c · January 18, 2018, 07:15 PM

All good recommendations. Definitely got my wheels turning!

O4L · February 11, 2018, 08:56 PM

I'm planning on adding an upper something like this on an A2 lower I have been trying to make up my mind about for awhile.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-1...516445155.html

HiBC · February 11, 2018, 09:18 PM

Yeah. I found a spare barrel nut the other day and I'm wondering what to build.
Kidding...but a couple of builds back....

I like the SDMR rifle,and a mid or rifle length gassed 18 in Daniel Defense S2W profile. That one is turned like a sporting rifle barrel. S2W stands for "strength to weight" Its not a pencil,its not a bull. bore and chamber are hammer forged in one op. Chrome lined. Mine shoots good,generally a touch over MOA. Inside 1.5 MOA

While I could see pursing a Grendel,(for myself) I have a 7.9 lb DPMS LR 308L . How many hammers do I need?

ronl · February 14, 2018, 01:17 AM

Build a precision upper with a 24" bull barrel with 1/7 or 1/8 twist and shoot the big bullets for long distances. .224 Valkyrie? Might be fun to check out, but I don't believe all the hype about it.

Road_Clam · February 14, 2018, 06:14 PM

I have 5 different configured uppers. I only need 2 different lowers.

Fixed A2 lower / lead in the stock, Guiselle SSAE trigger and receiver controls set up for ambi operation. This is my High Power match rifle or 600 yd precision lower setup.

adjustable carbine lower. 4.5# std millspec trigger, Vltor adj stock, M4 buffer system. This is my lightweight basic plinker lower.

My uppers :

24" Varmint
20" White Oak Armarment match service rifle
20" Colt A2 carry handle for high power practice
16" basic carbine
16" 300 blackout for subsonic supressed

mellow_c · February 14, 2018, 06:59 PM

More good suggestions!

For now I'm leaning toward a rifle length gas system with a 20" or 24" barrel, no iron sights and a low mounted 40 or 44mm 16x scope. Something real basic but geared for longer range

January 12, 2018, 03:28 PM	#1
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	Suggest an upper to pair with spare A2 lower: Opinions needed! I've found myself sitting on a spare and complete lower with rifle buffer system and A2 fixed stock. This is basically what I'm working with... http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-p...-receiver.html The problem is. I don't know what to do with it. A2 stocks are a little long for me, but I can still work with them and I want to leave this lower exactly as it is. I originally thought I'd like to get a dissipator upper for it. Something like this... http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-1...issipator.html But Dissipators almost look kinda funny to me with the long A2 stock instead of a collapsible stock. I thought maybe this 18" magpul upper would look good with a MIAD pistol grip added. But I don't know... http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-a...bcg-or-ch.html I could also do some sort of scoped upper, but don't really have a need for one. Although it could be neat to do a 20" upper with a low mounted 40 or 44mm scope. I could also just do the "right thing" and get a matching A2 style rifle length upper like this. But I already have something real similar. http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-2...516446027.html I could really use some help making this decision. I'm open to any and all opinions! Pictures and links would really help. This particular lower is fitting real well with every upper I try it on. The trigger group is PSA's Enhanced Polished Fire Control Group and is paired with Wolff reduced power ar function pak spring kit, and it feels very good for such a basic and economical setup. The whole thing is nice and tight and worthy of whatever upper I decide to put on it, I just haven't been able to decide. Nothing looks right to me so far except a classic 20" A2 integrated carry handle upper and I really don't need that. Last edited by mellow_c; January 12, 2018 at 07:30 PM.

January 12, 2018, 04:26 PM	#2
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	Its not costing you anything just sitting on the shelf. If you can't figure out what you want,wait till you have a need. We don't know you or what you do. And you may have your own priorities. I build a tool to do a job.I don't have a "look" I'm trying to achieve. I build a rifle to fit me,so a stock that's too long would go. Townsend Whelen is credited with saying "Only accurate rifles are interesting" For my tastes,I tend toward flat top uppers,free float barrels,I don't do pencil barrels or pinned on gas blocks. Not too heavy,I want to be able to take a walk with it.IMO,20 in is long enough. I prefer heavier bullets,so 9 in or tighter twist. Mid length forend and gas tube minimum for me. And I like a Rock River 2 stage National Match trigger or better. For a pretty good middle of the road reasonably accurate utility rifle,the chrome lined hammer forged Daniel Defense 18 in S2W profile with a Yankee Hill smooth forend will build a decent rifle. Its chrome lined,so don't expect sub MOA,but my sample of one is good for about 1.25 MOA or so. For more of a prairie dog gun I might go with a White Oak SPR or SDMR. But that's just me. I tend toward Magpul or Rock River collapsible stocks and Rock River Ring mounts. Last edited by HiBC; January 12, 2018 at 04:42 PM.

January 12, 2018, 05:01 PM	#3
DubC-Hicks Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2009 Location: Backwoods, Northern MI Posts: 1,031	I had the same dilemma. I ended up building an 18" with a Faxon Gunner profile barrel and ADM 15" M-lok handguard. Pretty lightweight and handy, and possibly my favorite AR. It's just so pleasant to shoot, and I think 18"s look best on a rifle stock. __________________ ”Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.” ~Unknown

January 12, 2018, 05:28 PM	#4
Capt Rick Hiott Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 376	Be careful with "Opinions" on this site............... __________________ Capt Rick Hiott Charleston,SC

January 12, 2018, 07:33 PM	#5
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	I really don't have any "need" for this, and probably never will. I'd just like to mate it with an upper that looks good and makes sense. I'm open to any suggestions aside from using it for an SBR. Irons, scope, red dot... Whatever. What would any of you do if you had a spare A2 style lower? I'm kind of leaning this way, because it's the only thing that really makes sense to me beyond an 18"+ upper with low mounted scope, and I'm not to excited about spending money on a nice upper and scope and mount and all that. http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-2...516446027.html Last edited by mellow_c; January 12, 2018 at 09:21 PM.

January 13, 2018, 12:21 AM	#6
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,203	"What would any of you do if you had a spare A2 style lower?" I'd replace the stock. Hate those stocks. Too heavy and too long for me.

January 13, 2018, 01:31 AM	#7
DubC-Hicks Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2009 Location: Backwoods, Northern MI Posts: 1,031	Does the upper have to be complete? Or can you build? __________________ ”Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.” ~Unknown

January 13, 2018, 03:18 AM	#8
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	I'd prefer a complete upper, but I could build one too.

January 13, 2018, 03:22 AM	#9
DubC-Hicks Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2009 Location: Backwoods, Northern MI Posts: 1,031	Like I said in my previous post, a lightweight 18 or 20" barrel with a lightweight free floated handguard is a fun rifle. Can run irons to keep it really light, or toss a red dot or scope of some sort on it to reach out a little further. __________________ ”Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.” ~Unknown

January 13, 2018, 04:13 AM	#10
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,776	50bmg upper is one of the few I haven't tried yet. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

January 13, 2018, 08:03 AM	#11
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	I recently bought an 18" 6.5 Grendel upper and put it on an A2 lower. This is an excellent combination for looks and utility. Basically neutral weight bias and the A2 buffer handles the rambunctious 6.5G well. About 1/3 of my AR's are 20" barrels and all those have A2 stocks as I dislike the imbalance an obnoxiously muzzle heavy rifle.

January 15, 2018, 08:07 PM	#13
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Of what you listed, I'd be leaning toward a Dissipator ... but with an 18" barrel. Other than that... For me, fixed stock AR lowers are used for punching holes in paper, varmints, and big game. Adjustable stocks are for the loaner and other 'screw around' uppers. I like the simplicity, limited failure points, and reduced noise of fixed stocks (though I think the Magpul MOE stock is a much better option than the A2 stock). As such, I'd be looking at .458 SOCOM, maybe .300 Blk since a .30 cal suppressor is in my near future, or, perhaps, a heavy-barreled varmint upper (20-24"). I'm sure none of that appeals to you in any way... __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

January 16, 2018, 05:05 PM	#14
bfoosh006 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Posts: 1,089	IMHO... buy a more expensive upper.... with a better barrel... scope it and stretch your shooting distances. And use it for varmints or target shooting. https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/category-s/389.htm https://www.whiteoakarmament.com/sho...te-uppers.html

January 17, 2018, 10:24 PM	#18
DubC-Hicks Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2009 Location: Backwoods, Northern MI Posts: 1,031	I'm not the biggest fan of stainless unless it's a heavy barrel made for real precision work. I ended up with a Faxon Gunner 18" and it does 1moa with good ammo. Plenty good enough for me, especially for a lightweight barrel. __________________ ”Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.” ~Unknown

January 18, 2018, 07:15 PM	#19
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	All good recommendations. Definitely got my wheels turning!

February 11, 2018, 08:56 PM	#20
O4L Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2015 Posts: 646	I'm planning on adding an upper something like this on an A2 lower I have been trying to make up my mind about for awhile. http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-1...516445155.html

February 11, 2018, 09:18 PM	#21
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	Yeah. I found a spare barrel nut the other day and I'm wondering what to build. Kidding...but a couple of builds back.... I like the SDMR rifle,and a mid or rifle length gassed 18 in Daniel Defense S2W profile. That one is turned like a sporting rifle barrel. S2W stands for "strength to weight" Its not a pencil,its not a bull. bore and chamber are hammer forged in one op. Chrome lined. Mine shoots good,generally a touch over MOA. Inside 1.5 MOA While I could see pursing a Grendel,(for myself) I have a 7.9 lb DPMS LR 308L . How many hammers do I need?

February 14, 2018, 01:17 AM	#22
ronl Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Posts: 1,100	Build a precision upper with a 24" bull barrel with 1/7 or 1/8 twist and shoot the big bullets for long distances. .224 Valkyrie? Might be fun to check out, but I don't believe all the hype about it.

February 14, 2018, 06:14 PM	#23
Road_Clam Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,695	I have 5 different configured uppers. I only need 2 different lowers. Fixed A2 lower / lead in the stock, Guiselle SSAE trigger and receiver controls set up for ambi operation. This is my High Power match rifle or 600 yd precision lower setup. adjustable carbine lower. 4.5# std millspec trigger, Vltor adj stock, M4 buffer system. This is my lightweight basic plinker lower. My uppers : 24" Varmint 20" White Oak Armarment match service rifle 20" Colt A2 carry handle for high power practice 16" basic carbine 16" 300 blackout for subsonic supressed __________________ "To be old an wise you must have been young and stupid"

February 14, 2018, 06:59 PM	#24
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	More good suggestions! For now I'm leaning toward a rifle length gas system with a 20" or 24" barrel, no iron sights and a low mounted 40 or 44mm 16x scope. Something real basic but geared for longer range