any recommendations for an A2 build kit

tahunua001 · January 29, 2024, 08:18 PM

so I'm looking at putting together a cheap but reliable A2 to go around a stripped lower I just got a decent deal on. the problem is, A2 style builds are apparently for old men, and comic con nerds because I can't seem to find one anywhere. I've been waitlisting one from PSA for over 6 months now, and I think it's time to accept that it's never going to come back in stock again. anyone know of any that are budget friendly and in-stock?

and before you get all brand snobby, I have plenty of safe queens. frumpy and functional is all I'm needing.

rickyrick · January 29, 2024, 09:03 PM

You might need to buy the parts separately. A2 complete uppers seem to be always out of stock.

Beware of A2 buttstocks, there’s some cheesy ones out there.
The realistic ones are a weird porous plastic that has a slight grey look.

tahunua001 · January 29, 2024, 09:24 PM

I'm actually planning on throwing some wood furniture on so the quality of the plastic isn't so much a concern so much as proper tolerances of the stuff it bolts to.

Nathan · January 29, 2024, 09:28 PM

I have to ask…why an A2?

Lurch37 · January 29, 2024, 09:32 PM

There's 3 H&R complete uppers on PSA although they are in the $700 range.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/harr...per-black.html

And the lower parts kit with stock is $130

https://palmettostatearmory.com/a2-rifle-build-kit.html

Not sure if that's exactly what you want or if counts as cheap.

tangolima · January 29, 2024, 09:54 PM

Check bear Creek arsenal for complete upper. It is cheap and it works good enough.

I have one A2 put together. In retrospect I would get an A1 butt stock instead of A2. A2 is just a bit too long a pull for me.

An A2 usually doesn't do great in accuracy. Mine is doing 1.5 - 2 moa. Occasionally it does better than 1moa for reason unknown.

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

tahunua001 · January 29, 2024, 10:50 PM

this is my first time hearing about Bear Creek Arsenal. anyone have experience with both them and other economy companies like PSA or DPMS? enough to offer a comparison? they don't offer a true A2, but at this point I'm starting to accept that I'm going to be stuck going with a flat top+bolt on carry handle and they are a bit cheaper than PSA assuming the quality is about the same.

tangolima · January 29, 2024, 10:54 PM

I actually prefer flat top. I can't have the real A2 anyway. It is select fire.

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

tahunua001 · January 29, 2024, 11:00 PM

sadly you speak truth, I suppose I should clarify that I'm talking about A2 style/pattern build. not exactly willing to pay the freedom tax and file the paperwork to build myself a true m16A2.
I realize the flat top is more versatile, I have 5 other ARs and all are flat top. the carry handle upper is because I'm after a very specific aesthetic and the pici-mount handle is very noticeable.

tangolima · January 29, 2024, 11:22 PM

I see. You are looking for upper receiver with integrated carry handle, the A2 A2. Here are some.

https://www.rockriverarms.com/index....tegory_ID=1321

They are striped uppers. I would get a complete upper from BCA and swap out the receiver.

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

44caliberkid · January 30, 2024, 12:32 PM

A few years ago I bought an M-16 parts kit, they were from Israelie issued guns from the 1970’s. Triangle handguards and all. I put together a nice semiauto version on a new AR-15 lower. It looks just like what I was issued in the 70’s, even has the arms room number written on the stock with white out. You might find one of those kits around, but last time I saw one they were over $600.

Shadow9mm · January 30, 2024, 07:23 PM

You sure? found this A2 build kit on PSA available for $419.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-...rifle-kit.html

rickyrick · February 2, 2024, 09:26 PM

https://www.bushmaster.com/shop/part...pper-receiver/

Ran across this today.

Shadow9mm · February 2, 2024, 09:38 PM

Not obscenely priced.

Nathan · February 4, 2024, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow9mm

You sure? found this A2 build kit on PSA available for $419.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-...rifle-kit.html

Nice kit. Too bad that isn’t and A2 upper receiver. I’d find one to change it out.

rickyrick · February 4, 2024, 01:16 PM

I’m tempted to get the receiver from bushmaster that I posted above.
I’ve been wanting to assemble an A2 clone.
But then an A4 clone would be a bit easier to do.
AeroPrecision does some cool U.S. clone lowers.

Niner4Tango · February 5, 2024, 04:25 PM

Del-Ton: https://www.del-ton.com/AR-15-Barrel...y-p/dt1049.htm

January 29, 2024, 08:18 PM	#1
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	any recommendations for an A2 build kit so I'm looking at putting together a cheap but reliable A2 to go around a stripped lower I just got a decent deal on. the problem is, A2 style builds are apparently for old men, and comic con nerds because I can't seem to find one anywhere. I've been waitlisting one from PSA for over 6 months now, and I think it's time to accept that it's never going to come back in stock again. anyone know of any that are budget friendly and in-stock? and before you get all brand snobby, I have plenty of safe queens. frumpy and functional is all I'm needing. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

January 29, 2024, 09:03 PM	#2
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,238	You might need to buy the parts separately. A2 complete uppers seem to be always out of stock. Beware of A2 buttstocks, there’s some cheesy ones out there. The realistic ones are a weird porous plastic that has a slight grey look. __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

January 29, 2024, 09:24 PM	#3
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	I'm actually planning on throwing some wood furniture on so the quality of the plastic isn't so much a concern so much as proper tolerances of the stuff it bolts to. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

January 29, 2024, 09:32 PM	#5
Lurch37 Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Middle of Nebraska Posts: 944	There's 3 H&R complete uppers on PSA although they are in the $700 range. https://palmettostatearmory.com/harr...per-black.html And the lower parts kit with stock is $130 https://palmettostatearmory.com/a2-rifle-build-kit.html Not sure if that's exactly what you want or if counts as cheap. __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own.

January 29, 2024, 10:50 PM	#7
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	this is my first time hearing about Bear Creek Arsenal. anyone have experience with both them and other economy companies like PSA or DPMS? enough to offer a comparison? they don't offer a true A2, but at this point I'm starting to accept that I'm going to be stuck going with a flat top+bolt on carry handle and they are a bit cheaper than PSA assuming the quality is about the same. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

January 29, 2024, 09:28 PM	#4
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,334	I have to ask…why an A2?

January 29, 2024, 09:54 PM	#6
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,835	Check bear Creek arsenal for complete upper. It is cheap and it works good enough. I have one A2 put together. In retrospect I would get an A1 butt stock instead of A2. A2 is just a bit too long a pull for me. An A2 usually doesn't do great in accuracy. Mine is doing 1.5 - 2 moa. Occasionally it does better than 1moa for reason unknown. -TL Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

January 29, 2024, 10:54 PM	#8
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,835	I actually prefer flat top. I can't have the real A2 anyway. It is select fire. -TL Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

January 29, 2024, 11:00 PM	#9
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	sadly you speak truth, I suppose I should clarify that I'm talking about A2 style/pattern build. not exactly willing to pay the freedom tax and file the paperwork to build myself a true m16A2. I realize the flat top is more versatile, I have 5 other ARs and all are flat top. the carry handle upper is because I'm after a very specific aesthetic and the pici-mount handle is very noticeable. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

January 29, 2024, 11:22 PM	#10
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,835	I see. You are looking for upper receiver with integrated carry handle, the A2 A2. Here are some. https://www.rockriverarms.com/index....tegory_ID=1321 They are striped uppers. I would get a complete upper from BCA and swap out the receiver. -TL Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

January 30, 2024, 12:32 PM	#11
44caliberkid Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,104	A few years ago I bought an M-16 parts kit, they were from Israelie issued guns from the 1970’s. Triangle handguards and all. I put together a nice semiauto version on a new AR-15 lower. It looks just like what I was issued in the 70’s, even has the arms room number written on the stock with white out. You might find one of those kits around, but last time I saw one they were over $600.

January 30, 2024, 07:23 PM	#12
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,977	You sure? found this A2 build kit on PSA available for $419. https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-...rifle-kit.html __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

February 2, 2024, 09:26 PM	#13
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,238	https://www.bushmaster.com/shop/part...pper-receiver/ Ran across this today. __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

February 2, 2024, 09:38 PM	#14
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,977	Not obscenely priced. __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

February 4, 2024, 01:16 PM	#16
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,238	I’m tempted to get the receiver from bushmaster that I posted above. I’ve been wanting to assemble an A2 clone. But then an A4 clone would be a bit easier to do. AeroPrecision does some cool U.S. clone lowers. __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

February 5, 2024, 04:25 PM	#17
Niner4Tango Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 287	Del-Ton: https://www.del-ton.com/AR-15-Barrel...y-p/dt1049.htm