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+--- Thread: The right upper? (/showthread.php?tid=17075)
The right upper? - joshfuller56 - 09-18-2018
OK before I get burned at the stake I have spent the last 3 days scouring the internet trying to find an answer to my questions. I ended up here because it seemed to come up every time so here I am.
Originally I wanted to build a 224 Valkyrie but then talked to a few friends and the 6.5 Grendel came about. Granted I am unsure why but the 224 Valkyrie is stuck in the back of my mind but I keep seeing people talking about being let down by them and all the ammo issues.
I am about to start a 6.5 build but need help. I am wanting to be able to take the gun out and put rounds down range in the 600 yards area. At first I just wanted to find a complete upper I could toss onto my lower I have built. I found a few placed for uppers but then I started checking into them and started to doubt a lot of them. I looked at radical because they are basically in my back pocket but after seeing issues with them and learning a little about the barrels I cast them away. Then I thought about PSA but then saw reviews on muzzles not being aligned or installed properly ect.
I am wanting a 20- 24 inch barrel on the upper and would prefer to have a stainless barrel but that would not be a deal breaker as a beggar cannot be a chooser. I saw a lot of comments on the La-rue kits but i just need a upper with no parts for the lower since i already have my lower built how I want it. AA seems like a nice upper as well but I have no idea how the standard barrel is on that upper.
I have found these through digging on this site and others that I am unsure on them as:
http://www.jsesurplus.com/jse2065grendelhbar1x8stainlesssteelw125odino2litefloatgunteca2predatorandjtracegun750gb-1.aspx
https://www.dsarms.com/p-16633-dsa-ar15-match-series-65-grendel-upper-receiver-assembly-with-20-ss-barrel.aspx
https://www.grendelhunter.com/product/22%E2%80%B3-fluted-6-5-grendel-stainless/
https://aeroprecisionusa.com/m4e1-enhanced-complete-upper-20-6-5-grendel-ss-barrel.html no bcg or charge handle
https://www.hardenedarms.com/ecProduct_222_36--20%22%206.5%20Grendel%20Melonited%2015%22%20Tac%20Quad%20Rail%20Upper
https://moriartiarmaments.com/6.5-grendel-uppers/22-ar-15-6.5-grendel-type-i-stainless-steel-competition-bull-upper-assembly-22-ar-15-6.5-grendel-type-i-upper-assembly
https://moriartiarmaments.com/6.5-grendel-uppers/22-ar-15-6.5-grendel-stainless-steel-competition-bull-upper-assembly-22-ar-15-6.5-grendel-upper-assembly
https://sandersarmoryusa.com/product/the-beast-24-stainless-steel-match-grade-6-5-grendel-type-2-side-charge-upper-assembly-with-bcg/
https://www.ar15part.com/6-5-Grendel-Upper-AR15-Receiver-20-Stainless-p/6.5grendelupper20ssu1x8kmexrl.htm
https://bkingsfirearms.com/shop/complete-upper-receivers/ar15-20-fluted-dmr-6-5-grendel-rifle-length-1-8-twist-barrel-w-17-7-slim-ffssr-m-lok-handguard/
https://22mods4all.com/products/20-6-5-grendel-type-ii-nitride-ar15-upper-receiver-with-15-free-float-keymod-gen2-handguard no bcg or charge handle
https://www.odinworks.com/product_p/cu-15-km-6.5-20-r-gbadj.htm
Now however I think I might be able to build me an upper to do exactly what I want possibly for a few coins cheaper (yes I know you pay for what you get). Just being in the college town i have little access to proper areas to work on anything. I have tools with me as I am a gear head and am always tinkering on something so tools is not really my issue. I just do not have a vice or any AR tools (yet). Now I can rig me a vice set up in my room with a little harbor freight one to get me by for now so lets move on I guess. If I do go on the route of building my own upper ( would be my first) what would you guys recommend for parts or should I just buy a complete.
I am just trying to find the proper route I should take and after reading about the issues that can be found with the lower priced uppers I am torn
if you have made it this far thanks a ton as I know it is a lot. If the links are not ok please let me know or fix it.
The right upper? - Dead Center Miss - 09-18-2018
I'm really starting to hate the mobile version of this site. Once again lost a post while trying to post it.
I think you should give the Radicals another look. Everyone seems to like them. I have a 24" and like it so far. (My first grendel) had a few bugs to work out, but you will with just about anything.
Still in the load development stages but I've shot a few groups sub MOA. I know guys who get sub .5 MOA with the same upper I have.
The right upper? - joshfuller56 - 09-18-2018
My first AR I put together was a challenge gun between a few friends on who could build the cheapest functioning AR. I used a radical upper and the gun ran perfect. The guy I sold it to uses it for pest control around his pond.
The right upper? - joshfuller56 - 09-18-2018
But after seeing the stories on the 6.5 and the reamer issues i have doubted them as well. as saw that the qc I guess dropped off a bit. plus 4-8 week or lead time before I would get it.
The right upper? - js8588 - 09-18-2018
Hardened Arms. Great people, solid equipment.
https://www.hardenedarms.com/ecProduct_805_36--24" 6.5 Grendel Melonited 15" Talon Rail Upper
But really, just get the LaRue. That's where this thread inevitably leads
The right upper? - joshfuller56 - 09-18-2018
I just do not want the extras that come with it as i have no use for them
The right upper? - joshfuller56 - 09-18-2018
plus the kit doesnt come in 20-24 inches
The right upper? - js8588 - 09-18-2018
One AR leads to many. It's inevitable. As I posted, if you're set on just an upper, go Hardened Arms. Get the Talon Rail instead of the quad.
The right upper? - joshfuller56 - 09-18-2018
Yea it does. I am going to have to invest in another gun safe here shortly
The right upper? - Sticks - 09-18-2018
Odin Works or Aero. Live with an 18" Larue.
Or build.
Areo upper receiver, Lilja Barrel, any carrier with a Mk136 bolt, SLR adj gas block, Gamma Epsilon brake or standard A2 flash hider shooters choice on handguard.
For serious work out to 600 (you will soon want to go farther) don't forget to budget glass, which will cost as much or more than the upper.
The right upper? - grayfox - 09-18-2018
Larue, Precision Firearms, or an Aero/Ballistic Arms upper:
https://www.groundzeroprecision.com/products/20-aero-precision-ballistic-advantage-m4e1-enhanced-ultra-match-6-5-grendel-upper-receiver
I've been breaking in my 20" BA barrel (Aero receiver) and am really happy with it so far (~100 downragne).
Or build your own with Lilja, Criterion or etc from the guys at PF...
The right upper? - Bigs28 - 09-18-2018
Larue, precision firearms, jp.
The right upper? - A5BLASTER - 09-18-2018
Build it yourself will always be my answer.
Cheap harbor freight vice
Magpul bev block or a simple clam shell for holding it in the vice a few Allen keys for small screw in gas block, small crescent for muzzle device and tekton torque wrench and correct size crows foot wrench for the barrel nut.
Joebobs parts as follows
Matrix upper add the joebobs forward assist, charging handle and port door kit- 75 bucks
Also joebobs parts fireing pin, firing pin retaining pin and cam pin 20 bucks
Also joebobs Matrix hanguard of your choosing just short enough to not cover the gas block.
Gas block cheapest adjustable block they have in stock joebobs add joebobs gas tube 80 bucks for block and tube
Joebobs muzzle device of your choosing in 30 cal threaded 5/8x24
This fourm 20 inch group buy barrel
Maxim firearms for the bolt 80 bucks
Right to bear arms stripped lowmass bcg to complete the upper.
Should be in the 500 buck ball park for complete upper you built yourself.
Now that's doing it on the cheap can go much higher depending on parts selection.
Hope this helps sir.
The right upper? - Dead Center Miss - 09-18-2018
A5BLASTER Wrote:Build it yourself will always be my answer.
Cheap harbor freight vice
Magpul bev block or a simple clam shell for holding it in the vice a few Allen keys for small screw in gas block, small crescent for muzzle device and tekton torque wrench and correct size crows foot wrench for the barrel nut.
Joebobs parts as follows
Matrix upper add the joebobs forward assist, charging handle and port door kit- 75 bucks
Also joebobs parts fireing pin, firing pin retaining pin and cam pin 20 bucks
Also joebobs Matrix hanguard of your choosing just short enough to not cover the gas block.
Gas block cheapest adjustable block they have in stock joebobs add joebobs gas tube 80 bucks for block and tube
Joebobs muzzle device of your choosing in 30 cal threaded 5/8x24
This fourm 20 inch group buy barrel
Maxim firearms for the bolt 80 bucks
Right to bear arms stripped lowmass bcg to complete the upper.
Should be in the 500 buck ball park for complete upper you built yourself.
Now that's doing it on the cheap can go much higher depending on parts selection.
Hope this helps sir.
Why would you want the handguard short enough to leave the gas block out in the open?
The right upper? - A5BLASTER - 09-18-2018
Dead Center Miss Wrote:Why would you want the handguard short enough to leave the gas block out in the open?
Makes it much easier to get to it to adjust it when needed.
And unless you drop it 30 feet from a tree ( I know from experence) your not going to have problems with it not being under the handguard.
That and I like the way it looks and it simplifies the build and can save money on the build by not having to find a super small adjustable gas block that fits under the handguard and the increased cost of that gas block.
The right upper? - grayfox - 09-18-2018
In the buy sell exchange section here 65Whelen has an upper for sale, maybe you should look at it...
http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?17888-WTS-20-quot-Grendel-Upper&p=205849#post205849
I would definitely not go too cheaply -- with the 199-upper-assemblies. YGWYPF.
The right upper? - Popeye212 - 09-18-2018
Group buy or,Odin,Ballistic Advantage barrel. For a top shelf barrel talk to Precision Firearms here on the forum he will fix you up.
Aero precision assembled upper and handguard
VG65 muzzle brake
Just my suggestions.
The right upper? - bj139 - 09-18-2018
Popeye212 Wrote:Group buy or,Odin,Ballistic Advantage barrel. For a top shelf barrel talk to Precision Firearms here on the forum he will fix you up.
Aero precision assembled upper and handguard
VG65 muzzle brake
Just my suggestions.
I was going to suggest the Ballistic Advantage barrels. I have an 18" and 20" and they are the most accurate of all the barrels I have.
The early reports of the group buy Green Mountain barrels seem to be good.
People have said shooting at 600 yards and beyond a 24" barrel makes it a bit easier.
The right upper? - Dead Center Miss - 09-18-2018
A5BLASTER Wrote:Makes it much easier to get to it to adjust it when needed.
And unless you drop it 30 feet from a tree ( I know from experence) your not going to have problems with it not being under the handguard.
That and I like the way it looks and it simplifies the build and can save money on the build by not having to find a super small adjustable gas block that fits under the handguard and the increased cost of that gas block.
I can see where it would be handy with an adjustable gas block. I missed that part in your first post.
The right upper? - joshfuller56 - 09-19-2018
grayfox Wrote:In the buy sell exchange section here 65Whelen has an upper for sale, maybe you should look at it...
http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?17888-WTS-20-quot-Grendel-Upper&p=205849#post205849
I would definitely not go too cheaply -- with the 199-upper-assemblies. YGWYPF.
I had looked at it last night actually.
I am leaning to building my upper more and more as it seems that it is not to hard. I am really just unsure on parts as it would be my first time. I guess my first move it to find a good barrel and then build from there back?