11-06-2011, 08:46 PM
Do you have the tools to assemble your upper? Basically, you can choose to build or buy. If you have half a brain and want to absorb the costs associated with assembling, trouble-shooting, and quality-controlling your own, you build.
If you want to allocate those costs to a reputable manufacturer, then you buy a complete upper and drive-on.
If you don't need a match-grade, cut-rifled stainless barrel that will shoot 1/2" groups, you can get an 18" fluted stainless Grendel pipe with matching bolt for $320 from Alexander Arms:
http://www.alexanderarms.com/index.php/products.html
Barrel/bolt combo $320
Get an upper $70-$90
A free-float handguard $60
Gas block $25
Gas tube $12
Muzzle device $15 http://www.alexanderarms.com/index.php/products.html
Heavy Buffer, if you don't have one and if you don' have a rifle-length buffer/spring/stock
With an armorer's wrench and receiver jaws, you can easily install your barrel, gas block, A2 compensator, and handguard. You might want some loc-tite for the gas block once the gas circuit is tested.
Then take your Grendel bolt, drop it into your AR15 carrier, and use your existing charge handle. If you want a complete upper without the inconvenience of raping your 5.56 upper constantly, you can purchase those parts as well, but I listed the most economical route first, provided you assume the QC, assembly, and trouble-shooting yourself.
Yes, you can form Grendel out of x39 brass, but brass is so plentiful, that the time might not be worth it to you, and be advised that you'll be limited to different powder volume and pressures with the x39 brass, so much of the reloading data shared by the majority of others will not be compatible with x39 brass, as most of it so far has exhibited less case capacity.
If you want to allocate those costs to a reputable manufacturer, then you buy a complete upper and drive-on.
If you don't need a match-grade, cut-rifled stainless barrel that will shoot 1/2" groups, you can get an 18" fluted stainless Grendel pipe with matching bolt for $320 from Alexander Arms:
http://www.alexanderarms.com/index.php/products.html
Barrel/bolt combo $320
Get an upper $70-$90
A free-float handguard $60
Gas block $25
Gas tube $12
Muzzle device $15 http://www.alexanderarms.com/index.php/products.html
Heavy Buffer, if you don't have one and if you don' have a rifle-length buffer/spring/stock
With an armorer's wrench and receiver jaws, you can easily install your barrel, gas block, A2 compensator, and handguard. You might want some loc-tite for the gas block once the gas circuit is tested.
Then take your Grendel bolt, drop it into your AR15 carrier, and use your existing charge handle. If you want a complete upper without the inconvenience of raping your 5.56 upper constantly, you can purchase those parts as well, but I listed the most economical route first, provided you assume the QC, assembly, and trouble-shooting yourself.
Yes, you can form Grendel out of x39 brass, but brass is so plentiful, that the time might not be worth it to you, and be advised that you'll be limited to different powder volume and pressures with the x39 brass, so much of the reloading data shared by the majority of others will not be compatible with x39 brass, as most of it so far has exhibited less case capacity.