Considering one of two carbines

[fedupflyer]

A few of you are being hard on me.

Your asks are being a bit schizophrenic.

Lets work backwards...

1 - what is your budget for the upper?
2- what are your must haves?
3- what would be your like to haves?

Based on what you have posted, I think you would be served well with a 16 inch, light weight profile that is free-floated.
Something like the Criterion Core barrel or the BCM Enhanced light weight (ELW) barrel.
Slap a PSA lower on it and it would be a fairly descent rifle. If you watch the sales, you can get a fully assembled PSA lower for around $130.

[Alpha-17]

A few of you are being hard on me.

Welcome to the internet.


I don't subscribe to the "buy a Colt" philosophy of many on here, but they are a decent option. Some of your requirements and comments are more than a bit strange, and indicate you are operating with some incorrect notions in regards to equipment.

Listen to what folks are saying, find something that fits your perceived needs for a carbine, and get it. Then get out a train with it. That's far more important than getting the one carbine to rule them all.

[grizzman]

Your asks are being a bit schizophrenic.

Lets work backwards...

1 - what is your budget for the upper?
2- what are your must haves?
3- what would be your like to haves?

Based on what you have posted, I think you would be served well with a 16 inch, light weight profile that is free-floated.

I haven’t seen absolute answers to any of these questions.

Is the primary use long-ish range precision (to what degree), or is it close range?

As was already mentioned, if it’s not a dedicated long range rig, having an 18” heavy barrel and PRS stock would be quite inappropriate.

The Colt 6960 upper mentioned above paired with any quality lower would be a good multi-purpose solution. I bought one from Brownells a few years ago on sale and it’s been a solid upper.