I took a step away from the AR-15 game for the last year or two and just recently started getting back into it. There’s been a lot of new offerings, so I thought I’d gather the input and advice from those actively building over the last few years.
I’d like to set up a 16" or 18" precision platform. I’ve got optics covered (I have a NF 3.5-15x50 MILSPEC that needs a good AR to sit on) and I’ve got the lower taken care of, I just need a new upper.
I used to be primarily a Noveske fan, but it seems they’ve graduated away from their VLTOR MUR uppers and there’s a lot of other manufacturers that meet their quality for equal or less coin. I’m not against another Noveske upper, but I’m open to other options.
My requirements:
[ol]
[li]Stainless barrel (not really budging on this, unless there’s something made from unicorn horns that groups .1" @ 1200 yds) in 16" - 18".[/li][li]Rails: Either full RIS or MLOK. I’m not a fan of KeyMod rails (I have a KM upper). The Geissele Mk 1 seems to fit the bill, but it’s not in production. That led me to the Geissele Mk 8, which looks nice.[/li][li] Upper receiver: open to anything, although I really like the VLTOR MUR[/li][/ol]
I’m also not opposed to something like an SPR clone, although the cost for those setups seems to be primarily based on the difficulty of obtaining the speciality parts and not on their performance.
I like a lot of the BCM uppers, but it seemed that they only offered certain rails with certain barrels - a BCM 410SS upper with a Geissele Mk 8 would fit the bill quite nicely. I’d prefer not to build my own upper at this time, though can if that’s the only way to get a certain configuration.
Any suggestions based on the above? Also, are there any reputable builders/manufacturers that will build an upper a la carte? I’m relatively open and my price range isn’t restrictive.
You could also look at Rainier. They will build the upper (for a price), and you can build it with any parts you want (assuming Rainier sells them). They sell VLTOR upper, as well as a variety of BCGs, CHs, barrels, and forends. I’ve built 3 guns off of Rainier parts and have been very satisfied with both the performance and the customer service.
With the 3.5-15x50mm NXS (Love that scope) the 18" seems more practical, that said a good 16" will do. If budget is relevant, a WOA or Rainier Ultramatch Select would be the barrel of choice - otherwise the Douglas SPR/Recce type barrels from Centurion or HighCaliberSales would be where I’d look.
On a rainier build, one of their custom (or MEGA) based MLOK systems would the prime choice - otherwise having Kevin at HCS put you together a Recce upper with the Geissele Mk8 handguard would be the answer.
Otherwise, just get a BCM SS410 upper with a Lite or RIS-2 handguard would be the answer.
I did some research over the weekend and seem to have gone down the path you mentioned. The Douglas SPR barrels from HCS with a Geissele Mk8, Young Mfg National Match BCG, Raptor CH, and an VLTOR MUR seem like a solid direction to go.
Also looked at MSTN’s SPR uppers with an 18" Noveske barrel. Very nice, but at $1800, I could have Ranier build out one almost identical for $300-400 cheaper.
For an SPR build, I would highly recommend the Vltor VIS. I just got one, and it’s extremely rigid. It’s not the lightest thing on the market, but it’s weight to rigidity ratio is fantastic. It really simplifies optics. You can mount anything anywhere on the rail without any worries about vertical stringing. The price is also right.
For barrels, I have been seeing the best reviews on Wilson and BHW. I went with Wilson because they got really wonderful reviews, and are quite a bit less than BHW. Just make sure you ask around when buying a SS barrel, as many of the barrel extensions are carbon steel left “in the raw” which is a disaster waiting to happen. Wilson assures me that theirs are stainless. Whatever you do, make sure it’s fluted. The weight adds up very fast on SPRs, so every little bit helps. That’s part of why I went with 16’’ instead of 18. I just couldn’t see how an extra 150fps was worth two more inches of heavy barrel.
I also talked to many top barrel makers, and they assured me that matched bolts are a marketing gimmick. Not a bad thing, but it’s not going to help you any either. Just thought I would share that with you in case that was a consideration for you.
You might also look at Christensen Arms carbon fiber barrels. They’re SS, and a bull barrel weighs something like 27 ounces. I saw a test where the guy crushed a cinder block with one, so I know they’re plenty rigid. They’re super fat, though, so handguard selection will require something bigger than the VIS to get around their gas block. The LMT upper might do it, but that’s just speculation.
If you decide to go the 16" route and want something a little lighter but just as accurate, check out the Stretch 16. It will easily be as accurate as the others mentioned, and the fluted versions weigh 26 ounces. The melonite coated version is also a plus.
Just for reference mine shoot around 0.5 MOA with 0.4 as a personal best 5 shot group with 69g Nosler OTM.
Those have a nice set of features. I wish I had known about these before I bought my Wilson barrel. Don’t get me wrong, I love it, but I would have liked a Wylde chamber.
I was partial to the URX3.1/BCM GF CH, but that’s otherwise exactly what I wound up with on my 16" Recce upper (HCS). My Centurion 18" SPR Barreled upper wears a 14" Lite rail. I’m really not much help trying to make a decision, as I really adore both of those things.