So I have two stripped lowers one mil spec and the other a light weight MAG TACTICAL.
I’ve been wanting to build a Mil Specish gun and was looking at the BCM EAG upper with FSB because I want a carbine with an FSB.
OR Build a light weight gun with BCM KMR LW upper
OR build a replica of M16A4 with ACOG and KAC RAS that I used in the corps and buy a Colt AR15A4. I know this kind of a pointless question because it is up to me but I thought I would ask I’m in a pickle. What would you guys do?
As of now I only have one complete AR that is 14.5 bbl and all the goodies.
If I were you, I would sit myself down and figure out what my priorities are in shooting/training self defense.
Figure out what you do the most of and what purpose your next rifle will be used for and build that one.
I decided to go with a BCM KMR with a 14.5 ELW barrel and this rifle quickly became my new go to training defense rifle. I have several ARs but I like to have only one or two purpose built rifles. The others become part of the collection.
I’m in a similar spot. Sitting on two stripped lowers, thinking about uppers. Personally, I do not care for a carbine length hand guard (I’m 6’4"), nor the shorter sight radius (I have a 6920). Mid lengths fit me better, and if using irons, I’m much quicker as far as acquiring the target and its easier to ring the steel at distances beyond 100 yds (I have a BCM middy with FSB). Since I have rifles with fixed front sight bases, I’m thinking something with a free floated rail, to mainly use with variable power optics. BCM with the ELW KMR is what I’m thinking. Therefore I can try two different types of setups; light weight barrel, and free float rail. The only thing I’m really concerned about is getting them finished before the 2016 election. Have fun! Its a great problem to have!
That’s why I’m partially leaning towards the KMR build. Both builds excluding the “M16A4” build would be middys. I just needed some feed back and know I’ll get some honest input here.
I can tell you that you can not go wrong with the EAG set up. It is one of the best deals around. The elw/kmr combos were not available when I picked up the eag. Im waiting for the hammer forged elw before I pick on3 up. All I know is the 14.5 mids that bcm sells run. You hear about the 14.5 mids being finicky, I hqve not encountered it. Mine will run pmc bronze with h3 and standard carbine spring, and it locks back on empty every time.
Like corycop25 said your going to have to evaluate what you want or need. If your choices are bcm or bcm you really can not loose.
From reports like the filthy 14 which had a standard barrel. Im sure it is not needed, but for the slight up charge to me it is worth it.
Last time I heard about the filthy 14 it had 40000+ rounds and was still shooting under 2 inches at 50 yards. I read that in one of the threads here. I have not heard any similar reports on the bfh barrels, but the slight upcharge is worth it for me.
The only bcm barrels I have are bfh so I can not comment on any difference between the standard or bfh.
If the elw barrels never become available in a bfh version I would just buy a standard one without hesitation. There are so many great companies building great rifles now is the time to buy what you want. My next upper will be a custom reece from MSTN.
I’ve only got about 4500 rounds through mine so at this point I can’t say if it is really worth it but it has been very accurate and functioned flawlessly so far.
I can say for the small price increase that I’m comfortable buying the BFH uppers from BCM however if it wasn’t availble in BFH I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one of their standard barreled uppers either simply based on the report of filthy 14. ^^^^
This is good advice. Don’t rush it. Take your time, research your options, shoot or at least handle a variety of ARs to get a feel for what you want/need.
Having said that, allow me to recommend the simple 16" midlength lightweight barrel AR with fixed FSB and 9" free float rail of your choice. It’s not glamorous, but it is probably the best all-around tool for for anything most of us require.
[QUOTE=mysak;1939381]So I have two stripped lowers one mil spec and the other a light weight MAG TACTICAL.
I’ve been wanting to build a Mil Specish gun and was looking at the BCM EAG upper with FSB because I want a carbine with an FSB.
OR Build a light weight gun with BCM KMR LW Iupper
Obuild a replica of M16A4 with ACOG and KAC RAS that I used in the corps and buy a Colt AR15A4. I know this kind of a pointless question because it is up to me but I thought I would ask I’m in a pickle. What would you guys do?
i would build the A4 … standard hanguards and a DD rear buis… and enjoy the heck out of it
You’ve got one complete rifle and you don’t have your heart set on your next. So, to provide a counterpoint to what others have suggested, here’s what I would do…
Build the regular lower. Attach your existing upper and run a few hundred rounds through it. As long as there are no issues, send in a Form 1 to SBR that lower. It’ll take some time, but who cares? Once it comes back, slap on a BCM 11.5 carbine upper. Blam, you’ve got your lightweight carbine with an FSB.
I vote 20". I built a 20" PSA with the FN barrel and the A1 stock because it was what my brother had looked for while he was serving in the Army. He always said he liked the 20" M16 he had in Basic a lot more than the carbine he had in Iraq. I still have it and it’s my favorite. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m more accurate with it, the recoil impulse that’s as pleasant as a .22LR, or just because it makes me feel closer to my brother that we lost 4 years ago. It’s the combination of them all I guess. Everyone has carbines, 20" ARs aren’t seen much anymore. Go to any LGS and you’ll see lines of carbines, I haven’t seen a 20" for many years. You also get the extra velocity. You already have a carbine so the 20" just seems like the next logical step to me.
Speaking for the M16A4 clone, it just didn’t make sense with the ACOG. Great rifle, and the same rifle I used in the Corps as well on my first deployment. But to have nearly $3,000 in a rifle that was relegated to being “neat”, as opposed to “practical” just didn’t do it for me. While you can take a class with it, if I’m paying $500 I’m going to use a rifle that is better suited to the task. Unfortunately, I sold the rifle to a buddy a while ago after hitting tough times and now I’m building another one. This one, however, will most definitely not wear an ACOG.
I went with a ELW KMR 16. I liked it so much, I delayed building my SBR, and got another one.
I know there are some that are very convinced that a FSB is the way to go, but as long as you have a reliable optic on it, it is not much of a game changer in my opinion. Simply, it is a last resort.
I have heard alot of great things about the ELW KMR but I already have a gun similar with a fluted shillen barrel and a bunch of other niceties so I want something different.
I ended up ordering the Noveske upper it came with BCG and a Raptor charging handle and LPK from G&R with a BCM Buffer kit. So that leaves the “Mil-Spec” lower I dont know how far out it will be but I am thinking since both of my rifles right now are carbines how about doing like a SPR MK12. What are peoples thoughts on building one and personal experience.
