I recently built a Noveske upper that consisted of a 16" SS recon barrel, Vltor Mur upper and Noveske BCG. I realized that I really didn’t need such a substantial upper as I will most likely throw an Aimpoint T1 on it which ruins the point of such a barrel and is unnecessarily costly, so now I am back to work thinking.
I am in the process of selling the upper reciever/barrel and have new plans.
I want an upper that I can use for HD, SHTF and classes if I so choose. I want it to be reliable, and after having a SS barrel, I want a light gun. I realize/read that .223 is not nearly as effective in SBR platform so I was thinking of sticking with 16".
EDIT
I should have clarified my goal for my upper setup.
Upper:
16" LW barrel BCM/DD
Low pro gas block
Aero upper (what ever is cost effective)
Gun fighter charging handle mod4
Samson evolution 15" rail (13.7 oz I think and I like to hold it out far, gives long sight radius with X300 on top)
Surefire X300 12 O’clock
DD Fixed Front Sight
Troy Rear BUIS
Aimpoint T1/H1 (maybe M4s if I decide I need AA batteries)
Lower:
Aero lower
DD parts kit
MIAD
Mil-spec CTR
Padded BFG VCAS.
What improvements can be made? Can anyone else weigh in on Noveske BCG with DD barrel vs BCM/DD BCG?
BTW, the DD barrel seems to be much more attainable than a BCM, same goes for BCG.
LW 16" midlength with something like a TRX extreme or the new DD MFR over a pinned low pro gasblock would make about the perfect general purpose upper in my opinion. Throw it on a quality lower, add an optic, buis, light & sling and you’re good to go.
As for the BCG, no doubt the noveske is quality but I would probably sell it with the noveske bbl’ed upper and put either a BCM or DD unit into the new build. If it’s going to be to difficult/expensive to source a new BCG up there, then you should be fine with the Noveske.
Though I have not personally whacked anyone with an SBR, your misgivings probably are a little off mark. Don’t doubt for a second that if you put five rounds from a 12.5" barrel into someone that they won’t go down. Of course using good ammo will help.
Since you are in Canada it makes it a little difficult for us since we aren’t versed on the peculiarities of Canadian laws and availability.
Im not saying if you have a 12.5" barrel its useless, but Im thinking at 150-200 yards (unlikely engagement distance, but still) people are saying its much less effective. I am not speaking from experience and am open to all accurate information from someone more experienced than myself
Regarding laws. We can have fairly good availability and dont have any restrictions when it comes to accessories like California, just our mags are pinned to 5 rounds :mad: (sucks) It seems like BCM is hard for even you guys to get, correct me if Im wrong.
Is there any REAL difference between BCM and DD? I know BCM does not batch test their BCG which is nice.
DD doesn’t batch test either. Right now you can get Colt BCG’s and bolts on their website. I know someone who smoked Muj at 600 and 800 with a 14.5" M4. He used Mk 262 MOD 1, an optic and he did his job.
I can’t see me shooting someone in a defensive scenario at those ranges but that’s me.
With regards to Rail, I was pretty sold on a free float as I like to mount the X300 at 12 O’clock and reach far out (15" rail) but the goal for the build is lightweight. I was considering a MOE handguard (rifle length?) and was wondering how you guys like the lights mounted at 10 O’clock? I think I’d be saving what, like 8oz? (15" rail is 13.7 oz)
I’ve had three or four rails and sold them all for MOE handguards. I like my mounts around ten o’clock. I don’t have a mount n slot light mount but have a pair of their sling mounts their stuff is very well thought out and made. If I were buying today I’d get their light mount and sling mount.
You’d need a FSB (think dissipator) to use a rifle length MOE on a 16" barrel - which you could have installed by a smith but its not going to end up being lighter, and you’re putting more weight out front which will effect the balance.
Looking at Rob S’s chart you’re looking at almost 15oz. counting the barrel nut, handguard cap & delta ring assembly. Then there’s the weight of a FSB to consider.
If lightweight is the goal you’re better off with one of the lighter tubular free floats - the Troy TRX extreme being the lightest currently.
With regards to the cost of having a smith install a lo pro block for you, it shouldn’t be too expensive, but I don’t know what smiths typically charge in your neck of the woods. Are you planning on building the upper yourself and just need someone to install/pin the gas block, or will you need someone to assemble the whole thing?
The whole thing will be installed by a smith. I simply dont have the tools at the moment to effectively complete it. I will invest in them in the future though. Right now I actually have the samsom eveolution 15" on my noveske, so I will probably just transfer it and sell the upper without the rail.
God do I wish I was in the US. Looking at your exchange forum makes me jealous to say the least. If I could get those prices I would have multiple AR’s.
Ok, so now Im not sure if it is worth it to switch at all.
My goal and purpose of selling was to A) Save money and B) Keep it as light as possible.
If I stay with a free float tube which it looks like I will have to, I will only be saving a little over $100 switching from a noveske barrel with MUR upper, to DD barrel and standard M4 upper after labor ect. Doesnt seem worth it.
My (hopefully) last question. How much weight will I save going from a Noveske SS 16" Recon barrel to a LW 16" DD barrel? (I know I would also save 2-3 oz from MUR to standard upper)
And what do you guys recommend? This will be my one and ONLY rifle and will be my go to gun. I will use it for courses/“tactical” shooting ect. What I may end up doing is just selling the MUR upper to switch to a M4 upper. This will save me a little money and weight. Opinions, please.
