I think this is a decent deal, given FN is major firearm manufacturer for the US military. These barrels usually go for $300 - $350. Should I buy this to build my own upper? I want a high quality, long lasting gun.
I have a few questions.
- Do you already have the lower?
- Do you want to build your own AR?
- Did you look at other complete uppers? Like Rainier BCM, KAC, Aero etc. etc?
Because while I would be the first to tell you to build it bc that’s my thing, I also think it’s important to look at all your options. You don’t really save money building unless you bring in used parts. Like the hand guard/rail, BUIS, furniture etc. if you go that route, it’s possible to build a high quality upper for less than new. (Usually)
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I didn’t know. I thought you would save a bunch if you bought separate upper parts and assembled yourself. In that case I wanted to go with the BCM MK12 Mod1 upper to go with an aero precision stripped lower with a sionics LPK.
Well I just read the PSA thread from yesterday. Seeing how you’re asking this question, after those posts leads me to believe you want to build your AR. If I’m wrong, correct me.
That said, there are some good options for building. I personally have used Aero Precision, without fault or fail. That’s an option. Sionics makes high quality upper and lowers as well. BCM sells their “blems” which usually means you really can’t find what’s wrong with it in the first place. I’ve used their blems at least twice. Work great. SOLGW (Sons of Liberty Gun Works) also”from my understanding, makes solid uppers and lowers. They are based down in SA, Texas and have a pretty solid rep. There are many, many brands out there. Rainier, Mega, heck Ballistic Advantage(one of my favorite barrel manufacturers.) has a lower and upper, although they do not actually manufacture it. That’s true of a lot of brands out there. I would recommend first, (as been suggested) determine the following:
Why do I want this AR? What’s the purpose?
Why is that important? As my buddy Kain said, “Mission drives the gear train”.
So if you just want something to plink at the range and do not see yourself using this AR to defend you or those you love? I guess you could build cheap.
Here’s my personal philosophy:
Every AR I build has a purpose. A tactical, defend my family purpose. Every part I select and use has to support that. It has to have a functional purpose. This is how I was taught and this is how I still do it. So you’re asking a bunch of guys, beaucoup military/ex-military who still pretty much have a tactical mindset. You’re asking LEO and prior LEO’s who used weapons to protect and serve. Yes, we have others who don’t think like that. But we also have civilians who have that tactical mindset and are very knowledgeable. So when you ask your questions… is this good or that good, you just need to understand the crowd you’re asking and that will help you understand the responses.
Don’t know if this helps or not, but you Sure aren’t he first person who asked about PSA. And your not the first person who mistakenly believed that “mil spec is mil spec”. That is not a truth my friend. The sooner you embrace this truth: “All mil spec parts are NOT created equal”, the better off you’ll be and consequently the better purchase decisions you’ll make.
Like I said. I love to build. It’s what I like. There are many like me here. (Although at times I may wonder about that. Lol)
We have SME’s who have built more AR’s than a person has teeth. So the knowledge is here. But you need to decide what you’re doing. Because the guys that I know who KNOW…that’s the first thing they’re going to ask you.
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That is indeed a good deal, even better it seems as if the $199.00 is a shipped price at least for my TPA-Bay FL address & no sales tax. If so that is a real good deal.(even if you wait to build one). I have three different lengths and profiles of FN CHF HPT/MPI 1/7 twist chrome lined machine gun steel barrels in 5.56 NATO. In the hands of a normal well trained shooter they are amazingly accurate. Being that I am a old sighted(presently shopping prescription shooting glasses/goggles)they are just accurate in my hands. I really do find they are “just as good” or “even better” 
in my sample of 3.
I would buy that without hesitation, I have a 14.5 Spike’s FN barrel and it’s great.
Depends, how big is the gas port?
I have used the govt. profile version of this barrel with great results. I think that’s one heck of a deal, if that’s the barrel you want.
Why would that matter or be of concern to anyone other than a competitive shooter warrior or a second responder, and I ask this question sincerely, I’m not being a smart ass or a keyboard know it all.
Because the gas port is specified by the company buying them, not FN.
I’m pretty sure that is spec’d by FN, and not the reseller. Brownells, Riflegear, and a few others sell FN CHF barrels that seem to be spec’d by FN. But that is just my assumptions, I would call the seller if you were that worried.
Good choices. You CAN save some money but it usually means grabbing a butt stock, hand guard, sights or WML off the E&E. I bought all 3 LaRue rails I own off the E&E, saved right at $300. Same for Vltor Emod’s I usually save right at $35-40 per stock. Just a thought. I’m. I am no AR snob by any measure, but I do not build crap. I refuse to build or own a weapon that’s not 100% tactically sound.
If you decide to really go the build route, I’ll be happy to help if I can. If you have access to Excel, create a build sheet. I have several examples from my builds and builds I’ve done for others. If you want me to email you one as a template, shoot me a PM with an email.
I’m going to give the Sionics bolt kit a try in one of my LMT e-carriers.
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No its not, the profile, gas port, crown type even QC and tolerances are spec’d by the buyer. Look at the gas port size google doc, there are alot of FN barrels on that spread sheet with varying gas port size.
Because GP size is probably the 2nd biggest contributor to reliability next to magazines. Bigger gas ports = more stoppages and more parts breakages, anyone who shoots alot will start to notice this trend especially when you start to get the gun hot and dirty(chambers). Companies get away with larger gas ports because they know only a small percentage of the customers will shoot enough rounds and fast enough to start causing problems while reducing the number of RMAs due to people running underpowered shitty ammo.
I got some magpul furniture ready to go. The FF handguard already comes with the BCM uppers.
If you’re talking about barrels from companies like Noveske, Centurion Arms, and Rainier Arms that rebrand the barrels, then yes. But these are branded FN. Do you have any evidence that these are not spec’d by FN and the same barrels that they put into their rifles?
Arguing this point is really not benefitting the OP (this is not directed at any specific poster).
If the gas port is oversized when the barrel is received, return it, buy an adjustable gas block or order a gas block from Black River Tactical with the correct size port.
Andy
So the BCM MK12 upper is 410 stainless steel, I’m guessing this makes it an accurate gun, but not for high volume fire. Also, is BCM MK12 upper come with match grade barrel?
What is your intended use for this gun you’re contemplating?
Nothing other than owning a higher end quality AR. I am going to assemble my own lower receiver with aero precision stripped lower, sionic LPK, geissele trigger.
Yes, the MK12 barrel is 410 stainless, which should make it more accurate than a chrome lined one. Barrel life is likely to be a bit longer than a 416 barrel, but not nearly as long as a CHF chrome lined barrel. It also won’t tolerate abuse nearly as well as a chromed one, but, again, better than one from 416.
It’s an SPR profile instead of government profile, which should increase the barrel’s stiffness. The product page doesn’t give much detail regarding the chamber, but the barrel is marked BCM 1/8 5.56 NM.
I’ve barely begun handload development so far, but all six groups with 69 grain SMKs are at or a bit under 1 MOA (5 round groups). I didn’t save the target, but I think factory FGGM came in at a bit under 1 MOA, with less than 50 rounds down the tube. I should be able to easily achieve .75 MOA from it, if not a bit better.
…and thanks for starting this thread. I bought one of the FN barrels. The Aero lower receiver may not be the best available, but it will work well for you. I’ve used one for myself, and helped a friend assemble one also.