AR spoon builders - any help?

[cashflyer]

I would like an A1 style barreled upper assy, complete less foregrip handguards and ready to install on my lower.

Kind of like the upper on this DPMS rifle.


DPMS sells the above, complete A1-ish rifle, but I called and they will not sell the barreled upper only. A1 LITE 20

Odly enough, you can buy the stripped DPMS upper receiver from Midway for $132:
DPMS Upper Receiver Stripped AR-15 A1 Matte

And a few companies still sell the lightweight 20" barrels - such as this one from DelTon for $154.
Del-Ton, Inc. AR-15 20" 1x9 Light Weight Barrel

I know the build will also need the upper parts kit, the front sight and gas tube, sling ring, flash hider, etc. Foregrips not necessary, as I already have a set here.

So my questions are:
Does anyone know where to buy a complete A1 upper assy?
If not, would anyone here be willing to build an upper assy for me?
(I do not own the tools, nor do I have the experience to do this myself.)


edit:
Fulton Armory has a complete A1 "slickside" - but it is $800.
I think we can do better building one with the parts I mentioned above! Heck, that COMPLETE rifle from DPMS is only $819 msrp!
FAR-15 Legacy Rifle Upper

edit 2:
I guess I could just buy the DPMS rifle and swap the grips.
Then either sell my lower, or use it for a different build. I'd hate to have too many AR-15 rifles laying around the house though.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

If not, would anyone here be willing to build an upper assy for me?
(I do not own the tools, nor do I have the experience to do this myself.)

The only "unusual" tools needed are an armorer's wrench (and a torque wrench) to tighten the barrel nut, and an action block to hold the whole shebang in a vise.

You can pick up the armorer's wrench and action block on Amazon, if all else fails.

Getting the roll pin started in the gas block is a bit a of PITA, but if you drill a hole in the end of a brass punch it goes easier.

There are TONS of online videos showing how to do this--don't be askeered to try it yourself. Hell, if I can do it, anyone can (really!).

[JAR0023]

Have you tried Palmetto State Armory? They are in your backyard. Might also try CMMG. Also there is AR15 Sales. He sales Rock River and they make an A2 and National Match upper if that works. I bought a RR upper from AR15sales years ago and it was a no muss, no fuss transaction and the best price I could find. That was, however, pre-2008. -J

I've built a couple of m16 A1 Viet Nam era parts kits. The upper is really easy to put together. Blue is right about the tools and you'll spend as much shipping as you will for the tools. The original A1 FSB uses taper pins to mount which needs to be done by a smith. Get a drilled barrell and FSB for roll pins and you're golden. Plenty of vids how to build it.

[HHI944]

I'd be glad to throw an upper together for you or ship you my tools to use. I don't really have the free time to assemble one until after Christmas though.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Can't help with your question but has anyone found a good product to touch up black barrel after gas block has been removed and replaced with a smaller one?

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Sharpie.

[abisel]

First, who built your lower assembly? It is usually a good idea to get the same brand for the upper. However, most all brands will fit each other but some don't. Different take-down pin diameters for instance. The tighter the fit between upper and lower, the better.

It is really easy to put an AR together. Installing the front sight base being the hardest to do. You can get un-drilled front sight bases and drill and tap for two setscrews up from the bottom to hold in place. I have done this on my competition AR. Or if you get a front sight base that is already drilled for taper pins but the barrel is not, you can tap the holes for set screws (4) and secure the sight base that way too. Sighting in the front sight for zero windage would be the only issue.

For tools, books and parts, Brownell's is your friend. http://www.brownells.com/

BTW, you can never have enough AR. Just sayin'

[abisel]

Here ya go:

M16 A1 USGI Retro upper AR-15 M16A1 AR15 : AR15 Parts at GunBroker.com

It has the teardrop forward assist, no shell deflector but the wrong flash hider. The handguard and barrel profile look correct. No mention of barrel twist.

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

The only "unusual" tools needed are an armorer's wrench (and a torque wrench) to tighten the barrel nut, and an action block to hold the whole shebang in a vise.

I thought there was some sort of critical headspacing stuff going on in there - not just simply a matter of jamming the barrel in the hole and torquing a nut. Incorrect?

Originally Posted by JAR0023

Have you tried Palmetto State Armory?
Might also try CMMG
.... Rock River

All of my lowers come from PSA. They will not custom build an upper, and they do not sell an A1 upper at all. Neither CMMG nor Rock River carry an A1 upper receiver or complete upper.

Originally Posted by abisel

First, who built your lower assembly?
Different take-down pin diameters for instance.

It is really easy to put an AR together.
Installing the front sight base being the hardest to do.
Sighting in the front sight for zero windage would be the only issue.

My lowers are Palmetto State Arms, and they use forgings from Aero Precision.
They are modern, current production, mil-spec.
I like the link you posted. I can't remember the pin diameters on the early upper off the top of my head... will have to look them up again.

[red-beard]

The M15 from Armalite used to be a single casting. They now use a universal upper with a rail and add a mounted carry handle.

From Brownells

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/receiver-parts/receivers/upper-receivers/stripped-a2-upper-receiver-sku231000152-17601-41420.aspx?cm_mmc=cse-_-Itwine-_-pricegrabber-_-Ar-15%20Stripped%20Upper%20Receiver&gdftrk=gdfV21820_a_7c187_a_7c828_a_7c231000152_d_2 31000152_d_11224

Cheaper than Dirt

DPMS AR-15 Complete Upper Receiver .223/5.56 NATO 16" 1:7" Twist M4 Profile Barrel Flat Top W/Carry Handle Carbine Length Standard Handguards A2 Front Sight W/BCG and Charging handle Black BAAP416CH

[E38Driver]

I have bought several from these guys. Not sue if they have exactly what you need, but look around.
AR-15 Upper Receivers - Complete Uppers - Rifle Uppers - 5.56 / 223 - Surplus Ammo

Dave

[red-beard]

Bud's gun shop has some uppers with carry handles. They are 16" barrels.

[emcon5]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

I would like an A1 style barreled upper assy, complete less foregrip handguards and ready to install on my lower.

Kind of like the upper on this DPMS rifle.


DPMS sells the above, complete A1-ish rifle, but I called and they will not sell the barreled upper only. A1 LITE 20

That is kind of an oddball, it looks like an A2 upper with the forward assist and brass deflector, A2 handguards and flash hider, but but A1 carry handle and sights.

If you want someone who know what they are doing to build it to your exact specs, order all the parts you want and send them to this guy to put together: Sierra Ordnance Company

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

I thought there was some sort of critical headspacing stuff going on in there - not just simply a matter of jamming the barrel in the hole and torquing a nut. Incorrect?

You could check go/nogo on headspacing if you want. Not worth the effort. With a decent bolt and a decent barrel the odds of the headspacing being off are very, very small.

Just torque the nut down to min spec (30 ft/lbs. I think) and then continue to tighten until the gas tube can be properly aligned. Don't torque it past 80 ft/lbs.

Seriously, there's tons of video, documentation, etc. out there. The hardest part is ordering all the parts.

If I may offer an opinion at this point - I'd avoid Bud's and Cheaper Than Dirt. Both companies are known to have serious customer service and ethical problems.

[Jrboulder]

Colt M16 / AR15 Parts Kits - Good Condition - Factory Original (LIMITED SUPPLY)

[HHI944]

Head spacing is critical, but almost never an issue for the M16/AR pattern. Make sure you buy a quality bolt and barrel and forget about it.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

There must be an echo in here!

[emcon5]

What you really need, is a ‘I’m your huckleberry’ lower.

[HHI944]

There must be an echo in here