AR-15: What Upper Parts Are Required?

[huesmann]

My rifle was a kit, built on a stripped lower, so the upper came fully assembled. If I wanted to build a new upper "from scratch", what parts would I need to scrounge?

barrel + flash hider
upper receiver
handguards of some sort
charging handle
bolt carrier group parts
front sight/gas block
gas tube

Anything else?

Thanks for helping to educate a n00b!

 

[LineofSight]

http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=23086

 

[jimbobborg]

It depends on the upper receiver. If you get a stripped one, you'll need all of the crap for the forward assist and the dust cover. I don't recommend doing that. Get a complete upper reciever, the stuff that goes into it is too much trouble to be worth doing yourself.

 

[derwingnut]

The small parts aren't such a pain, the barrel on the other hand....

 

[Bikebreath]

I remember hearing that when you build your own upper you'll need to make sure it's head spaced correctly and use a go, no go gage. It wasn't something I was going to do. I built my lower and got a Spikes upper from Joebog and they did all that and test fired it. You'll end up needing a gunsmith otherwise.

 

[huesmann]

http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=23086

Semi-helpful. Since the OP of the thread basically says don't build your own upper, is that what you're trying to tell me?

It depends on the upper receiver. If you get a stripped one, you'll need all of the crap for the forward assist and the dust cover. I don't recommend doing that. Get a complete upper reciever, the stuff that goes into it is too much trouble to be worth doing yourself.

OK, this sounds like good advice. Muchas gracias.

 

[1time]

If the upper is stripped you need a dust cover, spring, pin and "C" clip. Then you need the forward assist, spring and roll pin. It takes about 10 minutes to install that stuff. If you can find a assembled upper exactly how you want it and it is cheaper that way get it assembled. If not, buy the parts you want and assemble it yourself. The whole upper stripped will take less than 30 minutes to assemble. The head space is set by the receiver extension attached to the barrel. It is possible to get one that won't head space properly but it is pretty unlikely.

The only potential problem with building one from scratch is most barrels don't come with the gas block installed. If you want a standard front sight the pins need to be drilled. That is not a job for a dewalt cordless. If you want a bolt on gas block this will not be an issue.

 

[IndispensableDestiny]

The upper is much more fun to build than the lower. Head spacing is rarely an issue, but some barrel vendors will include a head spaced bolt. Having go-field-nogo gauges isn't a bad thing either. I carry a set of .308 family gauges to gun shows!

As for tools, you can never have too many tools. Everybody ought to have at least one vise.

If you want a standard front sight, many barrels come with those pre-installed. I went with a clamp-on.

 

[LineofSight]

Semi-helpful. Since the OP of the thread basically says don't build your own upper, is that what you're trying to tell me?

Not necessarily. Just some extra info you might need. It is far easier to get complete upper receiver unless you have the tools to complete a stripped one. You also have local IPs and Chad who can help you.