Maryland MD compliant AR15 AR-15 rules

[RJRjr]

Del-ton has complete heavy barrel rifle kits or complete uppers. Decent quality but not top tier. I used one recently to build a rifle for my brother.

 

[calicojack]

Those are REALLY pricey for a basic, no frills upper.

You get what you pay for.

 

[calicojack]

Del-ton has complete heavy barrel rifle kits or complete uppers. Decent quality but not top tier. I used one recently to build a rifle for my brother.

Del-Ton is an underrated brand and a good value.

I do like PSA and have a couple of PSA uppers. That being said, both of those went through the SOTAR build class. PSA does not (IMHO) does not have the same QC that other companies (e.g. Colt, Windham) do. Buyer beware.

 

[calicojack]

Best bet is always: Buy a complete lower group (cash-and-carry), then buy all parts to build the upper, including an MD-compliant barrel (e.g., from Engage, Centurion, etc.) Depending on where you source the parts, you might even save money. It's still possible to have a configuration in MD that is (essentially) the same as an AR in a free state. (E.g., Engage Armament sells Geissele Super Duty rifles that are pretty much the same as the factory guns, except that they've had barrels swapped for barrels marked "HB".)

I would trust Engage.

 

[calicojack]

Those are REALLY pricey for a basic, no frills upper.

Actually - there's this, like half price. You have to build it though. Heck, I'll build it for you, bring it over.

Bbl kit 16 heavy – Windham Weaponry, Inc

 

[gungate]

Actually - there's this, like half price. You have to build it though. Heck, I'll build it for you, bring it over.

Bbl kit 16 heavy – Windham Weaponry, Inc

That's a much better price but looks like it doesn't include the upper parts just the barrel parts. Also on backorder which could be many moons.

 

[RRomig]

I have a post sight style that has been sitting for 20+ years. Flat tops are more versatile. JMO

 

[teratos]

I have a post sight style that has been sitting for 20+ years. Flat tops are more versatile. JMO

Agree, though I do have a 10.5” upper with an A2 upper that is a lot of fun to shoot steel with. I still like irons.

 

[possumman]

What would keep you from laser engraving HBAR on any barrel?? Just wondering.

 

[trickg]

Del-Ton is an underrated brand and a good value.

I do like PSA and have a couple of PSA uppers. That being said, both of those went through the SOTAR build class. PSA does not (IMHO) does not have the same QC that other companies (e.g. Colt, Windham) do. Buyer beware.

My first AR Build was a blem Del-Ton HBAR mid-length rifle kit - from what I could see is the only thing that was blemished on it was the pistol grip, which was marred. It was by far my least expensive AR, but at this point I have some decent upgrades to try to make it a kind-of M4 look and feel that also shoots well. It has a 1:9 barrel that's solidly accurate for what it is.

 

[teratos]

What would keep you from laser engraving HBAR on any barrel?? Just wondering.

1/4 in. Steel Letter/Number Stamping Set, 36 Piece

Amazing deals on this 36Pc 1/4In Steel Letter/Number Stamps at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[RRomig]

What would keep you from laser engraving HBAR on any barrel?? Just wondering.

Apparently about 15 bucks

 

[josnyder]

This looks good I think.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-18-5-56-nato-1-7-midlength-chf-heavy-barrel-15-m-lok-moe-ept-rifle-kit.html

Nice! This looks like a great kit. Thanks for sharing that. And no FFL. I may wait for it to go on sale. Otherwise, it looks like a winner.

 

[calicojack]

Nice! This looks like a great kit. Thanks for sharing that. And no FFL. I may wait for it to go on sale. Otherwise, it looks like a winner.

I would tear that whole upper apart and rebuild it if it were me. I agree that it is a good deal. Does PSA still use FN barrels? I don't know - maybe. That would be a plus if so. If you end up getting that upper let us know how it shoots.

 

[MattFinals718]

Actually - there's this, like half price. You have to build it though. Heck, I'll build it for you, bring it over.

Bbl kit 16 heavy – Windham Weaponry, Inc

I don’t have a huge problem with Windham guns/uppers, but IMHO, if you’re gonna buy a classic 2000s-era M4gery-style URG with a 16” HBAR barrel, the Colt 6721 is a better choice. (Even though they’re out of production now.)

 

[Sirex]

I don’t have a huge problem with Windham guns/uppers, but IMHO, if you’re gonna buy a classic 2000s-era M4gery-style URG with a 16” HBAR barrel, the Colt 6721 is a better choice. (Even though they’re out of production now.)

I have a Windham, and a Colt 6721. Both are great, both reliable. The Windham doesn't have a staked castle nut if I recall, and uses a commercial buffer tube. Not a big deal for me. I plan to hand the Windham down to my daughter because of the excellent lifetime warranty and customer support. The Colt is nice, but the finish isn't as nice, and I think if I needed something, Colt wouldn't give me the time of day, so I'd have to do it on my own, which is fine, for me. But if someone wants a cheaper rifle, that is reliable, and they don't have to worry about, the Windham is a good choice.

 

[Worsley]

Depending on how spendy you want to get, and if you want to pin/weld the flash hider, Colt SOCOM M4 barrels are HBAR barrels.

Colt M4 Heavy Barrel AR-15 Pistol 5.56x45mm 14.5 1 7 Twist SOCOM

The Colt M4 Heavy Barrel features a true 5.56x45mm NATO Chamber for use with both commercial and military surplus ammunition, while the 1 in 7"...

www.midwayusa.com

As are Criterion barrels.

SOCOM Hammer Forged Barrel, Carbine (14.5 inch)

Centurion's hammer-forged barrel process leaves an extremely smooth surface on the inside of the carbine length barrel that gives it pinpoint accuracy.

centurionarms.com

Forward Controls Design also makes a sweet barrel that’s advertised as heavy profile. Comes with detailed QC notes, the three casing of shells fired through them, and the website even tells you the spring buffer combination for every length and buffer combo.

Link below.

SOA FCD Precision Barrel-SOA FCD Precision Barrel

 

[teratos]

I would tear that whole upper apart and rebuild it if it were me. I agree that it is a good deal. Does PSA still use FN barrels? I don't know - maybe. That would be a plus if so. If you end up getting that upper let us know how it shoots.

FN barrels are CHF, IIRC. They tend to me

Forward Controls Design also makes a sweet barrel that’s advertised as heavy profile. Comes with detailed QC notes, the three casing of shells fired through them, and the website even tells you the spring buffer combination for every length and buffer combo.

Link below.

SOA FCD Precision Barrel-SOA FCD Precision Barrel

Wow! That’s some quality control setup they have!!!

 

[MattFinals718]

I have a Windham, and a Colt 6721. Both are great, both reliable. The Windham doesn't have a staked castle nut if I recall, and uses a commercial buffer tube. Not a big deal for me. I plan to hand the Windham down to my daughter because of the excellent lifetime warranty and customer support. The Colt is nice, but the finish isn't as nice, and I think if I needed something, Colt wouldn't give me the time of day, so I'd have to do it on my own, which is fine, for me. But if someone wants a cheaper rifle, that is reliable, and they don't have to worry about, the Windham is a good choice.

Reasonable criteria, and certainly, I wasn't familiar with their warranty. I agree that with Colt, you're basically on your own.

Agree that Colt finishes aren't always the best, though it varies depending on era. (My lower group was made in ~2008, and the finish is not as durable/smooth as my upper, where the parts were all made in 2021.)