New AR - Help Requested

Well, I've heard the PSA uppers are good, but you'll need to get a BCG for it. One thing you might consider, though, is a 6.8 SPC upper instead of 5.56. 6.8 SPC performs better at long range and is generally considered more accurate. If precision's what you're going for, it's a good choice.

That said, I was looking at different options myself and I'm not at all a fan of PSA's only 6.8 SPC offering (fixed front sight block and an unrailed non-free-float handguard). I do like the Stag Arms 7H for the price, though. At least it's already set up for free-float so if you decide you want a different handguard it's a relatively easy change to make.

Why not just put scope on what you have and see what it will do? If you are worried about seeing front sight in scope, you won't.

If you are worried about seeing front sight in scope, you won't.

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Not entirely true. Depends on the magnification of the scope. With my 2.5x Leupold mounted in an Aero mount, the front sight tower completely grays out the sight picture, rendering the scope unusable.

Look into purchasing a YHM folding gas block/front sight. They work very well. http://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...ght-prod21446.aspx?avs|Style_1=Flip-Up+Sights

That upper is decent,although a little bit expensive considering you would still need at minimum a bolt to go with it. If you are looking for accuracy though, the lightweight contour barrels have a tendency to heat up a lot faster and the groups get bigger faster that way. For the money you can probably get a heavy barrel setup that would hold tighter groups for longer. But if you plan on carrying the rifle a lot and shooting it little these uppers sure make for a light comfortable carbine to carry.

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From all that I've heard, PSA makes decent stuff for the price. I would advise against MOST low profile gas blocks, esp. the ones that go on with the 2 or 3 set screws. The more reliable ones are the clamp-on type, and I have no idea what this upper uses. The most reliable ones are pinned on- like the front sight on your M16 back in the day. As far as Q-D mounts, Larue is considered the industry leader. I use them on all of my long range rifles and AR's. They are a bit pricey, but they are guaranteed. Stay away from ARMS mounts - we had numerous problems with them in the mil, and replaced them all with Larue hardware. You get what you pay for.

Any upper you decide upon will work with your S&W lower, I would add a ALG ACT or PSA enhanced FCG for a affordable trigger that will out perform your Sport unit. As for gas blocks the low profile are necessary if you wish to use a slim rail (hand guard) as far as the set screw models if properly installed will serve without fail, I am currently running eighteen of them, many different brands and two and three screw retainers and each has seen many thousands of rounds fired. Pinned or clamped blocks are better ways to mount but it is doubtful you will experience problems with a dimpled barrel and lock tight set screw.

I agree with OTRMAN post #3. Try a scope on the upper you have. My DPMS came with no sights so I added irons. With the scope installed I can't even see the front sight. That is at 4x magnification.

The front sight definitely disappears at 4X magnification, and I think at 3X as well. I have a first-gen Sport and had a cheap 3-9X scope on it, but can't recall how that worked. I have a fixed 3X on the way.

The Sport (I or II) is a fine gun if nothing special, but the sky is the limit as far as upper options. I passed on replacing my Sport's upper and instead bought new upper and lower because prices have gotten so low. The new lower is a PSA, and numerous friends of mine are running either PSA uppers/lowers or complete PSA ARs with positive experiences all around. Even if you don't intend to order from them, their website gives you an opportunity to get a feel for all the possible combinations.

Any recommendations for a quick detach picatinny scope mount for the Leupold M8?

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Ive used a ARMS #35QD Throw Lever Base/ rig combo on my one Armalite rifle similar to what youre looking to do. Its worked very for the almost 20 years its been on there now.

Ive used ARMS lever rings with a couple of other guns, and they too worked very well.

If youre going to go this route, Id stick with one of the better known makers and steer clear of the airsoft knock offs. Good mounts arent cheap, but they do perform.

This is the #35 with a Leupold 1.5x5 mounted on my Armalite......

WardenWolf said:

6.8 SPC performs better at long range and is generally considered more accurate. If precision's what you're going for, it's a good choice.

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Without drifting the thread too much, as an avid 6.8 spc shooter I have to disagree. The 223 is extremely accurate so I couldn't say the 6.8 is more accurate, but can be as accurate. Long range is relative too. Its focus is more about increasing lethality from an AR without sacrificing accuracy.