To my surprise I'm thinking about a DI AR. Colt, RRA, or BCM upper and RRA lower?

[Carter]

I've always been a fan of piston's and have been looking at getting a piston AR (LWRC or SR 556) for awhile. However, after the time comes nearer to buy and more research done I have started to reconsider. Piston's are highly expensive and would leave me little or no room for an optic, ammo, and extra magainzes....making the purchase pointless for quite a long time. Also, pistons due give reliability superior (IMHO) to DI, but I'm entering the LE field and be using it for home defense and range time, not desert warfare, swimming through swamps, or running silencers.
My first experience with a DI AR was a Del-ton that had major extracting problems, and I'm sure it was the extractors fault and not carbon build up due to the round count.

So I've come down to a few decisions...
I want a heavy barrel or medium barrel, properly staked gas key (but not necessary since I can upgrade a bolt carrier later), chrome bolt carrier group and barrel, and I'd prefer to not have the standard AR front sight. I'd also like to stay under $1400.

I was thinking about a colt because they seem to do it all right, except they use a werid trigger group from what I read. I'd like to upgrade it to a heavy barrel later because I don't like the thin under the handguard m4 barrel.

RRA I have heard nothing but good things about (except they don't have a properly staked gas key) and I can get a chrome bolt carrier group from them, 2 stage trigger group, milspec buffer tube (I already have a magpul stock for it from a previous purchase), and they have heavy barrels on a lot of models.

I'm not too familiar with bravo company, but everyone seems to say good things about them, and my friend has one that I've shot and was very impressed. I don't know what bolt carrier group I'd get for it, but I'd like the RRA lower for the reasons stated above.

SO those are my choices. I'd appreciate your input on my conversion to the DI point of view.

 

[Zerodefect]

Good choice. I've found the piston Ar's to actuallybe a bit worse than the DI ones. The Ar wasn't meant to have pistons, thats for ACR, XCR's.


I'd recommend this:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-...eceiver-Daniel-p/bcm-urg-mid-16 bfh ddl12.htm
and dis:
http://www.lewismachine.net/product.php?p=155&cid=4&session=66317ad14c22e5dabacd9b169cc3265e
optic (get the cantilever lt129 mount, not the lt150):
http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=20

Stick with the standard BCM bolt carrier group, its proper. Also check out BCM's large charging handles. I recommend Troy or Diamondhead for sights, Magpul for rail covers and magazines, and be sure to get a lower with an ambi safety or install one yourself. Stick to standard milspec triggers.

 

[RatDrall]

Bravo Company is top tier. I'd use their bolt carrier group (or one from Colt or LMT) over RRA anyday.

Buy the upper and lower seperately and save your self a few hundred dollars. You can order a really nice lower reciever, with "gloved finger" trigger guard and other finishing touches, for $360. Their uppers are $435+145 for their bolt carrier group and charging handle. For a thousand dollars you can have a top tier rifle...

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Lower-Receiver-Groups-M4-AR15-s/117.htm
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-16-Mid-Length-Upper-Receiver-Group-p/bcm-urg-mid-16.htm

 

[Z-Michigan]

BCM or Daniel Defense would be my top picks. Colt is fine too but no better and typically more expensive. RRA is not really in the same tier, IMHO. Might be worth checking out Spike's Tactical as well.

 

[Carter]

Okay. So if I got the base BCM upper for $435 which rail system and gas block should I use on it to replace the standard front sight?

 

[Carter]

Also would LMT be a good substitute for BCM?

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/LMT-16-M4-Carbine-Upper-Receiver-Group-p/lmt 16 urg.htm

 

[Casefull]

I have several rra rifles some complete and some I put together. I also have colts and a couple other brands. The RRA stuff is better than the rest. It is put together better and their 2 stage trigger is hard to beat for the money...specially after it is used a little. There is no slop anywhere in their rifles. I am just telling you my opinion and am not a homer for anyone. Good luck.

 

[HavelockLEO]

Carter,
If you get a DSA upper and an Adams Arms conversion kit you should be set-up. I think after you get the parts, the upper is between 275 and 300 dollars (less the BCG and charging handle) and the Adams kit is 259 depending on where you get it.

I built the patrol rifle I carry everyday on a Stag lower and a mid-length RRA upper with an Adams Arms conversion kit.

My next AR is gonna be a M&P 15 thats gonna get either Adams conversion or a CMMG conversion.

It just depends on where and how much you shop around, piston rifles can be had for about the same price as a DI gun, slightly more expensive on the cheaper ones to rifles that you need to second mortgage your house to buy.

Just depends

 

[briansmithwins]

Okay. So if I got the base BCM upper for $435 which rail system and gas block should I use on it to replace the standard front sight?

You do realize that a rail+gas block+front sight+light+medium(or heavy) barrel= very front heavy AR?

I set up my 16" AR in a dissapator configuration with a FSB, micro gas block, Troy rail, on a CMMG Medcon (medium contour) barrel. The 4 day rifle class I did like to have killed me. That rifle was WAY front heavy, even when I left the light off.

I got the smith to turn down the barrel to lightweight profile, lost the extra gas block, and moved the FSB back to the midlength position. Also replaced the Troy rail with heat shielded plastic handguards.

It's so much better and has become my favorite AR.

I also refuse to support Colt. Why should a company that's gone out of its way to screw over non-military buyers of it products get my support? Non-standard FCG pins, non-standard pivot pins, sear blocks, notched hammers, exposed firing pin bolt carriers, The list of reasons not to buy just go on and on. If Colt really doesn't want my business that badly, they are welcome to the lack of it. BSW

 

[Carter]

So with your help here's what I came up with:
RRA Lower (I'm a sucker for a two stage trigger and milspec buffer)-$305ish
BCM mid length upper basic-$525
bolt carrier group and handle-$145
for around $975 before shipping, taxes, and transfer fees...and whatever hand guard I get.
and ctr magpul stock I already own

Sound good?
I can wait on a rail

and maybe the adams arms conversion kit later down the road for the zombie apocalypse

 

[Carter]

I guess I can live with a government profile barrel...and maybe throw on an 18inch barrel later for fun.

 

[C-grunt]

Carter just an FYI, Noveske gives LEO/MIL discounts. My 16 inch Recce was just over 1400 overnighted to my FFL.

But for a few hundred cheaper you can get a really nice BCM or LMT. Both are really excellent rifles for the money. I was really considering them, but I wanted a Noveske and had the money at the time so I went for it.