Firearm BS thread

Recently sparked an interest in shorter barrel AR's. I've owned my share of AR15's, recently sold one of my old ones and now I'm looking to buy a new one. I am looking at 12.5" barrel length uppers. My last AR was from anderson manufacturing.

Post some pictures!

 

11.5” 556 with a can.


12.5” 6.8 next to the 11.5” 556.

 

How do you like the 12.5? Nice builds!

 

Thanks!

The short version... If I could only have one I would go with the 11.5, it spends about 50% of the time suppressed so I like the shorter length and the bare muzzle in a vehicle and indoors is very, very handy.

The long version, the 12.5" doesn't get shot much but that merely because of the caliber (It's my white tail upper), I'm planning on building a 12.5" 556 upper topped with a 1-8 or 1-10 (possibly even a 2-10 or 2-12) scope, and a free float rail and possibly a light, if/when that gets built the 11.5 will remain my bedside gun but the 12.5" will take the role of "go to war" or "SHTF" due to better ballistics and I like shooting at the range unsuppressed half the time.
Each barrel length has it's role and for the most part I agree with Garand Thumb with his assessment of "If it's suppressed go 11.5", unsuppressed go 12.5", but I wouldn't mind running a shorter can (Say the Griffin Paladin 5 (6.3" length), or the HYM Turbo K (5.5" length) with the 12.5" and retaining muzzle velocity and still having noise/flash suppression.

 

Ya, a lot of good ones out there, I do a fair amount of scope work (My own) I have been using a Vortex which seems to work well, I hear a lot of people like the FAT which I am sure is a good one, they really are handy, also if you are doing any scope work the "Wheeler" Leveler is a great tool

 

You gonna do the upgraded baffles for the Optimus? I'm gonna send mine in for it since mine are starting to look rough

 

I’m considering it, I’ll probably spend the money on a form 1 and a YHM turbo K before the baffle upgrade.

 

Good to know. I don’t have the ability to run a suppressor, so I think the 12.5 really suits my style.

I’m browsing the web and I see a lot of new names, anything you’d recommend? I think I have my lower picked out, now just looking at complete uppers.

 

For a ready to run “go to war” upper I would check BCM, Daniel defense, or noveske.
If you don’t mind going through and double checking the assembly a PSA upper with the handguard of your choice and a quality (non PSA) BCG is also fine (in my opinion).

The 11.5” is a PSA upper and the only problem I’ve had with it is the BCG, after about 4K rounds through the original BCG it got very difficult to charge with the charging handle, it still cycled fine when fired but I ended up replacing it, I think there was abnormal wear on the rear of the bolt lugs.
The 12.5” is a homebrew with an ARPerformance barrel and Bolt, my only complaint is the handguard is a bit heavy.

 

I almost forgot, this is a decent “at a glance” look at part of the AR market.
I don’t have any experience with sionics/centurión though.

 

Haha Anderson is listed on the avoid. I had good luck with the rifle. Although, it sometimes would not cycle the round.

I’ve see more and more palmetto state armory stuff pop up. I’m not totally sold on anything yet, really after quality parts.

 

Looks like I’m in the clear with my 2A Palouse and S&W MP15. Not case queens, not junk.

 

The Daniel defense and BCM’s that I’ve handled are super nice, my rifles aren’t quite as smooth but I also run my rifles dirty (motor oil for lube, they rarely get cleaned) so I look for quality/reliability not the super smooth that some people look for.

I don’t see an issue with Anderson lowers, I don’t have any personally but they seem to be in spec (as much as PSA or other inexpensive lowers) and a lower is a lower (aside from aesthetics or “specialty” stuff).
My experience with cheap uppers is poor barrel quality and poor BCG quality, replace those two items and you’ll likely have a high quality (or mid quality) rifle.

Those fall in the “sporting grade” category, IMO the M&P’s (above the sporter) are quality enough to be a patrol grade rifle.

 

Aero ftw

 

I’ve actually been looking at their uppers. For the price, I think they are very nice! Have you had any experience?

 

I’m running an Aero complete upper, built stripped Aero lower with Aero LPK and BCG. Fantastic quality.

Will build another, want to do an M5 build.

 

Internet points are the best though

The M5’s are nice! This one is a good shooter but took a little tweaking since it’s 6.5 creedmoor.

 

When I was collecting parts for my build I really had decided in my head that next time I’d do a BCM, but once I had everything in hand (since this was a COVID build), I really have no desire for another brand of parts. The Aero stuff is incredibly nice. I’ve since seen a few issues with BCM uppers online and between those issues, customer service experience of other people, and the quality of the Aero stuff - I think the next step up is DD, for my mind. Aero is fantastic and I definitely recommend. The M4E1 lower is very nice, and my M4E1 upper is great also.

 

Nice! I think I’m going to go with a .308 since I don’t reload and really just want a dual purpose rifle I can hunt with if I want to.