SPR Build Question

[Plumber237]

Here is the scenario: I want to build an SPR AR and basically have 2 options on an upper that I will build it off of.

Option 1:
I have a 20" 1/7 twist, standard government BCM upper, which I can send off to ADCO and for $287 can have the front post shaved down and have Troy TRX 13" Free-float rails installed. From this point on I am already set as far as which Bipod, Scope, Scope mount, and stock. This route would run my roughly $1,990.

Option 2:
I can sell my 20" BCM upper to a friend for somewhere between $250 and $300, so I'll just split the difference and say $275. Then I can order from BCM an SPR Mk 12 Mod 2 Bravo upper which has a low pro gasblock, the stainless SS410 18" 1/8 twist barrel, and LaRue 12" Free-float rails. This route with the same accessories as option 1 would cost about $2400.

Basically what I am wondering is will it be worth the extra $410 for the upgraded barrel and "better" handguards? I'm not too familiar with the technical benefits of the SS410 1/8 twist 18" barrel over a standard that is 2" longer...so any opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks, Plumber

[Ironman8]

I'm sure others will ask this, so I'll just go ahead and ask first, but what is your goal for the rifle? What are you going to use it for?

[Plumber237]

I want to build this SPR to compliment my 14.5 Midlength w/aimpoint but also add the distance element, where I'm limited to 300 yards with my middy setup. It's for a 2nd rifle, SHTF scenario weapon. No competition use, but I have a couple places available to push the distance limits of 5.56. I guess it'd be a bit of a learning tool for precision shooting/SHTF backup/or primary, distance and environment depending.

[thopkins22]

I want to build this SPR to compliment my 14.5 Midlength w/aimpoint but also add the distance element, where I'm limited to 300 yards with my middy setup. It's for a 2nd rifle, SHTF scenario weapon. No competition use, but I have a couple places available to push the distance limits of 5.56. I guess it'd be a bit of a learning tool for precision shooting/SHTF backup/or primary, distance and environment depending.

If you really want precision, then the stainless barrel is probably worth it, but be ready to invest in match ammo...otherwise it's totally moot. And you're not limited to 300 with your current setup. I've banged steel at 500 with a BCM BFH 14.5" mid length and a TR24. For that matter I've seen a guy do it with a S&W M&P with a T-1 shooting XM-193.

[Plumber237]

I was planning on going with the Black Hills 77gr Open-Tip Match...which I believe is the civilian equivalent of the mk 262 round that the military uses with their SPRs. Would that be good enough ammo to warrant getting the stainless barrel? Or would it be fairly precise at 500+ yards out of my 20", where I could use the saved $410 to buy ammo?

[TAZ]

Or you could just buy an Mk12-Mod1 upper from ADCO, Centurion, Noveske or BCM for around $1200-1400 depending on options and keep your 20" upper for later or another build.

Sorry, I misread your post and thought that you had the other accessories and weren't looking to purchase them. Guess those totals make more sense now

I'd go with option 2 or have ADCO rebarrel your upper with a WOA SPR contour barrel. Mine shoots a whole lot better than I can.

[TehLlama]

The other sillier option is to just build it as a SAM-R/SDMR type - leave the existing barrel, free float it (LT, DD, C4 12"+ handguard) and go from there. The 13" or 15" TROY or TROY/VTAC rails are also a good value proposition.

If you're not running it suppressed, I'd spend money on the trigger and stocking 262 or similar match ammo before being that worried about the barrel, but the WOA barrels are great starting points if you do decide to go that route.

[Plumber237]

Thanks for the input guys, my friend made up my mind for me by buying my 20" BCM upper, so I am going to go ahead and order a BCM SPR upper to start my build.

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Personaly I would just buy a DD, larue, or troy rail and a new low profile gas block and put them on the BCM rifle you allready have. Thats what I did and it works great. I got the rail used on the site here paid well under new pricing.

20" BCM rifle with Larue 13" rail.

[TehLlama]

Thanks for the input guys, my friend made up my mind for me by buying my 20" BCM upper, so I am going to go ahead and order a BCM SPR upper to start my build.

That's helpful.

The BCM SS Mk12's are great - worth also looking at the Centurion, HC, Noveske, and ADCO ones as well for price - the top four are all amazing rifles, and the price of the ADCO if you want a more purist Mod1 is impressive.