Suggestions for a 14.5 upper

[TexanInCali]

Hi all,

I'm considering what to get as an upper for my second AR. My first is a BCM SS410 16" KMR upper with a lower I assembled myself. I've been very pleased with it.

I have another stripped lower I'd like to build up. So far, my inclination is to go with a Noveske 14.5 Afghan upper.

Honestly, I don't have a particular mission or purpose for this build. As I'm fairly new to ARs, I want to try out different brands and general configurations to gain experience. The main reason for considering a 14.5 is simply to try a shorter setup without straying into NFA territory.

I'd appreciate any suggestions for other brands I might try. I'd like to try something besides BCM, simply to try out other quality brands. I'm willing to spend up to $2,000 on just the upper. I realize that's high, but I'll spend it if need be.

Thanks,
T

[Sasahara]

Hi all,

I'm considering what to get as an upper for my second AR. My first is a BCM SS410 16" KMR upper with a lower I assembled myself. I've been very pleased with it.

I have another stripped lower I'd like to build up. So far, my inclination is to go with a Noveske 14.5 Afghan upper.

Honestly, I don't have a particular mission or purpose for this build. As I'm fairly new to ARs, I want to try out different brands and general configurations to gain experience. The main reason for considering a 14.5 is simply to try a shorter setup without straying into NFA territory.

I'd appreciate any suggestions for other brands I might try. I'd like to try something besides BCM, simply to try out other quality brands. I'm willing to spend up to $2,000 on just the upper. I realize that's high, but I'll spend it if need be.

Thanks,
T

Thats some budget you have for just an upper. Why not just go for it and grab a KAC then? Plenty left over for an optic.

[joeyjoe]

Exactly. With a budget like yours, Id be headed straight to Knights Armament. SR15 E3 Mod 1. Done. You can then chop the barrel and pin + weld flash hider if you are really into that. A lot of people will tell you to move away from a 14.5 pin + weld setup. And there are some very good reasons to go 16 inch. However, As long as you have a great rail/forearm and you know exactly what muzzle device you need, I don't see a problem. My favorite carbine is a BCM 14.5" BFH w/ 12" centurion C4 rail and permanent battle comp. Wouldn't want to change a thing. Given the fact that the KAC SR15 mod 1 comes with an incredible rail (URX 3.1), I see no problem chopping that thing down to 14.5. The main problem people run into is buying an upper with a crappy rail and a muzzle device they end up not really liking. Anyways...KAC.

[snakedoctor]

The Gen III Noveske uppers look damn good. Rog tac has a deal on some 14.5's right now

[TMS951]

Check out this link, I bought a Vltor VIS with a noveske 18"SS SPR barrel and a Young mfr. National match chromed BCG for about 1149$. At that time Noveske was trying to sell almost the same upper for 1600$.

http://www.pkfirearms.com/Noveske_Custom_Uppers/83/c

You can get tons of uppers from them with Noveske barrels and different rails. Three examples of in stock uppers:

Noveske 16 Inch Lightweight - Geissele 13 Inch MK4 Rail 979$ w/ bcg
Noveske 16 Inch Lightweight - KAC URX III 12.5 Inch Rail 979$ w/ bcg
Noveske 14.5 Inch Afghan - Vltor VIS KM-12 Keymod Rail 1119$ w/ bcg

They will upgrade the BCG to a Young NM for something like 30$

I have been very happy with my upper and with PK firearms.

[2nd.amendment]

Lots of quality options depending on what you like from simple and reliable like a Colt 6921 or LMT Basic upper (both have FSBs and carbine length gas systems) or Noveske Basic/MOE uppers (similar but mid-length with FSB) to the more expensive options with free float rails like KAC, Noveske, Daniel Defense, LMT MRP, Hodge Defense, Rainier Arms.

Since you have a SS410 upper, it seems like a chrome lined upper might be a nice contrast. Honestly, if I were you, I would look hard at the BCM ELW uppers, even though you said not BCM. The ELW uppers with KMR would give a very different feel than your current upper and are pretty much the lightest upper going without building it yourself.

There are a ton of other options too, so it will really just depend on what you want. Things to consider include
-gas system (carbine or mid-length)
-Lopro gas block or FSB
-Slick rail or quad rail
-Barrel - stainless, chrome-lined, nitrided, stainless & nitrided . . .

If you can narrow those down somewhat or identify particular things to you like, a particular rail, for example, it will make it easier.

[davidjinks]

I would go with a straight up Colt 14.5" upper, get it pinned, add a KAC M4 RAS and take the extra 1200 bucks and invest in ammo and mags.

[Grizzly16]

I'm sure some will hate this but have you considered a pistol build? An 10.5/11.5 barrel is amazing compared to a 16/17" upper for in house/vehicle work. The pistol avoids NFA but gets you a short barrel.

[LewP]

After building a "tubby" I'd be thinking about a lightweight. To see how the folks on the other side of the tracks live. Scopes and SS barrels are cool...but there are other alternatives for different purposes.

[TexanInCali]

Thanks for the responses folks. At this stage, I'm researching, so this is all good food for thought.