RTT,
He did say he just wanted to drop an upper on a lower.
EDIT:
Actually, you’re right. That’s not what he said. That’s what I inferred.
In that case, I stand by the 6960 and MARS recommendation, as well as pointing out that you will almost certainly spend more money building out a rifle completely yourself,especially once tools are considered. But, I can throw some other cool options out there.
Barrel
Ballistic Advantage 11.3” .625 Hanson profile barrel
They also make a 12.3” Hanson profile barrel, which brings an advantage in velocity.
RTT provides the best vendors; I use ArmorAlly.
HOWEVER, site sponsor Black River Tactical has the coolest barrel options on the planet right now. Go check them out. Last I checked, they had light barrels in about as short a length as you could possibly want, while also optimizing the gas system length and port size. Cool stuff. Go there.
Receivers
Easy Button for upper/lower receivers:
Aero Precision M4E1 receiver set, OR regular lower with slick side upper
Better/different:
BCM blemished upper receivers are the Best Buy, but only if trying to wring out the last bit of accuracy on a nice barrel.
LMT MARS-L or ADM UIC for the lower.
Handguard
Depending on barrel length and budget, either ALG EMR V2 or Centurion CMR handguard. RTT points out the LaRue handguards, but I’m guessing those are substantially heavier. But solid and an outstanding buy.
Furniture
SBA3 pistol brace if going with short barrel
Magpul SL-S stock (good cheek weld) if longer barrel or not afraid to SBR
Magpul K2 grip (best angle overall for me)
Keep in mind that if using for high volume shooting, the metal handguard will get hot. I use both Centurion and Magpul rail covers. ERGO also look good. Just something to think about/plan for.
Bolt Carrier Group
SIONICS NP3 BCG or SOLGW or Centurion or Colt or...Toolcraft, but I have reserved Toolcraft for backups of late. Not because I lack faith, but because I have more faith in the other companies’ concern for their brand. They likely hold to a higher standard.
Other stuff
VLTOR Vulcan A5 receiver extension, A5H2 buffer, whatever brand rifle spring
BCM QD end plate
OR, I have thought about using the PWS ratchet end plate system should I actually build another lower.
Surefire Warcomp, or A2 to keep to budget or weight goals
SOLGW Blaster lower parts kit (or SIONICS)
Troy ambi mag release
Radian Talon ambi safety (read about concerns with the BAD-ASS over the past couple years, not personal experience)
Radian Raptor or Raptor LT charging handle (sometimes available within less than $10 of each other, in which case I do go aluminum over polymer.
Trigger
As RTT said... LaRue MBT-2S or -1S is the easy button. I also like the Hiperfire Heavy Gunner. I do think that if budget isn’t a concern, the Geissele SSA is slightly “more better” than the LaRue.
Sights
If irons or red dot, Daniel Defense fixed iron sights, front and rear. Simple, do the job.
If variable optic, Magpul PRO BUIS.
Sling
Blue Force Gear VCAS, padded VCAS, or “ONE” sling, depending on the overall weight of the rifle).
Light
All depends on how much you want to spend... I have a Surefire M600DF with Cloud Defensive tape switch mount on my go to HD gun. I have Inforce WML or WMLx on the others. For both, I use Magpul’s aluminum offset mount. However, I want to try out the Proctor mount. Arisaka, Gear Sector, IWC, they’re all fine.
Ultimately, I think it’s just a matter of whether you want to tinker or you want to shoot.
If you just want something cool and different to shoot, build out a stripped MARS-L lower (ADM also has a decent, cheaper ambidextrous lower) with whatever parts suit your fancy. Or buy complete.
For the upper, unless you very specifically want a specific shorter barrel or want to tinker, it isn’t worth building the upper yourself. It just isn’t. The prices are too good right now from multiple good companies. Even Black River Tactical can build out a complete upper for you with one of their cool barrels. Or buy the parts and send to Citizen Arms to have him accurize as he assembles for you.
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