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Thread: 2 uppers vs 2 guns?

  1. #1
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    2 uppers vs 2 guns?

    I've wanted an SBR since I first got into AR's 10 years ago. I've never had one. I currently have an all Daniel Defense rifle that sports a 16" LW midlength upper. It's a great rifle. For HD, though, shorter and lighter would be nicer. (this is really the driving force behind this thought) My dealer has a DD MK18 upper for $950. DD will Form 4 the lower to an SBR if I send it back with the upper when I purchase it.

    What are your thoughts on keeping the 16" upper in the safe just to have for out of state classes, etc, but keeping the gun in SBR config. 99% of the time. I'd rob my T1, KAC sights, light, and handstop off the 16" as well.

    I don't really shoot the AR that much due to lack of a local range beyond 25 yds and cost of ammo. Most of my shooting is done with rimfires and shotguns(Benelli M1 @ the clays range).

    Does anyone else do the multiple upper thing? PITA or a reasonable compromise? FWIW, Cost is really the driving factor. I simply cannot afford to have 2 rifles setup; especially when 1 would just sit all the time.

    Thanks!

    ETA: Here's what the rifle looks like now. Just take those accessories (minus the magnifier) and slap them on the MK18 upper.
    Last edited by ASH556; 12-20-11 at 16:46.
    Semper Paratus Certified AR15 Armorer

  2. #2
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    If you bought a lower from G&R for under 300 and went with a BCM commando style upper you could have the whole rifle for that 950.
    C co 1/30th Infantry Regiment
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    IraqGunz:
    No dude is going to get shot in the chest at 300 yards and look down and say "What is that, a 3 MOA group?"

  3. #3
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    Theres only one thing wrong with that. As I have found out, uppers turn into rifles.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by ASH556 View Post
    I've wanted an SBR since I first got into AR's 10 years ago. I've never had one. I currently have an all Daniel Defense rifle that sports a 16" LW midlength upper. It's a great rifle. For HD, though, shorter and lighter would be nicer. (this is really the driving force behind this thought) My dealer has a DD MK18 upper for $950. DD will Form 4 the lower to an SBR if I send it back with the upper when I purchase it.

    What are your thoughts on keeping the 16" upper in the safe just to have for out of state classes, etc, but keeping the gun in SBR config. 99% of the time. I'd rob my T1, KAC sights, light, and handstop off the 16" as well.

    I don't really shoot the AR that much due to lack of a local range beyond 25 yds and cost of ammo. Most of my shooting is done with rimfires and shotguns(Benelli M1 @ the clays range).

    Does anyone else do the multiple upper thing? PITA or a reasonable compromise? FWIW, Cost is really the driving factor. I simply cannot afford to have 2 rifles setup; especially when 1 would just sit all the time.

    Thanks!

    ETA: Here's what the rifle looks like now. Just take those accessories (minus the magnifier) and slap them on the MK18 upper.
    I have a target style AR and a target style .22 upper

    I have no problem sharing the lower and it works well for me since I didn't have to buy two 2-stage triggers/target stocks. The one thing you have to factor in is that you'll have to rezero the aimpoint whenever you switch (or buy another aimpoint).

    I realize that general purpose lowers can be much cheaper than target style lowers, so in your instance it may make sense to save up for another lower over time (doesn't sound like you're in a rush).

  5. #5
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    I always say, "An upper without a lower is a rather unwieldy club."

    Get the SBR upper either the Mk18 from DD or the 11.5" from BCM and get a second lower.

    Now you can make do with one lower for sure but two carbines make more sense than one and a half...

    I put my money where my mouth is...

    Lewis Machine & Tool 10.5" with Daniel Defense 16"


    BTW is that the DD Lite 14.0 with a 16" barrel?

    Cameron
    Last edited by Cameron; 12-20-11 at 18:56.
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  6. #6
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    I did the multiple upper thing in my service rifle comp days and it worked very well. Not only did I not have to buy another match trigger, but I didnt have to deal with any possible slight differences between them. It can work.

    As far as HD/SD rifles have gone, my 2nd upper sprouted a lower in a matter of weeks, but mostly because I could. I do Like the redundancy and having a spare just in case or if I take someone shooting. But I dont think having a 2nd whole carbine is critical. I would however look into finding a deal on a used older model aimpoint and set it up on your 16" upper. Swapping sights around and rezeroing sucks.

  7. #7
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    Seeing as how you can build a lower for under $200 for somewhat decent parts(AeroPrecision/Palmetto State Armory lower) with a Palmetto State Lower Build Kit, I would personally have 2 rifles.

  8. #8
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    Other than the tax stamp the upper is where the dollars live. I'm also of the opinion that uppers left to their own devices grow lowers. You have a very nice carbine as is. If you can afford or justify the cost my vote is another rifle. I generally build them, shoot till about 5,000 rounds, then start another. There's no reson why, just how it seems to go for me. By that time there's always new barrels, rails, or other stuff I want to try. Sometimes I think I need to be in a 12 step program.
    "The peace we have within us is most often expressed in how we treat others"

  9. #9
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    Lowers are cheap enough that there's no reason not to do complete guns.

    Build yourself a pistol lower and you can have your SBR upper NOW---while you are waiting for the NFA stuff to go through.

  10. #10
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    I'd go with the factory DD NFA lower/MK18 upper option now. You can always build a 2nd non-NFA lower for the 16" upper later at your leisure as funds allow.
    "The world's a dangerous place – we can help." -www.portlandfirearmtraining.com
    NRA LE Handgun-Shotgun Instructor/Life Member

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