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Building an AR-15

Nosler243Shooter

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 31, 2010
432
4
39
Alabama
I have been thinking about a new AR-15 for my Dad sometime this year. I have been looking at a Larue and a Daniel Defense upper from BCM. Which one is better? Also can you mount a Commercial lower to a milspec upper?
 
Re: Building an AR-15

Maybe you could explain your definition of what a milspec and commercial upper or lower is?
The only commecial vs milspec issue I am aware of is in the buffer tube.
 
Re: Building an AR-15

Those are the the same upper groups except for the hand guard rails. I own both rails. Both are nice but if I were buying another I would probably go with the DD.
 
Re: Building an AR-15

243, just to be clear. Both of those uppers that you liked to are BCM uppers. They just have different handguard options installed.

LaRue or DD? Six of one, half a dozen of the other. They're both really good. It's a matter of preference.
 
Re: Building an AR-15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: smschulz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Maybe you could explain your definition of what a milspec and commercial upper or lower is?
The only commecial vs milspec issue I am aware of is in the buffer tube. </div></div>
I waited too long and now the Daniel Defense is out of stock. Somewhere there in the description I must have seen milspec. I was concerned because I am still new to the AR-15 platform. If I understand correctly the only difference is the buffer tube and any upper can mount to any lower as long as it is for the AR-15 rifle. Thanks for all the replies. I guess I can wait a while or just get the Larue.
 
Re: Building an AR-15

Maybe a first rifle purchase might be better to just get a complete rifle to start with DD, BCM, LMT, etc and then figure out the mechanics of how to build one later on the second rifle.
Complete rifles are easier to come by than certain parts from certain companies some times such as the ones mentioned.
YMMV
 
Re: Building an AR-15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: smschulz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Maybe a first rifle purchase might be better to just get a complete rifle to start with DD, BCM, LMT, etc and then figure out the mechanics of how to build one later on the second rifle.</div></div>

This is excellent advice. It's also the route that I took after lurking and doing a bunch of forum reading before buying. Now that I've had the rifle for a few months, I've essentially learned how to reverse engineer it after multiple disassemblies for cleaning, maintenance and upgrades. I am now confident enough to build my own at any time.