Upper help

[wallstdevil]

Hi,

I'm got a stag lower as a trade, but i'm very new at this. I have been looking at different upper at del-ton,rra and stag. My questions are:
1. What are pros/con of the light weight, mid length, and heavy barrels.
2. A1 and A2
3. Any pointer to look out when buying a upper would be great too


Thanks,
Alan

 

[Richard in LA]

Hi,

I'm got a stag lower as a trade, but i'm very new at this. I have been looking at different upper at del-ton,rra and stag. My questions are:
1. What are pros/con of the light weight, mid length, and heavy barrels.
2. A1 and A2
3. Any pointer to look out when buying a upper would be great too


Thanks,
Alan

1) Lightwieght is just that, the barrel is a thinner profile, it is lighter and handier, but barrel is not as rigid as a heavy barrel. Mid length has a longer gas system, and is smoother and supposedly a tad more reliable than a carbine length gas system. also can fit a bayonet on like it was meant, unlike a 16" carbine upper. Heavy barrels are thicker and are heavier if toting around your rifle a while, but are more rigid. Generally speaking, the thicker the barrel, the longer it takes to head up during rapid fire.

2) a TRUE A1 upper has a fixed carry handle w/ only windage adjustable rear sight (w/ tool or bullet tip), Forward assist and no brass deflector. Most of the "A1" 's that are on the market nowadays are actually a C7 style upper, that are an A1 upper w/ a brass deflector. A2's have a finger adjustable for windage and elevation rear sight, brass deflector, and forward assist.

3) I personally like the A1 uppers, w/ either a 16" lightwieght barrel and standard CAR handguards, or a 20" lightwieght barrel and triangle handguards, due to the simplicity. Finding one in stock right now is going to be the tricky part.