This build was inspired by two existing uppers I have been looking at, but neither seemed quite right for me. The 14.5" SOCOM M4A1, and the 18" SPR.

I want the stability of the heavier barrel, but not too heavy, or too long (front heavy).



I already have a 16" middy with the A2 barrel profile, and I like the overall ratios of handguard length and gas system length to barrel length. I like the pinned A2 front sight base also. This is my current 16" middy, it was a project I put together a couple years ago with the Ballistic Advantage barrel, it's 1/7, melonite finished.

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For the new build, I ordered a barrel kit from TNTE Sales. I'll finish it up with a free float tube, probably the YHM Black Diamond, and the Surefire three-prong tuning fork up front.

I'm hoping it will turn out to be a fairly tight shooting AR with the heavies.

I'll take you all along on the build, as it goes along, and the load work and accuracy results.

So here's the beginning of it, the barrel kit is on the way, It's a 1/7, 4150 steel, melonite finish.

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