Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Guidance on Buying an AR

The Ruger AR15 will accept pretty much any "mil-spec" part. It's the AR-10 platform that has issues. AR15 parts are pretty much entirely interchangeable. The MPR isn't in mil-spec configuration but you could make it that way if you wanted. But it's better just the way it is. Only part that might not be mil-spec is the receiver extension (aka buffer tube) as they don't mention what type it is.

It's a great value regardless.

With so many Milspec copies and wannabe's I just haven't looked at the Ruger at all. My learning curve is more like a straight line nowadays. Aero Precision and Ballistic Advantage with Tool Craft BCG's have been my go to parts recently. But, I do want to build a 6.8 upper. What used to be Black Hole Weaponry is now Columbia River Arms has my attention but their prices are a bit steeper than some of the others. I'm wanting a light weight truck and ATV rifle and I'm liking their 16" light weight barrels. I know the 6.5 Grendel is all the rage but I'm not feeling it. I still want the 6.8. But, I'm not done looking yet. kwg
https://columbiariverarms.com/custom-barrel-configurator/configure/20825/

I hear ya. There are lots of AR component makers out there. Some are great, others not so. Aero and BA are pretty good. I think they're owned by the same company/owners/whatever. I like Toolcraft as well.

If you want to put together a 6.8 I highly recommend AR Performance (ARP). Here's their link:
https://www.ar15performance.com/6_8_barrels

The owner has been working with the 6.8 from very early on. His barrels are second to none. I'd buy a barrel and bolt combo from him and call it done. In fact, the combo is less than the price of just the barrel from many manufacturers.
I did do business with Black Hole several years ago on a .308 build. The barrel was nice but it took forever to get it and they didn't even offer a matching bolt even though they said one was coming .
I just bought another brand (which I'm not fond of) and went on with my life. Not sure if they've improved after becoming the new company but I'm not going to worry about it. I'd just go with ARP or Bison Armory.

In fact, I've got a used ARP 16" barrel with bolt I'll be parting out soon. I've got one gentlemen interested so far and am waiting to hear back from him.

I'm going to try an 18" 6.8. We'll see.

I believe that is correct on the standard models, something about the delta ring, but that is not an issue with the freefloated mpr

Have the 204 turned or fluted and knock a bit off the length and recrown is one option

Ruger. The guy and company that helped ban the AR15 in the 90s. Now selling em left and right and folks are nuts over them.

Grudges. I am still holding on best I can. LOL

That's a deal right there. Needs a Trijicon 56mm on it.

Rock River Arms makes very good AR's. They guarantee 1 MOA for the standard A4 and 3/4 MOA for the target A4. They are very popular among High Power Rifle competitors.

White oak armament 18" barrel

Montana Marine is correct,

I personally would not bother with a Ruger since there are so many manufacturers out there that build rifles that are within spec.

Aero builds a very nice product, as does, FN, Colt, and BCM

1/7 and 1/8 are the 2 top choices for twist. I would not go with a barrel longer than 18"s and a profile larger than a standard A2.


BTW, You can buy a truly superb upper for your existing rifle and you might be more satisfied.




For a 16" gun, i would look at a mid gas, for an 18 I would want a rifle length. Not an absolute deal breaker if they are not, but that would be my preference if building from ground up. If you are buying a barrel, I would strongly suggest White Oak Armament.

I have used more than 20 on builds for myself and others. Every single one has been uniformly excellent. They are worth the wait. I believe I still have 2 under my bench for future builds.

Your bolt is important. Don't cheap out there. Same with triggers. I used to run Geissele triggers, but Larue MBT triggers are 90-95% as good at 1/2 the cost, so that is the direction I would go these days if building for someone/myself.

There are a few tricks to assembling the uppers that go beyond the typical slapping things together/ typical ewetube videos. It depends on the level of accuracy you want. If you really want to maximize accuracy, and you have purchased a high quality barrel like a WOA barrel,I suggest truing your upper receiver. With proper equipment (and knowledge) it is not hard.

There are lots of things you can do to make a true tack driving machine, and one that does not weigh 12 pounds. I have lighter weight guns that will consistently shoot groups that are typical of heavy barrel guns, but they took some time and pennies to achieve.


This is a sample target of a White Oak barrel with the first rounds fired. I expected that it would shoot better as the barrel was broken in, and the shooter reported that accuracy was excellent. Note there are no "cherry picked" single groups here. The square is one inch. The average ended up being (if I recall, it has been a while) a little under .5 moa with MK 262 Mod 1, which is what the end user would be using.




I think you might be better off just buying an upper built to your specs.