[jrswanson1]

Went to one of my LGSs on the way home from work. I was looking for a 5.56 upper, just for fun, since I have a ton of ammo for it. Anyway, get to the store and ask about uppers. They've got 3, one in .22, and two in .223. I ask the clerk about the DPMS upper, because it's in the $500 range and the other is $999. So we're looking, and I ask about staking, if the BCG is fitted, all that good stuff. Then I ask if it's 5.56 or .223. He looks at the barrel and it's marked "DPMS 6.8MM 1 - 11" . He's laughing, and goes to show the owner the upper. The price tag states .223, the box shows .223, but the barrel and the bolt are both 6.8. He goes to put it away and I said hold on, I'll take it. Then I ask if it's SPCII. One of the other guys says probably not, but they'll ream it to SPCII for $20. I said let's do it. As I'm going up to pay for it, he also mentioned he staked some other parts that weren't. So I walk out of the store with a spiffy new 6.8 SPCII DPMS complete upper for $539, $566 after tax. He apparently forgot to charge me for reaming the chamber. I was doing the happy dance out the door.

So I get home, and what to my wondering eyes should appear on my porch but a box from Midway with 300 Sierra Matchking bullets, a rear sight, a brass catcher, and a new reloading manual.

Okay, so here's an interesting question. Is there a price difference between the 5.56 and the 6.8 uppers? It's an M4 Flat top configuration. DPMS sent them this upper marked .223.

BTW, both my lower and upper are DPMS. I have a complete DPMS 6.8 SPC for less than $900.

Jim

 

[TackDriver68]

nice find!

 

[Equalizer_2]

I hate to tell you but it is just starting. There is no known cure for BRD. All you can do is treat the symptoms.

Congrats on snagging a good deal.

 

[jrswanson1]

Bought two stripped lowers today, YHM and Spike's. So I'll have THREE ARs by the time I'm done with this. I might get a .223 just to dink around with, or just an upper, but that's what I said about the first lower I got. I'm glad I reload, it's going to be tough feeding 3 of these.

Jim

 

[Equalizer_2]

No kidding, you do have it bad. Most people can get by almost a week before they need their next fix. :a37: :a02: :a45:

 

[jrswanson1]

Here it is on the DPMS lower.

What would it take to ditch that front sight? It looks like the gas tube goes into it. ???

Jim

 

[marinesg1012]

You would need to instal a new gas block.

 

[jrswanson1]

How hard is that to do? Or should I get a smith to do that?

Jim

 

[Lastrites]

Depending on what you want as your end result, you could just cut the tower off your existing sight. Do a little filing and refinish with your choice of paint or cold blue it. Most replacement gas blocks are not as secure as an original taper pinned front sight.

Are you planning on installing a longer free floated rail or tube?

 

[huntinfirefighter]

cutting the front sight isnt hard at all i just done mine a few days ago just read the ar15.com post or google it. it will tell you everything.i put a free float tube and cut the front sight in about 2 or three hours, i was taking my time as this was my first time doing anythign like this. if you want to see some pics just pm me and ill take. good luck

 

[marinesg1012]

I would leave the front sight post to be honest, I like having that fixed front sight on my carbine/SHTF depending on what optic you put on it you wont see it, and with a red dot you wont really notice it. If you just dont like the look you can switch it out but you will need tools and everything to do it correctly, it isnt that its hard if you have the right tools but you may want to look into having a smith do it if you haven't ever done it.

 

[jasonpeterson]

I like the front A2 front sight when running a Eotech. Just depends on the optic and mount you use. With a 3.5 to 10 power scope I can barely see it at low settings. When it's on max power it's not visible.

 

[jrswanson1]

I tried putting a red dot scope on the rails as they are, and the red dot points right into the middle of the pillar on the front sight. I'm really trying to gauge accuracy of the rifle without the blind man behind the irons fouling things up. I'm going to do the same with the RRA upper I've got coming in. Whichever is more inherently accurate, I'll be leaving alone and using it for 3-Gun when I'm not up for shooting He-Man. The other gets the tacticool stuff because everyone should have at least ONE goofy AR. I might get a detachable carry handle and use that to mount a scope on these. Anyone have a line on a good one that fits these? Or are they all basically the same?

Jim

 

[jrswanson1]

BTW, I managed to get most of the LPK into the receiver and I did not launch any parts into orbit. I'm getting buffer tube kits to finish up the YHM kit and I'll pick up another LPK to go on my Spike's today after work. Now I need stocks. I'm thinking CAA Sharp Shooter for the hunting gun and an ATI for the 16". Now I need more money, more ammo, more time.

Jim