I'm working on my first AR. I got PSA complete lower with enhanced trigger, and am now on to the Upper components. Do I have been pricing out parts and my original plan was to do an Aero M4E1 upper and piece meal components. I would like to do mid-range quality build, not using an $800 barrel but then again also not rummaging through the bargain bin. Most options I have priced out come to $650 range. I have noticed the LaRue Match upper getting a lot of praise for $750, and I also know LaRue is a bit controversial in the industry. Can I come close to matching the quality of the LaRue setup on my own build? Or should I just save the energy and effort and pay the extra $100 for a quality LaRue setup? Love to hear your thoughts, thanks. I'm a newb in the AR world so glad to learn from y'all.
LaRue Match vs BYO Upper
- Thread starter PisgahPlinker
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If the LaRue setup matched what I wanted , I’d probably just get it.
Chuckman
Senior Member
I just looked at some of my fave precision barrels, all are $500 +/-. So I would think to get a complete upper, built, for $750 would be very reasonable. Even if you spent $400 for a barrel, then $200 for a trigger, $200 handguard, you are already exceeding the cost of the LaRue.
Being your first AR I would have suggested build the lower and buy your first upper. Building the lower is easier and gives you some great insight into how the trigger group and other lower controls work. The upper has a few more tricks to wring out best performance and is kinda tool dependent. The LaRue stuff is very good and the cost of you buying comparable parts … just good barrel, BCG and handguard … is going to wind up dang close. The fit and assembly (truing up the receiver to barrel fit and dead on gas system setup) of the upper by LaRue are worth the price compared to a possible trouble shooting session(s) if you did not get those correct yourself. Shoot that first AR and get into it and make sure it’s the way you want to go … some people find out it’s not really the way they want to go for small holes. If you do like it the second AR is where I’d say start looking for those high dollar parts and assemble your own … then if little hiccups do pop up you can kinda look at how that LaRue upper functions to give you ideas of where to look.
What ammo are you going to feed it? The mostest bestest upper will shoot only as well as the ammo you feed. Sure there are some good bulk suppliers but to really wring out the benefits of either upper consistently you will need to feed it good ammo … be it factory match grade or pet handloads.
What ammo are you going to feed it? The mostest bestest upper will shoot only as well as the ammo you feed. Sure there are some good bulk suppliers but to really wring out the benefits of either upper consistently you will need to feed it good ammo … be it factory match grade or pet handloads.
This. Plus if you ever decide to sell, LaRue stuff holds value really well. Also if you buy their upper, you are then allowed to buy their lower if you want.