What would you do? AR build opinions wanted

[cr5]

I'm torn, I have a slick side and a forward assist upper to share one lower. I already have all the parts I need to complete both uppers.
My dilemma is that I can't decide which barrel to put in each upper.

Barrel #1 is a 18.6 inch light 223 Wylde barrel
Barrel #2 is a 20 inch 6.5 Grendel DMR profile.

I can't decide which one to put in each upper. I've got advantages and disadvantages to each floating around in my head.
Please share your opinions but I don't care if you like or don't like FA or SS uppers so please skip the opinions of whether each belong on an AR or if either is useless or not needed. I already own both so they're both getting used.

By the way, this is for a non restricted project and both will see use almost entirely away from the range for everything from plinking, to target shooting, to varmint/predator hunting.

Thanks

 

[Stevo]

I can't imagine it making a difference either way.

Flip a coin?

 

[sidester]

The slick one might be lighter.
Weight them both?
Besides, forward assist has never had any real purpose. It was a US military requirement for the M16.

 

[Tengoo]

If I was going to build an upper for serious long-range shooting, I'd probably go with the slick-side unit.

If I was going to be doing a lot of volume shooting [ie. hundreds of rounds in a session] I'd probably use the FA unit, because there's a chance that it _might_ get fouled by dirty ammo and need an assist.

I could be wrong...probably am...but that's what I'm thinking. It all depends on your purpose for each upper.

 

[KePet]

If you use the forward assist like most guys, use the FA upper for whichever barrel that will be used for hunting. If they’re both just for punching paper, use it on whichever will see the most amount of rounds.

 

[PPCLI-Jim]

I've got a slick side AR after a yr with it I'm still wondering why those grams were cut out. as to caliber I have started shooting the Grendel and recommend it over the valkyrie.

 

[cr5]

If I was going to build an upper for serious long-range shooting, I'd probably go with the slick-side unit.

If I was going to be doing a lot of volume shooting [ie. hundreds of rounds in a session] I'd probably use the FA unit, because there's a chance that it _might_ get fouled by dirty ammo and need an assist.

I could be wrong...probably am...but that's what I'm thinking. It all depends on your purpose for each upper.

Those were my thoughts as well but I also had the thoughts KePet mentioned.
For hunting with the 6.5 the FA upper would be better for quietly closing the bolt but then again it might come in handy out in the gopher patch after a few hundred rounds.

But then again, I've had AR's for years and have never needed a FA. Probably doesn't matter a whole lot but I'm just hoping someone can throw out a reason to tip the scale in my mind one way or the other.

 

[jiffx2781]

The answer is to put the FA upper on whichever firearm you're going to be hunting larger game with. (obviously the 6.5 Grendel wins this argument)

Pushing a round quietly into the chamber is the only benefit of having the FA and even then it's not even necessary because you can push the bcg forward with your thumb through the ejection port.

Ah s#!t, forget it. We're starting to beat the dead horse again....

 

[cr5]

Ah s#!t, forget it. We're starting to beat the dead horse again....

Ya, you're right, that's why I added that I didn't want people's opinion on whether it was necessary or that it does or doesn't belong on an AR.

I think that horse flinched, might not be quite dead yet. Hit it again

I'll spice it up with some ####

18.6 MRA


20 inch Odin 6.5G


Decided swapping barrels was not ideal so ordered the FA upper. Hope it gets here soon.
I haven't decided on furniture yet, I've got four or five options for stocks sitting on the shelf, I'll swap things around till I figure out what gives me the biggest smile.

I need to take a better pic of it with the spiral flute barrel.