as the proud owner of 2 RRA's, a .223 bull bbl and a .458 socom, and an armalite ar-10, im hooked on the black rifles.... i'd like to find a cheaper alternative to go plink.... ive seen the 5.54x39, and im interested... who makes an upper???/... complete rifle???... i want a flattop, not decided on furniture yet....ideas???

Here ya go !( Google search.."5.45x39 upper")http://www.jgsales.com/product...php/products_id/2805

And here is a current post about it..http://www.ar15.com/forums/top...l?b=3&f=121&t=454733

www.ar15.com has TONS info !

And here is inexpensive ammo...http://www.copesdistributing.n...121&products_id=1272

Hi Jimatcat,

Just a thought: I don't know of any cheap 5.45mm ammo which isn't corrosive. Postings on other forums suggest a thorough clean-up soon after shooting. Always a good idea, but maybe not possible, or not thorough enough, With increased humidity, you might get more than you bargained for. Remember, the direct gas impingement system will blow corrosive primer stuff all through the bolt, and some will find it's way into the lower receiver too. Erk! At least with an AK, those noxious gasses stay pretty much away from the receiver.
You can reload 5.56 cheaper than you can buy 5.45. Buy a cheap velcro-on case catcher, or get your empties to land in the right place, and START RELOADING. It's almost as much fun as shooting, IMHO. Spend the money a 5.45 upper will cost on quality reloading equipment and components. You can't lose.

Albatross.

I have one and can assure you the corrosive ammo is a non issue. I live in north Mississippi and the humidity usually stay's around 100%. I'll take mine and shoot it and then throw it back in the safe where it sits for weeks sometimes before I remember to clean it. The bore and bolt carrier are holding up just fine.

What has amazed me about the rifle is it's ability to shoot this surplus ammo into MOA groups with a red dot sight! If I ever put a scope on it, well who knows.

The only thing I would caution you about is buying just the upper and not the complete rifle. The problem is the ammo has very hard primers and the trigger needs a heavy duty hammer spring. This will cause your AR-15 to have about a 12lb trigger pull. I consider this fine for a plinking gun but if your other uppers are for shooting groups this might be a problem.

I bought mine back when the ammo was a $119 a tin. I bought enough to wear the upper out

Terry