Looking to build an upper from scratch

[RC3]

I need guidance with a new build I am doing. After buying a few spikes punisher lowers and realizing they arent all that great and came with blemishes, I decided to build a new rifle. I was going to give 458 socom a try, but decided to give a drm another chance since my last one did not go as smooth as I wanted (AKA, it was impractical and I could find a good flow for it).  The upper receiver I got is from Bear Creek Arsenal since PSA did not have the upper that I want (well, they did, I bought it, and they never sold it again).  Now I have the receiver, and bolt carrier, but what is a good place to buy the barrel, gas tube, gas block and etc from? The things I would like are:

20" to 24" Barrel 1/7 twist (preferably a heavy barrel)

M-lock rail

and anything else I might need.

I know a lot of you eat and breathe this stuff, so any and all help would be awesome.

And on a side note, how would I go about fixing the paint blemishes and also coloring the skull white?

Edited April 6, 2017 by RC3

[Omega]

For the skull, I'd use this: http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/engraving-tools-supplies/inlay-color-fill-sticks/lacquer-stik--prod7778.aspx

Easy to use and lasts quite a bit, been on mine for years.

[mikegideon]

Midway has a bunch of barrels...

https://www.midwayusa.com/s?targetLocation=%2F_%2FN-11624%2B4294957290%3FNo%3D0%26Np%3D2%26Nr%3DAND%28p_visible%3A1%2Ccustomertypeid%3A1%29%26Nrpp%3D24%26Ns%3Dp_metric_sales_velocity%7C1%26Ntpc%3D1%26Ntpr%3D1&userItemsPerPage=48

[RC3]

1 hour ago, Omega said:

For the skull, I'd use this: http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/engraving-tools-supplies/inlay-color-fill-sticks/lacquer-stik--prod7778.aspx

Easy to use and lasts quite a bit, been on mine for years.

Ever used the black one? tempted to guy one and cover up the blemishes.

[RC3]

17 minutes ago, mikegideon said:

Midway has a bunch of barrels...

https://www.midwayusa.com/s?targetLocation=%2F_%2FN-11624%2B4294957290%3FNo%3D0%26Np%3D2%26Nr%3DAND%28p_visible%3A1%2Ccustomertypeid%3A1%29%26Nrpp%3D24%26Ns%3Dp_metric_sales_velocity%7C1%26Ntpc%3D1%26Ntpr%3D1&userItemsPerPage=48

All they have are stainless.

[RC3]

Do you guys think I could get this upper assembly and just switch the uppers around?

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-20-a2-rifle-length-nitride-15-lightweight-m-lok-upper-no-bcg-or-ch-516445026.html

[Sunfish]

Buy a Faxon barrel and seek help from someone who can torque and headspace it for you. 

[Omega]

11 hours ago, RC3 said:

Ever used the black one? tempted to guy one and cover up the blemishes.

No, but it may work, but for blemishes I would try cold bluing instead, the lacquer probably doesn't do much for anti-rust.  

[mikegideon]

11 hours ago, RC3 said:

All they have are stainless.

Didn't notice that. But, that's exactly what I would buy if I was going long and heavy.

[Ronald_55]

11 hours ago, RC3 said:

Do you guys think I could get this upper assembly and just switch the uppers around?

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-20-a2-rifle-length-nitride-15-lightweight-m-lok-upper-no-bcg-or-ch-516445026.html

That is a possibility. That is how I got my latest upper. I found a good deal on a used full upper with a 7.5 inch barrel. I bought it and swapped on my 16 inch barrel and hand guard. Then I sold off the barrel and hand guard to recoup some of my money. 

[RC3]

10 hours ago, Sunfish said:

Buy a Faxon barrel and seek help from someone who can torque and headspace it for you. 

That would be the issue. And i also dont know the tooling that i need.

2 hours ago, Omega said:

No, but it may work, but for blemishes I would try cold bluing instead, the lacquer probably doesn't do much for anti-rust.  

Didn't even know that was a thing.

[RC3]

And this is the upper i bought:

http://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/upper-receivers/bca-side-charging-receiver-bcg-combo

That way, i can mimic my psa rifle, but building it for a completely different purpose. 

Once i get this one figured out, ill start working on a 458 socom same style.

[Omega]

7 hours ago, RC3 said:

That would be the issue. And i also dont know the tooling that i need.

Didn't even know that was a thing.

Yea, I seen it some time back.  I knew about bluing steel, but I always thought if aluminum got dinged you were SOL, so was glad when I found this stuff.  Before I just used black paint. 

This stuff works ok:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/707229/birchwood-casey-aluminum-black-metal-touch-up