Find a 18" or 20" barrel, have the the threads removed and crowned. Uppers are super easy to put together. Don't know where your at but I have a loaner set of tools if you decide to DIY.
It's a little square piece with a u notch in it to straddle the gas tube. Might be in upside down, just a guess. I have never seen a rail that off even the cheapest crap I've seen.
If he ever wants you to go in the woods with him, my advice is to run away as fast as you can. He's the kind of guy that has holes dug in advance, just in case lol!