View Full Version : Looking for advice on uppers.
Hey everyone. I have just started the process to begin building my first AR. I have already got a few things including an Aero Precision stripped lower and a lower parts kit.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i125/eric-holmes/800BA784-DCCB-49BC-98F6-8E77970B3348-1774-000000D68DA41011.jpg
As with most people, I am on a budget. I don't need this thing to be battle proven as it will never see much more use than to shoot against coyotes and plinking around the house.
I do know I want a 16" barrel and a flat top for optics. Here are a few I've found...
http://www.jsesurplus.com/Custom16WilsonArmsMidHBar1x9ChromeMolyRHGB-Complete.aspx
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/513528/dpms-ar-15-oracle-a3-flat-top-upper-assembly-556x45mm-nato-1-in-9-twist-16-light-contour-barrel-chrome-moly-matte-with-glacierguard-handguard-single-rail-gas-block-flash-hider
http://www.jsesurplus.com/Custom16M41x9Moly5.56CarbineRailHeightGBUpper-1.aspx
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-M4-16-Upper-Receiver-Group-p/bcm-urg-m4-16.htm
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Bolt-Carrier-Group-MPI-Auto-M16-p/bcm%20bolt%20carrier%20group%20auto%20mp.htm
Get the items above add some handguards, rear sight and charging handle and you are done.
No one here is going to recommend any of the choices you have offered because quite frankly they are trash.
If you want to plink then get a .22.
lethal dose
11-17-12, 23:14
I wouldn't even shoot coyote with those uppers.
NoveskeFan
11-17-12, 23:22
Spend the little bit more for a BCM upper.
As with most people, I am on a budget. I don't need this thing to be battle proven as it will never see much more use than to shoot against coyotes and plinking around the house.
There's budget, and then there's cheap.
If all you can afford are those options that you linked to, then save up for a little longer and go with something with a little better reputation. You're only looking at a $200 difference between what you posted and what Iraqgunz posted, with a MARKED difference in quality.
Buy once, cry once.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=316968978
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-M4-16-Upper-Receiver-Group-p/bcm-urg-m4-16.htm
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Bolt-Carrier-Group-MPI-Auto-M16-p/bcm%20bolt%20carrier%20group%20auto%20mp.htm
Get the items above add some handguards, rear sight and charging handle and you are done.
No one here is going to recommend any of the choices you have offered because quite frankly they are trash.
If you want to plink then get a .22.
So that upper doesn't include the BCG? It doesn't say it does or it doesn't. (EDIT: I found where it says.)
Do you think Palmetto State Armory is trash too? I've heard good things.
So that upper doesn't include the BCG? It doesn't say it does or it doesn't.
Do you think Palmetto State Armory is trash too? I've heard good things.
No it does not.
MO_Trooper
11-18-12, 09:00
If you are looking for a stripped upper, keep an eye out for these. They are blemished, which typically means they have a very, very minor cosmetic flaw which does not affect the functionality. They go in and out of stock all the time. I picked one up for $55. If you're not in a hurry to build it, check the site regularly.
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/upper-parts/upper-receivers/stripped-blemished-ar-15-upper-receiver.html
Has Palmetto State Armory brought their products up to mil spec?
MO_Trooper
11-18-12, 10:26
Has Palmetto State Armory brought their products up to mil spec?
According to their site, "This forged 7075-T6 AR upper is made to MIL-SPECS and hard coat anodized black for durability. Featuring machined T marks, M4 feed ramps and mil-spec finish. These uppers are made for us right here in the USA by a mil-spec manufacturer."
My build with the Palmetto State upper is still in progress. I'm new to this site but I'm sure there's a few good threads regarding "mil spec" claims made by manufacturers. As I understand it, just because Palmetto claims mil spec, all it really means is that the part is forged/machined in a manner consistent with those of more trusted or "contracted" manufacturers, with no real hard evidence to back it. So who knows.
polymorpheous
11-18-12, 10:43
The OP is looking for complete uppers, not stripped.
The blemished uppers is not an appropriate reply.
OP,
Pick up an upper from the following links:
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=6920U
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=UPR-BCM
They have some really good prices for high quality uppers.
Bravo Company has the best customer service and shipping times in the industry.
Their uppers are built like a brickhouse, and their barrels are very accurate.
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/AR15-Upper-Receiver-Groups-s/1.htm
Subscribe to the E-mail notifications so you can order a bolt carrier group for them.
They tend to sell out very quickly.
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=358
polymorpheous
11-18-12, 12:20
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=358
This is a good option too.
Quantico Tactical has LMT bolt carrier groups right now.
Question. Say I get this one from BCM, is that front sight post removable? It seems like it would get in the way of optics.
Question. Say I get this one from BCM, is that front sight post removable? It seems like it would get in the way of optics.
You'll never even notice it. You could remove it but anything you would replace it with would have an inferior attachment method.
Actually QTS doesn't have them. Though they are listed. I placed an order and got confirmation only to find out it wouldn't be available until March 2013.
This is a good option too.
Quantico Tactical has LMT bolt carrier groups right now.
If you are using a red dot sight it won't be an issue. If you are using magnified optics it could bother you. The others that you pointed out also had an FSB.
Question. Say I get this one from BCM, is that front sight post removable? It seems like it would get in the way of optics.
Question. Say I get this one from BCM, is that front sight post removable? It seems like it would get in the way of optics.
You could remove it. But then you'd have to buy a new gas block.
Why not just shave it?
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I find myself going back to the same retailers time and time again when it comes to AR parts, etc.
I have had excellent results with;
Bravo Company USA, a site sponsor and a manufacturer
Rainier Arms, not a site sponsor but rapidly working at becoming a manufacturer
Centurion Arms, a site sponsor and a manufacturer
If Magpul makes it, I buy it from AZ Armament just because I know the owner
If I need to walk in for something I go to Riflegear, a rapidly growing storefront and online retailer.
I have also done a couple of transactions with G and R Tactical, also a contributor and site sponsor here
Is there one you would recommend that doesn't has a rail height gas block and not the front sight post?
Is there one you would recommend that doesn't has a rail height gas block and not the front sight post?
If I were buying an upper today I'd get a pinned 14.5" middy with a low pro gas black and a 12" C4 rail from Monty at Centurion Arms. that fits MY needs. I do not know what your particular needs are. Until you work through that issue I'd recommend staying with 16". In my house we have carbine and mid gas rifles. My wife's is mid, mine are carbine and are so because that is what was plentiful at the time.
I suggest you do some reading here and figure out exactly what it is that you need, then work up from there.
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-BFH-16-Mid-Length-Upper-Receiver-Centurion-12-p/bcm-urg-mid-16-bfh-c4-12.htm
Save up a little more. Buy once cry once.
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-BFH-16-Mid-Length-Upper-Receiver-Centurion-12-p/bcm-urg-mid-16-bfh-c4-12.htm
Save up a little more. Buy once cry once.
Looks a little familiar...................
Looks a little familiar...................
Haha, I didn't see your response. Good choice!
lethal dose
11-18-12, 21:31
Do not worry about the front sight. It's not going to be in the way.
Do not worry about the front sight. It's not going to be in the way.
Depends. I put a high power variable on a rifle and the FSB drove me crazy. It was only a shadow in the sight picture, but it blocked the reticle every time I tried to make a precise shot. That's why I built another AR with a low profile gas-block as a precision rifle
Depends. I put a high power variable on a rifle and the FSB drove me crazy. It was only a shadow in the sight picture, but it blocked the reticle every time I tried to make a precise shot. That's why I built another AR with a low profile gas-block as a precision rifle
+1 I can't stand the FSB with any type of optic mounted. I find it to be distracting but YMMV.
+1 I can't stand the FSB with any type of optic mounted. I find it to be distracting but YMMV.
I used to feel the same but, with a RDS optic, it really doesnt bother me anymore. When I had an ACOG TA31, it wasnt visible either.
Why don't you just put together an upper from parts? If you put together a lower you can do an upper too. Where are you located?
Is there one you would recommend that doesn't has a rail height gas block and not the front sight post?
Just get a longer handguard (which is better for most folks anyway) and a folding sight (which is more flexible). Yes, it costs a bit more, but I have yet to be disappointed for having done so with any upper I own.
Why don't you just put together an upper from parts? If you put together a lower you can do an upper too. Where are you located?
I'm not opposed to that idea, it just seems harder to do than the lower. I'm located in central AR.
I've had really good luck with my PSA upper. I bought this one, PSA M4 Premium Upper With Vortex Strikefire (http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/complete-uppers/m4-premium-optic-madness-16-cmv-chrome-lined-stripped-upper-without-bcg-or-charging-handle.html). I sold the strikefire because it isn't what I wanted, and just used that cash to get a BCG and CH and called it good. There are plenty of other good deals on there too, and while they may not be BCM I still think they are high quality components.
TacticalSledgehammer
11-19-12, 10:43
A complete LMT upper would be a good choice too.
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/featured/mid-length-a2-profile-premium-madness-16-cmv-chrome-lined-stripped-upper-without-bcg-or-charging-handle.html
If I was on a budget I'd buy this and a Magpul rear sight.
I'm not opposed to that idea, it just seems harder to do than the lower. I'm located in central AR.
Not really harder but you'll need the proper tools. I thought that if you were local to me I could let you use mine. I thought you might be since Aero Precision is a company local to me.
+1 I can't stand the FSB with any type of optic mounted. I find it to be distracting but YMMV.
Mine even bugged me with a 3x optic (CQT) so it got chopped.
To the OP, the LMT or BCM basic uppers are the best value options presented, with the highest resale value.
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