Honest truth about billet uppers

[500grains]

The “honest truth about SS barrels” thread started me thinking about the claim that billet uppers improve accuracy.

Stiffness improves accuracy.

Example: VLTOR VIS

[K.L. Davis]

Billet

[czydj]

Billet

For the WIN!

/thread closed

[mstennes]

Billet

For the WIN!

/thread closed

How do you figure? Why would a VIS be any stiffer? The barrel still mounts at the front of the reciever via a nut on a threaded extension billet, cast or forged.

[Fighting Tenth]

The upper and lower receivers are cases. They neither detract nor add to the accuracy of an AR.

[mstennes]

The upper and lower receivers are cases. They neither detract nor add to the accuracy of an AR.

The upper does, but is billet stronger or better? IMO no, actually if done to exact deminsions its weaker, thus billet is always bigger, therefore its not to milspec. Which also brings another question, are "matched" upper and lowers better? Again IMO no.

[Hmac]

Which also brings another question, are "matched" upper and lowers better? Again IMO no.

From a functional standpoint, I agree, but for example, a matched Noveske upper/lower is $275. A Noveske upper by itself is $135, a Noveske lower is $185.

I bought my last Noveske matched upper/lower for $250 (waiting on USPS to deliver another one to my FFL that I just bought for $275). They fit perfectly. I know, I know..."a little bit of play between upper and lower is no big deal and only a noob, tactical wannabe would complain about it". I completely agree that the wobble makes no difference in function, but generally, we all consider a lack of rattling in our consumer products to be a sign of quality. In the process of saving $45, I also can get the satisfaction of a nice precision fit.

[mstennes]

From a functional standpoint, I agree, but for example, a matched Noveske upper/lower is $275. A Noveske upper by itself is $135, a Noveske lower is $185.

I bought my last Noveske matched upper/lower for $250 (waiting on USPS to deliver another one to my FFL that I just bought for $275). They fit perfectly. I know, I know..."a little bit of play between upper and lower is no big deal and only a noob, tactical wannabe would complain about it". I completely agree that the wobble makes no difference in function, but generally, we all consider a lack of rattling in our consumer products to be a sign of quality. In the process of saving $45, I also can get the satisfaction of a nice precision fit.

Agreed! If you shop around or know what your doing, you can save, problem is, most people have no clue, and resalers know it, so they will actually raise the cost. I have noticed, if you stay with tier one manufacturers, who actually follow milspec, there is so little movement between uppers and lowers anyway. Jeese a friend of mine just got a new LMT and there is no rattle or wiggle, it almost feels like it has a wedge in it.

[Fighting Tenth]

The upper does...

Does what? Affect accuracy?
In all my shooting, testing and reading I have yet to see this in function. Near as I can tell it is barrel and bolt.
Where and how has it been shown that an upper receiver will affect the accuracy of the system of components?

[mstennes]

Does what? Affect accuracy?
In all my shooting, testing and reading I have yet to see this in function. Near as I can tell it is barrel and bolt.
Where and how has it been shown that an upper receiver will affect the accuracy of the system of components?

What does the barrel attach to? The upper, if the upper is out of whack, that will effect accuracy. What happens if the upper is flexing? What it its not on but off a little?