Which complete upper for an AR-15 to choose??

ntomsw

ntomsw

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I have finally gotten to the point where I might be able to start buying stuff for my very 1st AR, and was wondering what are some really good companies that make complete uppers?

I know of Daniel Defense, BCM, maybe YHM, but not sure who else.

I don't want to spend $2k just on an upper, so I should say I would like to keep it right around or under $1k. So, whichever company is the nicest in that price range let me have it.
 
I just ordered my first upper yesterday, a Rock River Arms varmint A4. I bought it through AR15Sales.com, which is Legal Transfers up in NH. He gave me about 10% off list, shipped. Now I just have to wait for it to be built.

ETA: $600 to my door. Heavy 24" bull barrel, floating handguard, etc. My first AR is going to come in well under $1k.
 
LMT is another good one, Noveske if you can afford it. White Oak if you're looking for accuracy.

You could always build your own. You have stripped uppers now, right? [grin]
 
Without knowing what you want to use it for, it is tough to make suggestions.

do you want something light weight, flat top, ready for high power, etc?
 
I used a BCM upper receiver + 16" midlength 1:7. I then picked out the handguard, BCG and charging handle + some handguard accessories. All was said and done it came out to around $850-900. I'm real happy with it, it groups tight and handles well, and many consider BCM top notch. Having said that, I'd kind of like to try a dirt cheap complete upper if nothing else than for comparisons sake.
 
For now, it would just be a range 'plinker', maybe a tacticool HD gun, maybe like to get into shooting competition someday. Really, I have no idea. It's my 1st AR, and I am learning all about them as I go.

I want something to last a long time too. I don't want a $300 rifle that's a POS and lasts 6 months.
 
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ToddDubya said:
I just ordered my first upper yesterday, a Rock River Arms varmint A4. I bought it through AR15Sales.com, which is Legal Transfers up in NH. He gave me about 10% off list, shipped. Now I just have to wait for it to be built.

ETA: $600 to my door. Heavy 24" bull barrel, floating handguard, etc. My first AR is going to come in well under $1k.
Click to expand...

I have the same 24" RRA upper; You are going to like it.
 
If you want versatility, that just means you get to build more AR's to fit your needs [smile]

For a basic plinker I would say stick with something 16" as you won't have to worry about any legal issues with a 14.5" with pinned brake (which IS legal, just have to make sure it measures up correctly since brakes are all different sizes). I built my upper from an AWS stripped upper, BCM bolt carrier group, and White Oak Armament 16" barrel. After various goodies like handguard, muzzle brake, etc... I am into it for about $800 not including cost to pin it or shipping or anything. If you can buy a complete one that already has the brake pinned, that is pretty handy. I would definitely recommend BCM, Daniel Defense, LMT, Rainier Arms, etc. All great brands.
 
Ok thanks guys. Yeah I was thinking either 16" or 18". As far as all the other goodies you can add or buy it with, that's when I get confused. [laugh]
 
Marcus99 said:
I used a BCM upper receiver + 16" midlength 1:7. I then picked out the handguard, BCG and charging handle + some handguard accessories. All was said and done it came out to around $850-900. I'm real happy with it, it groups tight and handles well, and many consider BCM top notch. Having said that, I'd kind of like to try a dirt cheap complete upper if nothing else than for comparisons sake.
Click to expand...
+1 When I buy my upper, this is the route I'm going: BCM 16" Midlength, cold hammer forged barrel and BCM fa bcg. I've got some cheap M4 style mid length hands guard for it. When I have the money I'll switch to a tacticool rail system.
 
If you plan to compete with it, or at least join hp matches, theres a few things you need to decide now.

you can't have a compensator or muzzle brake on the end of it (and comply w NRA HP regs). This wouldn't really be an issue anywhere else except here in MA where you have to pin and WELD, thus making future changes in upper configuration a pain in the *ss. You can't take the upper apart without removing the muzzle brake. So decide now.

Consider a free float hand guard now. This is also helpful for competition so you don't bend the barrel with your sling. Not required but helpful.

a barrel with at least 1:8 twist. Some might say 1:7. 20" preferred.

Basically what I'm saying is the welded muzzle brake rule complicates your future flexibility with said upper unless you don't care about cutting up your $$$ muzzle brake.

Or avoid a muzzle brake altogether and get a target crowned barrel instead.
 
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Here's a pic

10mq9l3.jpg
 
Bankjob, how do you like that butt stock? I've been thinking about the Magpul MOE Rifle Stock (fixed, not pinned) but I've heard good things about the skeleton stocks as well.
 
ToddDubya said:
Bankjob, how do you like that butt stock? I've been thinking about the Magpul MOE Rifle Stock (fixed, not pinned) but I've heard good things about the skeleton stocks as well.
Click to expand...

I like it. I have three them. Fits my shoulder well, you can use the lower rail as a grip when shooting off a bipod or rest, also not bad on a cold day.
 
Among the not yet mentioned, I like the Colt and you can now find complete uppers out there.

These guys still have SOCOM IIs in stock. And I believe they can pin and weld a brake to make it MA legal (I have pre, so I didn't ask when I purchased one). I found a few others with complete Colt uppers out there, but these guys seemed to have the best price.
http://www.ratworxusa.com/pagDetail.aspx?SKU=Colt-SocomII-Upper
 
canislupy said:
Among the not yet mentioned, I like the Colt and you can now find complete uppers out there.

These guys still have SOCOM IIs in stock. And I believe they can pin and weld a brake to make it MA legal (I have pre, so I didn't ask when I purchased one). I found a few others with complete Colt uppers out there, but these guys seemed to have the best price.
http://www.ratworxusa.com/pagDetail.aspx?SKU=Colt-SocomII-Upper
Click to expand...

A take off socom upper with a 16" barrel? Skeptical...
 
Skeptical of it being a real Colt?

ea_colt_sf.JPG


Not the SOCOM II, but I got the SOCOM I (from RatWorx) which they now are out of stock of. Every last piece is Colt stamped. This is the real deal. I can provide better pics... that was quick iPhone snap... This is the LE6920 model upper, as I understand, the SOCOM II was limited run with DD rail. RatWorx sells Colt lowers off of the (formerly) complete rifles.

jasons said:
A take off socom upper with a 16" barrel? Skeptical...
Click to expand...
 
I recently built an upper from scratch. Mostly I used Yankee Hill parts. I really like the build quality they provide.

But as Jasons said, White Oak Armament barrels are da bomb. Get one with a matched bolt and you'll be astonished at the accuracy.

I'm getting ready to build two more AR's from scratch, a carbine and a target rifle. The carbine will use the Ace stock. It is light and comfortable. The rifle length will use a Magpul PRS. And both of them will use Yankee Hill parts and a White Oak barrel and matching bolt.

Damn... I want to start building now! It's fun to see your work come together.

Good luck,

Rich

p.s. I also bought a Spike's complete upper on sale a while back and it has served me well. I used it while getting my other uppers built.

p.s.s. IMHO the three things that make my target rifle so damn accurate... the Magpul PRS stock, Rock River Match trigger and White Oak 20" barrel. I may go 24" next time for S&G's, but I really doubt it will make that much difference in my accuracy. But those three components make for a comfortable and reproducible shooting experience.
 
jasons said:
LMT is another good one, Noveske if you can afford it. White Oak if you're looking for accuracy.

You could always build your own. You have stripped uppers now, right? [grin]
Click to expand...


+1 on the White Oak Armament barrell. I have an 18" WOA barrell that was built up with a YHM upper and Todd Jarrett rifle length free float, shoots lights out. Theres a guy on gunbroker that built it, Dayton Sports, spoke to him on the phone befrore I purchased it, did a great job.
 
There are loads of good companies out there, several of which have been mentioned.

I'll say I love my Rock River Arms upper. I got the Predator Pursuit 20". 1:8 twist stainless barrel (made by Wilson Combat for RRA). .223 Wylde chamber. Target crown (no threaded muzzle issues). 3/4" groups at 100 yards. The quality is amazing.

At the time I ordered mine they had a special free upgrade to chromed bolt carrier group ($60 value). Now that I've got it I'd pay to get it again if they weren't running the special. The bolt carrier is a thing of beauty. I paid to upgrade to the BCM Gunfighter charging handle, and think it was money well-spent. Most target/plinking ammo is 55 gr, so don't spend "extra" to get a 1:7 twist barrel, which is best for the 69-77 grain stuff that nobody really uses. 1:8 or 1:9 is good for most weekend warriors or basic three-gun.

Rock River has a variety of complete uppers from basic operator A2, to all kinds of whizbang rails and such. It really does depend on what you want to use it for. I went for "accurate target/hunting" rifle knowing I was using a scope, versus something more "tacticool" with plenty of rail space for red dot sights and back-up irons, lights, vertical fore-grips, etc.

Here's their link to .223/5.56mm uppers:

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=200
 
I was poking around on the Windham Weaponry site and saw this: http://www.windhamweaponry.com/shopexd.asp?id=183. I think I'd prefer just a crowned barrel, but they offer ban compliant compensated options so I started looking a little closer.

Does anyone have any experience with the A2 birdcage style muzzle device? Is it just for show?

And is it just me or is the taper pinned gas block just asking to work its way loose?

KIT-BA16M4FT-PB.jpg
 
ToddDubya said:
I was poking around on the Windham Weaponry site and saw this: http://www.windhamweaponry.com/shopexd.asp?id=183. I think I'd prefer just a crowned barrel, but they offer ban compliant compensated options so I started looking a little closer.

Does anyone have any experience with the A2 birdcage style muzzle device? Is it just for show?

And is it just me or is the taper pinned gas block just asking to work its way loose?
Click to expand...

Yes the birdcage is basically just for show, no the taper pins are not going to back out. (They are a HUGE pain in the ass to remove when you want to.)
 
Stay away from DSA. Ya know the 4 biggest lies right?, The check is in the mail, yes I am on the pill, no new taxes and only 4 to 6 weeks for shipping. I know a guy who has been waiting 4 months for his upper from them. Which sucks because I always had good luck with them a few years ago but since they have a s-load of gooberment contracts now they dont give a hoot about little guys. The prices they have are great, but you never get your parts.
 

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