5.56 Complete upper recommendations?

R

rizbunk77

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Joined
Nov 25, 2005
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Thinking about picking up an all purpose AR15 upper. Where would you buy?
Here are the specs I am looking for:
16-18" barrel , stainless, or nitride, or chromed
I/8 or 1/9 twist. I dont want to get into a discussion on twist rates.
Flat top, m4 feedramps.
Lightweight or straight barrel contour, no HBAR.
Midlength gas.
Looking for best unit with these specs for the money. Where would you look? Links? Thank you!!
Really thats about it, I just want the most quality for the price
Keyword: Price
 
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I discovered a long time ago that with most people quality and price are somewhat subjective. As we have no idea what you consider quality or what your price range is that would be hard to answer.
Take me for example, I have multiple Bear Creek Arsenal builds and have no problems with them, their "quality" is good by me. They're budget guns and they typically use heave barrels but I don't mind and a plus in my mind is their patented side charging system. They even make a double charging (side and rear) if that's your thing.
That said there are numerous people who would completely disagree with me and consider only the very expensive, high end rifles to be the best money for quality trade off.
 
I would suggest Palmetto as well. I just bought one of their kits... everything but the lower. I thought it would come in parts, for me to assemble, but the upper came completely assembled. Now that I know where the weak points are to look for, I checked the assembled upper... and it was spot on.

No matter who's upper you buy... you need to go over it and make sure it was assembled correctly. I just checked a DPMS upper I got back from my brother... the barrel nut was on hand tight! I didn't even have to hit it with a wrench to unscrew it.
 
For anybody with hesitation and doubts about PSA quality, I would direct you to the Military Arms Channel (youtube) and check out his factory tour video. They are building everything in house and have some of the strictest and state of the art quality control programs in the country.

I don't know about PSA's from 10 years ago, or even 5 for that matter. I've never had any trouble with mine and have gotten better quality than I believe I even paid for but it would seem they have really stepped up their game in the quality, accuracy, availability/selections. I'm certain you could find an offering from them that would suit your needs and they ship quickly.

If not PSA, I recommend BCM....
 
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Bear Creek Arsenal
www.bearcreekarsenal.com
I’ve used 3 of their 5.56 complete uppers for builds and had no issues
I believe I paid $230 delivered for the complete 16” 5.56
First time sign up for text alerts saves 10% on your 1st order, which offsets shipping $
 
DustyGmt said:
For anybody with hesitation and doubts about PSA quality, I would direct you to the Military Arms Channel (youtube) and check out his factory tour video. They are building everything in house and have some of the strictest and state of the art quality control programs in the country.

I don't know about PSA's from 10 years ago, or even 5 for that matter. I've never had any trouble with mine and have gotten better quality than I believe I even paid for but it would seem they have really stepped up their game in the quality, accuracy, availability/selections. I'm certain you could find an offering from them that would suit your needs and they ship quickly.

If not PSA, I recommend BCM....
Click to expand...
I've used their stuff..100% on builds. I've also used Anderson, both stripped upper and lower, BCM upper and lower...

Just got a Gizellle stripped upper and lower for my next build.

If they didn't have the stamp on the side...you cannot tell the difference between the PSA...Anderson... BCM..or even a Colt (built one from a stripped lower)..the Gazelle has a darker finish..but outside that..it looks the same as well.

Nothing in the world wrong with PSA. The BCM and Gazelle costs over twice as much...
In fact..I've never had a problem with a single PSA part..ever. Their barrels are OK..not fantastic..but not bad either.
I don't use their barrels on builds anymore. Just too many other options that you know are better..for just a little bit more money..but still..PSA barrels are more accurate than most average shooters, will last Long enough for anyone outside a full time operator..

PSA get a lot of unwarranted hate.

I
 
Megawatt maker said:
I've used their stuff..100% on builds. I've also used Anderson, both stripped upper and lower, BCM upper and lower...

Just got a Gizellle stripped upper and lower for my next build.

If they didn't have the stamp on the side...you cannot tell the difference between the PSA...Anderson... BCM..or even a Colt (built one from a stripped lower)..the Gazelle has a darker finish..but outside that..it looks the same as well.

Nothing in the world wrong with PSA. The BCM and Gazelle costs over twice as much...
In fact..I've never had a problem with a single PSA part..ever. Their barrels are OK..not fantastic..but not bad either.
I don't use their barrels on builds anymore. Just too many other options that you know are better..for just a little bit more money..but still..PSA barrels are more accurate than most average shooters, will last Long enough for anyone outside a full time operator..

PSA get a lot of unwarranted hate.

I
Click to expand...
I would probably have to agree on barrels, at least on their older barrels and their contract overrun FN bbls. Nothing special there, but from what I understand they have some "new" secret proprietary method for making their own barrels and they are supposedly very accurate. Don't quote me but they may even guarantee 1moa or better IIRC.

But I will say, I am very pleased with my 10.5" PSA bbl bought 2 years ago. It's lights out accurate. I'm also very happy with the BCM ELW as well.
 
JeeperCreeper said:
Midwest industries is another one to look at

But personally, I would build my own
Click to expand...
Their handguards are really nice! I have a SP15M on my 223Wylde DMR... I was going to use their Quad Rail, but it would not clear my adjustable .936 gas block so I retuned it and got this one instead.
 
270OKIE said:
Their handguards are really nice! I have a SP15M on my 223Wylde DMR... I was going to use their Quad Rail, but it would not clear my adjustable .936 gas block so I retuned it and got this one instead.
Click to expand...
Midwest makes a larger handguard to accommodate. 936 gas blocks. Got one on my Balstic Advatage heavy barrel. Has plenty of clearance
 
Megawatt maker said:
Midwest makes a larger handguard to accommodate. 936 gas blocks. Got one on my Balstic Advatage heavy barrel. Has plenty of clearance
Click to expand...
Hmm, I couldn't find one that was obviously big enough inside on Midway USAs website so I picked that one as it was obviously going to clear with just a bit of room to spare.
 
270OKIE said:
Hmm, I couldn't find one that was obviously big enough inside on Midway USAs website so I picked that one as it was obviously going to clear with just a bit of room to spare.
Click to expand...
I got it from Midwest themselves. I didn't find it on Midway either. Midwest website much more informative
 
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