Radical Firearms?

[BSA1]

I have been considering building a more lightweight AR using a 14.5" barrel. Since I do not want to go the NFA SBR route this means it will need a long flash hider to get me past 16". Short story is I have pretty much decided it is not worth the effort.

As a result I have been looking at various AR pistols and builds. Given how proud some companies are of their pistol uppers doing my own build is within my skills as. D-Y-I is appealing to me as I can pick and choose my parts and probably get a better quality upper for less money.

However I have ran across a company named Radical Firearms. I have found their AR pistol uppers for $300.00 +/- without BCG. (Actually I can get it cheaper with a dealer discount but I digress). While I have not put a pen and paper to the actual cost of doing a similar build the cost of the Radical Firearms has me interested in it.

I am looking for comments about the quality of their parts and how well their uppers function.

Any comments will be appreciated.

p.s. This pistol is going to be in .223.

 

[FL-NC]

Check against prices for palmetto state armory and Anderson. Can't speak for Radical, but I know PSA & Anderson sell quality stuff at reasonable prices.

 

[badkarmamib]

I have mentioned here before that I used one of their 5.56 10.5" barrels in a pistol build, excellent fit, finish, and function. A buddy used one of their .300 AAC upper assemblies for a woods gun, got a deer with it this past season, and is very happy with it. AFAIK, all of their barrels are nitride (plus), and most of their builds come free-floated. I would recommend them for anything short of a competition gun, without hesitation.

 

[BSA1]

I have mentioned here before that I used one of their 5.56 10.5" barrels in a pistol build, excellent fit, finish, and function. A buddy used one of their .300 AAC upper assemblies for a woods gun, got a deer with it this past season, and is very happy with it. AFAIK, all of their barrels are nitride (plus), and most of their builds come free-floated. I would recommend them for anything short of a competition gun, without hesitation.

Thanks.

The price is low enough that I may go with it rather than building my own. (I will still build my own lower).

p.s. What do you think of their M4 Hybrid Rail?

 

[maxxhavoc]

Classic Firearms is running a sale on AR barrels. I ended up buying a 10.5" from them for less than $60.

https://www.classicfirearms.com/accessories/?cat=46

Might help in the "build" category.

 

[Armored farmer]

I built a 10.5 inch AR pistol in .223 with Anderson parts. It has functioned perfectly since the first shot. I also have a .22lr conversion kit for it, and it has yet to miss a beat.
I am very pleased with the whole pkg.

No experience with Radical.

 

[BSA1]

I built a 10.5 inch AR pistol in .223 with Anderson parts. It has functioned perfectly since the first shot. I also have a .22lr conversion kit for it, and it has yet to miss a beat.
I am very pleased with the whole pkg.

No experience with Radical.

If I do my own build my preferred upper is a Anderson slick side as I consider the forward assist and dust cover unnecessary on a handgun and it makes a nicer looking gun imho.

The low price of Radical Firearms is just giving something to consider.

 

[Armored farmer]

If I do my own build my preferred upper is a Anderson slick side as I consider the forward assist and dust cover unnecessary on a handgun and it makes a nicer looking gun imho.

The low price of Radical Firearms is just giving something to consider.

Im interested to see how light you get it. My only regret on mine is the weight. It's pretty heavy for one hand.

 

[Mayvik]

Radical is OK in my experience, but have only put a couple hundred rounds through mine. Bought the upper to be a steel case blaster.

Concur on Palmetto...good ARs for dirt cheap, I would expect you'll get a full basic upper for 250 or maybe less for Mem Day sales.

 

[BSA1]

Heck Brownells has this Radical Firearms Upper with 10.5" barrel for only $240.00 regular price. For just a basic build I think it is a hard to beat price.

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...receiver-assembly-10-5-5-56-m4-prod96090.aspx

I have been doing a lot of comparison shopping of Upper Receivers and R.F. is a top choice for $ 300.00 and less.

 

[BSA1]

Im interested to see how light you get it. My only regret on mine is the weight. It's pretty heavy for one hand. View attachment 235128

The math is a bit interesting;

An Aero Precision upper receiver with forward assist and dust cover weighs 8.35 oz.

An Aero Precision upper receiver with no forward assist and without dust cover weighs 6.5 oz. It has brass deflector and can have a dust cover attached.

A slick side Anderson upper receiver (no forward assist, no brass deflector and no dust cover) weighs 6.88 oz. (.430 lbs).

So the slick side Anderson weighs slightly more than the Aero without a forward assist.

(Weights are from manufacturer specs).