New AR-15 Upper - The Firearms Forum

JohnBrainard · 05-07-2010, 01:30 PM

I'm pretty sure I want a new upper receiver for my AR-15. I have a Bushmaster Predator that's a lot of fun to shoot, but I want something lighter and balanced better. I'd like something with a 16" barrel, rails on the hand guard and a carry handle or some sort of iron sights. I'd prefer to buy one already built that I can just pin to the lower I already have.

I'd like the Bushmaster Gas Piston upper, but I can't spend that much money on it.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Helix_FR · 05-07-2010, 01:43 PM

then you want this

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=843983

It really depends on how much you want to spend. DPMS has a gazillion of variations to their uppers and are on the lower end of cost. YHM, Daniel Defense and Sabre are middle of the road. I don't think you could go wrong with any of them.

LDBennett · 05-07-2010, 01:51 PM

I have an American Spirit Arms upper that has worked out really well for me. You may want to look at their uppers. Mine is a varmint version with match barrel but they make what you are looking for:

http://www.americanspiritarms.com/ca...blies-2-1.html

Remember the uppers are not BATF controlled and you can order them off the internet with no dealer involvement, at least here in CA, which is one of the most gun controlled states (but apparently not the worst, yet). Most of the upper are Mil Spec and should easily fit any Mil Spec lower. My ASA upper has been on two different relatively unknown lowers and fit and functioned perfectly.

LDBennett

JohnBrainard · 05-07-2010, 02:21 PM

The American Spirit Arms upper is more along the lines of what I'm looking for. The handguard on the Yankee Hill one are way too long. I like this:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=316070

Helix_FR · 05-07-2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnBrainard

The American Spirit Arms upper is more along the lines of what I'm looking for. The handguard on the Yankee Hill one are way too long. I like this:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=316070

ah, then you can go to the shorter version
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=318347

JohnBrainard · 05-07-2010, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helix_FR

ah, then you can go to the shorter version
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=318347

Ah yes!

I went digging around Midway after I responded and found that. The price is a bit high, though. It'd be nice to keep it around $500 to $600. I may reconsider if they're that much better, though.

Helix_FR · 05-07-2010, 03:48 PM

honestly I don't think that they are better, they just look cooler

Plus they are on back order. The arrival dates are total BS on that site. There was a upper that I was going to order back in February. Every day I checked the arrival date was one day later. And now as I can see, they still don't have it. Glad I built mine piece by piece.

JohnBrainard · 05-07-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helix_FR

honestly I don't think that they are better, they just look cooler

Plus they are on back order. The arrival dates are total BS on that site. There was a upper that I was going to order back in February. Every day I checked the arrival date was one day later. And now as I can see, they still don't have it. Glad I built mine piece by piece.

That's good to know then! I don't want to spend the extra money if they really aren't any better. I can update the appearance over time. I really just want the basic, completed upper receiver. I'll definitely put the guards on the rails, though. They look better to me and they're probably a lot more comfortable.

Now I gotta get my wife to give me the funds for this!

Bobitis · 05-07-2010, 06:23 PM

Build your own for a nice price.
Simple to build with minimal tools. Just make sure in a small enclosed area when you install those pesky little springs.

http://www.del-ton.com/

JohnBrainard · 05-07-2010, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobitis

Build your own for a nice price.
Simple to build with minimal tools. Just make sure in a small enclosed area when you install those pesky little springs.

http://www.del-ton.com/

I suppose that's a possibility. I do already have a complete upper that I could look at for reference. I might have to consider that if it'll save enough.

gdmoody · 05-08-2010, 12:09 AM

I was going to suggest del-ton but Bob beat me to it. I bought a complete upper from them a couple of years ago at a fairly good price. I am thinking about building another AR and will probably use their uppers again if it do.

05-07-2010, 01:30 PM	#1
JohnBrainard Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 505	New AR-15 Upper I'm pretty sure I want a new upper receiver for my AR-15. I have a Bushmaster Predator that's a lot of fun to shoot, but I want something lighter and balanced better. I'd like something with a 16" barrel, rails on the hand guard and a carry handle or some sort of iron sights. I'd prefer to buy one already built that I can just pin to the lower I already have. I'd like the Bushmaster Gas Piston upper, but I can't spend that much money on it. Any thoughts or suggestions? __________________ BrainardPhotography.com FretboardStudio.com -->

05-07-2010, 01:43 PM	#2
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,617	Re: New AR-15 Upper then you want this http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=843983 It really depends on how much you want to spend. DPMS has a gazillion of variations to their uppers and are on the lower end of cost. YHM, Daniel Defense and Sabre are middle of the road. I don't think you could go wrong with any of them. __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

05-07-2010, 01:51 PM	#3
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,710	Re: New AR-15 Upper I have an American Spirit Arms upper that has worked out really well for me. You may want to look at their uppers. Mine is a varmint version with match barrel but they make what you are looking for: http://www.americanspiritarms.com/ca...blies-2-1.html Remember the uppers are not BATF controlled and you can order them off the internet with no dealer involvement, at least here in CA, which is one of the most gun controlled states (but apparently not the worst, yet). Most of the upper are Mil Spec and should easily fit any Mil Spec lower. My ASA upper has been on two different relatively unknown lowers and fit and functioned perfectly. LDBennett

05-07-2010, 02:21 PM	#4
JohnBrainard Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 505	Re: New AR-15 Upper The American Spirit Arms upper is more along the lines of what I'm looking for. The handguard on the Yankee Hill one are way too long. I like this: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=316070 __________________ BrainardPhotography.com FretboardStudio.com

05-07-2010, 03:48 PM	#7
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,617	Re: New AR-15 Upper honestly I don't think that they are better, they just look cooler Plus they are on back order. The arrival dates are total BS on that site. There was a upper that I was going to order back in February. Every day I checked the arrival date was one day later. And now as I can see, they still don't have it. Glad I built mine piece by piece. __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

05-07-2010, 06:23 PM	#9
Bobitis Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6,612	Re: New AR-15 Upper Build your own for a nice price. Simple to build with minimal tools. Just make sure in a small enclosed area when you install those pesky little springs. http://www.del-ton.com/ __________________ ^.^ A point in every direction is the same as having no point at all

05-08-2010, 12:09 AM	#11
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,306	Re: New AR-15 Upper I was going to suggest del-ton but Bob beat me to it. I bought a complete upper from them a couple of years ago at a fairly good price. I am thinking about building another AR and will probably use their uppers again if it do. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)