AR Upper Suggestions

[JustSomeGuy]

Last week I came across a complete lower in one of my safes that I completely forgot I had. It's nothing fancy, just a Spike' s lower, Geissele Hi-Speed National Match trigger with mil-spec collapsible stock, tube, buffer and spring.

I've been kicking around what I should do for an upper, but have only reached 3 conclusions:

1. I really don't want to futz around building
another upper from scratch, so I need
something that's ready to roll right out of
the box.
2. I'm not married to 5.56/.223. I have those
as well as other calibers, so I'm ok with any
caliber suggestions as long as it's
centerfire.
3. I'm old and cheap, so I want to keep this in
the 750-800 dollar range.

As far as use goes, it's probably going to spend the majority of the rest of my life sitting in the safe next to all of the other evil black boom sticks I own. So, my daughter will have to figure it out after I go boots up.

Suggestions anyone?

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[Dwesson]

I would get this:

PSA 12" Carbine-Length 6.5 Grendel 1/8 Stainless Steel 10" Lightweight M-Lok Upper - With BCG & CH - 5165449009

Use the rest on optics , mags and ammo.

You can get Wolf 6.5 ammo for cheap. The Grendel reaches out and those PSA uppers are surprisingly accurate for the price.

Edit to Add: Only if you have other bases covered.

 

[Member 34319]

Dude, there are a collective crap ton of options within your given guidelines.

So with that said here is my random recommendation.




Radical Firearms 16 in. 12.7x42 MHR Upper Assembly with 10rd mag

 

[Dwesson]

Another option is a big boomer (450 Bushmaster, 458 SOCOM, 50 Beowulf but your daughter may not like the higher recoil stuff if the intention is she keep it after you are gone.

 

[JustSomeGuy]

Dude, there are a collective crap ton of options within your given guidelines.

So with that said here is my random recommendation.


View attachment 586891

Radical Firearms 16 in. 12.7x42 MHR Upper Assembly with 10rd mag

The collective crap ton of options is why I'm asking for suggestions...

 

[Member 34319]

The collective crap ton of options is why I'm asking for suggestions...

Touché!

 

[Dwesson]

Is your budget inclusive of optics?

 

[JustSomeGuy]

Another option is a big boomer (450 Bushmaster, 458 SOCOM, 50 Beowulf but your daughter may not like the higher recoil stuff if the intention is she keep it after you are gone.

She's a ranch girl (woman) and is less recoil shy than most of the men I know...

 

[JustSomeGuy]

Is your budget inclusive of optics?

Nope. I've got unmounted optics aplenty.

 

[Kruel J]

PSA or Radical have offerings that leave money left for goodies. BCA usually does too, although they have been having some issues lately I guess?

 

[Dwesson]

Nope. I've got unmounted optics aplenty.

In that case I would increase the upper/barrel quality from either PSA or Radical (no personal experience with Radical but heard they could be hit or miss).

At that price point Seekins and Spikes complete uppers are in your ballpark. If you're willing to stretch a touch you can get a Daniel Defense upper like this one:

Grab a quote is around $870

DDM4 v11 Upper Receiver Group 5.56 / .223 Rem Daniel Defense 23-151-02197047

I do have one negative experience buying a complete Seekins 300BO upper but still think they make quality products for the most part.

Hard to narrow it down, as someone who has a handful of ARs I would somewhat-prioritize what you don't have:

1) A typical ~16" system with red dot or low power, fixed power optic
2) Something to serve a SPR role with a heavier/longer barrel ~18" with a >4-6x optic.
3) A SBR/Pistol for CQB stuff with a quality red dot/holo sight.
4) A 300BO (especially if you have a can) ~10.5"
5) A 6.5 Grendal or other higher velocity AR
6) A heavy hitter as mentioned above

 

[Kruel J]

In that case I would increase the upper/barrel quality from either PSA or Radical (no personal experience with Radical but heard they could be hit or miss).

At that price point Seekins and Spikes complete uppers are in your ballpark. If you're willing to stretch a touch you can get a Daniel Defense upper like this one:

Grab a quote is around $870

DDM4 v11 Upper Receiver Group 5.56 / .223 Rem Daniel Defense 23-151-02197047

I do have one negative experience buying a complete Seekins 300BO upper but still think they make quality products for the most part.

Hard to narrow it down, as someone who has a handful of ARs I would somewhat-prioritize what you don't have:

1) A typical ~16" system with red dot or low pro fixed power optic
2) Something to serve a SPR role with a heavier/longer barrel ~18" with a >4-6x optic.
3) A SBR/Pistol for CQB stuff
4) A 300BO (especially if you have a can) ~10.5"
5) A 6.5 Grendal or other higher velocity AR
6) A heavy hitter as mentioned above

Good points.

 

[JustSomeGuy]

In that case I would increase the upper/barrel quality from either PSA or Radical (no personal experience with Radical but heard they could be hit or miss).

At that price point Seekins and Spikes complete uppers are in your ballpark. If you're willing to stretch a touch you can get a Daniel Defense upper like this one:

Grab a quote is around $870

DDM4 v11 Upper Receiver Group 5.56 / .223 Rem Daniel Defense 23-151-02197047

I do have one negative experience buying a complete Seekins 300BO upper but still think they make quality products for the most part.

Hard to narrow it down, as someone who has a handful of ARs I would somewhat-prioritize what you don't have:

1) A typical ~16" system with red dot or low power, fixed power optic
2) Something to serve a SPR role with a heavier/longer barrel ~18" with a >4-6x optic.
3) A SBR/Pistol for CQB stuff with a quality red dot/holo sight.
4) A 300BO (especially if you have a can) ~10.5"
5) A 6.5 Grendal or other higher velocity AR
6) A heavy hitter as mentioned above

I was leaning towards a "boomer". I have 2 458's and was thinking about trying out either the 450 Bushmaster or 50 Beowulf.

 

[Kruel J]

I was leaning towards a "boomer". I have 2 458's and was thinking about trying out either the 450 Bushmaster or 50 Beowulf.

Beowulf dude! Yes!

 

[titsonritz]

PSA or Radical have offerings that leave money left for goodies. BCA usually does too, although they have been having some issues lately I guess?

Except that they are dogbubblegum, at the $750-800 range a respectable upper can be had.

My question would be...what is the intended purpose of the firearm?

A short list w/o knowing that but you mention your daughter...
Patrol Three Upper Receiver - SIONICS Weapon Systems
with an NP3 BCG

BCM BFH 14.5'' Mid Length (ENHANCED Light Weight) Upper Receiver Group w/ BCM MCMR13 Handguard

but them that G national match sort begs for...
Overwatch Upper Receiver - SIONICS Weapon Systems
same BCG

 

[Kruel J]

Except that they are dogbubblegum, at the $750-800 range a respectable upper can be had.

My question would be...what is the intended purpose of the firearm?

Yeah, I missed that he wasn't including optics and such. And I don't think they are dogbubblegum necessarily. I know lots of folks who run them with no problems. Let's be honest, the BCG is a lot more important than the upper. And the barrels from those manufacturers are generally acceptable.

 

[JustSomeGuy]

Except that they are dogbubblegum, at the $750-800 range a respectable upper can be had.

My question would be...what is the intended purpose of the firearm?

A short list w/o knowing that but you mention your daughter...
Patrol Three Upper Receiver - SIONICS Weapon Systems
with an NP3 BCG

BCM BFH 14.5'' Mid Length (ENHANCED Light Weight) Upper Receiver Group w/ BCM MCMR13 Handguard

but them that G national match sort begs for...
Overwatch Upper Receiver - SIONICS Weapon Systems
same BCG

The only intended purposes are to quit using up space in one of my safes with half a rifle, spend some money to feed my addiction to things that go boom and maybe get something new and/or different to shoot.

 

[titsonritz]

The only intended purposes are to quit using up space in one of my safes with half a rifle, spend some money to feed my addiction to things that go boom and maybe get something new and/or different to shoot.

I would take the opportunity to define a purpose and build to that purpose, but that's just me.

 

[Boboclown]

A .300 blk upper cause why not have a small .30 cal with a lot of reloading options?

 

[JustSomeGuy]

And the winner is.....

Alexander Arms
50 Beowulf® Precision - Complete Upper Assembly
.50 Beowulf® Precision Complete Upper Features:

- Flat top receiver
- 16.5" chrome moly barrel
- 1:20 twist rate
- G10 composite free-floating handguard
- Low-profile gas block
- Direct impingement operating system
- One 7-round magazine.

Went a few bucks over my limit, but hopefully it's worth it.

Thanks to everyone that chimed in