Opinions about flattop uppers

[RobMa]

I am curious to everyone's opinions about stand-alone flattop uppers that are of good quality.

I prefer BCM due to their thermal fit, but they are never available outside buying a complete upper assembly and then they have the logos on them, and I am not a big fan of logos...
I have looked into many posts about uppers, but the responses are either "they are awesome" or "they are garbage" without any real reflection.

Any thoughts on a quality non-logoed flattop upper receiver?

Thanks

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[Stomper]

They're all made by the same few forges, then sold to various vendors who then may custom finish them and then put their roll mark on them…..

Luis Viton, Dolce Gabanna, Prada…. It's all Chinesium…. In other words, you're paying for a label.


I don't buy for labels.

 

[Pepe-lepew]

Aero uppers have true faces. They are good quality and fairly priced.

 

[osprey]

What is your concern exactly? I have put together many from low to high end and never a problem with any. I think the chances of getting one out of spec are less with higher end because of better qc processes in place in most cases. Other than that I don't know that there are any huge differences.

Edit; Higher end sometimes have more durable finishes on them.

 

[osprey]

Aero uppers have true faces. They are good quality and fairly priced.

Aero is my house brand!

 

[Pepe-lepew]

I have had problems with take down pin spacing and upper to lower fit interference with cheaper uppers.

 

[RobMa]

Aero uppers have true faces. They are good quality and fairly priced.

True faces?

 

[osprey]

True faces?

Barrel mating interface perfectly perpendicular to long axis of upper?

 

[RobMa]

Oh I see, I just never heard it stays that way.

 

[Ura-Ki]

@Stomper is correct, only a few companies doing the Forgings, so your choices are really between those few and the quality of the finish. STAG arms are one of the bigger Forging outfits, so most your going to run across are theirs, finished by the local "Name Here" outfits and charged accordingly!
Try NoDak Spud for your receivers if you want true generic with top quality, they tend to be back ordered a lot, but if you get in, they can be worth the wait!
I used to recommend TNTE, but with recent issues in their build lead times and lack of communication, I caution folks to think about it before dealing with them!

 

[3MTA3]

@Stomper is correct, only a few companies doing the Forgings, so your choices are really between those few and the quality of the finish. STAG arms are one of the bigger Forging outfits, so most your going to run across are theirs, finished by the local "Name Here" outfits and charged accordingly!
Try NoDak Spud for your receivers if you want true generic with top quality, they tend to be back ordered a lot, but if you get in, they can be worth the wait!
I used to recommend TNTE, but with recent issues in their build lead times and lack of communication, I caution folks to think about it before dealing with them!

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Looks like they have been bought by JJE and are going to be sold under a one of their companies.

From the uppers and lowers I've used (haven't used all brands) Aero gets my vote and Ruger is as tight a fit as you can get. You can get nekkid Ruger lowers and don't know about the uppers. Honestly haven't been disappointed in any of them though my sole PSA uppe4r shows the barest amount of light where it mates to a non PSA lower.

 

[Diamondback]

Home Page

Looks like they have been bought by JJE and are going to be sold under a one of their companies.

From the uppers and lowers I've used (haven't used all brands) Aero gets my vote and Ruger is as tight a fit as you can get. You can get nekkid Ruger lowers and don't know about the uppers. Honestly haven't been disappointed in any of them though my sole PSA uppe4r shows the barest amount of light where it mates to a non PSA lower.

Worth noting that JJE bought NoDakSpud *specifically* to use them as the backbone of the new H&R under Mike's leadership--what it sounded like from Harlan before he retired, if PSA is Toyota H&R is going to be their Lexus, better craftsmanship and higher standards.

I think Damage Industries had a sale on assembled no-barrel uppers recently, and Aero's worth supporting both as good "value" parts and for being the Home Team on trying to fight the Californication of our gun laws alongside Dan at Sporting Systems and Dana at Black Hammer.

 

[TTSX]

Using house brand uppers, I've found some fit inconsistency where my reaction rods will for loosely or too tightly. Couldn't begin to tell you who actually made them. Aero have always worked for me but I've never gotten that perfect matched set where the pins pop in and out easily with little to no slop between receiver halves. My experience is that you're paying a premium for quality control and consistency with many "house" or "budget" brands being made up of the higher end's rejects

 

[monkeybutler]

There are only so many forgers of standard uppers but the ultimate result is not the same across them. Machining tolerances count. Pay more and you are likely to have less sloppy and/or difficult fits. Buy an Anderson and it will work fine, it just won't fit as perfectly as a Mega or Rainier upper (which I think are made by MEGA/Zev).

 

[RobMa]

Kinda had my outs with Aero so I am jaded... I was thinking about LMT but they have their goofy logo on their receivers, are a ton of money and I cannot justify the cost..

 

[Richo877]

PSA is probably the best value. I also like Aero's quality for price point, but if you're burnt by their customer service or some other reason to go astray, PSA is a good fit and finish. They're forged by Brass Aluminum Forging Enterprises who also supplies for DD and the like.

 

[Richo877]

Wilson combat is also forged by BAFE. Palmetto's website says they're out of stock of their own, but they've got a wilson listed about $75.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/wilson-combat-223-rem-5-56-upper-receiver-for-ar-15-style-rifle-hardcoat-anodized-black-tr-upper.html