...AR upper

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pturner67

New member
hope everyone had a great Christmas

I have a Spikes Tactical AR-15 mid-length...16" 1:7 twist...mil-spec

I'm looking to buy a 20" upper...all black...mil-spec...plug and play...something simple where I can mount my scope and go play...something very reliable...my Spikes has had zero malfunctions in the thousands of rounds I have fired

I have read some on flat tops...I've seen online the 20" 1:8 Bushmaster Predator Upper Receiver/Barrel Assembly for $775...I like the look but it doesn't mention mil-spec. The reason I bring up mil-spec is because I am told that mil-spec fits mil-spec without any issues. Not sure if that's correct but thought I would bring it up.

anyone have some suggestions?

thanks!
 
As long as it's not an older Colt upper receiver, it will fit your Spikes lower fine.

In reference to an upper receiver, mil-spec versus not would really only apply to the bolt carrier group, which could be quickly and easily swapped out if you desired.
 
it'll fit your spikes just fine. mil spec or not, the only ones you need to look out for are the really cheap budget uppers. bushmaster doesn't mention that they are milspec because they aren't. they are exactly the same as DMPS. DPMS being a lower end manufacturer doesn't even hide that most of their stuff is not milspec because they are still cheap enough that people will buy them knowing the difference. bushmaster and remingtons are the exact same guns but just by restamping them they apparently gain a few hundred dollars value. I like DPMS myself but I would never buy a remington or bushmaster for the simple reason that I can get the same gun only cheaper from DPMS.


mil spec is not everything. you can buy milspec from a company that cuts corners and it's still going to be a piece of junk. likewise you can get non milspec from a good company and it'll last you a long time.
 
Thanks guys.

If you had $750 to burn and were looking at 20" complete AR-15 uppers (assuming mil-spec doesn't matter), which would be your pick?

I ask because I am fairly new to the AR and I respect the experience many of you guys have on TFL

It's kinda funny you mentioned steering clear of Bushmaster. I just called one of the local gun shops and asked him what 20" upper he would use. With no hesitation, he said the Bushmaster Predator and said he could get it to me for $600. Better than the $775 listed on the Bushmaster site. I assume it's because he sells Bushmaster.

I will check out JSE Surplus, Palmetto State, BCM, and DPMS.

Just checking the sites out quickly, looks like I can get a DPMS 20" HBar Moly 1:9 Flat Top Upper Complete for $415....or a Palmetto State Armory 20" 1:7 5.56 Hammer Forged, Chrome-Lined MP Upper for $459
 
hey uncle malice, BCM Standard 20" Upper Receiver Group w/ Midwest Industries SS-15" Handguard...have you used one? looks vicious and got a response from Spikes with a recommendation
 
I have not use a BCM 20", because I prefer 16" or less... but a BCM wityh a midwest rail would be pretty perfect.

When I build my next AR, it will be all BCM and I plan to use either a Midwest or Samson rail. I have several Samson's and they are great. Price is similar to Midwest, so it just depends on what they have available at the time.



I wouldn't hesitate to recommend anything with BCM's name on it though. Here's a video clip from BCM: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150434894994724
 
I know this is not what you are asking but, Palmetto state has stripped uppers on sale for $49.00 right now. The forward assist and ejection port cover will cost you another $20. Gas block of your choice $25-$100, gas tube $11.00. Really nice barrel $250 (or less). Flash suppressor (if you choose to use one) $4-$50 roughly, tools to put it together $65.00. Your talking less than $500 and that's for everything exactly to your choosing. It will take you about 30 minutes to an hour to put it together and you will have $250 left for scope or ammo or whatever and you can have the bragging rights of saying you built it yourself. Wait, I left out handguards, Magpul MOE about $29.00. Good luck with what ever you decide.

And just to let you know (for those who are living in the past) Bushmaster is completely Milspec. Either that or they do a lot of false advertising.
 
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I know this is not what you are asking but, Palmetto state has stripped uppers on sale for $49.00 right now. The forward assist and ejection port cover will cost you another $20. Gas block of your choice $25-$100, gas tube $11.00. Really nice barrel $250 (or less). Flash suppressor (if you choose to use one) $4-$50 roughly, tools to put it together $65.00. Your talking less than $500 and that's for everything exactly to your choosing. It will take you about 30 minutes to an hour to put it together and you will have $250 left for scope or ammo or whatever and you can have the bragging rights of saying you built it yourself. Wait, I left out handguards, Magpul MOE about $29.00. Good luck with what ever you decide.

And just to let you know (for those who are living in the past) Bushmaster is completely Milspec. Either that or they do a lot of false advertising.
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thanks slappy...definitely an option...and, I've never actually built a rifle...so, it would be good experience
 
It's a whole lot easier than you would think and there are plenty of videos on you tube to guide you through it and plenty of people here that would be happy to help, myself included.
 
Just realized I left out the BCG (bolt carrier group) and charging handle. You can swap it between uppers or buy one for around $100 on up.
 
I would definitely recommend the Palmetto state upper. it is almost completely FN Herstal parts(the primary maker of M16s now) so it's about as mil spec as you can get. I didn't necessarily say to stay away from Bushmaster, I was just saying that a DPMS upper would be the exact same thing but more than likely save you a few pesos.
 
And just to let you know (for those who are living in the past) Bushmaster is completely Milspec. Either that or they do a lot of false advertising.
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Wasn't aware they were selling select-fire trigger groups on their rifles.
 
Just realized I left out the BCG (bolt carrier group) and charging handle. You can swap it between uppers or buy one for around $100 on up.
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thanks...I would just get another bcg and charging handle
 
I would definitely recommend the Palmetto state upper. it is almost completely FN Herstal parts(the primary maker of M16s now) so it's about as mil spec as you can get. I didn't necessarily say to stay away from Bushmaster, I was just saying that a DPMS upper would be the exact same thing but more than likely save you a few pesos.
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ok cool thanks...researching tonight
 
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