AR upper decision

[btnh6668]

Building a beater 16" AR. I am between these two. Any opinions on which way i should go?

16 Pre-Ban M4 Flat Top Chrome Lined 1/7 Twist Complete Upper Assembly

16" Pre-Ban M4 Flat Top Chrome Lined 1/7 Twist Complete Upper Assembly by DEL-TON INCORPORATED Product Overview: The Del-Ton 16" Pre-Ban M4 Flat Top Chrome Lined 1/7 Twist Complete Upper Assemblyhas a 1x7 twist, CAR handguards with single heat shields, and an A2 Flash Hider...

www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

https://www.primaryarms.com/spikes-tactical-16-st-15-m4-le-upper-receiver-5-56x45nato-stu5025-m4s?quantity=1&custcol_pco=Orphan

One is $329 and the spikes is $497. Not sure if there is much quality difference between the two. I have been hard pressed to find anyone really have bad things to say about the deltons for the price but figured id ask anyway.

 

[not new guy]

Can’t you find aero uppers in that price range? I know I recently sold one for less than that spikes.

 

[btnh6668]

Can’t you find aero uppers in that price range? I know I recently sold one for less than that spikes.

Ive seen some for $300 not chrome lined and no BCG and handle. After I buy what i need im $100 over the delton. Doesn't seem to make sense. Unless there is a sale for a complete one i just haven't seen. I will do some digging.

 

[SHOCKNAWE]

 

[SHOCKNAWE]

Palmetto State Armory has some good deals, for a cheap beater why not?

Your not looking for a go to war AR so these should fit what your looking for?

 

[DW357]

View attachment 644281

OP is in MA…

 

[greencobra]

i've seen take offs, decent "name" ones here in the classifieds for about the same price. no one wants the uppers so cheeeep, cheeeeep, sold!

 

[SHOCKNAWE]

OP is in MA…

They ( PSA ) don’t give a shit do they? I mean once he gets it he can Gay it up as needed

 

[btnh6668]

View attachment 644281

They don't deliver here.

 

[SHOCKNAWE]

They don't deliver here.

I’m sorry I didn’t know that

 

[paul73]

Building a beater 16" AR. I am between these two. Any opinions on which way i should go?

16 Pre-Ban M4 Flat Top Chrome Lined 1/7 Twist Complete Upper Assembly

16" Pre-Ban M4 Flat Top Chrome Lined 1/7 Twist Complete Upper Assembly by DEL-TON INCORPORATED Product Overview: The Del-Ton 16" Pre-Ban M4 Flat Top Chrome Lined 1/7 Twist Complete Upper Assemblyhas a 1x7 twist, CAR handguards with single heat shields, and an A2 Flash Hider...

www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

https://www.primaryarms.com/spikes-tactical-16-st-15-m4-le-upper-receiver-5-56x45nato-stu5025-m4s?quantity=1&custcol_pco=Orphan

One is $329 and the spikes is $497. Not sure if there is much quality difference between the two. I have been hard pressed to find anyone really have bad things to say about the deltons for the price but figured id ask anyway.

i can kinda understand the rationale of having such a 1950s design if you'd need to use it in a jungle somewhere, where optics are not the option, but, now, here - a non-free floating handguard and non-removable gas block integrated with a front sight - like, all i can think of is - why?

to buy something cheaper then aero m4e1 is always an option, but, also brings same question - why.

bear creek has sale right now, it may work if you want the cheap.

BC-15 | 5.56 NATO Upper | 16” Parkerized M4 Barrel | 1:8 Twist | Carbine Length Gas System | 15” MLOK

Experience high performance and superior accuracy with this Bear Creek Arsenal 16" 5.56 NATO Complete Upper Assembly. Fits on any mil-spec AR-15 lower!

www.bearcreekarsenal.com

and they have BCGs for, like, $66.

 

[jpm]

Bearcreek Arsenal FTW. They make good stuff and stand behind it. Had a wonky spring on a dustcover I got from them and they sent me a new spring and dustcover right away.

 

[paul73]

Bearcreek Arsenal FTW. They make good stuff and stand behind it. Had a wonky spring on a dustcover I got from them and they sent me a new spring and dustcover right away.

i would not go as far as try to lego bear creek parts with something else, but, as a complete upper with its own bcg - it will most likely work fine.
i have their 22lr upper that shoots ok. not in love with it - but it works fine.

to add to that - i do not recall seeing a complete rifle at such price lately.

BC-15 | .223 Wylde Rifle | 16” Parkerized M4 Barrel | 1:8 Twist | Carbine Length Gas System | 15” MLOK | No Magazine

This Bear Creek Arsenal AR-15 16” .223 Complete Rifle features the new handguard is guaranteed to give you top performance and accuracy at a great price!

www.bearcreekarsenal.com

 

[btnh6668]

i can kinda understand the rationale of having such a 1950s design if you'd need to use it in a jungle somewhere, where optics are not the option, but, now, here - a non-free floating handguard and non-removable gas block integrated with a front sight - like, all i can think of is - why?

to buy something cheaper then aero m4e1 is always an option, but, also brings same question - why.

bear creek has sale right now, it may work if you want the cheap.

BC-15 | 5.56 NATO Upper | 16” Parkerized M4 Barrel | 1:8 Twist | Carbine Length Gas System | 15” MLOK

Experience high performance and superior accuracy with this Bear Creek Arsenal 16" 5.56 NATO Complete Upper Assembly. Fits on any mil-spec AR-15 lower!

www.bearcreekarsenal.com

and they have BCGs for, like, $66.

Because i already have a 16" with a free floating handguard. So i wanted one with a classic look. I also have 20" uppers in both configurations.

 

[jpm]

i would not go as far as try to lego bear creek parts with something else, but, as a complete upper with its own bcg - it will most likely work fine.
i have their 22lr upper that shoots ok. not in love with it - but it works fine.

to add to that - i do not recall seeing a complete rifle at such price lately.

BC-15 | .223 Wylde Rifle | 16” Parkerized M4 Barrel | 1:8 Twist | Carbine Length Gas System | 15” MLOK | No Magazine

This Bear Creek Arsenal AR-15 16” .223 Complete Rifle features the new handguard is guaranteed to give you top performance and accuracy at a great price!

www.bearcreekarsenal.com

Yeah I've only bought complete uppers from them and all worked great. 223 & 7.62x39

 

[greencobra]

if you're interested in bearcreek, get in touch with them, sometimes they offer unadvertised blems for super cheap. just saying.

 

[paul73]

So i wanted one with a classic look

if it is not a first one, i would then get something that is indeed classic/authentic then, something like of this kind:

COLT M16 20 INCH 5.56 COMPLETE UPPER RECEIVER GROUPS | Brownells

M16 Upper Receiver Groups now available from Colt! These 20” Upper Receiver Groups feature the same barrel used on M16A2 and M16A4 rifles, which has a Government profile and feature a chrome lined bore and chamber, along with a 1-7 twist. Colt has...

www.brownells.com

COLT M4 5.56 UPPER RECEIVER GROUPS | Brownells

Add the Colt legend of reliability to your rifle or build with these complete feature 1/7 RH twist in a chrome lined, ...

www.brownells.com

 

[DW357]

I hate that old style look BUT that seems like a great price. And it includes the BCG and CH? I can’t find anything cheaper in that configuration and with those features.
Well aside from PSA but they don’t ship here so

 

[DW357]

I have a couple 10.5" SBR uppers (5.56 and x39) from bear creek and they work but they’re far from high quality. But that’s why I don’t care if they get banged up. Plenty accurate

 

[paul73]

I hate that old style look BUT that seems like a great price. And it includes the BCG and CH? I can’t find anything cheaper in that configuration and with those features.
Well aside from PSA but they don’t ship here so

i am just not seeing much sense in buying something cheap just for the sake of its cheapness, as it will last being interesting maybe couple off days top, and then - it is just an another piece of a cheap crap with no obvious purpose.

 

[btnh6668]

i am just not seeing much sense in buying something cheap just for the sake of its cheapness, as it will last being interesting maybe couple off days top, and then - it is just an another piece of a cheap crap with no obvious purpose.

No offense but i wasn't looking for understanding or approval. Just opinions on the two options. Thanks for your input.

 

[paul73]

No offense but i wasn't looking for understanding or approval. Just opinions on the two options. Thanks for your input.

none taken, and cheap crap comment was not toward you but mostly toward my own purchases.

 

[btnh6668]

none taken, and cheap crap comment was not toward you but mostly toward my own purchases.

No worries.. i didn't necessarily disagree with your point to be honest.

 

[drgrant]

At that price range just "buy whatever and cross your fingers. " Might as well flint harder than that even, get a BCA or Radical and really slum it up. You might luck out.

I f***ing hate PSA (for reasons that have nothing to do with the product) but that's probably actually the best quality skinflint deal going. (Shown above) .

If forced to select junk, I'd grudgingly take the psa first.

 

[drgrant]

i am just not seeing much sense in buying something cheap just for the sake of its cheapness, as it will last being interesting maybe couple off days top, and then - it is just an another piece of a cheap crap with no obvious purpose.

Flinting > everything though. Different buyers have different priorities. Will it put bullets downrange? Probably. "Sold!!!!" If he's shooting boulders /steel with it at 100yds or firing it into a pond it doesn't have to cost a lot. Sometimes a hammer is just a hammer, and the cheap one is fine if the guy using it doesn't expect much.

 

[maritz01]

Years ago I picked up an Adams Arms (piston upper) in a 7.5” upper and ran it on my registered receiver along with its own SBR lower. Works flawlessly and a great little PDW.

 

[teamRR]

If you want classic, an integral carry handle sight is kinda where it's at. RRA is one of the few off the top of my head who makes them. Yeah this rifle is classic-ish as it's a mid length gas, paddle handle, magpul furniture, but you could do the same with less useful parts. This one has an actual FN barrel, chf and chrome, not the psa stuff that is probably the FN 2nds.

A flat top upper, sure you can add a carry handle sight. They aren't as nice though as the opening is smaller - isn't really a handle in that case, but is a good sight.

Whatever you do, if you are gonna skinflint a flat top upper with an FSB, be happy with it - dumbest thing is to buy that kinda thing then add crazy contraptions to use an optic or to spend time/$$ making it free float later.