Help me choose a 5.45X39 upper

[nyc71]

I have narrow it down to these 3 uppers, if you have any experience with any of them please chime in;

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/49...gazine-pre-ban?cm_cat=Cart&cm_pla=ProductDesc

http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=1893

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.a...ame=Spikes+Tactical+5.45x39+Upper&groupid=150

Thank you.

 

[wally]

I've the S&W one. No issues. Chome lined barrel and bolt carrier group is well worth while if you plan on shooting the cheap surplus corrosive ammo as I do.

It comes with a "stronger" hammer spring, but I didn't have to change the one in my lower, I figured I would if I had to, but heavier hammer springs don't do anything to help the trigger pull, glad I didn't have to.

 

[aubie515]

You can buy the SW upper through CDNN for $499. Big issue with any caliber outside of 223 is going to be the mags.

 

[why.kyle]

http://www.cdnninvestments.com/smwe5upnew.html

someone beat me to the CDNN.... but thats where im thinking ill get mine...
but the spikes upper with all its fancy tech looks like it might be worth the extra money... Its the one I really want.
Ive seen some youtube videos (take with a grain of salt it is the internet) where a dude ran his spikes 5.45 upper pretty hard and pretty dry and had his first malfunction at like 2500 rounds.. worth looking into to see what you think about it..

But to spend your money i would go for the spikes (but it doesnt come with a mag)

 

[wally]

Big issue with any caliber outside of 223 is going to be the mags.

I've had no issues with the C-Products 5.45x39 AR mags, unlike the 7.62x39 AR mags. The case taper for the 5.45x39 is not all that different from the .223 making the mags very similar. Price is similar too, about $15 each.

 

[Gimmered]

This one

http://www.cdnninvestments.com/smwe5upnew.html

 

[nyc71]

What is it that spike offers in their configuration that's superior to S&W?


"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety"- Benjamin Franklin

 

[wnycollector]

Big issue with any caliber outside of 223 is going to be the mags.

If you have any old USGI mags with the black followers, they work 100% when loaded with 25 rounds of 7n6 in my S&W 5.45 upper. There are guys over at AFRCOM that cut the front leg off their no tilt followers and run the modified "tilting" follower in their Pmags with very good success.

 

[why.kyle]

What is it that spike offers in their configuration that's superior to S&W?


"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety"- Benjamin Franklin

The big one I know of is that spikes has the Melonite finish which is on the majority of parts and Nickel Boron bolt.
Other then that i think they are the basically the same, just a few other things that stand out.
Spikes has mid length vs SW carbine length gas tube.
I assume they have the same twist rate, Spikes doesnt list theirs.
You get a different handguard with the spikes...
and the SW comes with a mag

 

[wnycollector]

I just got back from the range with my two sons. We ran 300 rounds through the S&W 5.45 upper w/o a hiccup from any of 30 round USGI mags (loaded with 25) with black followers.

The melonite and Nickel Boron finishes of the spikes are nice, but a good thorough cleaning once you get back from the range should keep your S&W upper rust free, but save you a few $$$.