Upper Receiver Recommendations

[Jonesy814]

I am mainly a revolver guy, but have a S&W Sport purchased in 2014 or so. Last year I started messing with it added an LPVO.
Meanwhile, due to a compressed nerve, I have developed some weakness in my left arm. I would like to get a lightweight free float upper with a fairly long hand guard to use on my Sport lower. I also want a mid length gas system. Budget is also an issue. Who makes a decent upper, That fits my description for $350 or less?
Will be used for casual plinking out to 200 yards max, but usually will be 100 or less

 

[Bartojc]

I assume you want something in .223/5.56 ? In your price range I think you be looking at Bear Creek (BCA) or Palmetto State (PSA), and probably a few others. Not sure about how lightweight they'll be. Usually the lighter the weight the higher cost.

-Jeff

 

[BreechFace]

Palmetto $350
https://palmettostatearmory.com/pa-...e-15-lightweight-m-lok-upper-with-bcg-ch.html

Aero Precision would be a great option but would blow your budget, I was thinking you could get a complete upper for about $500 but that's not the case anymore a lightweight aero upper, BCG and CH comes to $650 or so.

For your budget constraints I would buy the PSA mentioned above, and if you have the tools and know how (or know someone who can give you a hand and has the tools) take it apart, lap the front receiver, re-assemble the gas block to ensure alignment and tightness and retorque the barrel to correct specs. All of this doesn't cost anything but time if one has the tools and is well worth it on these more affordable uppers, in which companies cut some of their costs on QC checks and double checks.

 

[gotboostvr]

I bought just a barrel (16" LW, mid gas, 223 wylde chamber, 1:8" twist) for just at $100 off gunbroker recently.

If rebarreling your current upper is an option the only other thing you'd need is a $25 gas block.

 

[BreechFace]

I bought just a barrel (16" LW, mid gas, 223 wylde chamber, 1:8" twist) for just at $100 off gunbroker recently.

If rebarreling your current upper is an option the only other thing you'd need is a $25 gas block.

He wants a longer free float handguard as well, so that would add another $100-150. I'm with you though, I'm always inclined to buy parts and assemble then I know exactly what I'm getting and how they are put together.

I would like to get a lightweight free float upper with a fairly long hand guard to use on my Sport lower. I also want a mid length gas system.

One quickly runs up against the very affordable PSA complete upper price when pricing items individually. And taking apart and reassembling a PSA upper after a few QC checks, fitment and lapping they are really great buys.

 

[gotboostvr]

He wants a longer free float handguard as well, so that would add another $100-150.

One quickly runs up against the very affordable PSA complete upper price when pricing items individually.

Ah, missed that part. Still working on my first cup of coffee.

Handguards can be had for less, but will still eat a significant chunk of savings.

Forgot he'd most likely need a new gas tube as well, but those are about $8 give or take.

To the OP, if you've got other buddies in the black rifle game, can't hurt to survey them and see what they've got laying around in their parts boxes.

 

[BreechFace]

Ah, missed that part. Still working on my first cup of coffee.

Well, that's the difference, I'm more than halfway through my first cup of coffee and thinking about a second.

Your right, handguards can be found for less, I just don't have any experience with any of the sub-$100 handguards which I'm sure would be fine for what @Jonesy814 is wanting.

 

[gotboostvr]

Your right, handguards can be found for less, I just don't have any experience with any of the sub-$100 handguards which I'm sure would be fine for what @Jonesy814 is wanting.

My risk-aversion for cheap parts goes way down when we start talking about "casual plinker" rifles.

Best case, everything works great. Worst case, I've got an excuse to tinker. Most vendors of even the cheapest parts/guns have a pretty generous return/replacement policy. It just might take a few tries to get a part to your satisfaction. If taking it apart and rebuilding it a few times is the difference between "The exact carbine I wanted" and "as close as I could find and afford off-the-shelf"... I'll roll those dice.

If it's for a hard use, class/door kicking rifle, I'll pony up for a good brand name.

 

[Jonesy814]

Palmetto $350
https://palmettostatearmory.com/pa-...e-15-lightweight-m-lok-upper-with-bcg-ch.html

Aero Precision would be a great option but would blow your budget, I was thinking you could get a complete upper for about $500 but that's not the case anymore a lightweight aero upper, BCG and CH comes to $650 or so.

For your budget constraints I would buy the PSA mentioned above, and if you have the tools and know how (or know someone who can give you a hand and has the tools) take it apart, lap the front receiver, re-assemble the gas block to ensure alignment and tightness and retorque the barrel to correct specs. All of this doesn't cost anything but time if one has the tools and is well worth it on these more affordable uppers, in which companies cut some of their costs on QC checks and double checks.

I was looking at that one. I have never worked on black rifles beyond changing furniture and don't have the tools & equipment and know how to do so.
I left out that I want it in 223/5.56. I want a fairly slim handguard, between 13.5 and 15 inches. Do my options improved much if I raise my limit to around $400-450?
Would rather pay a bit more for something I don't have to mess with. It looks like Optics Planet has a few options for under $450 and they constantly have 10% off sales. Are they decent? Anything wrong with using the BCG & charging handle from my S&W Sport?

 

[gotboostvr]

I was looking at that one. I have never worked on black rifles beyond changing furniture and don't have the tools & equipment and know how to do so.
I left out that I want it in 223/5.56. I want a fairly slim handguard, between 13.5 and 15 inches. Do my options improved much if I raise my limit to around $400-450?
Would rather pay a bit more for something I don't have to mess with. It looks like Optics Planet has a few options for under $450 and they constantly have 10% off sales. Are they decent? Anything wrong with using the BCG & charging handle from my S&W Sport?

If you like the looks and price of the PSA unit, I'd go ahead and snag it.

I've had about a half dozen PSA's and they've all given me good service.

While the products OpticsPlanet advertise can be of good quality, I would avoid that vendor at just about any cost.

They have a habit of selling things they're out of stock on and waiting until after they've got your money to inform you its on backorder with no estimate on when you'll have it.

 

[BreechFace]

I would go with the PSA I linked if you like the looks and features of it. Don’t worry about what I said about doing some of your own work. That’s just what I do because I’m anal like that. It’ll shoot fine.

 

[Jonesy814]

Thanks for the info. I am currently searching for a S&W model 27 with a 3.5" inch Barre. It's going to cost a bundle so I will probably wait to see how much money is left after that

 

[Laphroaig]

DelTon makes a decent upper. They have "kits" where you can customize the parts.

https://www.del-ton.com/ar-15-build-kits-s/236.htm

You might be able to find what you are looking for.

 

[d2wing]

I also strongly recommend Del-ton. Accurate and good quality. A PSA I had was accurate but had to replace BCG.