Who makes my dream AR15 upper receiver?

[Justin]

Ok, so I've been kicking around what I'd like to have on my next AR, and this is the configuration I'd like to see for the upper:

• 18 inch barrel
• full-length gas system
• float tube with picatinny rail(s)
• flip-up iron sights

Who makes something like this? Besides JP, that is. I can't afford one of their guns, and as far as I know, they don't sell just upper receivers.

 

[Outlaws]

This would be it, but it only offers a mid lenth gas system, albeit with a rifle length float tube over the low profile gas block.

Is the gas system important if it isn't impeding the rail length? I personally find hiding it under the handguard to be a more sleek look, but we are talking about your dream upper, not mine.

Sabre makes a couple 18" uppers with rifle length float tubes, but those are mid length gas systems too.

 

[Justin]

A couple years ago, I had the chance to shoot one of the 18 inch JP rifles side by side with my 16 inch rifle, and there was a noticeable difference in muzzle climb and recoil.

Not that the .223 has a ton of recoil, but anything to help with faster follow-up shots.

 

[Zundfolge]

These guys make some pretty cool looking stuff that's real expensive.
http://www.pof-usa.com/main.htm

So anyone know anything about them?


Also I've read several positive reviews of LMT's Monolithic Rail Platform
http://www.lewismachine.net/store.php?cid=8&session=9c9a48299980f66bded72094335cc94f
The upper and the quadrail foregrip are all one piece.

 

[Outlaws]

A couple years ago, I had the chance to shoot one of the 18 inch JP rifles side by side with my 16 inch rifle, and there was a noticeable difference in muzzle climb and recoil.

Not that the .223 has a ton of recoil, but anything to help with faster follow-up shots.

From the pictures it looks like JP uses a brake rather than a flash hider. It would only take a few more dollars and you could unscrew the flash hider and screw on a brake to whatever upper floats your boat. I am sure that would get right into the neighborhood from that mod alone.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

A couple years ago, I had the chance to shoot one of the 18 inch JP rifles side by side with my 16 inch rifle, and there was a noticeable difference in muzzle climb and recoil.

Not that the .223 has a ton of recoil, but anything to help with faster follow-up shots.

JP does a few tricks to get the recoil down. For one, they use what are probably the most effective muzzle brakes made - the "tank brake" recoil eliminator or the Cooley brake. The other thing they do is add an adjustable gas block. By doing that, you can limit the amount of gas going back to the carrier. Then you add their low-mass carrier and buffer. Due to the less gas, it will cycle the same - but less mass causes less movement and "recoil" ...not to forget that massive brake on the end.

 

[Justin]

The JP didn't have the Tank break on it, just their standard one.

Do the JP's also use the full-length gas system as well as the low-mass bolt carriers and adjustable gas system?

If so, do you have to have some combination of all of these?

 

[SilentArmy]

LMT offers an upper like you describe with a Quick change barrel system and barrels in both 6.8 SPC and 5.56 for about what that Noveske upper in 5.56 alone costs.
JP sells their upper for $1095.

 

[Zach S]

Your prefered twist?

CMMG offers that upper with a 1:8 twist. And only in 1:8 last time I looked. $575 IIRC. Lots of options as far as BCGs, front sights, BUIS, FF tubes, etc.

 

[asknight]

+1 on the Noveske. I hope you've done your homework since you're asking for a full length gas system on an 18"er. Some are cranky... Not much gas to be sent to the key with only 5" of pressurized barrel past the port.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Also I've read several positive reviews of LMT's Monolithic Rail Platform
http://www.lewismachine.net/store.ph...d72094335cc94f
The upper and the quadrail foregrip are all one piece.

The MRP is extremely nice.

The only downside I can see in this particular context is that the only 18" barrel options they currently offer are stainless only (and cost extra), being set up for SPR kind of rigs, rather than as CQB guns.

 

[strangelittleman]

Yep, what Outlaws said...Noveske Rifle Works!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

18" is plenty of length for a rifle length gas system to work.

The first place I would look is MSTN. Anything they build you will run like a scalded ape and they have been building 17" and 18" barrels with rifle length gas systems for a long time now. The downside is they are going to be more expensive - uppers start at $1,495. They aren't much for website design and you need to call or email them since the website is usually horribly out of date; but they can build firearms. Definitely consider their 17" competition upper as well, it is quite possibly one of the nicest AR uppers in existence.

Sabre Defence has an 18" rifle upper for $1,539. I've liked the rifles I've seen from them; but that seems a bit on the high side to me. Then again this is the MSRP in their catalog and not the price you would likely see at an actual dealer. At $1,539 though, I would definitely go MSTN or Noveske first.

Noveske has some nice 18" rifle-gas uppers with a monolithic VIS rail for $1317.

If your budget is tighter, then CMMG has an complete upper 18" stainless match with rifle length gas for $550.95. They also offer lots of options.

Global Tactical also offers all the components to put together some nice 18" rifle uppers and will assemble them for you as well. The advantage is you get to pick out every single part of the upper custom. The disadvantage is not everyone wants to do that and prices will be in the over $1k range.

Finally, you might check out ADCO Firearms. They don't offer an 18" on their website; but they do a fair amount of custom builds and can definitely build one. Price will probably not beat CMMG though and will likely be just over $1k.

 

[gunsnmoses]

CMMG unless you're really rich

 

[asknight]

Bartholomew, those Noveske 18" uppers have mid-length gas systems...

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Bartholomew, those Noveske 18" uppers have mid-length gas systems...

Why yes they do! My bad. Thanks for pointing that out.

I should have also pointed out that the $550 price for CMMG is for A2 handguard and that a rail system would add at least $257 to the cost (depending on which rail system you want) and the rear sight another $90+.