Getting overwhelmed with all the upper receivers out there?
Find out the best AR-15 complete upper receiver for you, depending on your end-use, such as general use, closer distances, or suppressed.
Let’s talk budget. Are you looking for the best bang for your buck, or are you fully loaded? We’ll have recommendations at all different price points.
Now let’s get started!
THE QUICK LIST
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Editor’s Pick
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Best High-End AR-15 Upper
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Runner Up High-End AR-15 Upper
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Best Value AR-15 Upper
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Most Affordable
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Best Piston Upper
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Best MK18 Upper
Table of Contents
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Complete Upper Receiver Comparison Chart
| Price | Barrel Length | Operating System | Gas System Length | Handguard | BCG/CH Included? | |
| BCM Mid-Length MCMR 16″ | $786 | 16″ | DI | Mid-Length | M-LOK | BCG Only |
| Geissele Super Duty MOD1 | $1189 | 16″ | DI | Proprietary Super Mid-Length | M-LOK | Yes |
| Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 | $1208 | 16″ | DI | Mid-Length | M-LOK | Yes |
| Aero Precision M4E1 ATLAS | $459 | 16″ | DI | Mid-Length | M-LOK | No |
| Palmetto State Armory 16″ | $249 | 16″ | DI | Mid-Length, Carbine-Length | M-LOK | Model Dependent |
| PWS MK116 MOD 2-M | $1399 | 16″ | Long-Stroke Piston | Mid-Length | PicLok | Yes |
| Daniel Defense MK18 | $1412 | 10.3″ | DI | Carbine-Length | Picatinny | Model Dependent |
| Rosco K9 12.5″ | $536 | 12.5″ | DI | Proprietary Patrol-Length | M-LOK | Model Dependent |
| Palmetto State Armory 10.5″ | $199 | 10.5″ | DI | Carbine-Length | M-LOK | Model Dependent |
| BCM Mid-Length MCMR 14.5″ | $776 | 14.5″ pinned & welded | DI | Mid-length | M-LOK | BCG Only |
How We Tested the Best Complete AR-15 Uppers
We test, build, and shoot a lot of AR-15s in our time at Pew Pew Tactical.
Each upper on this list has had at least 1000 rounds through it with different types of ammo and over at least 6 months of shooting, with many of these uppers having a far higher round count.
To meet our accuracy standards, each upper on this list had to be capable of shooting at least 2.5″ MOA at 100 yards with at least one type of ammo.
We gave each upper a 100-round break-in period to work out any issues. If we experienced any reliability issues after 100 rounds, we eliminated the upper from this list.
Uppers were also judged on more subjective factors such as value, ergonomics, and aesthetics.
Meet the Experts
Spearheading this article is Pew Pew Tactical CEO and Founder Eric Hung. As founder of PPT, he has researched and written over 250 articles on firearms and gear and fired tens of thousands of rounds through a variety of AR-15s (including a bunch from his personal collection). Eric is an NRA-certified pistol instructor and a USPSA/3-Gun/NRL22 competitor and uses his knowledge of the AR platform in competition.
Best 16-inch AR-15 Uppers
It is safe to say that 16-inch is the most popular barrel length for upper receivers. They are the shortest you can go without pinning and welding muzzle devices while still having your AR considered a standard rifle per the National Firearms Act (NFA).
1. Bravo Company (BCM) 16″ Mid-Length MCMR – Editor’s Pick
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Top-tier brand and upper
- 100% reliability
- Lots of customization options
Cons
- Sometimes specific models out of stock
The Bottom Line
BCM uppers are known for their durability and reliability. These are great for true workhorse builds.
Specs:
- Barrel Length: 16″
- Operating System: Direct-impingement
- Gas System Length: Mid-length
- Handguard: M-LOK
- BCG/CH Included?: BCG only
Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM) is another top-tier brand that’s very highly regarded.
And if we had to choose one upper for most people, it would be their 16″ mid-length with MCMR handguard that comes in under $1000, even with all the upgrades.
We’ve been testing ours since 2020, with thousands of rounds fired by now, and it’s been nothing but flawless.
Its bolt carrier group (BCG), or the “engine” of the upper, is the gold-standard of BCGs. BCM has also recently started offering free BCGs if you purchase an upper directly from them!
And while you can get other lengths of handguard, we especially like the full-length 15-inch MCMR handrail in M-LOK to give you tons of space to mount anything your heart desires.
See it in action here:
Accuracy is decent with 2-3 MOA across the spectrum of ammo types. Keep in mind, 4 MOA is the standard for the US Military. This rifle is more of a reliable workhorse kind of AR rather than a tack driver.
- Wolf Gold 55gr: 3 MOA
- PMC 55gr/American Eagle 55gr/XM193 55gr: 2-3 MOA
- Federal Gold Medal 69gr: 2 MOA
BCM also offers a couple of different variations of these uppers, including their excellent MK2 upper.
You can see more in our full review with video!
2. Geissele Super Duty MOD1 – Best High-End AR-15 Upper
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Excellent accuracy
- Ambidextrous charging handle
- High-quality BCG included
- Outstanding reliability
- Cold hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrel
Cons
- Expensive
- May need to ditch the muzzle device to get the right suppressor compatibility
The Bottom Line
The Geissele Super Duty MOD1 is a true elite-tier upper. These are smooth, accurate, reliable, and have great features.
Specs:
- Barrel Length: 16″
- Operating System: Direct-impingement
- Gas System Length: Proprietary Super Mid-Length
- Handguard: M-LOK
- BCG/CH Included?: Yes
With contracts from the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Customs and Border Protection, and various other law enforcement agencies, it is safe to say that Geissele makes premium-grade, duty-grade ARs.
Their Super Duty MOD1 uppers are among the best uppers you can buy, not only for the money, but just period.
All Super Duty uppers feature cold hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrels that are made in-house. Each barrel is capped off with a HUXWRX QD flash hider.
On top of that, their MK16 rails are some of the best handguards on the market.
You also get the awesome Reliability Enhanced Bolt Carrier Group and Stressproof Bolt. These BCGs feature advanced tool-steel cam pins and are finished with a proprietary Nanoweb coating, which provides extreme corrosion and wear resistance.
Rounding things out is the excellent ambidextrous Geissele Airborne charging handle.
These uppers are extremely accurate, ultra-durable, and have everything you need right out of the box. Just add an optic, and you are ready to go!
Want to see more? Check out our full review of the Geissele Super Duty MOD1!
3. Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 – Runner Up High-End AR-15 Upper
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Cold hammer forged mid-length barrel
- BCG is top-notch
- Very well tested brand and model
- Ultra reliable
- 1 MOA shooting group with heavier rounds
Cons
- Complete upper is almost as expensive as a full DD rifle right now
The Bottom Line
Daniel Defense is known for top-tier build quality and QC. Their in-house barrels produce great accuracy.
Specs:
- Barrel Length: 16″
- Operating System: Direct-impingement
- Gas System Length: Mid-length
- Handguard: M-LOK
- BCG/CH Included?: Yes
The Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 is one of our top go-to’s for high-end uppers.
You get a 16-inch cold hammer-forged mid-length with a pinned gas block, one of the highest-quality BCGs in the biz, and a sweet MFR M-LOK rail.
We’ve been shooting this upper for years, and the round count is in the thousands. It has been 100% reliable for us even when suppressed.
Accuracy is standard for 55-grain plinking rounds at around 2-3 MOA (which is still plenty enough for most uses). But if you put in heavier match ammo like 69-grain Federal Gold Medal, you squeeze 1 MOA out of the excellent CHF barrels.
Our only real gripe about these is that they only come with mil-spec charging handles. We do want to note that as of the time of writing, these uppers are nearly as much as a complete DDM4 V7 rifle. This is due to complete DD rifles being abnormally low-priced as of the last few months.
Check out our complete review with tons more video.
4. Aero Precision M4E1 ATLAS – Best Value Upper
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Soft shooting 16" mid-length gas system
- 100% reliable with our tests
- Different colors & rails available
Cons
- Need to add BCG & charging handle
The Bottom Line
The Aero Precision M4E1 is a great upper at a reasonable price. These are excellent for people who want to choose their own BCG and charging handle to customize their build.
Specs:
- Barrel Length: 16″
- Operating System: Direct-impingement
- Gas System Length: Mid-length
- Handguard: M-LOK
- BCG/CH Included?: No
Aero Precision has long been regarded as the best value in the world of AR-15s. And it’s around $700 for a complete upper that looks great and runs 100%.
It features a softer-shooting mid-length gas system, a 16-inch CMV barrel, and you can choose between two different ATLAS free-floating rail types.
You will need to add a BCG and charging handle for about ~$200 more than what you initially see to have a true completed upper.
My main upper has seen a lot of rounds and thorough testing. It now finds itself atop one of my home-defense rifles.
Accuracy has been surprisingly great. I have even been able to achieve 1 MOA groups with affordable PMC 55-grain ammo. Although most XM193 yields more normal 2-3 MOA groups.
Aero offers two different ATLAS handguards. The S-One (pictured) features a scooped top rail to save weight, while the R-One handguard uses a traditional full-length top rail.
While Aero Precision used to be the king of mid-tier builds, they have recently been experiencing some issues fulfilling orders and restocking products. If you are interested in buying an M4E1 upper, we recommend buying from a retailer and avoiding buying directly from Aero at the moment.
Want to see more? Check out my in-depth review!
5. Palmetto State Armory 16″ – Affordable and Reliable
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
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Pros
- Tons of options
- Affordable
- Good quality for the price
Cons
- Finishes could be better
The Bottom Line
PSA makes reliable uppers with solid accuracy at an extremely affordable price. They also offer a ton of different variants and configurations.
Specs:
- Barrel Length: 16″
- Operating System: Direct-impingement
- Gas System Length: Mid-length, Carbine Length
- Handguard: M-LOK
- BCG/CH Included?: Model dependent
PSA is the AR-15 behemoth that has a very nice vertically integrated manufacturing process. AKA, they make everything themselves in the US to save you money.
There are tons of options from PSA. You can get various calibers, handguard choices, barrel options, and different gas lengths.
PSA sells uppers that include a BCG and charging handle, or if you already have those items, you can save even more by getting a rifle kit or one without BCG/CH.
Our favorite upper is the standard 16-inch nitride, mid-length gas, with the M-LOK free-floating handguard.
You’ll hear the occasional complaint about finish and shipping times, but PSA is well-known online for reliability and affordability.
Accuracy is also great for what you pay for. You can expect 2-3 MOA groups with most 55-grain ammo like Wolf, PMC, & American Eagle. Our uppers still tend to stay around 2 MOA even with Federal Gold Match 69-grain ammo.
Our PSA uppers have been tested with everything from multiple optics to being run suppressed and even run in full-auto. So far, we have had 100% reliability.
I got a few of their uppers in hand, so check out my full review!
What’s your take on PSA uppers?
6. PWS MK116 MOD 2-M – Best Piston Upper
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
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Pros
- Guaranteed sub-MOA accuracy with match ammo
- Sounds great suppressed
- Easily adjustable gas settings
- Reliable
Cons
- Uses a proprietary piston/BCG combo
- Spendy
The Bottom Line
The PWS MK116 MOD 2-M is a premium piston upper that sounds great suppressed. They are also extremely easy to adjust gas settings on, and they guarantee sub-MOA accuracy.
Specs:
- Barrel Length: 16″
- Operating System: Long-stroke piston
- Gas System Length: Mid-length
- Handguard: PicLok (M-LOK/Picatinny combo)
- BCG/CH Included?: Yes
When it comes to piston-driven AR uppers, our favorite of the bunch is the Primary Weapons Systems MK116 MOD 2-M. These are absolutely premium piston uppers that offer a great mix of features, reliability, and accuracy.
Instead of utilizing the more common short-stroke piston system, these operate on the long-stroke principle (think AK-47).
This long-stroke system provides a softer recoil impulse and makes the gun sound great when suppressed.
This upper is flush with features, including an easily accessible adjustable gas block, a 2-port compensator that accepts Rearden Atlas suppressor mounts, an excellent PicLoK rail that combines Picatinny and MLOK without adding bulk, and an ambidextrous Radian Raptor charging handle.
PWS also makes their barrels in-house, and guarantees sub-MOA accuracy with match ammo — something that few AR manufacturers do.
Be sure to check out our full review of the PWS MK116 Upper.
Best Short Barrel AR-15 Uppers
These sub-16-inch barreled uppers are great for your next AR pistol or Short Barrel Rifle (SBR) build.
We also included one pinned-and-welded upper for those who want to run a slightly shorter barrel while staying in a legal rifle configuration.
Make sure you follow all laws when going for a short build, such as having a pistol lower already before purchasing.
7. Daniel Defense MK18 – Best MK18 Upper
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Cool factor
- Proven reliability
- Great rail system
Cons
- Gassy especially when suppressed
The Bottom Line
The DD MK18 is arguably the toughest, most durable shorty AR upper on the market. Like all DD uppers, these also have great accuracy thanks to their excellent barrels.
Specs:
- Barrel Length: 10.3″
- Operating System: Direct-impingement
- Gas System Length: Carbine-length
- Handguard: Picatinny
- BCG/CH Included?: Model Dependent
The MK18 is the current rifle being provided to the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM).
This upper comes with a 10.3-inch government profile, 1:7 twist, carbine-length gas system, and flash suppressor.
There is no debate that the Daniel Defense MK18 upper is the current go-to civilian variant for anyone looking to replicate the MK18.
We’ve put tons of rounds through our MK18 uppers, most of them suppressed, and even some in full-auto.
It’s eaten thousands of rounds of varying types and has never given us a single hiccup.
The DD MK18 is also well-known for its accuracy, with accounts coming in at 1 MOA with good ammo.
The only complaint we can give is that it’s a little gassy when suppressed. However, newer flow-through cans help immensely.
You can purchase these uppers both with and without the charging handle and BCG.
Check out our full review of the DD MK18.
8. Rosco Manufacturing K9 12.5″ – Goldilocks Short Barrel Upper
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Pros
- Less blowback and less recoil
- Ready to accept Dead Air suppressors
- Great lengths of 11.5" and 12.5"
Cons
- Hard to keep in stock
The Bottom Line
Rosco not only has a great performance-to-value ratio, but their proprietary Patrol-Length gas system offers shooters a particularly smooth shooting experience in a shorter rifle.
Specs:
- Barrel Length: 12.5″
- Operating System: Direct-impingement
- Gas System Length: Proprietary Patrol-Length
- Handguard: M-LOK
- BCG/CH Included?: Model Dependent
If you are willing to step up a tiny bit in the length department to get a smoother-shooting, less-gassy short AR, we highly recommend the Rosco Manufacturing K9 uppers.
These uppers were made in conjunction with the awesome guys over at Sage Dynamics.
Rosco’s K9 12.5-inch upper uses a proprietary “Patrol Length” gas system that’s definitely softer shooting than carbine-length gas and more reliable than mid-length gas in a barrel this short.
Its continuous taper allows for even heat distribution and a more balanced rifle towards the middle.
The complete uppers also come with SOLGW Nox flash hiders, which can accept most Keymount Dead Air suppressors.
Newer Rosco upper receiver groups are now upgraded with a “wedge lock” system that really secures the handguard to the upper receiver, like this 11.5-inch build I also made using a K9 upper.
I’ve had a great time shooting the 12.5-inch K9. It has been 100% reliable and dead-nuts accurate on paper and easy hitting at 200-yard steel.
It has also performed great, suppressed, and with tons of dirt getting in it during a recent competition.
You can order these uppers directly from Rosco, and they offer a ton of different build options. Plus save 10% with code PEWPEW10.
9. Palmetto State Armory 10.5″ – Best Budget Short Barrel Upper
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Very affordable
- Good reliablity
- Tons of configuration and options available
Cons
- Fit and finish could be better
- Can sometimes be overgassed
The Bottom Line
PSA remains the king of budget builds thanks to their affordable-but-reliable and fairly accurate uppers. Like their longer uppers, they have a ton of options available for short uppers.
Specs:
- Barrel Length: 10.5″
- Operating System: Direct-impingement
- Gas System Length: Carbine-Length
- Handguard: M-LOK
- BCG/CH Included?: Model Dependent
Looking for a lightweight AR that is also light on the wallet?
Once again, it is PSA to the rescue.
While PSA offers a ton of different pistol uppers, we really like their standard M-LOK 10.5-inch upper (~$330).
You can buy these with or without a BCG and charging handle, and PSA even offers models with cold hammer-forged barrels if you are feeling fancy.
Here is PSA 10.5-inch in action:
I also get decent groups with the 10.5″-inch upper. Most 55-grain ammo comes in around the 3-4 MOA mark, with Federal Gold Medal 69-grain producing 2 MOA groups.
We also tested the shorter 7.5-inch upper, but accuracy wasn’t the best. Plus, it was excessively loud and had a noticeable increase in recoil. I’d recommend going with at least the 10.5-inch for any 5.56 builds.
You can check out more in our full review of the PSA 10.5-inch and 7.5-inch uppers.
10. BCM MCMR 14.5″ – Best Pinned & Welded Upper
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Pros
- Your choice of pinned muzzle device
- Super reliable and soft-shooting
- BCG and charging handles are great
Cons
- Sometimes out of stock
The Bottom Line
The BCM 14.5" pinned-and-welded upper is perfect for those looking for a true duty rifle with minimal overall length that doesn't require any NFA paperwork.
Specs:
- Barrel Length: 14.5″ pinned/welded
- Operating System: Direct-impingement
- Gas System Length: Mid-length
- Handguard: M-LOK
- BCG/CH Included?: BCG only
Want to save some barrel length while still having a legally configured rifle that can use a regular stock and vertical grip?
Enter the BCM 14.5-inch upper with a pinned muzzle device. Having the muzzle device permanently attached brings the total overall length to 16 inches, making it legally a rifle.
This saves you about 2-3″ from adding a muzzle device to an already 16″ barrel.
I haven’t had a more balanced feeling, lightweight rifle than this one.
Because the muzzle device is pinned, you’re not going to put on a suppressor…and with the lightweight barrel, it would totally throw off the balance anyway.
Reliability has been top-notch through the 2,000-plus rounds, and accuracy is decent as well when bench rested.
Keep in mind again that BCM is definitely marketed as an ultra-reliable workhorse rifle instead of a tack-driver. The 2-3 MOA it groups is enough for all my intended purposes.
Again, there are tons of choices, but I highly recommend their 14.5-inch pinned upper. I especially like the MK2 receiver with the Enhanced Light Weight barrel configuration.
Buying directly from BCM will get you a free BCG, but for a bit more, you can configure the gun the way you want.
I like their ambidextrous medium latch charging handle. For the muzzle device, I prefer the standard A2 flash hider (free); if you want some recoil reduction, get one of their compensators.
There is a reason that so many people love BCM products. They simply work, and you can rely on them when the going gets tough.
Why Get an AR-15 Upper Receiver Assembly?
While buying a complete AR is never a bad option, there are a few reasons you may want to buy an AR-15 upper separately.
By pushing out just two pins to disconnect the upper from the lower, you can:
- Save Money: Some manufacturers charge a premium for completed rifles. Buying an upper and lower separately is almost always cheaper than buying a complete rifle.
- Flexibility: Want to run a different caliber or barrel length without buying a whole new rifle? Just buy a new upper and pop it on in seconds! Upper receivers are not serialized, and thus aren’t considered firearms. You can have them shipped directly to your house; no transfer required!
- Reuse Your Existing Lower: Say you’ve already modified your trigger, buttstock, or grip to your liking on your lower receiver and don’t want to do it again. Simple, just pop on a different upper and you still have your customized lower.
This article covers completed AR-15 upper assemblies or groups. But if you are looking to do a build completely from scratch, we have you covered with our guide for the Best Stripped Uppers for your build and how to put it all together in our Upper Guide & Lower Guide.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it — our recommendations for some of the best AR-15 complete upper receivers.
Hopefully, you’ve found something in this list that appeals to you.
What’s your go-to upper? Let us know in the comments below. Also, check out the rest of our AR-15 Definitive Guide for upgrades, best optics, cleaning, and more!
LATEST UPDATE
- April 2026: Removed TRYBE Defense 16″ and Faxon ION uppers. Added Geissele Super Duty Mod 1, PWS MK116 Mod 2-M uppers. Included additional specs for each product. Restructured article.
- March 2025: Removed Stag Arms Upper
- April 2024: Updated with How We Tested and inclusion/deletion of several uppers. Included additional information and media for many uppers.
190 Leave a Reply
The just never have anything in stock.
Not sure why Aero is included in any of these reviews - their product may be good but it’s pretty much useless to find anything in stock. You don’t have a company if there is no product to buy.
Paul, Aero is definitely having a rough go of it right now. That is why we recommend not purchasing from them directly, but they do seem to still be moving at least a bit of product. At the time of posting, we included a few third party retailers that had at least some Aero products in stock. They do tend to go out of stock very fast, though.
Just because a muzzle device is pinned does not mean it cannot take a suppressor. I have a BCM and a Geissele URG-I upper, each with 14.5 barrels and pinned Surefire flashhiders. They suppress just fine…
Looking for a 10mm complete 16" upper.
California compliant. Please help.
Was wondering if a Wilson Combat upper was also involved in your testing?.
Not for this round, but we're continually getting new products in to test and updating articles.
For a quality and supremely accurate upper you cannot beat the Atheris upper. I have several uppers from various manufacturers but the most accurate is the Atheris. The finish was superb - and all for less than $600. Mine is the 6.5 Grendel, and while not comparable to the 5.56, I am confident their 5.56 would be just as good. Great people to work with and my only issue with my purchase was the time it took to finally receive it. But, that wasn't their fault. It was ordered during the supply-side issues. Once I received it I was not disappointed. .313 shot group at 100 yards. Dropped my deer at 388 yards. Dropped 3 hogs in their tracks. My go-to AR.
Sounds like you got a real shooter, Doug. And for a great price? Can't beat that!
No ADM or Geissele is ridiculous
Hey, if they send 'em, we'll shoot 'em! Those are awesome companies but we try to recommend products we've reviewed when we can.
It's top tier for sure and should have been inconcluded.
PSA: Be aware that Aero is having real fulfillment issues, with many people waiting several months to have 'in stock's items actually be shipped. Its best to buy aero stuff from a 3rd party authorized dealer rather than aero itself.
I'm always surprised that Seekins Precision ARs don't get mentioned or included in the top-tier list. But I guess they are not as well- known. I have two and they are 100% reliable, sub-MOA, with beautiful machining and great looks. Maybe someday they'll make a list...
We test a lot of products but there are still many we've yet to get our hands on. We haven't had the opportunity to test out Seekins yet but we're constantly testing and updating articles.
Ive really stopped reading many of the articles because the information has been so poor in terms of advising products that are working to push the limits and finding better solutions with their products or just sheer laziness and not advising products that should truly be leading the categories for what the article is reviewing. How you can leave out Noveske, Sons of Liberty, Radian, LMT, Geissele, Knights, Hodge or JP is beyond me. At this point Im going to stop getting your email blasts because I truly believe this is the result of sheer laziness.
Hey Erik, I totally understand the frustration. Trust me, we get frustrated too sometimes. We do our best to present products taht we've spent time testing. We don't like to recommend things someone here hasn't taken the time to really evaluate. That means, there are a lot of companies that get left on the table sometimes. We're actively working to get more products in hand and be able to provide really good hands-on data based on our experiences. We do update articles as we test new products. I appreciate the feedback, though, and will relay this to the rest of our team. I hope you give us another chance as we really appreciate your readership and the time you take reading our articles.
Good reviews, but I was surprised not to see American Defense Manufacturing (ADM). I have seen previous reviews by PewPew and thought you thought ADM was a great brand.
Even if it did not make this top ten list, would you consider it a top tier or mid- tier brand? Thanks!!
Umm... No Geissele or did I miss something? I know you can't cover all brands, but this seems like a significant oversight.
Thoughts on the BRN 180 gen 3 ?
Was thinking to make my next purchase..
What Lower would you match with it ?
Hey Jim, we haven't gotten our hands on the Gen 3 yet but you can read all about our head-to-head with the BRN-180 Gen 2 and the PSA JAKL here: https://www.pewpewtactical.com/psa-jakl-vs-brownells-brn-180/
I would have thought Spikes Tactical would have been on the top tier list ? As they say the finest ARs on the planit .
Lmfao I know you're joking. Get with daniel defence you'll love yourself for it xoxo
Was reading along happily until I got to the first upper. $800? For an upper? That's twice what my AR cost! And my Bear Creek upper in 7.62x39 was under $200 - complete. And $1,200 for the next one? These are not "deals" - these are what Veblen called "conspicuous consumption."
My uppers put bullets in the same holes as these for a fraction of the price. For the price of just the second upper, I've bought: an AR, an M-LOK handguard, a folding stock, a 7.62x39 upper, a CMMG .22 lr insert with 3 magazines, a spare lower, an inexpensive but perfectly usable lighted variable PIC rail scope with laser, flip-up open sights, and an ATI .410 gauge upper. By any stretch, these prices are, er, less-for-more nuts.
ARs, I think, should not be measured on the same scale as a conventional rifle - i.e. driving tacks. OK - if you're competing in an AR-only accuracy match, so be it; but for their intended niche, reliable cycling with low recoil is almost the whole deal. You don't really need MOA accuracy unless it's your only gear - that's what bolt-action rifles are for.
Just a thought; interesting article, but if whole ARs can be made and sold for $350 that work just fine, that fact should be highlighted in an article like this, I'd think.
Daniel Defense was on your register, AND YANKEE HILLS WASN'T..........., but BCM WAS........, and you dropped ROCK RIVER TO "BUDGET" TIER, BELOW 12 OTHER P.O.S. manufactured rifles?!?! WTH, MAN!
On the BCM, PewPew says they recommend the "Standard barrel profile: not the Enhanced Light Weight so it's more balanced and has better cooling” This is absurd. The standard Gov profile sucks and everyone knows it’s inferior to modern barrel profiles.
Definitely DO GET THE ELW OR EMW PROFILE. They have a modern taper and will be better at handling and more balanced. It’s asinine that Pew says a gov profile is more balanced when a Gov profile barrel gets fatter and heavier at the muzzle end, making it front heavy and not as easy to balance and maneuver as an ELW or EMW profile. Even BCM themselves says that their enhanced profile barrels have "Continuous taper designed for optimal weight, balance, and performance. Tapered profile out front, for easier maneuverability." It is flat out wrong and a disservice to their users for Pew Pew to say the exact opposite and instead recommend an inferior standard government profile. It's why modern taper profile barrels like the Criterion CORE, BA Hanson, Faxon Gunner, and BCM ELW and EMW profiles exist. Everyone in the industry knows that these are better than a standard gov profile. Either the author made a huge mistake and flip flopped here, or he's just that uneducated. By the way it reads, it seems he's just that uneducated and confused by it, and doing a disservice for his readers.
Really nice article, I enjoyed it. I only wish you would have taken a look at the
Bear Creek Arsenal Uppers....Great equipment and people for the price! I use them
as my #1 because I love the side charge uppers for up-close work, plus very dependable. Thanks again.Bill
How did noveske and radian not make your list?
I’m shocked Geissele or ADM isn’t mentioned in the list of top tier brands.
You mentioned discussing 14.5” barrels with pinned flash hiders. Forgive my ignorance it I can’t find it in the article
I would respectfully suggest you consider Sionics among the top tier builders. Literally dozens of local/state contracts they have fulfilled over the years speaks volumes even though their marketing doesn't say much at all. Their BCG's truly are the best in the business (NP3 coated w/OCKS gas keys - see the SOTR BCG review) and the uppers can be had for roughly the same price as a mid-tier. After thousands and thousands of rounds thru 16" & 11.5" suppressed uppers (perfectly gassed with no need for an adjustable gas block) with ZERO upper-related issues, they are my go-to for home defense, 2gun matches out to 500+, or high round count classes. There are lots of other makers that produce fun range toys or high priced marque brands, but Sionics is consistently reliable and accurate. They fly under the radar, and I'm glad because they remain affordable.
LMAO, mid tier... yet those companies have held contracts with governments...
Umm... Geissele has a pretty decent upper in the Super Duty or URG-I
I'm sitting here wondering WHY, pew pew rarely - if at all - mentions or rates the Super Duty. It is definitely the UPPER TIER and in my opinion surpasses the "all-mill-speck" Daniel Defense by leaps and bounds, and then I saw your post and realized
I am not the lone ranger (thank you) Geissele is an innovator and they MAKE MOST OF THEIR OWN PARTS, where DD mostly uses mill speck made by others that they do quality control on. I'm not saying they are not good ..... just way over-hyped to me
Great read as always from PPT however I would have to disagree with the tier list, (new) Stag arms can easily replace Anderson and PSA on the mid tier list and Sig Sauer and FNH could be bumped up to premium on account of CHM barrels and picking up recent mil contracts where old man Colt left off.
What’s your bias against Windham Weaponry based on? I have two that work great.
Windham makes one of the best in my opinion obove DDF and a lot of over priced ar's
You failed to mention that Aero Precision is actually who makes most of the parts for the so called top tier uppers lol,in my opinion Aero cannot be matched as far as performance dollar for dollar.
Bear Creek Arsenal is what I'm using now. AR 300 Blackout and. 223 Wylde. Both are 16.5”. I've built my 350 Legend upper coupled with a Bushmaster lower.
bear creek arsenal complete uppers:
caliber of your choice 5.56 7.62x39 .300 blk etc
length of your choice 7.5 10.5 16.5 18 20 etc
cnc billet upper receiver
mlok rail
nitrided bolt carrier group
i have 5:
1x10.5 2x16.5s and an 18
theyre all reliable and accurate
the 16.5s and the 18 are 1 moa accurate to 300 yards with factory match ammo
and for 250 shipped they cant be beat
What diameter barrels are you using an what is the twist rate
Larue is amazing. And interesting that KAC isn't mentioned....
Agreed. Also no mention of Springfield or Patriot Ordinance Factory.
Not sure why everyone thinks Colt products
Are so great. They lost military contracts for a reason. I was involved in DoD testing of Colt against 2 other competitors (that is all there was at the time). Colt came in last in
Every category we tested. Even today, they log more complaints about their uppers over
Everyone else. The QC is lacking.
Centurion Arms is god tier
Great article but imo if you’re putting Colt in the top tier, FNH should be there as well. I believe FNH is actually superior to Colt, but definitely not in a lower tier.
When did PSA and Aero move up from budget-tier to mid-tier? Rock River Arms cost more than both. How much are they paying you?
"But we recommend testing them thoroughly before you decide to use them for defensive purposes." Proceeds to mention FNH and SIG, two companies that have been making AR-15s for USDOD since the '90s.
You left out Premier Weapons Systems.
Primary weapon systems*
And yes great company
You people are crooks or very dishonest. You show a PSA upper for $230.00 , then you are directed to PSA site and the upper is 3 times as much. Very bad for your rep.
Prices are not automatically updated and our staff isn't big enough to update thousands of prices in real-time across the site. A global health event combined with a US election year and civil unrest caused massive stockpiling, shortages in production, and panic buying that resulted in prices rising across the industry as supply plummeted and demand skyrocketed.
This article was posted prior to covid and the election. For example a 200 round box of 5.56 used to cost around $50, now it could be several hundred depending on the brand and availability
Under every link tab is the disclaimer: “Prices accurate at time of writing”
Did you actually read the article in its entirety? With every item the article talks about, there is a disclaimer that says "Prices accurate at time of writing." Your reading comprehension is horrible and you have zero clue about supply and demand.
Word of caution. EVERY rifle from EVERY manufacture should be tested at length before you trust your life to it!
Want someone who stands behind what they sell? CMMG.
PSA prices are all wrong. Plus they say they have in stock then don't ship for three weeks then say they have inventory problems.....
The article is 6 months old, and the small print says "prices accurate at time of writing".
Anyone else own a Radical Firearms upper? I got one in 300 Blackout for hunting, and love it.
Did not read all the comments. But didn't see any listing about White Oak Armament or Odin. Which both list complete uppers. Seen the Noveske and was understand these 3 to be some what in the same class. Of coarse it like Ford and Chevrolet!!!!!!!
I've built a few ar15s and an ar10 and have bought a few of them fully assembled. The Diamondback,2- DPMS, and Spikes Tactical were fully assembled The ar10 I built with a polymer lower with a Delta Team Tactical upper and an ar15 polymer lower with Ar15Tac.com upper. Each has different trigger assemblies and optics, Not to take away from your experience with ar15s but I'm not a list person and I buy what I like and can afford. Just because someone spends a bunch of money on a "top tier" rifle doesn't mean their not gonna have problems or accuracy issues. A lot depends on the person that owns the rifle, how they take care of it, the optics, the trigger, etc. My friend bought an aero precision cause he seen a list somewhere that they were better than one of the DPMSs I own. He found out that lists of high dollar rifles aren't all that when my DPMS out shot his. Out of all my ARs my first DPMS is by far my go to gun for hunting, range shooting, etc. I've shot more deer, varmints, hogs, with that rifle and have never had an issue of any kind and no, you didn't hurt my feelings by putting DPMS at the bottom tier my point is that people shouldn't be afraid to purchase any of the bottom tier rifles cause a list says you have to spend crazy money to have a dependable and accurate rifle. Its just not true.
Ted, what do you think of the AR15Tac.com upper? You didn't criticize it so I am assuming good?
Eric when you were in the military did you ever get told that if the round won't chamber hit the assist to make the problem worse. I didn't see any comments on manual assists. Don't have any now and didn't use them in the service.
I just got into shooting ar-15 and having fun with it. Any suggestion on how I can build a good rifle with sight with a budget of 2k. I already have a AR-15 colt with a 16 inch barrel.
Oh my, you could build a pair of beautiful AR's with 2 grand. I've owned many, a couple of Delton 16"s, a Olympic Arms in x39, a few other piece meal ones, Bear Creek Arsenal, PSA (kit where I built the lower, SUPER simple and easy BTW) 10.5" pistol by far my favorite go to since putting it together AND can carry it on my passenger seat loaded since I live in a Constitutional Carry state, and I had a couple of other AR's through the years too..
I'd say for building something, Delton and PSA would be my first 2 choices. Anyway, just pick barrel length, what it's for, and go for it!
I know your pushing the larger length 14” uppers, but you may consider highlighting the smaller uppers I.E. BCM 11.5, Daniel Defense, and others- If you put a suppressor on a 11.5” upper the barrel size increases to 14-16”. A suppressed m4 is ideal for home defense since Your not blowing out your neighbors eardrums —ohh and the Katt with the super beard on Your Staff you may consider a charity Shave off and the proceeds go to shaving his beard. Besides that beard can get stuck in machine tools, burned up by hot objects or firearms of open bolt designs -can be a liability-even for ‘Pew Pew’.
Good Luck
Hurting your neighbors’ eardrums should be your last concern in a defensive gun use. Even the concept of wearing ear protections yourself is debatable and imo a bit unrealistic in a stuff is hitting the fan situation.
I guess Geissele gets left out for fairly obvious reasons. I'd like to see a response to this message.
I beg too differ about the Stag Arms Brand being a lower tier brand!!! I own a few and they are far from lower tier and make a damn good product!!! getting them on a sale is even better and cheaper dosnt mean cheaply maid!
Stag is a lower tier brand. Nothing wrong with them, they shoot fine, but it is silly to suggest they are on the same level as god tier DD, LMT, BCM, Noveske, LaRue, etc...
Frank must have missed the mid tier section and he never said Stag was as good as BCM, DD etc
Just wanted to thank you for all the thorough and objective content you guys put out there. It is really appreciated.
Thanks! :D Glad you're enjoying it!
Any thoughts on Fortis uppers? Just wondering if they're any good.
There is a lot of other factors involved in reliability and accuracy besides the design of a rifle. You don't have to spend crazy money to have a reliable and accurate AR either. I guess some people have to justify what They paid to buy or build their AR. BTW my 2 DPMS rifles have put some of those high dollar ones to shame at the range and in the field. If I miss that quarter at 200 yards I have 29 more rounds and my rifles not jamming.
Can believe I just read all this... and then the comments. Anyone who says anything about “Price doesn’t equal quality” is a complete dolt. It means they don’t understand the firearm, the different manufacturers or their designs or end goals (reliability/ accuracy). Any $500 AR can throw a bullet a hundred yards, but few can cover a quarter at 200+. Those who understands this, understands the build process, the ammunition and the reason for the higher cost.... It’s not just laser etching on a pot metal.
Anyone who thinks Price equals quality is a dolt. Just because it's expensive doesn't mean it's good.
Mike I don’t disagree, but most shooters won’t notice the difference at the range in terms of accuracy. You have to be a great shooter or you have to put optic and go for targets at a longer range. Most lower end manufacturers are also good to go nowadays, you’re not going to have the fit and finish, and nice features such as the more durable barrel, better treatment on the BCG etc but for most situations and most people it will do it’s job
I can't believe you have FN in the same tier as Palmetto and Aero (which is not knocking PSA and Aero)...
I'll take an FN rifle over an equivalent Colt any day.
What are your thoughts on Bear Claw Arsenal
Uppers .. Midsouth has advertised them
Thanks in advance
If your talking about Bear Creek Arsenal, I have two uppers 300 Blackout and 458 Socom,. Both perform as expected
without problems. They are not top of the line so your mileage will/may vary. Check with other who have them, see if they
have issues. I am happy with mine.
The listed retailers are the end result of parts tree of life. The higher the price, the more middle men. Not necessarily, the higher the quality. You want to look for a combination of high quality individual parts, absolutely NOT mil-spec, the lowest quality, and performance tier; Combined with assemblers exhibiting high quality assurance (you're way past the quality control stage), and extreme attention to detail. So if you buy a rifle with a flag engraved on both sides, They should conform to either, official flag flying specs, like on a jeep, or aircraft; Or to your specific order specs. If you bring up quality control, or attention to detail, and the seller says- that costs money! Go someplace else, because the first three steps in making anything are, attention to detail, quality control, and quality assurance, before you charge penny one. I don't want to list my favorites after going through M's, AR's, and M's again since 1970! Luckily, with all officially supplied ammo. I want you, the future buyer, to become a well educated, well informed, conscious, buyer, so you can pay it forward.
To review- price does not necessarily equate to quality. Mil-spec is the lowest quality level on the market. Endeavour to always exceed mil-spec. The critical components are- matched upper/lower sets that DO NOT open like a mil-spec hinge. Bolt carrier to upper receiver slop on fore/aft movement. Bolt to barrel extension precise, smooth, interaction. Bolt to bolt carrier precise, smooth, non wobbling interaction. Bore, centered precisely in the barrel. (BTSeenT). Barrel precisely, and correctly positioned in the barrel extension. Barrel extension, with correct feed ramp, correctly centered in upper receiver, to correctly feed a round. Correct chamber for your chosen round. I have had all 3. For me, the best, constantly reliable, was the 5.56 military chamber. It ate/eats anything. .223 chambers can be quirky with 5.56 rounds.. (ever found blown primers in your barrel extension? ) And the Wilde chambers can be quirky with all but specific sized reloads. So talk with the chamber expert in the shop when deciding which chamber to use/request. And recognize that AR-X may love one brand of ammo, and shoot it dead on where you want, but with super high priced g-whiz ammo, it may turn into a clunker gun!
There are only three or four actual manufacturers of many of the upper parts listed. Maybe 5! Using original M-16E2 source retail, plus - Government prices as a start, we can determine the ever increasing retail price andan indicator of the number of extra middle men involved. Lets start with a "mil-spec" rifle. Bottom of the barrel, lowest quality, minimal accuracy, must go bang, most of the time, sloppiest tolerances, no problem with parts wear out or breakage with constant depot, or armory level care and maintenance. - Milspec- had one issued for 35 years!
Above mil-spec- difference is, attention to detail, quality control, and assembly tolerance quality. If you have an assembler that gets paid $2. per rifle to assemble it. The faster he can make it go click bang, the more he makes! If the gun comes back to be correctly rebuilt to correct original factory, shoulda been spec, it comes out of the assemblers time. They don't like that, and at some companies, the assembler, whose d code is stamped into the bottom of the grip frame, will do anything to avoid the issue. Especially with stainless steel, issue,law enforcement revolvers from a hour North of Hartford. Just something to be aware of.
But, if you get a rifle, built by a guy who is a professional, and who cares, and you get a box stock, matched upper/lower, rifle that shoots better than 1 moa, has had one malfunction that can't be explained in the first 3500 rounds, was overnight factory shipped corrected, then went 60,000 rounds without failure, and still shot 2.5 moa, with all stock, non mil-spec (above, due to attention to detail, and quality control), parts. For an, at the time, $800 rifle. That pretty much sets the standard of expectance. Colona, Il. must have special air!
So a key component to getting a super- shoots where you think, never breaks gun, is to find the actual source of the critical component parts, like the barrel, or the matched, no slack, upper/lower assembly, and ask them, who uses their components.
Like ask Brownells who makes their super excellent component parts, and start there. Many "assemblers" produce multiple tier quality levels. From the bottom end mil-spec stuff, to the exceptional quality, "ultra match grade, non mil-spec stuff" but make sure your chosen manufacturer can back up his grade level claims with product, not words or labels.
If you have ever sat in front of the old Colt Hammer Forging barrel machine for an hourof havng your bones rattled, it gives perspective. If you've talked to Boots, and listened to his swiss time piece barrel machine in the background, it gves you perspective. If you go to Colona, Il. and get treated like family, it gves perspective. Or if you walk into a small production company, stacked to the ceiling with boxes of parts being supplied to 25 different AR rifle assembling companies, it gives perspective.
Point is- research is fun, and a great learning experience. Investigate, go to the shot show and talk to everyone, big and small, especially small. Read the name tags of passers by. The heavy hitters at the show will be quiet guys walking the aisles, with no tables. Find they, talk to them, learn!
Respectfully,
an aged barrel stroker
It seems if you were going to mention anyone about precision varmint uppers you would have to include a Larue tactical upper. $891 even gets you cerokote, their MBTrigger. Stock and grip.
A stainless steel barrel is not more inheriently accurate than a comparable chromoly barrel. The difference is in the gauging of the barrel after it is rifled. I also must take exception to your notion that Ruger or Smith and Wesson are less "top tier" than Colt or the other manufacturers you list as top. I have been a gunsmith for more than 35 years and have worked on all of these, not depend on them? Nonsense. You seem to be more impressed by the price than actual performance. I would put one of mine against anything you list as top tier.
I'm looking to build a 223 Wylde do you need a special upper for these or just the barrel and bolt carrier?
Only thing different about a .223 Wylde build Vs. .223 or 5.56 NATO is the barrel. Same bolt, carrier, mags, ammo, etc.
Anderson ???? Stop already
What's wrong with anderson?
Some great information but really nothing at all to support the placement in a specific category. It may just be us mechanical engineers that want real data in the form of exactly what materials, coatings, design features, tolerances and dimensions, surface finish, heat treatments, it is that makes one widget better than another. Millions of bytes on the web and still not what we need.
Those uppers with the suppressors, do they need FFL transfer?
yes. the upper no, the suppressor yes. together, assembled, yes. it keys on the suppressor. of, if it's a ruger with the serial number on the barrel, yes, with a can attached.
Where can I get the Wilson Combat Suppressed .300 Blackout?
From Wilson!
Anderson and PSA “Mid-Tier”. Must totally be serious gun guys.....
Hi, how do you guys rate the POF uppers
Pricey, but everything I've heard about them has always been very positive.
Does POF make their own uppers? or have them made under contract for them? I really like the POF lowers, for attention to detail, and quality control, but only with a matched, non mil-spec, won't open like a clam, upper. For strength, check the torque specs they tested to the failure point in screwing on the barrel nut. While put it together spec is one thing. Failure spec tells you the quality of the upper, metal. When you attach the upper to the lower, it should sound like an mp-5sda3 with a wet supressor. shick-aaah! It should no go clunk clunk, snap snap!
Hard to take that list seriously with Anderson and FNH being in the same Tier!
In the first picture of this post of a few upper receivers y'all own, which upper receiver is the third one in from the left side? I really like how it looks.
My Rock River is the Rifleman model and it's free floating, and you forgot Primary Weapons, they make some killer uppers.
RRA cheapest of the bunch? Not sure about that. Very well built and reliable gun(s)!
Hello Eric
I do have one AR15 7,62x39 also a AR10 .308 from Windham Weaponry......and they are excellent weapon
not on your list...!!!!
Agreed but Windham is still small and not as well known outside of New England. Might be a blessing letting them focus on keeping quality while building out company!
I don't understand how you could possibly have Stag and Aero Precision in different tiers. The overwhelming majority of people in the firearms community more than likely would consider them to be on par with each other. Neither of which are a bottom tier IMO
at atlantic tactical they ran a special fn 16.1 inch ar with a flat top for about a grand plus tax ,I bought three and outfitted different optics to match my shooting styles ,each holds an inch and a half at 300 yards ,now that's a deal worth getting.all but one got an acog .it got a vortex strike eagle 1x8 instead.
You put FNH in the mid tier? Shows what you know or who's paying you to push their brand
I've handled several FN 15s and none of them have been overly impressive, especially for the price point. I'm a big FN fan but when it comes to an AR-15 there are better options for the cost.
What happen to Seekins?
You call spikes a 2nd rate brand????? the whole ar community lives by them ! Spikes runs the lower game!
Dumb question. Is it OK to mix the manufactures between up and lower? I just bought an Anderson lower. Can I use another company’s upper?
For an AR-15 yes it is fine. The vast majority of manufacturers all use the same mil-spec standard as everyone else. There are a couple of companies out there that make a weird pattern that isn't mil-spec, but those are very rare, cost an outrageous amount, and comes with lots of warning labels about how they aren't standard.
All of the manufacturers we looked at in this article all make standard mil-spec uppers that can attach to any standard lower with no worries.
Personally, I highly recommend Aero.
David, thanks for the information.
make sure it fits and that the pins line up and are tight,but nut overly tight .
Two other great budget uppers are diamondback and CBC industries. I was weary of diamondback as they’re not known to make the greatest pistols, but I’ve already put 1000rds through one and have never had an issue and it’s extremely accurate. I’ve never personally shot a CBC upper but from the reviews they get they seem pretty nice. Both start around $200 with a large variety of uppers on both websites.
I have a CBC upper mounted to a Anderson lower excellent fit and my 16'' 1/7 twist 556 upper is as reliable and accurate as you can ask for regardless of the price at 200 yards I can shoot the cap off of a milk jug every shot it runs steel case tula ammo without an issue and brass runs great the customer service is prompt and they keep you informed on the status of your order unlike the horror stories I've read about from other companies I hope this helps more people decide to exercise they're 2nd amendment rights responsibly
Not a single punctuation mark. I got out of breath just reading that post
I've purchased 4 ar stoner uppers that have going on a 1000 rounds without a pickup and printing 1/2 moa at 100 yards. I'm curious why they are not mentioned at all
1/2 moa consistently is a pretty bold claim. any proof?
Wth these groups of mid tier vs top tier are ridiculous. What is that the groups of people that didn't offer to send you free stuff vs the people that did?
Simply...groups are what people ask for. And I wish! I've only gotten email responses back from one of the top tier listed.
Eric i always enjoy your articles but I don’t know how lon it’s been since you got a palmetto state armory upper but I have ordered 3 in last 6 months using their deal of the day and they to me are better than most of the middle group you mentioned. I have a DD AR and they don’t compare but I’ve had zero problems and great groups with all of them. Most are what they call blemishes and they usually have a little scratch on the rail or a slight color defect that I’m not sure most could tell if they don’t look for it and all 3 have had stainless free float barrels and the most I paid was $249 because they are blemishes one is perfect because it has a paint chip right where my optic sits. And at that price I was able to put eotech on all. I know this is about uppers but today they have a 5th gen glock 26 and 3 lowers for $599 if you wait and catch the uppers you want you can get 4 guns for under $1200 bucks and the quality of uppers have been great. I’m thinki of pulling plug on the Glock and 3 lower deal and test them out.
Hi Shane, we'll be testing some PSA uppers and barrels soon!
I agree about PSA. I bought an 18" stainless upper in .223 Wylde and mated it to a Ruger lower. It has been an outstanding build. The upper arrived in about a week and was just as advertised. I have been very impressed.
JSE surplus is a great place for a large variety of complete uppers. They allowed me to customize the 4 I bought from them. Delton also has a really cool customizable section. There are only 3 upper receiver manufactures and all make them to mill spec. Its the barrel you want to pay attention to. I prefer mid-length gas system. it shoots smoother and tends to be more reliable for extraction. Most barrels are 16" why not get the most out of it.
what do you mean only 3 upper manufacturers? if you mean forges.. you're wrong. if you mean finishers.. again incorrect.
what about Wilson combat upper lowers
meh. vastly overpriced. they arent nearly as good as their pistols.
This guy is clearly an idiot...Since when is RRA low tier quality? Thanks for the good laugh :)
Thank you, Jorey.
at least he has a article backing up his opinion, what are you backing up your claim of idiocy? Personal experience?
I'd like to suggest very decently priced and good quality uppers by Karri's Guns. I bought a 10.5" 5.56 upper and haven't regretted it.
For the guy that asked about building a 223 Wylde vs 223/5.56. Do not,I repeat do not go with the Wylde as a first timer in ar's. You will regret it and won't be with it long before you end up swapping uppers. My recommendation to anyone entering the world of ar's, build a basic 5.56/.223 then after you are comfortable get a 300 blk upper. 90 percent of the stuff on this list is the same. You learn after years of building that just about every lower is the same. Unless you are looking for a specific logo, custom serial number or a cool feature that a lower may have, all lowers are made by the same three or four companies before being sent to get the premium laden logo attached. Don't worry about building a cool looking gun your first time out. I see guys all the time waste time and money building a pretty gun that doesn't work or shoot for schitt. Make sure any lower you buy is marked multi caliber and listed as a pistol/ rifle lower on your form, that way you can build a formless SBR without the nitpicking. Sigbrace, sigbrace, sigbrace, is all I will say to end this.
I would be careful about the way you say this, if your intentions are getting around an sbr tax stamp, your breaking the law, and that is how the law is wrote, you must build a pistol, from a reciver that has never been a rifle, does not matter what the new reciver that has never been a rifle is marked.
Just saying!
A stripped lower should always be classified as "other", it's the final assembly that determines rifle or pistol. Caliber does not matter on the lower receiver, but very much matters on the barrel.
Do no assemble a rifle with a barrel under 16" without a stamp in hand.
Could you elaborate on your hatred for the Wylde? I have the caliber in 18" SS and can't tell a difference in rifle function. Shoots like a champ!
think you can chalk it up to ignorance.
what in the world are you talking about with the 223 wylde stuff? itll shoot 223 or 5.56. its not a custom wildcat cartridge lol. and multi caliber marking has absolutely nothing to do with a "formless sbr" which im hoping you mean pistol? you're giving out dangerous and incorrect information.
Enjoyed the article. I am a left handed shooter and looking for info for building rifle for leftie.
Hey Daniel, if you go to the end of the article you'll see a lefty receiver from Stag. You should be able to buy just the upper receiver from them too.
FNH and Sig are some top tier manufacturers.
Hi Sir, you never mentioned American Tactical Imports (ATI). I have put over 3000 rounds through it in the past 2 years with zero defects... Day something about ATI.
Low tier
wait? what? Putting PSA in the same leage as Olympic arms and RRA? what the literal F??? and putting Anderson above them in Mid tier? psa has SOME cheap stuff (their PTAC line), but their freedom is as good as any in the mid tier line, maybe better, while their premium line almost rivals BCM (almost, not quite)...
Evidence or bravado?
experience. I have multiple guns from BCM, Colt, PSA, Aero (only one Aero at the moment though) and guess what. the PSA Freedom and CHF stuff that has been coming out the last 2 years are seriously good shit. Especially the NEW freedom line (in the last 8 months) when they switched to 4150 CMV barrels and all nitride/melonite as they ditched most of their phosphate stuff. BCM is good shit and imo deserves the higher tier, but their difference between PSA is more in fit and finish vs. actual performance.
it won't let me edit, sorry.
and my argument is not that BCM and PSA should be ranked equally, but that putting PSA in the same league as Olympic Arms, DPMS and Delton is ridiculous. Especially when he puts ANDERSON (the king of uber cheap ARs) in the mid tier with Aero and the like.
Agree 100% late reading this but I’ve bought 3 PSA uppers in last 3 months and all were the freedom with blemish on them and most can’t find the blemish it’s usually a little color difference or paint chip on the rail. I have a DD and they not in that group but I have no problem taking them out plus it gives me little extra to put in optics.
Hi Eric. I was thinking of trying to build a 5.56 rifle and I had read other articles about anderson lowers being very good quality. I was wondering if it would be a good idea to put a Aero M4E1 16″ upper onto an anderson lower or whether aero percision ( or any other brand for that matter within that price range) Would Be a better choice. This would be my first ar build. Thank you so much for the information on the article it has helped me immensely.
A few thoughts: (1) Since Olympic has gone out of business, it would make sense to remove their products from your listing. (2) Since "USSOCOM Selects M-Lok For Weapon Programs" (google it), the KeyMod platform is pretty much dead. Everyone wants milspec, which is now M-Lok. (3) Why the continuing inclusion of quad rails, which are heavy, ungainly, and often have sharp edges? The best rail design I've seen lately is the ALG Defense EMR v1, which is round-ish, light, smooth, and lets you attach M-Lok accessories anywhere you want. All I want on my rifle is a light and an optic, so I don't see the point of the full-length M1913 rail along the top, either. Not trying to start a fight or troll, just offering some suggestions along the line of "light and simple is better."
I just finished a build (kind of a Frankenbuild) with Mega Arms forged upper and lower, UTG Slim Pro handguard, and 16" Ballistic Advantage Hanson Series 1:8 barrel in QPQ finish. The Mega receivers are absolutely tight and well finished. Had to heat the upper to insert the barrel, but I understand this is a good thing for accuracy. First time out, after sighting in the run of the mill Magpul irons, I shot a 20 round grouping the size of a plum at 50 yards. Recommend all of the above parts.
Very cool, thanks for the insight!
For the complete aero precision upper do you recommend the pencil profile or m4 profile? 16" mid length gas tube. Just for a good all around gun.
I like the pencil profiles for weight reduction. Unless you plan on shooting lots of rounds really quickly you won't really see a difference in groups.
Yeah Pew is asinine for saying the "Standard barrel profile: not the Enhanced Light Weight so it's more balanced and has better cooling” This is absurd. The standard Gov profile sucks and everyone knows it’s inferior to modern barrel profiles. The ELW and EMW have a modern taper and will be better at handling and more balanced. Even BCM themselves says that their enhanced profile barrels have "Continuous taper designed for optimal weight, balance, and performance. Tapered profile out front, for easier maneuverability." It's why modern taper profile barrels like the Criterion CORE, BA Hanson, Faxon Gunner, and BCM ELW and EMW profiles exist, just to name a few. Everyone in the industry knows that these are better than a standard gov profile. It makes absolutely no sense why the author would say the opposite, it's just flat out wrong.
if I had the money. the LMT with quick change barrel would be the best
not one LMT????
No personal experience yet...but they are pretty awesome from what I hear.
What do you think about RADICAL FIREARMS TACTICAL ???
Hey Darwin, no personal experience but I know they are very affordable.
Hello Eric, I want to build a side charging 300 Blackout.
I see a complete upper by ARStoner. Do you have a review available for that brand?
Thanks for your site.
Tom
Hey Thomas, I haven't owned any AR Stoner stuff but I know they are the budget in-house brand for Midway. I'd check out more reviews first.
Thanks for your quick response and advice Eric.
Do you see any negatives going with the 18" wylde upper over the 16" mid length upper by Aero Precision? Other than it being 2" longer, I like the added accuracy it will provide for farther distance.
It'll just be longer and heavier...but give you slightly more velocity for farther distances.
I'm building my very first AR based on your website recommendations of the Aero Precision. For a first time owner of an AR, which barrel length would you recommend? Thank you for your website and taking the time to reply.
Hey Grayden, I like 16" for a good mix between velocity and maneuverability. Plus, you can change up muzzle devices without dealing with permanent attachment.
Ok 16" it is thank you Eric! However, would you opt for the .223 wylde mid length over the 5.56 mid-length for $25 more? Sorry for all the newbie questions but I really value your opinion in owning my first AR. Thank you again Eric!
Hey Grayden, I'd say it's based on if you're looking at slightly more accuracy go for the wylde (if you're reloading, really make sure your rounds are in spec, I learned the hard way), but for general shooting go for the 5.56.
Grayden , you ever live in Washington?
I'm glad to see you included the YHM Black Diamond in the top tier. I did my first build 6 months ago and that is the upper I chose to go with. I have to say it has incredible accuracy. I used top tier products all through the build from a Magpul UBR stock, a Geissele SD3G trigger, a Seekins Precision SBA15 lower to a Steiner T5Xi 1-5x24mm scope. Beast of a build I'll tell you what. I'm glad to see a review that makes an honest assessment on the hierarchy of uppers. Also it reinforces my opinion that I made a good decision in trusting YHM ;)
Awesome, great to hear! I'm looking to test out YHM's 9mm uppers soon so stay tuned.
Eric, you didn't mention Windham Weaponry in your mfg list. Was that a byproduct of your experience with their products? Or, just left them out completely?
Hey John, I've just never had any experience with them.
I am really surprised that you ranked Bushmaster in the lower tier, Can you please elaborate on why you ranked them at this level. Their prices seem to rival most of the mid tiers that you listed.
Just personal experience...they work fine but nothing to write home about.
Eric, was wondering if you could break these out also by whether they are gas impingement or piston driven?
Thanks
Hi Matt, thanks for the tip...I believe they are all direct impingement. But I'll look into adding piston ones too.
Eric,
You mention the Black Diamond "16 from Yankee Hill but I did not see Yankee Hill listed in your mfg. rundown. Where do you list the Yankee Hill products?
Thanks
Hey Ricky, thanks for picking that up. I added them to my primary AR-15 article but forgot them in the upper assemblies one.
I know chrome lined barrels are generally less accurate than their stainless steel counterparts, but Im looking for an 18in chrome lined barrel so I don't have to worry about corrosion. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi William, have you checked out my AR-15 upgrades post?
What an awesome site. All the info one should need.
Thanks Mike!!
Anderson over Bushmaster? XM15 bare bones lower is 350$ Rainier is top shelf as well. Actually, that whole classification of brands is way off. I enjoyed the read, however you putting an FNH as a "mid-tier" weapon is quite laughable. Have you ever touched any rifle made by FNH? I think you would like it! ☺
Hi Connor, thanks for the comments. Hope to try out some FNH rifles soon!
249 SAW, 240B, 50 cal, most barrels in the m4 we used in the army. All FNH. Yeah I'd say their top teir indeed
Thank you for the information!
You're welcome, Kenny!