Brands which make an AR upper receiver that is very durable in the long term

[Robert458]

I'm interested in getting an upper receiver for an AR15 that is built for long term durability. I see a lot of thin uppers that are advertised as "very light" or "easy to carry." If I was using the AR15 for competition/sporting purposes, then maybe this would be okay, maybe even good, however, I'm looking for an AR15 I can depend on for many years that will go through tens of thousands of rounds, including higher pressure rounds with no problems on the upper receiver. I'm fine with carrying extra weight, and am also willing to sacrifice a little bit of accuracy if it makes a difference. I heard the VLTOR MUR upper receiver is supposed to be made of a very thick and high grade aluminum but I would like to know if someone here knows about other brands that possibly make a better upper receiver. Any ideas?

Ideally, I would be very interested in getting an all steel upper receiver, has anyone heard of any reputable brands that make something like that? If so, that would be really good.

[Robert458]

The price of the upper receiver doesn't matter.

[dune870demon]

Forged * upper (like the Vltor) reciever with bcm Ambi charging handle or Rainer raptor handle. Failzero BCG, any chrome lined or nitride treated barrel. Troy quad rail and MI flip up sights. Aim point or primary arms red dot for optics. Muzzle brake or comp or FH is whatever tickles your fancy the most.

[tnlrat37]

Most upper receivers are made by the same forges, then manufacturers buy them and put their names on it. Here's a list I've seen before. I would think anything milspec would last plenty long enough. Ive only seen a couple receivers fail and that's because of either ammo or stupidity. I had one crack on me, wasn't fun, ended up that it was bad ammo, not stupidity

List of verified upper receiver forge markings used by AR-15 upper manufactuers/sellers


DSA - Cardinal forge
Rock River - Cardinal forge
Delton - Cerro forge, square
DPMS - Cerro
Spikes Tactical - Cerro
Stag - Cardinal, Cerro
LWRC- splintered A
Para USA - ZM
Knight’s Armament - Cerro (keyhole)
Wilson Combat - splintered A
Double Star - Cerro
Smith &Wesson - Cerro
Daniel Defense - Cerro
Sabre Defense - Cerro?
Remington - Cerro
BCM - Cerro, square
Bushmaster - Cerro
Stag - splintered A, Cardinal
J&T Distributing (Doublestar) - Cerro, C
CMMG - Cerro
Colt M4 - Cerro (C keyhole), square, Cardinal (“C“ bird‘s head), C AF

[kcheung2]

What's a "thin" upper? I've never heard of any upper receiver failure due to high pressure rounds, nor have I heard of an upper be a factor in accuracy for an AR. OP are you confusing the barrel with the upper receiver?

[Gregchico]

Who makes thin uppers? I would love to test one for myself.

[Whatisthis?]

Almost any decent quality upper/lower receiver will take tens of thousands of rounds. The upper/lower receiver see very low stress levels compared to their design. Because of this, making an all steel upper/lower set makes zero sense to me. What you need to be concerned with is the barrel, BCG, lower receiver internals, and reliable optics/sights.

[Robert458]

I'm looking for a thicker than normal ar upper receiver. Heres a picture of something similar to what I'm talking about: The thin one on the right is an an example of an upper I do not want.

[imarangemaster]

My PSA is Cerro (keyhole) also

[rosenbaumtravis]

I have been pleased with my vltor murs. I believe they are forged, not billet. Vlotr beefs them up in certain areas.

[hermosabeach]

If you read the posts from the ranges in Vegas on rental guns and failures, I do not ever recall an upper receiver failing.


I know of one AR that had a KB- the bolt blew back into the receiver...
The lugs stayed in the barrel

Barrel swelled enough to make removing the free float tube...


With the failure, the shooter was fine and the upper kept gasses and pieces out of the shooter....




With that rant over, at 8-10k rounds of US made Ammo, you most likely will need to rebarrel....


I have not heard of an upper failing outside of a KB damaging the upper or WECSOG related issues...



So I am not sure what uppers are up for your needs....

[Munny$hot]

A forged receiver is stronger than billet.

[hossb7]

The upper receiver itself typically will not receive the same kind of wear that a bolt will. Spending the money now for a quality bolt carrier group and barrel will give you much better life on the rifle than the upper receiver you pick.

[Sunday]

Look at the bravo company web site and read up on their build quality. Then look at other mfg build quality. Palmetto Armory offers quality in their premium line, Daniel defense offers the same quality. parts aren't parts. some are machine gun quality steel and some are bolt action steel quality.

[nate76239]

Most of what is advertised as light weight or thin is either the handguard or the barrel profile. The fat upper on left side of the picture looks like a DPMS slick side upper it's on their entry level models. The upper on the right is most likely a standard mil spec receiver