Question re: ar15 uppers at Glendale show

[classical_buff]

I was at the Glendale show today (pretty decent turnout) and saw a few vendors selling their own complete AR uppers for around $385.

One thing that I found strange was that the marking (usually twist rate and chambering info) on the barrel has been either rubbed out or erased.

Is this normal? Is erasing marking on the barrel indicate the barrel is less than acceptable? Just curious.

[shark92651]

It's a complete upper at a California gun show for $385 - that alone should scare you off. Most markings on a barrel are stamped or laser etched and I've never heard of them being rubbed off.

[richnstef]

prob just a blem hence the cheap price. i wouldnt worry about it

[NHP1127]

I'm sure it was a Noveske or Wilson barrel...... with 1/16 twist? Who knows what your getting. Maybe a paperweight that will blow up.

[VytamenC Tactical]

wouldnt worry about it to much. from my experience more than half the people out there are name brand junkies they want to spend more money because they think there getting more. when the truth is there really not there paying for the coolness of the name. i will take spikes lowers for example there mad in the same machine shop ad jd lowers are yet for some reason spikes sells for more money. they are exactly the same lower with just a different name cut into the side. there are a lot of barrel companies out there making barrels for all the other manufactures some sell for more because they have a cooler name.

[rero360]

wouldnt worry about it to much. from my experience more than half the people out there are name brand junkies they want to spend more money because they think there getting more. when the truth is there really not there paying for the coolness of the name. i will take spikes lowers for example there mad in the same machine shop ad jd lowers are yet for some reason spikes sells for more money. they are exactly the same lower with just a different name cut into the side. there are a lot of barrel companies out there making barrels for all the other manufactures some sell for more because they have a cooler name.

I don't believe that one bit, better companies have better quality control, not just in the quality of the parts but also in their assembly.

Let me ask this, do you think one of those gun show uppers, or the chinese rip off optics would survive this?



I don't intend on blowing up my own person rifles, but I personally am willing to pay the few extra bucks more (and it really isn't much more) to have top tier equipment and the piece of mind knowing that it will survive.

[evidens83]

For that price, why dont you just get a known company like PSA or DTI? Might as well IMHO..

[rodeoflyer]

I'd bet that $385 doesn't include the BCG...

[DannyInSoCal]

I bought my 6.8 upper from RifleGear - Buy from a shop you can trust....

[jamesob]

I don't believe that one bit, better companies have better quality control, not just in the quality of the parts but also in their assembly.

Let me ask this, do you think one of those gun show uppers, or the chinese rip off optics would survive this?



I don't intend on blowing up my own person rifles, but I personally am willing to pay the few extra bucks more (and it really isn't much more) to have top tier equipment and the piece of mind knowing that it will survive.

Alot of mfgs. Would pass that test.

[MrPlink]

I don't believe that one bit, better companies have better quality control, not just in the quality of the parts but also in their assembly.

Let me ask this, do you think one of those gun show uppers, or the chinese rip off optics would survive this?

Are you seriously that niave?

yeah, if it is made correctly there is no reason a "gun show upper" or any other quality one wouldnt survive that.

What you perceive to be proof that DD is a cut above the best, is actually just a video that shows that the AR platform isnt as fragile as most people think it is.

There is nothing special about DD that makes it more durable.

next topic: if Nike Air shoes dont actually make you jump higher, why did Michael Jordan wear them?

[Press Check]

Are you seriously that niave?

yeah, if it is made correctly there is no reason a "gun show upper" or any other quality one wouldnt survive that.

What you perceive to be proof that DD is a cut above the best, is actually just a video that shows that the AR platform isnt as fragile as most people think it is.

There is nothing special about DD that makes it more durable.

Agreed.

DD is awesome, but they certainly do not have the monopoly in durable weapons.

On a side note, I would have preferred no breaks in the actual test footage.

[Don29palms]

I personally would not waste my money on an unmarked gunshow upper. The barrel and the BCG are not the parts you want to cheap out on. You or anyone else can do it but I won't.

[rero360]

Are you seriously that niave?

yeah, if it is made correctly there is no reason a "gun show upper" or any other quality one wouldnt survive that.

What you perceive to be proof that DD is a cut above the best, is actually just a video that shows that the AR platform isnt as fragile as most people think it is.

There is nothing special about DD that makes it more durable.

next topic: if Nike Air shoes dont actually make you jump higher, why did Michael Jordan wear them?

I'm not saying DD is the best, nor do I plan on purchasing one, however my point is I will still with reputable and known quality manufacturers for everything as I know they have tighter tolerances, better quality control and in the rare event of something going wrong I know that they will right the wrong fast and with no issues. I want stuff that has been proven by countless of individuals who run their equipment as hard or harder than I will to work with boring regularity, don't want any doubt in my mind of if it will work or if it will fail at the most inopportune time.

I don't have a lot of money to spend on gear so I choose to spend what money I do have on equipment that has proven to work, tested by those who attend multiple high round count carbine courses every year, those who get paid to shoot bad guys in the face in the crap holes of the world.

I demand that the best raw materials and manufacturing and assembling practices to be used, that staking is done properly, that the chamber is cut to spec and is polished correctly.

If anything that video speaks more to the durability of the Aimpoint than the rifle.

Overall I will stick with what I know works, buy once, cry once, quality not quantity.

Larue Tactical
Daniel Defense
Troy
Colt
BCM
Aimpoint
Trijicon
USO
S&B
NF
GAP
AI
Badger Ordnance
Noveske
Etc. etc.

Call me a fanboy or snob, or label whore or whatever, I don't care, I'll stick with what is proven.

[applevalleyjoe]

wouldnt worry about it to much. from my experience more than half the people out there are name brand junkies they want to spend more money because they think there getting more. when the truth is there really not there paying for the coolness of the name. i will take spikes lowers for example there mad in the same machine shop ad jd lowers are yet for some reason spikes sells for more money. they are exactly the same lower with just a different name cut into the side. there are a lot of barrel companies out there making barrels for all the other manufactures some sell for more because they have a cooler name.

Wait, are you saying that JD Machining in San Diego MAKES the Spike's lowers as well as their own JD lowers? How do you know that?