Help picking a complete upper?

[notford]

Rifle gear stuff is made by Daniel Defense and priced well within your budget. I have PSA, but all the companies mentioned are pretty good quality per this forum and AR15.com.

[FMJBT]

If you could fill us in on what you want the rifle to do, you will get more direct help and not such a wide range of answers. Do you want a rifle just for plinking at 100 yards? A long range rifle capable of 800+ yard accuracy? Zombie CQB (For when the horde closes in)? Night time pig hunting? Etc.

For pretty much any build other than varmint rifles that shoot lighter weight bullets, I'd suggest going with either a 1-8" or 1-7" twist for the barrel. 1-9" twist is fine for 55 and 62 grain loads, but has a hard time stabilizing 69-77 grain loads that are geared more for long range. The heavier bullets can spin sideways in as little as 25 yards from the muzzle, causing total loss of anything resembling accuracy. Using a 1-7" twist on 55 and 62 grain bullets generally doesn't have any negative effect other than slightly slower muzzle velocity.

As far as brands go, anymore you almost have to dig to find anyone putting out absolute crap for uppers. Sabre Defense, Stag, Spike's, BCM, Daniel Defense, PSA are all good to go. On the rare occasion that I buy a fully assembled upper, I normally go through PK Firearms since they only list what is currently in stock and have insanely fast shipping. They do a pretty decent job at assembly as well.

[db.40]

I think mostly it's just going to be a "tacticool" zombie gun that I take to the range occasionally. As far as furniture, I'd like to mount some sort of optic, forward grip, maybe a light, and folding iron sights.

[REPR]

This right here for the win!

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XSTU9540VTX&name=Spikes+Tactical+14.5%22+Elite+CHF+Vortex+5.56%2f.223+NiB+BCG+Upper+Receiver&groupid=6

[2shotjoe]

This right here for the win!

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.as...iver&groupid=6

thanks a sweet upper.

[2shotjoe]

no

Spikes

https://www.primaryarms.com/Spike_s_...spkstu5035.htm

I got this one, so far is it preforming well with iron sights. Gonna scope it and see what kind of groupings i get.

[FMJBT]

I like this one quite a bit. Lightweight, compact, free floated for max accuracy, and it has the new Spike's Dynacomp as well. This would be an excellent multi purpose upper with a 1-4 scope. 14.5" barrel should max out somewhere around 600 yards with heavier match ammo, and should be really good at close range also.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XSTU5050R2D&name=Spikes+Tactical+14.5%22+Lightweight+5.56%2f.223+DynaComp+BAR-12+Upper+Receiver&groupid=368

[pacifico23]

IDE go for BCM, PSA or Armalite. But I'm a armalite fan boy. So I guess my vote is kinda biased.

[dieselpower]

IDE go for BCM, PSA or Armalite. But I'm a armalite fan boy. So I guess my vote is kinda biased.

agree, that AR roll mark goes a long way with me too.

[slam128]

There's a wait on the DD mid length lightweight. Get a BCM!~

[BAGunner]

Someone please bring on the tier 1/2/3 list...

My upper choice:
~600 PSA
~900 BCM
~1200 Noveske Larue

Features I will look for:
<$1000 uppers: 1/7 twist, chrome lined, mid-length, HPI/MPI bolt and barrel, CMV steel, properly staked gas key, auto BCG,

>$1200 uppers are usually GTG.

[Knife Edge]

Someone please bring on the tier 1/2/3 list...

My upper choice:
~600 PSA
~900 BCM
~1200 Noveske Larue

Features I will look for:
$1200 uppers are usually GTG.

Larue is LW50 polygonal stainless, polished BCG (clean with a dry rag), Texas-staked gas key, probably some kick tale hand guard that bolts to the upper.... I'd say tier 1 regardless of use. LW50 longer lasting than 416.