AT3 Tactical: Spear handguards and upper receivers any good? - Page 1

AR-15 » Rifles, Uppers, Lowers, Barrels, and more

AR Sponsor:

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - AT3 Tactical: Spear handguards and upper receivers any good?

Posted: 2/19/2020 2:04:30 PM EDT

I receive sales emails from AT3 and generally ignore them but I was looking at their "Spear" handguards and their billet-style upper receivers (no FA just a dust cover) and was wondering if anyone's bought from them.

The handguards look decent enough for the price esp. the sale price.

They're also made in the USA.

Obviously they're not Fortis/BCM/Geissele but since STNGR raised their prices out of sight I was looking for another "best bang for the buck" budget handguard maker. And they look suspiciously like they're actually made by STNGR.

So...Fo? or Hell, no?

https://www.at3tactical.com/products/at3-spear-m-lok-ar-15-free-float-handguard-12-15-lengths

Posted: 2/17/2020 2:50:44 PM EDT

[#1]

Take one for the team and fo for it.

Posted: 2/17/2020 4:20:22 PM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
Take one for the team and fo for it.

View Quote

I just might do that. ETA: I did!

Posted: 2/17/2020 4:54:06 PM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:

I just might do that.

View Quote

They look fine to me. I've got BCM MCMR's, Noveseke NSR and SLR's at the moment. But I honestly can't say they are any better then that 6061 tube clamped to a barrel nut, even their anti rotation tabs on that billet upper look pretty clean.

Out of what I have... I really like the SLR wedge clamps the best, but who knows if it's superior.

Posted: 2/17/2020 10:53:22 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:

I just might do that.

View Quote

Be aware that their billet upper that is part of the set doesn't fit in the cheap common clam shell vise blocks. Another means of securing the upper while you torque the barrel nut down needs to figured into the cost, unless you already have something else (reaction rod, some other kind of receiver clamp, etc...)

Posted: 2/17/2020 11:16:11 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:

Be aware that their billet upper that is part of the set doesn't fit in the cheap common clam shell vise blocks. Another means of securing the upper while you torque the barrel nut down needs to figured into the cost, unless you already have something else (reaction rod, some other kind of receiver clamp, etc...)

View Quote

I have a BEV block but also have access to a reaction rod if needed.

I was on their website and while I see assembled uppers using the "billet" receiver for sale I don't see them available as a stand-alone item. Maybe I missed them. Not a huge deal as I have an Anderson "sporter" slick-side in my parts box.

Posted: 2/18/2020 8:56:29 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
I was on their website and while I see assembled uppers using the "billet" receiver for sale I don't see them available as a stand-alone item.

View Quote

https://www.at3tactical.com/products/at3-tactical-ar-15-stripped-billet-upper-receiver

I just ordered the receiver/handguard combo last night in ODG, so I'll be able to provide my own assessment. I plan to get one of the PlastiXrevolution upper vise blocks for it.

Posted: 2/18/2020 9:11:26 PM EDT

[#7]

I ordered a 11.5 complete upper last year that's been solid, no complaints here.

Posted: 2/19/2020 2:04:30 PM EDT

[#8]

Topic Moved

Posted: 2/19/2020 2:16:53 PM EDT

[#9]

Yup

Posted: 2/19/2020 7:54:21 PM EDT

[#10]

Got the Spear slick side upper receiver and 15 inch mlok to fill out a budget build I was completing. Haven't fired it yet but the upper and handguard flow together seamlessly as it should. Four total bolts 2 on side and 2 bottom give a pretty solid lockup. Barrel nut requires no timing which is a plus. Got both in black but the finish between the upper and h/g are not the same finish of black (at least not on mine). The rec. has a somewhat purplish hue which is different I suppose. Mated the upper with a PSA lower rec. build. Fit was somewhat loose compared to using Aero upper and lower components exclusively. Love me some AP. Damn but the Spear hg is very lightweight. All told everything seems decent enough in quality plus AT3 stands behind their stuff imho.

Posted: 2/19/2020 8:08:59 PM EDT

[#11]

Btw I also have and used the bev block. Worked great for that particular build.

Posted: 2/21/2020 6:50:42 PM EDT

[#12]

I got my ODG AT3 upper and handguard yesterday as well as my Faxon Gunner 16" barrel. My AeroShell hadn't arrived yet though. The upper is too tight to mount my barrel without lubrication; I'm hoping the lube will be all it needs and that I won't have to remove any Cerakoting. The barrel nut fits fine, as I would expect. The pieces feel and look great.

Posted: 2/22/2020 12:15:24 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
Take one for the team and fo for it.

View Quote

I did just now. Squeaked in they had 5 left in the size/color I wanted (they had 7 when I put it in my cart)

Posted: 2/22/2020 10:41:13 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
I got my ODG AT3 upper and handguard yesterday as well as my Faxon Gunner 16" barrel. My AeroShell hadn't arrived yet though. The upper is too tight to mount my barrel without lubrication; I'm hoping the lube will be all it needs and that I won't have to remove any Cerakoting. The barrel nut fits fine, as I would expect. The pieces feel and look great.

View Quote

No luck with the AeroShell. The barrel still won't seat. I'll have to thin the Cerakote I guess.

Posted: 2/23/2020 12:42:13 AM EDT

[#15]

I'm curious to learn of the long term ability of the barrel nut locking screws on the underside of the clamp. I was also looking at these handguards before I ultimately got unbranded ar ones. The tightening screw on the unbranded ar handguards is larger and screws into a wedge that interacts with the barrel nut trench which seemed more robust to me as opposed to two small perpendicular screws on the at3s.

Posted: 2/24/2020 10:45:47 AM EDT

[#16]

I guess I'll find out when the handguard comes in and it's installed.

The attachment method is very similar to that of STNGR handguards and I have had zero issues with them.

Posted: 2/24/2020 12:21:00 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:

No luck with the AeroShell. The barrel still won't seat. I'll have to thin the Cerakote I guess.

View Quote

Try to heat the receiver first. Maybe even cool the barrel while you're at it.

Posted: 2/24/2020 2:32:00 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:

Try to heat the receiver first. Maybe even cool the barrel while you're at it.

View Quote

Tried both. It may have helped a little bit, but the going was tough. I did finally get it jammed in there after a LOT of force, but if I ever have to replace a barrel, I fear I'm not going to be able to get it out. No biggie I guess: new upper receivers aren't too terribly expensive.

Posted: 2/24/2020 7:33:56 PM EDT

[#19]

Don't overlook Larue LAT's
And you can never go wrong with MidWest stuff

Posted: 2/25/2020 1:56:03 AM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
Tried both. It may have helped a little bit, but the going was tough. I did finally get it jammed in there after a LOT of force, but if I ever have to replace a barrel, I fear I'm not going to be able to get it out. No biggie I guess: new upper receivers aren't too terribly expensive.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

Try to heat the receiver first. Maybe even cool the barrel while you're at it.

Tried both. It may have helped a little bit, but the going was tough. I did finally get it jammed in there after a LOT of force, but if I ever have to replace a barrel, I fear I'm not going to be able to get it out. No biggie I guess: new upper receivers aren't too terribly expensive.

Too tight is a good problem to have. Some people actually bed their barrels to get that kind of fit.

Posted: 2/26/2020 3:18:57 PM EDT

[#21]

The 9" Spear handguard arrived today.

All in all, not bad for $76 and there was no tax or shipping fees.

It's actually 9.25" but that's not a problem. Finish is very good and with the exception of one tiny 'burr' on the inside of one of the anti-rotation tabs there are no sharp edges.

For a "better than budget budget pistol build" this should do very nicely.

Comes with a barrel nut wrench, complete instructions, and a sticker.

I did not purchase one of their billet upper receivers but I might consider it.

Posted: 2/26/2020 5:37:47 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
The 9" Spear handguard arrived today.

All in all, not bad for $76 and there was no tax or shipping fees.

It's actually 9.25" but that's not a problem. Finish is very good and with the exception of one tiny 'burr' on the inside of one of the anti-rotation tabs there are no sharp edges.

For a "better than budget budget pistol build" this should do very nicely.

Comes with a barrel nut wrench, complete instructions, and a sticker.

I did not purchase one of their billet upper receivers but I might consider it.

View Quote

If you don't mind checking, do you happen you know what size barrel nut wrench they included? I'm curious as someone asked me what size wrench my unbrandedar barrel nut used, but I have no idea as it came with no tools or instructions (not something that I have a problem with) so I simply used an adjustable wrench. The spear's barrel nut, along with stngr's barrel nut all appear to be the same as my unbrandedar one and stngr lists their's as 1 3/16".

Posted: 2/26/2020 6:03:28 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:

If you don't mind checking, do you happen you know what size barrel nut wrench they included? I'm curious as someone asked me what size wrench my unbrandedar barrel nut used, but I have no idea as it came with no tools or instructions (not something that I have a problem with) so I simply used an adjustable wrench. The spear's barrel nut, along with stngr's barrel nut all appear to be the same as my unbrandedar one and stngr lists their's as 1 3/16".

View Quote

The dimensions of the AT3 Spear and STNGR barrel nut wrenches are exactly the same.

Posted: 2/26/2020 6:09:33 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
The dimensions of the AT3 Spear and STNGR barrel nut wrenches are exactly the same.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

If you don't mind checking, do you happen you know what size barrel nut wrench they included? I'm curious as someone asked me what size wrench my unbrandedar barrel nut used, but I have no idea as it came with no tools or instructions (not something that I have a problem with) so I simply used an adjustable wrench. The spear's barrel nut, along with stngr's barrel nut all appear to be the same as my unbrandedar one and stngr lists their's as 1 3/16".

The dimensions of the AT3 Spear and STNGR barrel nut wrenches are exactly the same.

Good deal, thank you!

Posted: 2/29/2020 7:01:53 PM EDT

[#25]

Just a heads up if you order the upper/handguard combo: make sure you’re using the correct barrel nut. I initially used the one that came in the box with the upper and discovered that the handguard wouldn’t fit over it. That was after I discovered the correct nut still captured inside the handguard.

BTW, I seem to have misplaced the set screws that go into the bottom of the handguard to keep it from sliding forward. Can anybody tell me the specs of those screws?

Posted: 3/1/2020 12:32:35 AM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
Just a heads up if you order the upper/handguard combo: make sure you’re using the correct barrel nut. I initially used the one that came in the box with the upper and discovered that the handguard wouldn’t fit over it. That was after I discovered the correct nut still captured inside the handguard.

BTW, I seem to have misplaced the set screws that go into the bottom of the handguard to keep it from sliding forward. Can anybody tell me the specs of those screws?

View Quote

So you got 2 barrel nuts when you purchased the handguard/upper receiver combo?

I'd contact AT3 Tactical and ask them to send you some replacement set screws.

Posted: 3/1/2020 9:53:06 PM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:
So you got 2 barrel nuts when you purchased the handguard/upper receiver combo?

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:
So you got 2 barrel nuts when you purchased the handguard/upper receiver combo?

Yes. The combo was nothing more than the individually packaged upper receiver and handguard in the same shipping box. Both nuts have a notch near the middle that goes the circumference of the nut. The notch in the nut that came in the the upper receiver package has squared off sides and is wider than the semi-circular notch in the nut that came in the handguard package.

I'd contact AT3 Tactical and ask them to send you some replacement set screws.

Already did, yesterday. They probably won’t respond until tomorrow at the earliest. In the meantime, I took the handguard down to Home Depot and discovered that a #8-32 x 3/4” set screw works well.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - AT3 Tactical: Spear handguards and upper receivers any good?

AR-15 » Rifles, Uppers, Lowers, Barrels, and more

AR Sponsor:

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us