User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
USA
|
Posted: 2/15/2024 11:49:06 AM EDT
The other thread about not being able to get the barrel in got me thinking.
Other than obvious ones like Colt and FN who makes high quality milspec uppers that are not thermofit? In my experience some brands are off the spec - either too loose or too tight. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/15/2024 12:26:33 PM EDT
[Last Edit: TGWLDR]
[#1]
For basic milspec/forged?
RRA Alex Pro Fab CMMG DSArms Anderson Spikes Tactical |
|
|
|
USA
|
Posted: 2/15/2024 12:41:37 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Bebop_941]
[#2]
I'll add to the list:
Del-ton Aero Percision Windham Weaponry Unbranded AR Contract Uppers (no personal experience but I've heard good things) I don't think there are many known brands of stripped uppers that have issues, besides the occasional one offs. Especially in the milspec/forged arena. Just out of curiosity, which brands have been too tight or too loose a fit for you in the past? |
|
|
WA, USA
|
Posted: 2/15/2024 1:25:59 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By TGWLDR: For basic milspec/forged? RRA Alex Pro Fab CMMG DSArms Anderson Spikes Tactical The RRA A2 upper I have required me to heat it up to get a Windham Weaponry barrel to slip into it. It was a sample of one and it might have just been a fluke, but I don't have enough experience with RRA uppers to know for sure. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/15/2024 1:43:00 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 556Cliff: The RRA A2 upper I have required me to heat it up to get a Windham Weaponry barrel to slip into it. It was a sample of one and it might have just been a fluke, but I don't have enough experience with RRA uppers to know for sure. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 556Cliff: Originally Posted By TGWLDR: For basic milspec/forged? RRA Alex Pro Fab CMMG DSArms Anderson Spikes Tactical The RRA A2 upper I have required me to heat it up to get a Windham Weaponry barrel to slip into it. It was a sample of one and it might have just been a fluke, but I don't have enough experience with RRA uppers to know for sure. Interesting, I hadn't heard that about any of the A2s. I only have experience with their flat top offerings. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/15/2024 2:02:55 PM EDT
[#5]
The last dozen or so Anderson uppers I have used over the last two years do not require heat to insert a barrel, but there is no room for a shim of any size and it takes some pressure to seat the barrel, a true friction but still a slip fit. The barrel will not just drop in but you don't have to pound it in or heat it up with a torch/heat gun or any of that BS, but you will have to push it in firmly.
|
|
|
|
WA, USA
|
Posted: 2/15/2024 2:13:28 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By TGWLDR: Interesting, I hadn't heard that about any of the A2s. I only have experience with their flat top offerings. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By TGWLDR: Originally Posted By 556Cliff: Originally Posted By TGWLDR: For basic milspec/forged? RRA Alex Pro Fab CMMG DSArms Anderson Spikes Tactical The RRA A2 upper I have required me to heat it up to get a Windham Weaponry barrel to slip into it. It was a sample of one and it might have just been a fluke, but I don't have enough experience with RRA uppers to know for sure. Interesting, I hadn't heard that about any of the A2s. I only have experience with their flat top offerings. Me neither. I haven't heard about anyone else having the same experience with RRA's A2 uppers being thermal fit, or any other A2 uppers that have been made available more recently being thermal fit. I'm believing more and more that the one I have is a fluke, as it has some other odd issues. |
|
|
USA
|
Posted: 2/15/2024 2:15:54 PM EDT
[#7]
Any upper and barrel combination could potentially be a ridiculously tight fit if they are at opposite ends of the tolerance range but still technically within spec.
|
|
|
MN, USA
|
Posted: 2/15/2024 2:47:22 PM EDT
[#8]
I use mostly Anderson and Aero. Both tend to be snug fits, depending on the barrel, but don't require heat.
|
|
|
USA
|
Posted: 2/15/2024 3:21:36 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Bebop_941: I'll add to the list: Del-ton Aero Percision Windham Weaponry Unbranded AR Contract Uppers (no personal experience but I've heard good things) I don't think there are many known brands of stripped uppers that have issues, besides the occasional one offs. Especially in the milspec/forged arena. Just out of curiosity, which brands have been too tight or too loose a fit for you in the past? I am talking plain jain milspec forged. No billet or anything like that. I have had problems with Aero Precision and Anderson. As others have said, they may have been one offs. My brother has said similar things about lowers as well. BCM is well made but I really dislike the thermofit and I know my way around a torch (learned to use one when I was kid from my Dad). As I said I know the theory behind the thermofit but not sure I buy it. One of the things that makes the AR platform wonderful is you dont stuff like a press to install a barrel (AKs and HK roller lock). Needing a torch to install/remove a barrel kind of ruins it IMHO. |
|
|
USA
|
Posted: 2/15/2024 4:17:19 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By mark9000: I am talking plain jain milspec forged. No billet or anything like that. I have had problems with Aero Precision and Anderson. As others have said, they may have been one offs. My brother has said similar things about lowers as well. BCM is well made but I really dislike the thermofit and I know my way around a torch (learned to use one when I was kid from my Dad). As I said I know the theory behind the thermofit but not sure I buy it. One of the things that makes the AR platform wonderful is you dont stuff like a press to install a barrel (AKs and HK roller lock). Needing a torch to install/remove a barrel kind of ruins it IMHO. Gotcha - I would agree that any issues with Anderson or Aero uppers would be a one off as they typically make in spec parts. I also agree with you regarding your take on thermal fit uppers. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/15/2024 5:12:19 PM EDT
[#11]
My Midwest Industry Forged Upper, Complete and Wilson Combat Fluted 18" Recon Barrel went together without any strain.
I also used a Wilson Combat Low Pro Gas Block and Tube, and a Midwest Industries G4 15" M-Lok handguard. No problems experienced and all went together easily, on a Ballistic Advantage Stripped Enhanced Lower (made by Aero and the same as their M4E1 except with the BA Logo) |
|
|
|
MT, USA
|
Posted: 2/15/2024 7:18:27 PM EDT
[#12]
My multiple Geissele upper receivers have been nice. Standard mil spec and tabbed.
|
|
|
NC, USA
|
Posted: 2/16/2024 5:20:15 PM EDT
[#13]
If they really were "mil-spec", they wouldn't be "thermo-fit" . . .
|
|
|
FL, USA
|
Posted: 2/16/2024 8:51:01 PM EDT
[#14]
I typically use LMT forged uppers, but that's because I usually use MARS-L lowers
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/17/2024 2:53:28 AM EDT
[#15]
Centurion
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 2/17/2024 5:04:47 AM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By lysanderxiii: If they really were "mil-spec", they wouldn't be "thermo-fit" . . . That was my first thought but I'm kind of an autist about that term. |
|
|
|
IA, USA
|
Posted: 2/17/2024 10:44:33 AM EDT
[#17]
I don't shoot old refrigerators and appliances in the dump.
Give me a thermo fit any day. |
|
|
MN, USA
|
Posted: 2/17/2024 11:08:52 AM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By IowaFox: I don't shoot old refrigerators and appliances in the dump. Give me a thermo fit any day. Meh, once 50 ft lbs of torque is applied they are all tight  |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/17/2024 11:21:11 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By IowaFox: I don't shoot old refrigerators and appliances in the dump. Give me a thermo fit any day. I did for many years. Damn I miss those days!!! |
|
|
|
USA
|
Posted: 2/18/2024 2:56:28 AM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By lysanderxiii: If they really were "mil-spec", they wouldn't be "thermo-fit" . . . You said it way better than I did!! Thermofit is NOT mil-spec. |
|
|
|
Posted: 2/20/2024 6:47:09 PM EDT
[#21]
As much as I dislike thermofit uppers, I also do not see mil-spec as an end goal. If anything, it’s a starting point, nothing more.
|
|
|
|
IA, USA
|
Posted: 2/20/2024 11:48:33 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Bebop_941: I'll add to the list: Del-ton Aero Percision Windham Weaponry Unbranded AR Contract Uppers (no personal experience but I've heard good things) I don't think there are many known brands of stripped uppers that have issues, besides the occasional one offs. Especially in the milspec/forged arena. Just out of curiosity, which brands have been too tight or too loose a fit for you in the past? two Aero uppers I bought were tight enough I had to use a mallet to drive the barrel in. no go for my purposes - Dolos takedown kits kind of demand NON friction fit upper to barrel interface. so I threw together a cheapie Bushmaster pencil barrel upper on one for the KP-15. if I can get to the range with it tomorrow and see how it groups at 100yds I might get another one of the Bushmaster barrels and put a free float hg on the other Aero upper for the second KP-15 I have. Anderson uppers have always been zero slop but non friction fit for me - they are on the two Dolos uppers I have. |
|
|
IA, USA
|
Posted: 2/21/2024 11:38:10 AM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By TGWLDR: I did for many years. Damn I miss those days!!! Can't say I haven't done it 30 years ago and it was fun at the time but I've moved on to more fun. |
|
|
PA, USA
|
Posted: 2/28/2024 6:47:05 PM EDT
[#24]
Forged- VLTOR MUR
CMMG AERO MIDWEST INDUSTRIES BCM Billet - ADM UIC (Just Bought Very Nice) Radian Battle Arms NEMO |
|
|
PA, USA
|
Posted: 2/28/2024 6:47:38 PM EDT
[#25]
Forged- VLTOR MUR
CMMG AERO MIDWEST INDUSTRIES Billet - ADM UIC (Just Bought Very Nice) Radian Battle Arms NEMO |
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
