IAR 11.5 Uppers available (Page 10 of 11)
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Both my IAR uppers were as new as I could expect. I could smell they were test fired but nothing extreme. About on par with any upper I bought from BCM over the years. Colt is pretty variable, I remember all the years of 6920s that folks would get that look like they were fresh from the Middle East. Maybe it’s like the hangover Mondays and pre-weekend Fridays at the Eastern European AK factories. There’s a lot of possibilities unfortunately.
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Originally Posted By AK47_COMMBLOC: mine has seen use and had brass rub marks on ejection port that rubbed off. Did you guys all get used demo uppers or mostly brand new? Your upper is only used in the sense that it was test fired at the factory. So, it is going to have carbon residue, brass marks, etc. |
| I was packing up the extra bolt carrier group and charging handle that I received to send back to AU and I noticed something interesting. The bolt carrier that came inside the upper has a C on it. The one that came separately in the bag does not. The finish also looks different. The bolt that came inside the upper is marked MPC. The one that came separately in the bag is marked MP. Finally, the charging handle that came inside the bag has Colt's cage code on it. The one that came separately in the bag does not. Its finish also looks different. |
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Originally Posted By Bret: I was packing up the extra bolt carrier group and charging handle that I received to send back to AU and I noticed something interesting. The bolt carrier that came inside the upper has a C on it. The one that came separately in the bag does not. The finish also looks different. The bolt that came inside the upper is marked MPC. The one that came separately in the bag is marked MP. Finally, the charging handle that came inside the bag has Colt's cage code on it. The one that came separately in the bag does not. Its finish also looks different. Hey Bret/everyone, Happy New Year! Really appreciate this information! Makes me a bit suspicious that these IAR uppers might have been ordered without the BCG/CH by AU to save some money so maybe they could use up some outsourced/incorrectly marked parts in their inventory but yours left the factory with a correct, original BCG/CH by mistake. Wasn't there issues with the Colt Expanse line having unmarked carriers and bolts with only MP? That sounds like what most of us got with these 16" IAR uppers Are you shipping the entire upper back or just the extra BCG/CH? Did AU ask for the extra BCG/CH to be shipped back after you contacted them? |
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Originally Posted By aeyoung: Hey look! IAR! Somehting relevant to this thread cough cough This is a prototype gen 1 model. I didn’t realize that when I put it on. It has the patent forged into the upper and an unmarked barrel. Slapped 100rd surefire and worked like a charm! I do have a colt hydraulic buffer in this one though so didn’t shoot as fast. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/372020/IMG_7648_jpeg-3684322.JPG Awesome pic and IAR! I'd bet its pretty controllable with that hydraulic buffer slowing things down a little bit. I also see that bayonet lug poking out on that Gen 1 model, such a cool looking rifle that reminds me of something from the video game Gears of War! Seriously regret not grabbing any Surefire 60s or 100s when I had the chance. Curious now that you mention it, why is the barrel unmarked? Did Colt purposely not mark them and are they outsourced or made in house by Colt? I see your comments about how hot the handguard gets during usage, about how many rounds/mags in would you say its too hot to hold without gloves or using some kind of grip? I was planning on putting KAC rail covers to help with this as well as use a Grip Pod or a KAC foregrip but wasn't sure how much metal is still exposed when gripping it. Haven't even opened my IAR upper yet from AU. Its still sealed in the bag but seems like one might still be touching hot metal even with rail covers due to how large the handguards are. |
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Originally Posted By DiemacoLMG: Hey Bret/everyone, Happy New Year! Really appreciate this information! Makes me a bit suspicious that these IAR uppers might have been ordered without the BCG/CH by AU to save some money so maybe they could use up some outsourced/incorrectly marked parts in their inventory but yours left the factory with a correct, original BCG/CH by mistake. Originally Posted By DiemacoLMG: Hey Bret/everyone, Happy New Year! Really appreciate this information! Makes me a bit suspicious that these IAR uppers might have been ordered without the BCG/CH by AU to save some money so maybe they could use up some outsourced/incorrectly marked parts in their inventory but yours left the factory with a correct, original BCG/CH by mistake. If that were the case, then Colt would have had to erroneously put the BCG in my upper. I've literally never seen or even heard of them doing that. A more logical explanation is that the uppers were shipped out with the Colt marked BCG's and charging handles that were later removed, but someone missed mine. Of course, this is entirely speculation based on evidence combined with zero trust. Only AU knows. In my opinion, these IAR uppers that were supposedly part of a contract overrun should have included the correctly marked Colt BCG's and charging handle. Are you shipping the entire upper back or just the extra BCG/CH? Did AU ask for the extra BCG/CH to be shipped back after you contacted them? I'm just shipping the extra BCG and charging handle back. Yes, they did ask for it to be shipped back. I just noticed that the return label they sent is USPS. I'm absolutely not going to the post office, so I'll have to email them back so that they can send me a UPS or FedEx return label. I'm returning the BCG and charging handle because I received more than I ordered. Of course, I also received less than I ordered regarding the bayo lug, but I still would have ordered the upper half had I known that it wasn't there. In my opinion, they should offer to compensate by sending out the loose bayo lugs and pins for those of us who would want to have them installed. I did ask for that in my email, but AU's reply only stated that the IAR uppers were available with and without. |
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Originally Posted By DiemacoLMG: Awesome pic and IAR! I'd bet its pretty controllable with that hydraulic buffer slowing things down a little bit. I also see that bayonet lug poking out on that Gen 1 model, such a cool looking rifle that reminds me of something from the video game Gears of War! Seriously regret not grabbing any Surefire 60s or 100s when I had the chance. Curious now that you mention it, why is the barrel unmarked? Did Colt purposely not mark them and are they outsourced or made in house by Colt? I see your comments about how hot the handguard gets during usage, about how many rounds/mags in would you say its too hot to hold without gloves or using some kind of grip? I was planning on putting KAC rail covers to help with this as well as use a Grip Pod or a KAC foregrip but wasn't sure how much metal is still exposed when gripping it. Haven't even opened my IAR upper yet from AU. Its still sealed in the bag but seems like one might still be touching hot metal even with rail covers due to how large the handguards are. Originally Posted By DiemacoLMG: Originally Posted By aeyoung: Hey look! IAR! Somehting relevant to this thread cough cough This is a prototype gen 1 model. I didn’t realize that when I put it on. It has the patent forged into the upper and an unmarked barrel. Slapped 100rd surefire and worked like a charm! I do have a colt hydraulic buffer in this one though so didn’t shoot as fast. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/372020/IMG_7648_jpeg-3684322.JPG Awesome pic and IAR! I'd bet its pretty controllable with that hydraulic buffer slowing things down a little bit. I also see that bayonet lug poking out on that Gen 1 model, such a cool looking rifle that reminds me of something from the video game Gears of War! Seriously regret not grabbing any Surefire 60s or 100s when I had the chance. Curious now that you mention it, why is the barrel unmarked? Did Colt purposely not mark them and are they outsourced or made in house by Colt? I see your comments about how hot the handguard gets during usage, about how many rounds/mags in would you say its too hot to hold without gloves or using some kind of grip? I was planning on putting KAC rail covers to help with this as well as use a Grip Pod or a KAC foregrip but wasn't sure how much metal is still exposed when gripping it. Haven't even opened my IAR upper yet from AU. Its still sealed in the bag but seems like one might still be touching hot metal even with rail covers due to how large the handguards are. My upper was one that wasn’t supposed to leave. I got it years ago when another company who works with them got it in a batch they ordered and offered it to me. The barrel is a colt barrel made in house but was never marked due to it never supposed to leave. As far as the heat, I put 2 30rd mags through it and then the 100rd. Granted, the 100rd was full run without stopping and the handguard was still usable but then after setting it down for a few min and picking it back up, that’s when I couldn’t anymore. I’m sure covers would work fine but probably why they used the grip |
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Originally Posted By velken: I had a lot of fun decking my 11.5" out. https://i.ibb.co/TDTjqYNM/c4k-VVvu.jpg That rig is making my pants tight. Not an IAR enthusiast but that is sweet. What mount is that for your Comp4 and Aimpoint Magnifier? Also can you tell us ignorant folks about that stock? Edit: another question. What light lens cover is that? |
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Originally Posted By Milspec99: That rig is making my pants tight. Not an IAR enthusiast but that is sweet. What mount is that for your Comp4 and Aimpoint Magnifier? Also can you tell us ignorant folks about that stock? Edit: another question. What light lens cover is that? Originally Posted By Milspec99: Originally Posted By velken: I had a lot of fun decking my 11.5" out. https://i.ibb.co/TDTjqYNM/c4k-VVvu.jpg That rig is making my pants tight. Not an IAR enthusiast but that is sweet. What mount is that for your Comp4 and Aimpoint Magnifier? Also can you tell us ignorant folks about that stock? Edit: another question. What light lens cover is that? I’m not OP but the stock is a OEM m249 stock.. used to own one complete with its tube & hydraulic buffer and never found a use for it mostly because it not charging handle friendly
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Originally Posted By Frens: I’m not OP but the stock is a OEM m249 stock.. used to own one complete with its tube & hydraulic buffer and never found a use for it mostly because it not charging handle friendly ![]() TY! Oh yeah looking at it again I can see how the height of the stock might interfere. |
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Originally Posted By Milspec99:That rig is making my pants tight. Not an IAR enthusiast but that is sweet. What mount is that for your Comp4 and Aimpoint Magnifier? Also can you tell us ignorant folks about that stock? Edit: another question. What light lens cover is that? As mentioned, it's an M249 stock on a standard buffer tube that I modified by shaving it down some. The comb is a bit high to use the magnifier with but it's okay if I push my head down. The cap on the Surefire is actually a standard Vortex Flip Cap (Objective Lens 24). |
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Originally Posted By velken: The optic mount is a Spuhr Ballistic Adjustable Mount, it has a cam: simply zero for 50/200m and then use the cam to adjust your fire out to 800m. It's really neat. As mentioned, it's an M249 stock on a standard buffer tube that I modified by shaving it down some. The comb is a bit high to use the magnifier with but it's okay if I push my head down. The cap on the Surefire is actually a standard Vortex Flip Cap (Objective Lens 24). Thanks for the info sir. I suspected Sphur. I have been looking at the Spuhr QDF-20153 for my M5 shorty. Interesting about the Vortex Cap - I'll check that out. |
| Got my upper some time ago. Love it. It came without a bayonet lug, but with a Colt C Marked BCG and MPC marked bolt in the upper and a cage colt charging handle also in the upper with a cage code MaTech BUIS riding on top. Separately there was second BCG/CH in the package, both unmarked. |
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If anyone was looking for the 11.5" or 16" uppers, Atlantic Firearms got a few in. Same $1500 for either barrel length. 11.5": https://atlanticfirearms.com/colt-iar-556mm-upper-receiver-assembly-115-barrel (website is flagging as low stock) 16": https://atlanticfirearms.com/colt-iar-556mm-upper-receiver-assembly-16-barrel They do appear to be the same variants AU was shipping, the 11.5" with the Magpul rear sight and Radian CH, and the 16" with the unmarked bolt and charging handle, Matech sight, and no bayo lug. |
Support the Firearms Policy Coalition and help save the Second Amendment: https://www.firearmspolicy.org
The opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my current or former employers.
The opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my current or former employers.
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Originally Posted By Findsman: If anyone was looking for the 11.5" or 16" uppers, Atlantic Firearms got a few in. Same $1500 for either barrel length. 11.5": https://atlanticfirearms.com/colt-iar-556mm-upper-receiver-assembly-115-barrel (website is flagging as low stock) 16": https://atlanticfirearms.com/colt-iar-556mm-upper-receiver-assembly-16-barrel They do appear to be the same variants AU was shipping, the 11.5" with the Magpul rear sight and Radian CH, and the 16" with the unmarked bolt and charging handle, Matech sight, and no bayo lug.
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Originally Posted By Stonia: Could be as simple as Atlantic being more well known in general, ie more people seeing the product. That's true. However, whenever I see something online that I'm going to buy, the first thing I do is search for a lower price elsewhere. Perhaps everyone doesn't do that. Perhaps they did in this case but just found that AU had the same price. It's better to buy from someone you trust than to take a risk. |
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Originally Posted By velken: I had a lot of fun decking my 11.5" out. https://i.ibb.co/TDTjqYNM/c4k-VVvu.jpg 12-15lbs?? dang...... |
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Originally Posted By Apple3_14159: I finally shot my 11.5" with an FRT and it's very pleasant and easy to control. Didn't shoot enough to really test out the heat sink though. I also saw that AU got ~15 of the 16" variant in stock a few days ago and they sold out pretty quickly. I saw that too but didnt add to cart to see how many. 15 isn't much for them. There could be more coming. |
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Originally Posted By Apple3_14159: I finally shot my 11.5" with an FRT and it's very pleasant and easy to control. Didn't shoot enough to really test out the heat sink though. I also saw that AU got ~15 of the 16" variant in stock a few days ago and they sold out pretty quickly. I picked up one of those 16” uppers. Think I got the 13th one. I just had the time to crack it open and I’m very unhappy. I don’t mind them not having a bayonet lug, but this is just an upper in the card board Colt box. There’s no usual blue bag and the upper is covered in what I’m assuming is carb board dust from the rail grinding back and forth inside the box. There’s also a green tag tied to the front of the rail that appears to have test fire data on it; the green has rubbed off on the upper so now there’s green marks on it. I really wanted one of these but I’m genuinely upset about the care that was put behind the one I got. |
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Originally Posted By gamewolf1950: I picked up one of those 16” uppers. Think I got the 13th one. I just had the time to crack it open and I’m very unhappy. I don’t mind them not having a bayonet lug, but this is just an upper in the card board Colt box. There’s no usual blue bag and the upper is covered in what I’m assuming is carb board dust from the rail grinding back and forth inside the box. There’s also a green tag tied to the front of the rail that appears to have test fire data on it; the green has rubbed off on the upper so now there’s green marks on it. I really wanted one of these but I’m genuinely upset about the care that was put behind the one I got. That sucks. Contact them, they might make it right if you get the right person. Ymmv |
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Originally Posted By TallPine: That sucks. Contact them, they might make it right if you get the right person. Ymmv Given the nature of IAR uppers, I doubt there’s a way to get it replaced. At the very least, I’d accept a satisfactory answer as to what the origin of that big green tag is. But at the end of the day, if there’s nothing to be done, I guess I’ll just have to give it a thorough cleaning to get all the cardboard dust removed. I’ve stripped it just to get pictures of the markings and BCG condition, but other than that I’m not touching it until I hear from AU. |
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Originally Posted By Bret: Check to make sure that it has an actual Colt bolt and carrier. They weren't included with a previous batch and AU replaced them with bolts and carriers that don't have Colt markings. I am pleased to report that the markings all seem up to snuff. The upper is C marked and very clearly has a C on the BCG as well. The bolt is MPC marked, but it’s a very deep and prominent marking - not the usual dot matrix I’m used to seeing. |
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Good news! It took a while to get any substantial response from AU, but I sent their sales department a follow up email on Monday after I received the alert for more 16” uppers. I’ve just heard back and management approved a replacement upper! So hopefully that’ll be in my hand before next weekend. |
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Originally Posted By gamewolf1950: Good news! It took a while to get any substantial response from AU, but I sent their sales department a follow up email on Monday after I received the alert for more 16” uppers. I’ve just heard back and management approved a replacement upper! So hopefully that’ll be in my hand before next weekend. Looks like they have 35 16" uppers in stock currently. |
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Originally Posted By Minuteman1636: If you miss this drop, there will be more in the near future. I’m surprised; They added that line in the description about how they wouldn’t special order any gov’t only items once they sold out. I may get a second upper if they’re gonna keep getting batches. |
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Originally Posted By gamewolf1950: Yes, that’s exactly what they are. Originally Posted By gamewolf1950: Originally Posted By H1-HUMMER: Are these uppers the same as a 694X with a heatsink? Yes, that’s exactly what they are. Do they or will they sell the heatsink? I have 2 of these uppers |
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There’s a lot of possibilities unfortunately.



