6.5 Grendel + AR upper

TrueBlue711 · January 7, 2019, 12:07 PM

Has anybody with a 6.5 Grendel have ejection issues using a standard AR upper? I'm assuming any standard AR upper would work fine, but when I see an AR upper specifically made for a 6.5 Gren, I wonder why they made it.

stagpanther · January 7, 2019, 02:01 PM

Quote:

but when I see an AR upper specifically made for a 6.5 Gren, I wonder why they made it.

You mean a stripped upper specifically made for 6.5 Grendel? I didn't know there was such a thing--unless maybe you have the privilege of paying a little extra for the Grendel name on it.

9x19 · January 7, 2019, 02:27 PM

There isn't a discernible difference in my 6.5 upper compared to all the rest I own.

Mobuck · January 7, 2019, 09:04 PM

"There isn't a discernible difference in my 6.5 upper compared to all the rest I own."
Ditto. In fact one of my Grendels started as a blank AR 15 upper and it works as well as the one bought already assembled.

"You mean a stripped upper specifically made for 6.5 Grendel?"
Maybe it's one of those with the caliber designation stamped in.

Double Naught Spy · January 8, 2019, 02:44 AM

No problem at all. All my uppers are standard AR15 uppers and Grendel case ejection is not hindered at all.

Who makes the proprietary Grendel upper?

TrueBlue711 · January 11, 2019, 09:59 AM

Good to know, thanks for the confirmation.

Similarly, how well does 6.5 Gren feed using standard AR mags?

Quote:

Who makes the proprietary Grendel upper?

Alexander Arms

9x19 · January 11, 2019, 11:21 AM

I use Grendel specific mags from C-Products.

I haven't had any feeding issues, but I don't run anything exotic in terms of ammo... just
Hornady and Wolf (FMJ).

stagpanther · January 11, 2019, 03:59 PM

I took a look at AA's Grendel upper--as I had guessed, or at least based on their description--what separates it from other uppers is that their logo/meme is engraved into it. They even guarantee it right up to the point you start using it.

Mobuck · January 12, 2019, 10:18 AM

"Similarly, how well does 6.5 Gren feed using standard AR mags? "

From standard 5.56 mags? Not worth a darn. From 5.45 mags, iffy at best. From C-Prod 6.5 Grendel mags, not a hitch BUT those springs are stiffer than any other mag I've handled.

sundog · January 12, 2019, 10:55 AM

Brownell's 5.56 20-rd mags will feed and function with 3 rounds of 6.5G. I have not tried more than that.

Double Naught Spy · January 12, 2019, 11:19 AM

Various 5.56 mags will feed 1-5 rounds of Grendel, but that isn't actually saying that the mags feed well.

stagpanther · January 12, 2019, 12:03 PM

The Grendel is probably one of calibers which you will want to buy the best magazines you can--it's worth it in the long run for "jam relief."

Chaparral · January 12, 2019, 02:58 PM

I have a Grendel upper on a Spikes Crusader lower. And I have the mags that are 6.5 Grendel specific. Never had an issue. I also reload for it. Great rifle. I was in a gun store a while back and I heard some customer just slamming the heck out of 6.5 Grendel. Everyone around was giving their 2 cents too. I stayed completely clear of the conversation. NEVER had an issue with my Grendel.

hodaka · January 12, 2019, 08:27 PM

Mine is a Grendel barreled standard upper with a Grendel bolt. Works fine. A standard 556 mag will feed 3-4 but buy Grendel mags as has been recommended. 6.8 mags won’t work as a substitute either. The 6.5 is a nifty round.

stagpanther · January 13, 2019, 12:36 AM

It has an interesting (and at times sordid) development history--and is a fantastic little bantam 6.5 cartridge, no doubt about it. I've built a slew of them including type 1, 2, lbc and wildcats based on it's case. If you reload for it--and a pretty high percentage of Grendel users do from what I've read over the years--then it pays to have a good quality magazine. Several, in fact.

January 7, 2019, 12:07 PM	#1
TrueBlue711 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2011 Posts: 489	6.5 Grendel + AR upper Has anybody with a 6.5 Grendel have ejection issues using a standard AR upper? I'm assuming any standard AR upper would work fine, but when I see an AR upper specifically made for a 6.5 Gren, I wonder why they made it.

January 7, 2019, 02:27 PM	#3
9x19 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 1998 Location: Sherman, TX USA Posts: 3,750	There isn't a discernible difference in my 6.5 upper compared to all the rest I own. __________________ Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!

January 8, 2019, 02:44 AM	#5
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	No problem at all. All my uppers are standard AR15 uppers and Grendel case ejection is not hindered at all. Who makes the proprietary Grendel upper? __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

January 11, 2019, 11:21 AM	#7
9x19 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 1998 Location: Sherman, TX USA Posts: 3,750	I use Grendel specific mags from C-Products. I haven't had any feeding issues, but I don't run anything exotic in terms of ammo... just Hornady and Wolf (FMJ). __________________ Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!

January 11, 2019, 03:59 PM	#8
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,786	I took a look at AA's Grendel upper--as I had guessed, or at least based on their description--what separates it from other uppers is that their logo/meme is engraved into it. They even guarantee it right up to the point you start using it. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

January 7, 2019, 09:04 PM	#4
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	"There isn't a discernible difference in my 6.5 upper compared to all the rest I own." Ditto. In fact one of my Grendels started as a blank AR 15 upper and it works as well as the one bought already assembled. "You mean a stripped upper specifically made for 6.5 Grendel?" Maybe it's one of those with the caliber designation stamped in.

January 12, 2019, 10:18 AM	#9
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	"Similarly, how well does 6.5 Gren feed using standard AR mags? " From standard 5.56 mags? Not worth a darn. From 5.45 mags, iffy at best. From C-Prod 6.5 Grendel mags, not a hitch BUT those springs are stiffer than any other mag I've handled.

January 12, 2019, 10:55 AM	#10
sundog Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 1999 Location: Green Country, OK Posts: 782	Brownell's 5.56 20-rd mags will feed and function with 3 rounds of 6.5G. I have not tried more than that. __________________ safety first

January 12, 2019, 11:19 AM	#11
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	Various 5.56 mags will feed 1-5 rounds of Grendel, but that isn't actually saying that the mags feed well. __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

January 12, 2019, 12:03 PM	#12
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,786	The Grendel is probably one of calibers which you will want to buy the best magazines you can--it's worth it in the long run for "jam relief." __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

January 12, 2019, 02:58 PM	#13
Chaparral Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2018 Posts: 264	I have a Grendel upper on a Spikes Crusader lower. And I have the mags that are 6.5 Grendel specific. Never had an issue. I also reload for it. Great rifle. I was in a gun store a while back and I heard some customer just slamming the heck out of 6.5 Grendel. Everyone around was giving their 2 cents too. I stayed completely clear of the conversation. NEVER had an issue with my Grendel.

January 12, 2019, 08:27 PM	#14
hodaka Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,010	Mine is a Grendel barreled standard upper with a Grendel bolt. Works fine. A standard 556 mag will feed 3-4 but buy Grendel mags as has been recommended. 6.8 mags won’t work as a substitute either. The 6.5 is a nifty round.

January 13, 2019, 12:36 AM	#15
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,786	It has an interesting (and at times sordid) development history--and is a fantastic little bantam 6.5 cartridge, no doubt about it. I've built a slew of them including type 1, 2, lbc and wildcats based on it's case. If you reload for it--and a pretty high percentage of Grendel users do from what I've read over the years--then it pays to have a good quality magazine. Several, in fact. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*