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Old November 30, 2017, 08:40 PM   #1
G.barnes
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300 dollar ar upper

I am looking for a 300 dollar complete upper with bcg and charging handle. I'm looking for firsthand experience with companies like radical firearms, bear creek arsenal, or any other cheap upper. I prefer a free float handguard but can deal with magpul.
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Old November 30, 2017, 08:47 PM   #2
Eazyeach
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If it is for shooting cans or other plinking, it should be fine. For home defense I would stick to Colt or BCM or better. You get what you pay for to a certain extent.
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Old November 30, 2017, 09:50 PM   #3
Nathan
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I have built an AR with a $220 PSA Upper and $60 PSA premium BCG. It is a very nice rifle. SS Freedom Barrel; MLOK Handguard

My HD 16" mid is a PSA premium that was about $300 + BCG and it too is a great rifle. Premium CL CHF 4150 barrel; MOE Handguard

Last edited by Nathan; December 1, 2017 at 04:43 AM.
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Old November 30, 2017, 09:58 PM   #4
rallyhound
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Classic arms has these for 229.00
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Old November 30, 2017, 10:38 PM   #5
jersurf101
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Cbc arms will get you close. Have to,source your charging handle and bolt else where.
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Old November 30, 2017, 10:54 PM   #6
G.barnes
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I have two quality ars. This is just to beat on. I have a complete spare lower I'm into for about 125 dollars. The point of this one is to be as absolutely cheap as possible without being complete junk. I've had two psa freedom uppers that were decent. Psa has one with the magpul handguard for 250 with everything. Primary arms has radicals for 280 with ff handguard. Psa is the only cheap brand I have experience with.

Last edited by G.barnes; November 30, 2017 at 11:02 PM.
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Old December 1, 2017, 12:45 AM   #7
weblance
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Hardened Arms has two 5.56 complete uppers for $299.
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Old December 4, 2017, 08:21 AM   #8
Mobuck
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Heck, I bought an AR 10 complete upper for $300 a while back.
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Old December 4, 2017, 09:50 AM   #9
9x19
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The two uppers I bought from Radical a year or so back were just fine.

There are so many low-priced options these days, I can understand how hard it is to choose one.
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Old December 4, 2017, 09:51 AM   #10
50 shooter
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I'll be giving my business to Bear Creek Arsenal.

Over the Veterans Day weekend they gave away 5000 barrels to any service members, active or not. I placed my order and got a 16" barrel, with a Wylde chamber and 1:9 twist. I plan on using it to build a nice upper for the wife.

Plan on buying a side charging upper from them and all the other parts to finish it.
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Old December 4, 2017, 11:00 AM   #11
G.barnes
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 9x19 View Post
The two uppers I bought from Radical a year or so back were just fine.

There are so many low-priced options these days, I can understand how hard it is to choose one.
What kind of round count do you have on them. Do they appear to be overgassed.
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Old December 4, 2017, 09:40 PM   #12
pete2
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I think I got a Rock River upper for 325.00 a few months ago. It has a 5.56 chamber but seems pretty accurate. I put it on a Ruger lower that has Ruger's 2 stage trigger. I like the combo.
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Old December 5, 2017, 04:30 PM   #13
TrueBlue711
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I have a Radical Firearms 300 AAC Blackout 10.5" upper for my AR pistol. Zero function issues so far. Came free floated with their own proprietary handguard (the bare one, not the one with rails), which isn't that bad. It takes the old Magpul MOE attachments, so you can put on those accessories like rail sections. I didn't get the BCG, I bought that seperate.

I've only fired a couple hundred rounds out of it so far. It doesn't seem to be overgassed, but a little bit of gas seems to escape at the gas block, painting my non-firing hand black a little bit. But it doesn't bother me and doesn't affect the function. Since I plan on suppressing it, I'm going to get a new adjustable gas block. That's one of my fav things about ARs though. You can get a "basic model" and upgrade it over time with a part here and there.
Another small issue is the front takedown pin hole seems to be misdrilled by a fraction of a degree. I can take the rear takedown pin in and out by hand, but I need a hammer and punch to take out the front takedown pin. I tried it on multiple lowers and same issue each time, so it is definitely the upper. But it's a non-issue to me since I don't swap this upper out with any other lower (otherwise, I'd have an SBR).

The purpose of this gun was as an inexpensive truck gun where I don't mind if it gets dinged up a little bit. It's compact, accurate and functions every time (so far). To that end, I'm very very happy with it. Attached a pic below.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Radical.jpg (167.8 KB, 7 views)

Last edited by TrueBlue711; December 6, 2017 at 08:57 AM.
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Old December 5, 2017, 10:54 PM   #14
Emerson Biggies
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Ya oughta' look at centerfiresystems.com before buying just an upper. You can get 4 different brands of whole rifles for $350 to $450 now on sale.
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