Upper w/o forward assist

[65Whelen]

To minimize weight I would like to use an upper receiver without the forward assist. I'm not familiar with them, are there any does or don't when building one? Any recommendations on manufacturers? Primary Arms has Spike Uppers for $120.

https://www.primaryarms.com/Upper_Receiver_M4_SlickSide_NO_Forward_Assist_M_p/sft55m4.htm

or is the Vltor worth the extra $50. https://www.primaryarms.com/Vltor_MU...d_p/mur-1s.htm

This upper build at the moment will be:
14.5" Sabre Barrel pinned & welded w/Saturn Heli-Port Muzzle Brake
Spike Upper w/o forward assist
Midwest Ind. 12" Gen 2 Handguard.
BCM, M-16 BCG
Leupold VX-R 1.25-4x20
Aero Precision Ultralight 30mm Scope Mt.

Any thought or recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks

[tackdriver]

I was thinking I saw the Vltor w/o forward assist for $139 somewhere yesterday. I will post link if I can locate it, was debating putting my Lilja ar24 barrel in one.

[tackdriver]

tieronearms.com,$139

[biodsl]

Aero Precision has forged for less. http://aeroprecisionusa.com/aspx/sto...il.aspx?pid=51 or Cerakoted in FDE for $125.
(sorry...my bad...out of stock)

I've been thinking about doing the same on my next build. What's the expected weight saving? An ounce?

[am4966]

Joe bobs slick side 94-99 don't remember exact price billet too

[Klem]

You won't be saving any noticeable weight by choosing an upper without a forward-assist. The assist plunger/mechanism weighs almost nothing and the aluminium housing compared to a smooth upper is again, negligible. There are other reasons why you might not want one but weight is not one of them.

If you seriously want less weight then one option is to forgo that Saturn muzzle device. It will save you weight, length and cost for no loss in accuracy (it could even make that barrel more accurate).

Another option is to get a thinner/lighter barrel. You will definitely notice the difference there.

That Midwest handguard is already pretty light at 9 Oz so good choice.

[keystone183]

Was mentioned earlier but here is link to joebob's spartan with no forward assist or dust cover. Billet, but .7oz lighter than a forged with FA/DC. I'd like to put one on a new build, and turn it into a side charger. They are New Frontier built, with joebob's engraving fyi.

http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Spartan_Smooth_Operator_Billet_AR15_Upper_Receiver_p/jb-spartansmooth.htm

[PigOPs]

I'm pretty sure these are forged by Aero Precision:

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XANA3LWT&name=Anderson+Manufacturing+Lightweight+Sport+AR+Upper+Receiver&groupid=1620

[Sniper338]

I don't have any knowledge about scope mounts, but dont buy cheap ones, it makes a huge difference. from what I have seen... I had cheaper mounts on my grendel to start with and then bought american rifle company AR one piece rings and my group shrunk up a quarter inch with just that install.

[am4966]

I'm pretty sure these are forged by Aero Precision:

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.as...r&groupid=1620

That's Anderson they are so of KY

[PigOPs]

I don't have any knowledge about scope mounts, but dont buy cheap ones, it makes a huge difference. from what I have seen... I had cheaper mounts on my grendel to start with and then bought american rifle company AR one piece rings and my group shrunk up a quarter inch with just that install.

The Aero mount is top quality. I own two of them and the do not lose zero and return to zero every time I pull one off and put it back on. Just because someone doesn't drop $250 on a Larue (or similar) mount doesn't mean their scope won't print one hole groups. I have not been easy on mine either... I hunt probably >100 days a year. They have been knocked around. I will stop the rant now... sometimes the AR15 community reeks of snobbery (not including you in that assessment, just an observation).

That's Anderson they are so of KY

They are keyhole forged which is Cerro... the same as Aero. They also look identical. It's possible that Anderson machines their own but it wouldn't surprise me to find out they come off the same CNC as the Aero.

[Adam Lilja]

Defiance Machine has matched billet uppers/lowers w/ no forward assist. I have a set and they are very high quality like their rifle actions.

[BjornF16]

Defiance Machine has matched billet uppers/lowers w/ no forward assist. I have a set and they are very high quality like their rifle actions.

Adam, are they light weight?