Ar15 Parts

Probably the most important thing to understand before purchasing an AR Upper receiver is to understand what your exact needs are. You probably want to consider a longer receiver for accuracy if you are hunting. You also probably don't need a lot of features that tactical shooters or law enforcement require. If you are planning for home or self-defense, then shorter barrels are better, but some states will not allow a barrel shorter than 16 inches.

Stripped Upper Receivers

If you really want to build custom rifle, your best option is to start with a solid stripped upper receiver for a good foundation for a great build. Right now there are some very good stripped upper receivers by companies like Aero Precision and Yankee Hill Machine. Because they are stripped, most of these have similar options such as pivot and takedown pins, M4 style feed ramps and forward assist features.

However, in some cases, you can completely change your rifle into a. 22 for economical shooting practice, or a. 308 for shooting large game.

Right now, there are some very good deals on 308 AR Uppers.

In fact, you can also find a quick takedown feature, that allows you to change your rifle on a dime.

Complete AR-15 Upper Receivers

Buying a complete AR Upper Receiver is the way to go if you want a shooting range ready rifle. Similar to stripped receivers there are hundreds of options. In this case, you leave the experts at the Manufacturer to decide on components which include, the barrel, the bolt carrier group, the gas and the rail system.

You can find almost 100 complete ar parts upper receivers to suit any field application from the tactical target shooting, to hunting, to self defense and law enforcement.

You will also need to choose a barrel. Barrels come in lengths from 7.5 inches to 20 inches.

As a general rule of thumb, the longer the barrel, the more accurate the rifle.

Typical Features of AR Upper Receivers

There are many features and benefits of each AR-15 upper receiver. Because of this, each manufacturer typically offers variations to diversify their product lines. Here are some common features and benefits:

Length: 7.5 inches to 20 inches. The longer the barrels increase accuracy. Many states have legal restrictions for barrels shorter than 16 inches.
Style: A3, M4
Barrel: Stainless Steel or Chrome Moly
Barrel Contour: M4, Bull, SS
Twist: 1-8, 1-9, 1-16 inch twists are common and control the spin on the bullet.
Finish: You normally want a hardcoat anodized finish.
Construction: Almost all receivers come in sturdy 7075 Type 6 Aluminum
Gas system: Blowback
Handguard: Modular or M4 style
Rail: Almost all come with a 1913 Picatinny rail, which provides compatibility with thousands of aftermarket AR Optics, flash lasers, mini and lights red dot sights. These are built to standard Mil-Specifications, so these accessories really just snap on and snap off.
Extra Features to Consider

Once you have the basic features narrowed down, there are also some finer details that need to be considered when choosing a complete AR Upper Receiver:

Front sight: Typically A2 style
Flash suppressor: A2 style
Feed ramp: Most provide a reliable M4 style.
Color: Now here is where it gets interesting. If you want a hot pink rifle, you can find these in pink, camo, or just about any color. There are even companies that offer aftermarket custom paint jobs for the true enthusiasts