Rainier Arms Upper Combo

[dmsims21]

I am working on getting parts to go with the Lilja barrel I am getting.

I saw this Rainier Arms Upper Combo. It looks like a good deal.

https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=3872

I know these aren't high end components, but I don't think they are crap either. They should be average or better. From what I have read from others, the upper and bolt carrier aren't the main factors in accuracy. A good, free floated barrel is the heart of the rifle. If I want to upgrade later, I can.

Anyone have any thoughts?

[explorecaves]

I am planning on getting my upper from aero precision. http://aeroprecisionusa.com/

[ricsmall]

Aero has some nice stuff. I have one of their lowers and everything on it fits snug, including mags. If I were building a mid length blaster, I think I'd have to try their ML COP in FDE.

Richard

[Keep The Change]

Rainier has good stuff you'll be fine. They seem to source their parts for top manufacturers form what I can tell. Heck Aero might make the upper for them. The Rainier Billet upper looks like a Mega Upper. I believe Samson makes some of their forearms. I actually like the way they look better than Samson's. You'll be fine with Rainier. Good stuff.

For the Grendel's higher power, I would maybe bump up to a billet upper or a Vltor/Noveske MUR Forged upper. More beef to support the long barrel and higher power of the round. Just a thought.

[dmsims21]

I do like the Vltor MUR. They are just hard to find for a good price. I think I will go with the Rainier combo, and save the 5.56 bolt. I like that it is a complete kit. That way I don't have to agonize over each individual part. Then, when I have some more money, I can get the MUR and build a 5.56 with the rainier upper.

[Tedward]

If you want a Mil Spec upper here is a link for the exact same thing. It is striped but the have the ejection port cover and forward assist for $20 less than Aero. They both are "Keyhole" Uppers that are forged by Cerro. RED X has a cool engraved "X" on top of the Picatinny rail too.

Upper receiver stripped: $68.00 http://shop.redxarms.com/AR15-STRIPP...IVER-A3URS.htm
Ejection Cover:$6.00 http://shop.redxarms.com/AR15-EJECTI...SEMBLY-276.htm
Forward Assist: $11.99 http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...prod17517.aspx
Charge Handle: $15.49 http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...=DOUBLE%20STAR
Bolt Carrier: $55.00 http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...prod56507.aspx

You can get the parts and say you built it from scratch and then know how the gun works from the ground up. That's half the fun of a build. Also you don't need the 556 bolt so that will save you a few bucks and if you get your 6.5 bolt from MAXIM ARM's you might want to hold off on the carrier too because I think Frank is going to offer us a complete BCG.

The other parts will cost you $101.00 plus the bolt and carrier. So if you wait and get a BCG from Maxim you will probable only have $250 for the entire package.

Here is a picture of there upper receiver and carrier too. I used them for some Beowulfs. They have the "Keyhole" symbol like the Rainier Arms ,there made by Cerro, just has there name on them.

[explorecaves]

If you want a Mil Spec upper here is a link for the exact same thing. It is striped but the have the ejection port cover and forward assist for $20 less than Aero. They both are "Keyhole" Uppers that are forged by Cerro. RED X has a cool engraved "X" on top of the Picatinny rail too.

Upper receiver stripped: $68.00 http://shop.redxarms.com/AR15-STRIPP...IVER-A3URS.htm
Ejection Cover:$6.00 http://shop.redxarms.com/AR15-EJECTI...SEMBLY-276.htm
Forward Assist: $11.99 http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...prod17517.aspx
Charge Handle: $15.49 http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...=DOUBLE%20STAR
Bolt Carrier: $55.00 http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...prod56507.aspx

You can get the parts and say you built it from scratch and then know how the gun works from the ground up. That's half the fun of a build. Also you don't need the 556 bolt so that will save you a few bucks and if you get your 6.5 bolt from MAXIM ARM's you might want to hold off on the carrier too because I think Frank is going to offer us a complete BCG.

The other parts will cost you $101.00 plus the bolt and carrier. So if you wait and get a BCG from Maxim you will probable only have $250 for the entire package.

Here is a picture of there upper receiver and carrier too. I used them for some Beowulfs. They have the "Keyhole" symbol like the Rainier Arms ,there made by Cerro, just has there name on them.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3731[/ATTACH]

If you are planning to have it cerakoted like I am, you could get the $60 cosmetic blem stripped upper from aero ( http://aeroprecisionusa.com/shop/ar1...etic-blemishes ) and the $25 upper parts kit from PSA ( http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...build-kit.html ) for $85....

[Tedward]

If you are planning to have it cerakoted like I am, you could get the $60 cosmetic blem stripped upper from aero ( http://aeroprecisionusa.com/shop/ar1...etic-blemishes ) and the $25 upper parts kit from PSA ( http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...build-kit.html ) for $85....

Ok, good deal, less than Rainer Arms is all I was trying to let you know. $325 is a lot more than either way I said or you just did. So $325 isn't such a good deal then...

Good luck.

[LRRPF52]

Most forged uppers come from only a few sources in the market. You can identify the forging by the forge code, but then the blank forging is sent off to any number of machine shops who will do the machine work, before they are sent off to the anodizers. A big portion of the Ranier Arms package is that Raptor charge handle, which is normally around $85.

All my dealings with Ranier have been excellent, and they tend to only carry parts that are of a solid reputation. PSA is great for budget guns without sacrificing critical part quality. Brownell's is another great source.

For the Lilja barrel, it makes sense to go with the best matching components as possible, otherwise it equates to dropping a performance racing engine into a Pinto. Now that the market is in a price-drop trend, a set of billets at reduced price is what I would aim for. Make an offer to some distributors, and see what they say.

[Tedward]

Most forged uppers come from only a few sources in the market. You can identify the forging by the forge code, but then the blank forging is sent off to any number of machine shops who will do the machine work, before they are sent off to the anodizers. A big portion of the Ranier Arms package is that Raptor charge handle, which is normally around $85.

All my dealings with Ranier have been excellent, and they tend to only carry parts that are of a solid reputation. PSA is great for budget guns without sacrificing critical part quality. Brownell's is another great source.

For the Lilja barrel, it makes sense to go with the best matching components as possible, otherwise it equates to dropping a performance racing engine into a Pinto. Now that the market is in a price-drop trend, a set of billets at reduced price is what I would aim for. Make an offer to some distributors, and see what they say.

i agree with that 100%. I have a few Mega Arms SBU uppers I'll be putting my Lilja on and be moving my AR-Stoner 24" to one too. They are super tight barrel extension fit to reduce harmonics. We'll thats what Mega says. you actually have to heat up the upper receiver barrel extension to expand the aluminum and then tap the barrel in. Then it cools and locks down so tight you could ( not recommended but done by Mega Arms for testing) shoot rounds without a barrel nut. When I called them because I couldn't get the barrel to fit, I was pissed and thought the barrel extension was defective. Then when I called I got the lowdown and reasoning of the tight fit.

Going with a Billet Upper is a good idea, not that much more money and all I'll ever use a Mil Spec again. It's like holding an egg rather than a rock.

[kamrr4437]

If you really look at what your getting there its actually decently priced for some pretty good products and the charging handle is awesome. Sure you dont need the bolt but if you have a 5.56 rifle then you have a spare. I wouldnt actually say the heart of a rifle is a good free floating handguard though. Sure it makes a big difference but i think the heart of the rifle is the barrel. And from there i would say the receiver. But ive seen plenty of cheap receivers like a rock river arms work just great. But if there was one place not to really skimp i would say the barrel would be where to focus most of the expense.

[dmsims21]

If you really look at what your getting there its actually decently priced for some pretty good products and the charging handle is awesome. Sure you dont need the bolt but if you have a 5.56 rifle then you have a spare. I wouldnt actually say the heart of a rifle is a good free floating handguard though. Sure it makes a big difference but i think the heart of the rifle is the barrel. And from there i would say the receiver. But ive seen plenty of cheap receivers like a rock river arms work just great. But if there was one place not to really skimp i would say the barrel would be where to focus most of the expense.

I agree, the heart of the rifle is the barrel. That is what I tried to say, it just wasn't completely clear.
That charging handle is awesome. Do I really need it? No, but I really want it.

Everyone, thanks for the input. I think I am going to get the Rainier Arms Combo, but I will wait a little. I have plenty of time. The 20" entry upper I ordered in Jan might come before I get the barrel. I might take the factory barrel off of it and put the lilja on.

Did I mention I really like the Raptor charging handle?

[kamrr4437]

I put a raptor on my wifes rifle. It pi--es me off everytime i look at it because i dont have one on mine lol. Its not that we need anything We all want it. But thats the beauty of it you can wait and buy the stuff that you really really want instead of settling on something your not happy with and will probably change anyway. Good luck