Enhanced, Monolithic, Semi Monolithic AR-15 Uppers

[Cold_Bore_88]

I am planning a “SPR/GPR” build and wanted to see if there were any upper receivers I should consider outside of the ones listed. I would like to use a monolithic, semi-mono, enhanced, etc. upper to reduce flex on the barrel. Ideally I would buy a mega mml but zev, in all their wisdom, decided to stop making them again.

LMT - proprietary barrels
Aero Enhanced
Seekins (these have large forearms)
Icon (former mega)
Ridgeline Defense (can you buy just a receiver?)
Cobalt kinetics
Sons of Liberty Gunworks
Vltor (key mod only?)


What am I forgetting?

 

[_Windrider_]

I am planning a “SPR/GPR” build and wanted to see if there were any upper receivers I should consider outside of the ones listed. I would like to use a monolithic, semi-mono, enhanced, etc. upper to reduce flex on the barrel. Ideally I would buy a mega mml but zev, in all their wisdom, decided to stop making them again.

LMT - proprietary barrels
Aero Enhanced
Seekins (these have large forearms)
Icon (former mega)
Ridgeline Defense (can you buy just a receiver?)
Cobalt kinetics
Sons of Liberty Gunworks
Vltor (key mod only?)


What am I forgetting?

If this a larger frame build I would look at ZEV.

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

If this a larger frame build I would look at ZEV.

Standard frame AR-15. I don’t think zev makes the MATEN anymore with the integrated nut.

 

[_Windrider_]

Standard frame AR-15. I don’t think zev makes the MATEN anymore with the integrated nut.

Yea I didn’t see the AR15 part in the title.

The monolithic Maten. Upper is no longer made by Zev correct. But their receiver sets are awesome. I would still recommend their small frame receivers as well. But there are so many options in that group

 

[TheOE800]

Did Zev drop the MML line with their sale? Sucks.

 

[Cascade Hemi]

SilencerCo bought Mega from Zev. I would expect they will begin manufacturing Mega products again

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

SilencerCo bought Mega from Zev. I would expect they will begin manufacturing Mega products again

For real? That’s awesome.

 

[_Windrider_]

SilencerCo bought Mega from Zev. I would expect they will begin manufacturing Mega products again

Not the monolithic though. That was stopped due to patent issues

 

[Franko]

LaRue Stealth 2.0 is worth looking at as well.

 

[NHPiper]

The Ridgeline uppers are solid in my experience!

 

[owtlaw]

I have several builds using the Aero Enhanced uppers. They have all worked well. I have no complaints.

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

The Ridgeline uppers are solid in my experience!

I may give them a call and see if I can order just the upper.

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

I have several builds using the Aero Enhanced uppers. They have all worked well. I have no complaints.

I built a large frame AR on the M5 enhanced and I was happy with it. The only 2 things I don’t love are the large ID handguards and there is a little slop between receivers.

Hard to beat the value of the enhanced uppers though.

 

[LRRPF52]

That recent post of a Cobalt Kinetics positional POI shift test got my attention. There was very minimal shift compared to all the other groups people have posted up in that thread.

 

[AvgValley]

The LMT uppers are solid. They have proprietary barrels but D Wilson Mfg can convert most barrels to be compatible with the LMT.

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

That recent post of a Cobalt Kinetics positional POI shift test got my attention. There was very minimal shift compared to all the other groups people have posted up in that thread.

I called them this morning. I may go that direction mainly because the ID is sized about right. Not too big, I don’t plan to nest a suppressor, and not too small, I can still use an adjustable clamp gas block.

 

[mewillis]

Not the monolithic though. That was stopped due to patent issues

Yep, LMT has the monolithic patent https://patents.google.com/patent/US8234808B2/en?oq=us8234808
Colt also makes one under license and a spanking from LMT, several barrel lengths. This is the new iteration 11.5 IAR
I just got mine, its a heavy little pig but pure awesomeness!!! I also have a 14.5 6940
cool story; https://smallarmsreview.com/the-colt-iar6940-infantry-automatic-rifle/
this 11.5 is a contract request from the FBI HRT "supposedly"

 

[cypriss32]

Look at aero enhanced and Sgt of Arms handguards.

 

[MaximusDecimusMeidius]

the ridgeline or seekins seem nice for a precision build

the aero seems nice for a general use type setup

I am very happy with the seekins I ordered

still waiting on aero handguard to come in to set up an 11.5" off of an aero enhanced

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

Look at aero enhanced and Sgt of Arms handguards.

I have never seen these hand guards. Pretty slick!

 

[cypriss32]

Here’s a few different types of monolithic and semi monolithic uppers.
LMT, Mega, Seekins, Ridgeline

 

[Ernest 5.56]

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

View attachment 8601515

Saw this! Now the question is availability.

 

[cypriss32]

Do they take special barrels like LMT? I’m not going down that road again.

 

[TxAg93]

Do they take special barrels like LMT? I’m not going down that road again.

No they're supposed to take regular AR barrels