Looking for XM-177 (CAR-15) upper

[Ge-mini-gun]

I have a PSA Christmas lower that needs some parts…actually everything. I want to make it into a CAR-15, but I’d rather not spend more on the upper than the entire gun, I’m not a high speed, low drag guy. This will be just for shooting paper, cans, mud holes and whatever, so the cheaper the upper the better. So where might one purchase said upper on the inexpensive side? Thanks for the info.

 

[Concorde]

PSA probably also has the equivalent upper parts that you want. Otherwise for lower cost but still good quality parts, I have been shopping at https://outdoorsportsusa.com/

 

[A&S Conversions]

I have had good luck buying used parts from ar15.com. My question to you is how close do you want to come to a XM-177? A XM-177 was gray not black. Your new lower is black. It will be more challenging to find a black A1 upper. Windham Weaponry has a black C7 upper with A1 sights but it also has M4 feed ramps and a shell deflector. Also what do you plan for a stock? Are you going with a retro aluminum or fiberlite? Or are you going for a modern six position? How about the grip? Are you going for a retro A1 or an A2? I went down the rabbit hole of the retro gray A1 but used a post ban Colt light profile barrel and added feed ramps to the upper. I had the barrel shortened and had a repro moderator and grenade ring pinned to keep the upper Title I. I started down the retro rabbit hole because I had the spare A1 upper and I came into a deal on an original Colt chromed bolt group with out forward assist notches. Good luck with the project.

Scott

 

[fortyfive1911a1]

I think the best available clone right now is the Brownells XM-177. Not cheap, though.

 

[Concorde]

I think the best available clone right now is the Brownells XM-177. Not cheap, though.

Yes, they've done a nice job with that!

 

[Flipaldo]

If you're looking for a clone than making it yourself or buying from Brownells are probably your best bet. If you just want the best bang for buck then check out delta team tactical. I have heard mixed reviews about them however I have bought parts from them for years and inspected their stuff prior to assembling it and have never had a problem with them. Would I buy stuff from them for my "go to" rifle? No, but for plinking I would.

 

[sniperdoc]

Shotgun News usually has several advertisers of AR Stuff, but Brownells has a top notch reputation. I've always been pleased with all their products.

 

[fortyfive1911a1]

Troy made some clones that were really accurate copies and were only about $1100 new, but I don’t think they are producing them anymore.

I’ve shot a Brownells version and it was very nice. They were on sale for $899 a while back. Now the upper alone is almost that much.

 

[MG34_Dan]

Brownell's XM177E2 has the incorrect handguard slip ring. Also, the front sling swivel on an original Colt is held in place with a roll pin while the Brownell's is set with a rivet.

On the following pictures, look at the bottom most upper receiver as the top one is a Rick Kuehl .22lr conversion upper receiver.

 

[Ge-mini-gun]

Just looking for the A1 upper with 11.5” barrel and 4.5” flashhider. As mentioned, I have a PSA lower and just want an upper, I like the look of the CAR, but a 16” with M4 profile would work as well. Again not a high speed, low drag guy...just want something that looks decent.

 

[fortyfive1911a1]

There’s going to be a big price difference between a basic 16” Palmetto upper and a CAR-15 clone.

This looks like a reasonably priced XM177 upper. They also sell the flash hider separate if you wanted to pin and weld it yourself.

https://www.tntesales.com/5-56-nato-1-7-xm-177-c7-cl-style-upper/

 

[CrystalPepzi]

TNTE had some nice looking complete uppers last time I checked, lots a different varieties you can get too. I bought a A1 "slab side" not too long ago but it seems they don't sell it alone anymore.

https://www.tntesales.com/a1

Though I will warn you, and I'm not sure if this is still an issue, but these guys take a LONG TIME to ship. You could be waiting either a few weeks, to 11 months. My upper didn't ship until a month and a half after ordering it.

 

[sniperdoc]

Fwiw, you can buy a long flash hider that is threaded up behind the slots so it slips over a 16" barrel and makes the gun look like the short barrel/long flash hider combo. It gives you the benefit of 16" ballistics.