Aero Precision has a long-standing history as a leading aerospace manufacturing contractor. They also have a stellar reputation as manufacturer that designs and machines quality firearms parts and accessories at reasonable prices.
Like many firearms enthusiasts, I have purchased and enjoyed Aero Precision parts over the years.
Most recently, I purchased Aero Precision’s AR15 stripped, upper receiver with no forward assist (SKU: APAR610401C). This is not the M4E1 upper, which is more expensive and a little heavier (7 oz).
Why Did I Buy an Aero Precision Upper Receiver with No Forward Assist?
I have a POF Renegade Plus which I really love. However, there were two issues I wanted to address.
- I wanted to get rid of any unnecessary weight (without spending too much money). That said, my POF upper receiver weighs approximately 7.625 oz (without its dust cover) vs the Aero Precision stripped upper with no forward assist which weighs about 6.5 oz. The Aero Precision upper saved me just over 1 oz. which does not seem like much, but reducing ounces adds up.
- Since I shoot suppressed all the time, I wanted to remove any areas from which gas could escape into my eyes. Moreover, I shoot suppressed using the YHM Turbo K, Turbo T2 and original Turbo. These suppressors have a lot of back pressure which results in way too much burning gas to my eyes. Thus, part of my gas mitigation strategy was to get an upper without a forward assist. Since I wanted a quality upper without breaking the bank, I chose Aero Precision’s stripped AR-15 upper with no forward assist.
Getting the stripped Aero Precision upper receiver with no forward assist resolved both issues.
Features of the Aero Precision Upper Receiver with No Forward Assist
- No forward assist
- Machined from 7075-T6 forged aluminum
- M4 Feedramps
- .250 takedown pin holes
- Laser engraved T-marks
- Compatible with standard AR15/M16 components
- Anodized Black
- Made In USA
Weight
The Aero Precision stripped upper with no forward assist weighs about 6.5 oz.
Pricing
MSRP for the stripped, Aero Precision upper with no forward assist is $94.99, however I have seen it on sale for as low as $59.95. Obviously, pricing is subject to change.
General Impressions
At 6.5 oz, the Aero Precision stripped upper with no forward assist feels very light. It also has a smooth, matte black finish with no blemishes whatsoever. The POF Renegade Plus’ black anodized finish is not an exact match to the Aero Precision upper, but it is pretty close. Machining and fit and finish are excellent.
The Aero Precision stripped upper with no forward assist mated to my POF’s billet lower receiver nicely for a fairly tight fit. Ironically, the POF upper had a little side-to-side “play” when attached to the POF lower and was not as tight a fit as the Aero Precision upper…go figure.
I had no issues with installing the Faxon pencil barrel. That said, there is a noticeable gap where the Ballistic Advantage/Aero Precision Atlas S-One handguard meets with the upper receiver. The Atlas S-One’s top-rear picatinny rail section also sits slightly lower than the picatinny rail of this Aero Precision upper receiver. According to the folks at Ballistic Advantage, this can sometimes occur as a result of variability in tolerances of their products. I also think that in order to reduce weight, the Atlas S-One handguard was made to be a little shorter in height, from top to bottom.
At the Range
Having sent hundreds of rounds downrange, not surprisingly, I experienced no issues at all with the Aero Precision stripped upper receiver with no forward assist.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for an affordable, good quality, lightweight stripped upper receiver without a forward assist, you may want to consider Aero Precision.