Spikes Tactical 14.5" Complete Upper

[Grastmatt2552]

Anyone have any experience with these or similar 14.5 uppers?

[ruthabagah]

I have a BCM 14.5'. Like it a lot. What do you want to know?

[Grastmatt2552]

Well with a pinned flash hider/compensator, it makes it a legal 16" barrel right? How's the accuracy compared to a 16"? Mostly I really like the look of it, and since I have a Spikes lower, I'd like to mate it with an upper of the same quality.

[ray1970]

Well with a pinned flash hider/compensator, it makes it a legal 16" barrel right?

Yes. Just make sure the flash hider is long enough. A standard A2 won't cut it.

How's the accuracy compared to a 16"?

Probably depends on the barrel. I have had two 14.5" Daniel Defense barrels that would outshoot just about any other AR barrel I had. The accuracy was very good, even out to 300 or 400 yards.

Mostly I really like the look of it, and since I have a Spikes lower, I'd like to mate it with an upper of the same quality.

Sorry, but I can't speak to the specific quality of the Spike's barrels as I have no experience with them.

[Grastmatt2552]

It'd be a complete upper: http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.as...er&groupid=368

[ray1970]

Looks like it has the mid-length gas system. I think I am going to go with a 14.5" with the mid gas system on one of my next rifles because I like the look of them too. If you get it, let me know how well it functions. I will probably go with this one from BCM.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-1...urg-mid-14.htm

[Grastmatt2552]

Yeah it's a mid-length system. I will definitely let you know if I buy it, and how it performs. I'd go for the BCM, but adding in a BCG, charging handle, and handguards, it'll be a lot more than the Spikes. Free shipping too.

[mutt]

I don't see the point to getting a 14.5 mid-length. Losing the extra 1.5 inches of barrel really doesn't gain you anything over a 16. And the pinned FH makes working on it a pain if you ever want to replace/install rails or go with a different muzzle device. Even a 14.5in carbine isn't gaining you anything other than a more correct M4ish appearance. If the proper look is important to you, then 14.5in carbine is the way to go. But if you're thinking a 14.5 is superior in some way to a 16, it's not.

I have a 14.5 BCM carbine. It looks cool but it doesn't do anything better than his 16in brother. I also have a Spikes 16in AR. Fine rifle as well. If I had to recommend one brand over the another it would be BCM. IMHO they make a better rifle.

[jerrymrc]

I don't see the point to getting a 14.5 mid-length. Losing the extra 1.5 inches of barrel really doesn't gain you anything over a 16. And the pinned FH makes working on it a pain if you ever want to replace/install rails or go with a different muzzle device. Even a 14.5in carbine isn't gaining you anything other than a more correct M4ish appearance. If the proper look is important to you, then 14.5in carbine is the way to go. But if you're thinking a 14.5 is superior in some way to a 16, it's not.

I have a 14.5 BCM carbine. It looks cool but it doesn't do anything better than his 16in brother. I also have a Spikes 16in AR. Fine rifle as well. If I had to recommend one brand over the another it would be BCM. IMHO they make a better rifle.

I will agree. I have seen a few retro Izzy A1's that look better with the 14.5 and the longer FH but I went with the 16" for mine.

With the mid length I would go with the 16 or 18" barrel IMO.

[Grastmatt2552]

I don't see the point to getting a 14.5 mid-length. Losing the extra 1.5 inches of barrel really doesn't gain you anything over a 16. And the pinned FH makes working on it a pain if you ever want to replace/install rails or go with a different muzzle device. Even a 14.5in carbine isn't gaining you anything other than a more correct M4ish appearance. If the proper look is important to you, then 14.5in carbine is the way to go. But if you're thinking a 14.5 is superior in some way to a 16, it's not.

I have a 14.5 BCM carbine. It looks cool but it doesn't do anything better than his 16in brother. I also have a Spikes 16in AR. Fine rifle as well. If I had to recommend one brand over the another it would be BCM. IMHO they make a better rifle.

I dont think its superior at all, that's not why I'm getting it. I love the look of it, and I'm not into rails and all the "tacticool" accessories so that won't be an issue. Front sight post/gas block is good to go for me, as I'll stick with irons for a while.
Even though BCM may be a better brand, its out of my budget, and honestly since my lower is a spikes, why not get a matching upper for it ya know?