Just want to know from people's experiences if all AR upper receivers are about the same. In my particular case if it's a flat top upper with forward assist and m4 feed ramps, then is there any reason NOT to get the cheapest one I can find? I found a striped one from DSA for $59.95.

In my opinion, no. I just got an AR Stoner from Midway for $89 complete. I'll be building the upper this weekend.

Primary Arms has Anderson stripped uppers for $49.

My son just ordered a Honey Badger lower. Any suggestions on upper and lower blocks to work with TC? Hasn't started looking for uppers to work with, going to tell him stay with reputable brand and just go with quality internals (bcg, and trigger group). He wants a bling shooter so barrel is going to be where he looks at something unique in 5.56.

I've just got a basic set. I'd look at white oak, or JP for a barrel. CMC makes a good trigger for not a lot of money, as does RRA.

The general consensus, at least from what I have read, is that there are only a handful of companies that do the forging and a massive number of companies that do the milling. The milling is what is key.

That being said, as long as they are mil-spec they should plug and play with other mil-spec components. I've used Aero Precision stripped uppers and they work well enough. But in theory as long as they are in spec any upper should work.

There are actually quite a few companies doing forgings (see below). I believe there is a difference in the machining process and some are able to hold tighter tolerances than just meeting the mil-specs.

Upper receiver forge markings:

Offset Square is: Brass Aluminum Forging
LMT is: No Forge Marks, but marked LMT or L is: LMT
AF is: Alcoa Forge
C AF is: Colt Alco Forge
A (splintered) = Anchor Harvey Aluminum
C MB is: Colt / Mueller Brass
Cardinal’s head (stylized bird head) is: Cardinal Forge
CH is: Colt Harvey Aluminum
Crosshairs w/"AR" is: ArmaLite
CK is: Colt / Kaiser Aluminum
CM is: Colt / Martin Marietta
D (stylized) is: Diemaco
DK is: Diemaco / Kaiser Aluminum
E is: Emco
EK is: EMCO/Kaiser
E MB is: EMCO/Mueller Brass
FA is: FNMI / Anchor Harvey
FK is: FNMI / Kaiser Aluminum
FM is: FN/Martin Marietta
FMB is: FNMI / Mueller Brass
LK is: LAR / Kaiser Aluminum
LM is: LAR / Martin Marietta
M "diamond" is: Mueller Industries
PA is: Capco / Anchor Harvey
PM is: Capco / Martin Marietta
Square (symbol) is: Brass Aluminum

M-16 markings:

CAF Colt / Alcoa Forge
CH Colt / Harvey Aluminum (1st Colt Forgings)
CM Colt / Martin Marietta
DK Diemaco / Kaiser
FK, FS, BK, DK, EK, FK, AF, CW, AA, FS Bushmaster
LK FN / Kaiser
LM LAR / Martin Marietta (Army Spares Contract)
“Splintered A” F: FNMI Anchor Harvey“Splintered A” F: FNMI Anchor Harvey
“Splintered A” C: Colt Anchor Harvey
Splintered A Olympic Arms? (Anchor Harvey)


My list of verified upper receiver forge markings used by AR-15 upper manufactuers/sellers


DSA - Cardinal forge
Rock River - Cardinal forge
Delton - Cerro forge, square
DPMS - Cerro
Spikes Tactical - Cerro
Stag - Cardinal, Cerro
LWRC- splintered A
Para USA - ZM
Knight’s Armament - Cerro (keyhole)
Wilson Combat - splintered A
Double Star - Cerro
Smith &Wesson - Cerro
Daniel Defense - Cerro
Sabre Defense - Cerro?
Remington - Cerro
BCM - Cerro, square
Bushmaster - Cerro
Stag - splintered A, Cardinal
J&T Distributing (Doublestar) - Cerro, C
CMMG - Cerro
Colt M4 - Cerro (C keyhole), square, Cardinal (“C“ bird‘s head), C AF

I've been unimpressed with some Anderson parts I've handled and used in the past, BUT I have used 2 different Anderson stripped uppers for builds and have encountered nothing that would prevent me recommending them. I'd use them on another build.

However, I generally start my parts search with Aero Precision since they seem to have the best mix of price and quality in my expeerience.