I'm wanting a dust cover and a forward assist. I hunt in the desert that is now Western Oklahoma and have had dust issues already. How hard is it to change out and if so what upper receiver only should I buy. Want something that is similiar to the original receiver if possible. (Brands, Links) I'll take it to get installed at a gunsmith but would love some opinions and which model I should buy. Thanks

Might be easier just to swap out top ends, I have a RR national match and would like to have a flat top, you might want to check out AR-15.com. I am very picky on fit and want to upper and lower to fit tightly together, others don't worry about it an no big deal, why I still have my RR with a carry handle. RR had some quality issues for a while as have Colt, Bushmaster, just go down the line, but uppers are all pretty good, just get a forged not cast upper, you can check fit and finish before you start your build. Billy Magg

You can buy a flat top upper from just about anyone, there are only a handful of companies that forge them and then sell them to everyone else to machine. I swapped my Sport upper receiver for a flat top with a dust cover and forward assist. I am in the place that is now the southwestern Kansas desert. I wouldnt recommend checking out AR15.com for anything, unless you buy from their "list" you have wasted your money. there are quite a few of us who have changed out our uppers it is easy and not rocket science. Also in case you didnt know Mr. Magg there are more than a few of us who have had our M&P15's for a while and the website you mentioned ran us into the ground as the saying was "buy once cry often" so why a person would want to check out the other sight when we have the knowledge here also just confounds me. . You can get a good one from Brownells, Midway, Joebob Outfitters, Palmetto State Armory basically any of the reputable sources. You can buy any type that you want. If you have a vise, barrel wrench, a decent set of punches and good hammer you can do the job yourself in about an hour and a half, less if you have ever done it before. There is also a gunsmith in Laverne, who's name escapes me right now but he does good work also.

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Grover Oathkeeper

I would like to hear more about these "dust issues" and how have you isolated the cause to not having a dust cover and forward assist? If you just want one, then that is cool, but there may be more going on with the rifle that changing from the stock upper to a stripped upper with dust cover and forward assist is not going to correct.

here in NW OK the wind blows 25-40 mph and we haven't had rain in 3 months, the dust/sand is ridiculous and i had a misfire last week shooting at a hog due to dust.

Here's an upper I have used 5.56/.223 and 6.8 SPC Stripped Upper 7075-T6 Forging - Upper Parts - Shop Parts. Fast delivery, price is right, no markings, it works. Order your small parts to complete the upper at the same time.

A problem you will have right now is finding exactly what you want in stock, both on line and locally. I stopped at a LGS last Friday, thinking I would put a lower or two away for a future build. They had just sold their last and did not know when they would have any more in. So first, I would ask my LGS what they had and recommended. I would expect to pay $100 - $150 and up for the stripped upper to start at a LGS.

8802, It is exactly the same way here that it is there, When you look at the drought maps we are both in the same pickle. I changed my upper to get one that had "Marines The Few The Proud" engraved on it. Because it is not hermetically sealed it still gets dust in it from hunting PDogs. Just requires a little more cleaning. I dont know how far into NW Oklahoma you are but I graduated High School in Guymon. If you want to go PDog Hunting it cant be far to come up here. I would love to come down there and Pig Hunt. LOL..Plus I have all the tools to change your upper out.

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Grover Oathkeeper

I'm not trying to be rude, but you just purchased this rifle. I live in Texas, and my Sport rides in the back of my pickup uncased, or on a rack in a jeep, uncased, as we drive down the trails in west Texas. My rifle will be red, covered in dust, and has never had an issue.

If your rifle was clean and bolt closed, and your first shot was a misfire, it most likely isn't dust that caused it. Did you break down the rifle and clean it before taking it out? Take the bolt apart and clean it well, then re-lube? Did you ride the charging handle forward where it was not fully into battery? Was there a deep dimple in the primer? What type of ammo?

I saw your other posts about budget scopes, so I hate to see you go and spend money for something that most likely will not solve your problem. Again, if you just want a dust cover, then cool, get one...many have. But many will also tell you they did it more for aesthetics, not as a problem solving exercise.

Hope I didn't offend. Am looking more to help.

I found a stripped lower in stock last night....$250....Cabela's Can't tell you anymore than that, looked at the price and kept on going.

In all honesty I didn't break the rifle down and clean it after the misfire, and in no way did you offend me at all. I appreciate you taking the time to respond and coming at my problem for a different angle.

No doubt man, next time I'm in town and not working I'll pm you and youre more than welcome to come down and hunt in Camargo with me

I don't know, Cypher. Based on the number of vehicles parked today at a LGS that I often use, that $250 might turn out to be a good price in the long run. Panic buying is definitely here.

I know where Camargo is, Its about 2.5 hours from me. We run down to Fort Supply just to get Cheeseburgers...LOL

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Grover Oathkeeper

JoeBobOutfitters.com has quite a few upper recievers for sale and the prices right now are really good!!
Plus they have lowers for sale also with really good prices

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Grover Oathkeeper

The best thing about the AR15: it's based on standardized dimensional specs.

If you want to swap out your upper receiver for one with a FA & dust cover, go for it! If you do, I call dibs on the Sport upper receiver! How much ya want for it?

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-John

I too am pretty suspect of any dust issue with these rifles. I have hunted yotes in Az with them, and the Ca desert. In Az last year we got stuck in one of the worst sandstorms in the last????? years, and dust got into everything; ice chests, the truck interior, all of it was sanded out. The rifle was outside in the storm; picked it up, opened it and shook it out/ blew it out and went back to hunting and shooting with no issues.
I think if the rifle shoots otherwise fine, your issue is either lubrication, or ammo itself. I go thru enough ammo that I do see dead primers every once in a while. If the rifle is lubed well, you should be able to do just about anything with it and have no issues.

Not sure if it helps any, but I bought a YHM stripped upper kit:
https://www.primaryarms.com/Yankee_H...hm-110-kit.htm

The fit an finish is close, but not exactly the same as the OEM upper. However, it has the key hole forging marks, which I believe is the same forge *cough* Colt uses. Regardless, it's a quality upper.

I swapped mine out last summer and it has worked beautifully. It's not that complicated to do.

Added a Yankee Hill upper to my Sport, although it came with FA and DC plus the M4 ramps. Fits good and color matched lower perfectly. No complaints at all.

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NRA member since 1974