Do you prefer AR15 Uppers and Lowers to match?

[lovemachine]

I saw in another thread about the preference of uppers and lowers matching. It made me want to start a thread on it.

Do you prefer your AR15 upper and lower to match? Or does it even matter to you as long as the parts were quality?

 

[gregkl]

As long as they are good quality, I really don't mind.

That said, the OCD in me would like them to match. Funny thing is, my current build is a matching Aero Precision upper and lower and they are not the exact same shade/sheen of black. Go figure...

 

[223 Gunner]

Yes I like them to match. Although I have noticed over the years, with the Colt's of the '90's, their color match between upper and lower was always off. This was noticed by me, on complete new rifles. Some older Bushmaster's were turning purple, this was years ago.

 

[Fordtough25]

Color match, or brand match?

 

[NKBJ]

Problem solved!
Fusion for Plastic® - | Krylon

 

[churchmouse]

If they fit up properly I see no issues. I have seen some that did not fit well.

 

[M67]

I like billet receivers and a lot of time, the receivers from the same company match nicely but if you mix and match them they look good most of the time too.

So I guess it just depends. I have a Mega Billet upper and lower and the lines look pretty good. My Seekins mixes pretty well with my Spikes forged upper too but I do eventually want to get that receiver replaced with a Seekins, BRO, or maybe a Rowe.

On forged receivers, I at least like the lines to somewhat mate up, if they're from different brands I don't mind but I like them being somewhat clean.

Even slight color variations can be over looked. About the only funky thing that I'm not sure if I like or not would be having a BRO or POF upper or lower that was NP3 and having the other part black ano, not sure if I like that 2 tone or not

 

[avboiler11]

As long as they are good quality, I really don't mind.

That said, the OCD in me would like them to match.

This.

At the same time, is your rifle a safe/range queen, or a working rifle that actually gets shot with some regularity? If the former then matching is good, if the latter then it doesn't matter so long as it functions.

As I've gotten (a little) older, I've come to appreciate a rifle as a tool that gets dirty, nicked up, etc. as much as I appreciate a rifle or shotgun with fine walnut and impeccable bluing. Besides, a little Krylon and everything matches

 

[ghostdncr]

Matched for color? The only time I've seen that matter is when you try to sell or trade it. Mine tend to be refinished in some type of camo pattern so it's never been relevant to me.

Matched by brand? Again, not an issue to me. Still haven't had a target come up to my position and demand to know the brand of my upper and lower in order to validate my hit.

Matched as to fitment between upper and lower? I worry about this one. On a loose, poorly fitting rifle, you can clamp the lower in a sled and watch your point of aim shift as the hammer strikes the firing pin. Does it matter on an ultralight M4? Probably not, but it becomes more and more relevant as you start stretching the rifle out at longer range.

 

[milton]

I have my "pretty" AR that I am OCD and want it to look perfect. This one is purely conversation and range use. It has matching parts.

My other one is a piece together, that is my defensive rifle, and all that matter is that it does the job.

 

[Faine]

Color match, yes. My OCD will permit nothing less. Though let it be said a designed color difference is OK, so if you had a burnt bronze upper with black accents on a clack lower with burnt bronze accents or whatever and it was a different color but still matched I would be OK with it.

If you mean by mfg, no. Quality is quality. Quality tolerencing is quality tolerencing and all the top companies will give you a nice fit. Just get it cerakoted or something.

 

[palerider0485]

i like them both to match, both upper and lower made by colt...

 

[M67]

i like them both to match, both upper and lower made by colt...

Doesn't Colt buy their receivers from Cerro Forge?

 

[remauto1187]

Doesnt make me any difference as long as it goes boom every time I squeeze the trigger and is accurate. Both upper and lower color and even brand...no matter.

 

[mvician]

Doesn't Colt buy their receivers from Cerro Forge?

Cero doesn't finish them......

Colt buys from different forging houses.

 

[INgunowner]

Prefer yes, Do they? Nope. As long as everything is in tolerance it will remain that way.

 

[Sling10mm]

I would agree that the important thing is that it functions well, cosmetics are secondary. Having said that, I would include myself in the OCD crowd and would prefer for the make to match…. just seems right.

 

[fastwally]

My favorite AR is a mismatch, a complete LMT upper on a complete DPMS lower and Magpul furniture.

 

[Jeremy1066]

Mr. OCD says "They MUST match". Hate that guy sometimes, because the gray buffer tube on my Spikes lower is driving me nuts!

 

[davedolli]

If both are quality, it doesn't matter to me.

Dave