Brownells Retro XM177 upper

[oregon45]

Anyone have one of these uppers? Or the complete rifle? If so, how do you like it? I'm considering picking up an upper for use as a lightweight "basic" AR that I can set-and-forget, distinct from my main AR-15 that tends to change configuration from year to year.

[RAM Engineer]

Anyone have one of these uppers? Or the complete rifle? If so, how do you like it? I'm considering picking up an upper for use as a lightweight "basic" AR that I can set-and-forget, distinct from my main AR-15 that tends to change configuration from year to year.

I don't have one of these, but I do have one of the Troy GAU-5/A/A replicas. I probably wouldn't recommend one of these as a "lightweight" AR. That muzzle device adds as much if not more weight than a 16" pencil barrel, which would give you better ballistics. Also, as a lefty, I do prefer a brass deflector unless I just want the retro vibe. Were I setting up a lightweight iron sighted gun, I would use one of the Brownells C7 replica uppers:

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/receiver-parts/receivers/upper-receivers/ar-15-c7-stripped-upper-receiver-prod124803.aspx

...combined with a lightweight 16" barrel.

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/barrel-parts/rifle-barrels/ar-15-16-a1-carbine-barrel-assembly-prod97903.aspx

[19852+]

If you want an iron sight basic rifle my recommendation is a flattop with the DD A1A rear with the standard front sight tower/gas block. The rail will give you options should you decide you want an optic or you find a rear iron you like better. This is in fact what I di and I couldn't be happier with the result. Mine is no lightweight as it uses the Colt SOCOM barrel.

My 2 cents.