AR Positional POI Shift Test

M89 Broadsword uppers are now in stock at Rooftop Defense...if I didn't just buy a San Tan Billet Upper I'd get grab one


Now I see what y'all are talking about I didn't know they had a earlier model without the anti-rotation tabs machined in the upper for the handguard.

All of mine are the M89, as shown in this build review. I've got 4 or 5 now and I'm extremely impressed with the quality and rigidity.

 
Now I see what y'all are talking about I didn't know they had a earlier model without the anti-rotation tabs machined in the upper for the handguard.

All of mine are the M89, as shown in this build review. I've got 4 or 5 now and I'm extremely impressed with the quality and rigidity.

I have 3 of the M89 rails and I like them a lot as well. FWIW I think the OEM for the rails is Hodge Defense.
 
I thought ICON was OEM for SOLGW, could be wrong but they have the same drivelock handguard and the upper is similar, not as thiccc right behind the threads tho.
 
Great uppers when used with the M89 handguards!
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If anyone can't find a broadsword upper but wants to mount a SOLGW L89/M89, another option is the billet flared upper from Icon defense. The finish/lines precisely match the l89 handguard (another reason I think they're both produced by mega/Zev), plus it has the advantage of matching the lines of a mil-spec lower better than the broadsword does.
And to top it off, it's cheaper.
 

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If anyone can't find a broadsword upper but wants to mount a SOLGW L89/M89, another option is the billet flared upper from Icon defense. The finish/lines precisely match the l89 handguard (another reason I think they're both produced by mega/Zev), plus it has the advantage of matching the lines of a mil-spec lower better than the broadsword does.
And to top it off, it's cheaper.

What grip is on the lower? I like how vertical it is.
 
If anyone can't find a broadsword upper but wants to mount a SOLGW L89/M89, another option is the billet flared upper from Icon defense. The finish/lines precisely match the l89 handguard (another reason I think they're both produced by mega/Zev), plus it has the advantage of matching the lines of a mil-spec lower better than the broadsword does.
And to top it off, it's cheaper.
Icon is making all of SOLGW uppers/lowers. Mike mentioned that it was different machines than Mega.

What lower is that your using?
 
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Icon is making all of SOLGW uppers/lowers. Mike mentioned that it was different machines than Mega
It's certainly possible. However if they are, they're using the same anodizer and/or recipe as they also exactly match the stuff Mega/Zev is OEMing for Expo/Primary Arms. I guess if Icon was founded by the guy who originally founded Mega before the sale, that would make sense.
 
Here's my contribution to this discussion, for whatever it's worth. Using my friend's 14.5" 6.5 Creedmoor AR10 with a Craddock Precision Bartlein barrel using an SLR handguard with aluminum barrel nut and regular Aero M5 upper, I shot 2 sets of groups. 1 from prone with bipod and rear bag and 1 clipped in to my Fatboy tripod via ARCA and the RRS Anvil head attached just forward of the magwell.

The group did seem to shift from being left of center and slightly high (.52" left and .12" high) to being even more high but less left (.40" high and .18" left). My group was notably larger though from standing tripod, so statistically it's hard to say how much of a real shift is there. Based on talking to Paul Craddock, this minor shift would basically go away if the rifle had a handguard with a steel barrel nut, at least according to him. Personally, if I'm building a precision gas gun I don't think I'd worry about a semi-mono upper at all and just get a solid handguard with a steel barrel nut, at least when speaking AR10s.

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Here's my contribution to this discussion, for whatever it's worth. Using my friend's 14.5" 6.5 Creedmoor AR10 with a Craddock Precision Bartlein barrel using an SLR handguard with aluminum barrel nut and regular Aero M5 upper, I shot 2 sets of groups. 1 from prone with bipod and rear bag and 1 clipped in to my Fatboy tripod via ARCA and the RRS Anvil head attached just forward of the magwell.

The group did seem to shift from being left of center and slightly high (.52" left and .12" high) to being even more high but less left (.40" high and .18" left). My group was notably larger though from standing tripod, so statistically it's hard to say how much of a real shift is there. Based on talking to Paul Craddock, this minor shift would basically go away if the rifle had a handguard with a steel barrel nut, at least according to him. Personally, if I'm building a precision gas gun I don't think I'd worry about a semi-mono upper at all and just get a solid handguard with a steel barrel nut, at least when speaking AR10s.

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Your results might be different if your groups had better precision

ETA: not trying to be a dick. Just saying that the consequences of a floating zero is more relevant to precision rifles meant for shooting targets at distance. If you're shooting 2.5" groups then it's not really a precision rifle capable of effective use on small targets at distance. I think the priorities are getting your rifle to be precise enough to hit 2 moa targets(at distance). Usually meaning a sub-moa rifle at 100. Then moa capable as a shooter. Then diagnose shifting zeros to isolate shooters input versus mechanical shortfalls in the rifles design. If all of that falls within the precision capability of the ammo or barrel, then it's impossible to isolate.
 
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