American Defense UIC Upper

[titanse05]

In my quest to find an upper receiver that matches with my AXTS AX556 lower I went ahead and purchased an American Defense UIC upper to see what it looked like. I think that it matches well with the AX556 but the finish on it leaves a lot to be desired compared to the finish on the AX556 lower, anything CMT Tactical or pretty much any other billet upper receiver. I contacted ADM customer service about the poor finishing/anodizing and was told that this lack of finishing (in my opinion) is representative of all UIC upper receivers that are anodized. They even stated that cerakote would do a better job of hiding the machine marks. I might be a bit crazy but having to cerakote a brand new $200 receiver out of the box is unacceptable. I haven't decided if I'm going to return it or ask for a replacement but the finishing sucks and isn't what it should be for a billet upper. Anyway, here are the pictures:

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee318/titanse05/Gun%20stuff/20150708_170813_zpsgxnldlkv.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee318/titanse05/Gun%20stuff/20150708_170734_zpsflnubpp4.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee318/titanse05/Gun%20stuff/20150708_170706_zpshdwc3ux8.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee318/titanse05/Gun%20stuff/20150708_170658_zps4eh42kop.jpg


UPDATE 7/14:

After a couple less than satisfying emails from ADM customer service I got one today that was very professional and informative from Sam C. They have been going thru a bit of growing pains in expanding into the AR market right now and the upper I received is not acceptable in their eyes. It was produced several months ago and slipped thru QC and they want it back. They are going to send out a replacement from a recent run and are positive it will meet current expectations as compared to others in the industry. Updated pictures to come once new UIC upper is received. I suspect it will be what I expected it to be when I placed my initial order a couple weeks ago.

UPDATE 10/14:

Sent another email to Sam C. on 10/5 to inquire the status of the new upper. I have not received a response yet. Not sure what to think at this point. 3 months and nothing.

UPDATE 10/23:

Replacement upper arrived out of the blue today. The finishing is much better and more inline with what a billet upper should be.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee318/titanse05/Gun%20stuff/2e933838-8ccd-4b76-be59-e8172ca669d5_zpsbym6p08d.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee318/titanse05/Gun%20stuff/20151026_204839_zps8ejtm6yf.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee318/titanse05/Gun%20stuff/20151026_204854_zpsukmd6fwl.jpg

[SINNER]

The machining looks like crap and no anodizing will make that look correct. I'd return that thing in a heartbeat.

[GOST]

The machining looks like crap and no anodizing will make that look correct. I'd return that thing in a heartbeat.

+1 Wouldn't be happy with that if I'd gave $80 for it.

[GOST]

I know it's not stripped, but have you considered buying an AXTS upper? They're taking pre-orders.

http://axtsweapons.com/rifles/MI-T556-Upper-Receiver

[Dstrbdmedic167]

+2 on returning it. No way I'd spend $200 on an upper and it look like that. Color I can fix machine marks, not so much...

[titanse05]

I know it's not stripped, but have you considered buying an AXTS upper? They're taking pre-orders.

http://axtsweapons.com/rifles/MI-T556-Upper-ReceiverNot for a second would I pay their asking price. Slap in the face to the current owners of the AX556.

I already asked them on a couple occasions to sell the stripped upper and handguard but was told no.

Not to mention that I've heard some not so flattering things about the owner of AXTS and his business practices so this AX556 and three Rainier Arms Raptors will be my last AXTS products.

[Pyzik]

For $200 it'd be going back if it were mine!

[GOST]

Not for a second would I pay their asking price. Slap in the face to the current owners of the AX556.

I already asked them on a couple occasions to sell the stripped upper and handguard but was told no.

Not to mention that I've heard some not so flattering things about the owner of AXTS and his business practices so this AX556 and three Rainier Arms Raptors will be my last AXTS products.

Hate to hear that. Another upper that is missing that piece that may match up well is the San Tan.

http://pull01.rainier.netdna-cdn.com/media/product/c6e/san-tan-tactical-upper-receiver-ur-stt15-by-san-tan-tactical-cf1.jpg

[UWone77]

$1850 for an AXTS Complete Upper?

I think I'd rather have a SCAR-L or a KAC SR-15

Not sure what planet they're on with that pricing.

As far as the upper goes, if you don't like the finish, I'd certainly return it. With that said, personally, I'd just shoot it and not think twice. My OCD prevents me from owning too many lowers without matching uppers, so I would have sold the AXTS lower and bought something else. [:D]

[Pyzik]

Hate to hear that. Another upper that is missing that piece that may match up well is the San Tan.

http://pull01.rainier.netdna-cdn.com/media/product/c6e/san-tan-tactical-upper-receiver-ur-stt15-by-san-tan-tactical-cf1.jpg

x2 That would look good, I think.

[VIPER 237]

As the guy who handles the final prep and QC for a manufacturer I say that is horseshit. That should've never gone out the door to get anodized much less deemed acceptable for sales and shipping.

[WHSmithIV]

Definitely return it and require a full refund. I wouldn't by a complete upper either from them. That looks worse than a $40 blem upper receiver from Aero Precision and with the one I had, I couldn't even find what made it a blem. Looks like they need to reprogram their CNC machine.

[WHSmithIV]

This bothers me with something else too. I find it extremely unacceptable for you to be told that you should cerakote a $200 upper receiver. That's simply bullshit. I'm 100% with Viper on this. That should have been scrapped and re-melted. My daughter is a CNC machinist. Tolerances are in thousandths of inches. That has to be one of the worst machined receivers I have ever seen get sent to anybody.

[titanse05]

OP is updated. ADM is going to attempt to rectify the issue.

[GOST]

Good to hear brother, look forward to seeing what the new upper looks like.

[titanse05]

Well it's been over a month and still no new upper. Got most of the parts for my SBR build. Would be nice if I could put it together sometime soon. :(

[UWone77]

Well it's been over a month and still no new upper. Got most of the parts for my SBR build. Would be nice if I could put it together sometime soon. :(

A month? Ouch.

Did you follow up? Any word?

[titanse05]

A month? Ouch.

Did you follow up? Any word?Just sent an email today. Hopefully something will happen soon.

[titanse05]

Got a quick response from Sam and he said the new batch is due back from anodizing in 1-2 weeks.

Hopefully this holds true.

[UWone77]

Got a quick response from Sam and he said the new batch is due back from anodizing in 1-2 weeks.

Hopefully this holds true.

Hopefully they take care of you. I've had nothing but good dealings with ADM. I probably own 6-8 mounts and a fan of their products, though I don't own any of their actual AR parts.

[titanse05]

Got a quick response from Sam and he said the new batch is due back from anodizing in 1-2 weeks.

Hopefully this holds true.Well here we are 5+ weeks later and still nothing from ADM. Still have a box of parts awaiting an upper receiver to assemble for first SBR. :(

[Stickman]

Well here we are 5+ weeks later and still nothing from ADM. Still have a box of parts awaiting an upper receiver to assemble for first SBR. :(


That certainly doesn't sound right. I can understand if they don't have their machines run different items on different schedules, but over 5 weeks is obviously going to be very aggravating for the consumer.

[titanse05]

That certainly doesn't sound right. I can understand if they don't have their machines run different items on different schedules, but over 5 weeks is obviously going to be very aggravating for the consumer.Aggravating indeed. I shot another email off to Sam so we will see what the excuse is this time.

[titanse05]

No response from Sam this time around after a week. Not sure what to think at this point. 3 months and nothing....

[velocity2006]

Would be interested to hear what their excuse is. I would have just called and asked for my money back at this point.

[SINNER]

Much more patience than me. I would have had a refund when I unboxed that mess.

[titanse05]

I did get a refund long ago. Sam put out the offer to send me a new one once they were available. Which would be great if I ever get it.

[titanse05]

Another week has past and no response.....blah

[titanse05]

Yesterday was the day... new upper arrived out of the blue and the machining and finish are perfect. It appears that ADM is starting to get things in line over there.

I will post some pictures up once I get a chance.

[titanse05]

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee318/titanse05/Gun%20stuff/2e933838-8ccd-4b76-be59-e8172ca669d5_zpsbym6p08d.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee318/titanse05/Gun%20stuff/20151026_204839_zps8ejtm6yf.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee318/titanse05/Gun%20stuff/20151026_204854_zpsukmd6fwl.jpg

[GOST]

That looks a lot better. I like the new cuts they've added to the port side.

[titanse05]

That looks a lot better. I like the new cuts they've added to the port side.The overall product is definitely much improved. The engraving on the top of the upper is much clearer too. The previous upper had a barely visible logo.