Spike's Tactical 16" M4 LE upper

[Stickman]

Spike's Tactical 16" M4 LE upper


This overview of the Spike's Tactical 16" M4 LE upper will be to document the points of interest, and important features that this upper receiver group provides. We will walk though the complete weapon through images, and talk a bit about the specs.

The Spike's Tactical 16" M4 LE upper was sent to us stock, with no upgrades or enhancements. The unit sells for $525, and is available through the Spike's Tactical website at the below link, or through any of the online or local Spike's Tactical Dealers.


http://www.spikestactical.com/z/inde...roducts_id=384





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[Stickman]

Starting from the front of the upper, we see a properly timed standard A2 flash suppressor (FS), or as my Military colleagues would refer to it, the A2 compensator.

The A2 FS is standard issue on almost every current military M16A1 (yes they are still sitting in vaults waiting), M16A2, and M4 variant. They are basic, strong, and work well. If you are looking for something a little more high speed, the A2 FS comes off and you can drop on whatever makes you happy.

The barrel is 16" M4 profile.

[Stickman]

The Spike's Tactical 16" M4 LE Front Sight Base (FSB) is the proper "F" base, and is parkerized underneath. The proper "F" Front Sight Base is important as the use of the wrong base will offset your rear sight choices, and there are still manufacturers who use the incorrect FSB causing aggravation for shooters who were unaware of the differences. While the difference in height between the "F" and non-F are small, its enough to cause issues while trying to sight in.

Tom Miller (CEO) pointed out the FSB is forged from Carbon steel, heat treated, and phosphated per the Mil-Spec. The Taper pins are properly heat treated and phosphated per the Mil-Spec too. If you have ever tried to tap out the pins on a FSB and found the pins mushrooming, you know what its like to work with cheaper parts. Those issues aren't found here.

The Front Sight Post (FSP) is the standard square FSP.

A bayonet lug and coated sling swivel are standard.

The gas tube roll pin is evenly inserted, and is not deformed on either end.

[Stickman]

The barrel is 4150 Chromoly Vanadium Alloy, with a 1:7 twist. This is not marked on the front of the barrel as many people are used to seeing. Instead, it is marked under the handguards. Magnetic particle testing is conducted on every barrel, and each is phosphate coated, including under the Front Sight Base (FSB). While the military obviously uses the 14.5" barrel on the M4, the rest of the barrel appears to fall inline with your issued upper.

The barrels of the Spike's Tactical 16" M4 LE are individually proof fired and MP Inspected.

The 16" M4 profile barrel is using a carbine length gas system.

In speaking with Tom Miller (CEO of ST), he pointed out that Spike's Tactical is proud to use barrels which are turned on center and have threads which are 100% concentric to the bore. The importance of this is well known in the suppressor community. More than a few people have found a baffle or end strike due to a barrel that wasn't quite squared away.

[Stickman]

Double heat shield M4 hand guards are included with each upper. Its hard to get all that excited about basic M4 handguards, but the double heat shields make a difference for shooters as the barrel heats up. The handguards lock up tight, and the play in them is minimal at best.

[Stickman]

Gas tube alignment on the ST 16" M4 LE is what I would consider text book perfect. While I did not pull the gas tube and check the torque value on the barrel nut, I did throw a wrench on it to check and see if it felt loose. No problems in that regard. Most readers are probably aware that a misaligned gas tube will cause interference with the carrier key, and that it doesn't take much to create immediate problems. However, I think its worth noting that even small alignment issues will eventually create wear on the gas tube, which makes for longer term trouble.

Regardless of whether you want to get worked about about gas tube, carrier keys, and perfect alignment, its not an issue with this upper receiver.