American Defense UIC Upper

**titanse05** · 13 July 2015, 05:33

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:

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.

**SINNER** · 13 July 2015, 05:40

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

**GOST** · 13 July 2015, 05:42

Originally Posted by SINNER

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** · 13 July 2015, 05:46

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** · 13 July 2015, 06:01

+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** · 13 July 2015, 07:43

Originally Posted by 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

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.

**Pyzik** · 13 July 2015, 08:04

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

**GOST** · 13 July 2015, 08:44

Originally Posted by titanse05

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.

**UWone77** · 13 July 2015, 08:59

$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.

**Pyzik** · 13 July 2015, 09:11

Originally Posted by GOST

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

x2 That would look good, I think.

**VIPER 237** · 13 July 2015, 09:56

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** · 13 July 2015, 12:42

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** · 13 July 2015, 13:06

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** · 14 July 2015, 07:30

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

**GOST** · 14 July 2015, 07:41

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

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