Remember Those Mega Monolithic Uppers

[Miso Beno]

Curious about Mega Machine Shop/Mega Arms? Read our interview with Mike Miller (http://230grain.com/showthread.php?t=66121).

I paid the folks at Mega Machine Shop a visit on Friday and they showed me the production version of their mid-length railed and non-railed monolithic uppers. Mike and Larry also let me play around with the complete rifles they prepared for the SHOT show. Also, for all you SBR fanatics out there, they have plans to release a pistol-length monolithic platform. I hadn't expected a smooth sided version of the upper and when they told me that they were producing one I couldn't help but be excited. I'm not a high speed tactical operator so I generally don't need 27 feet of rails (though part of me finds the option appealing). After handling the smooth sided version it's hard to make a choice.

Both uppers are supremely thin and fit well in your hands. I couldn't find a sharp edge to cut myself on, and they really match up well with Mega's billet lowers. The non-railed pistol upper makes your pistol/SBR AR look like it's straight off of the set of Star Wars. When I handled the one at their shop I immediately exclaimed "LOOK SIR DROIDS! BEW BEW!" while activating the green laser emitter. (They'll probably never invite me back.)

The folks at Mega haven't yet revealed their final MSRP, but they did tell me that it will cost less than the VLTOR, including the barrel nut and their barrel nut wrench. The uppers will also come with the dust cover and forward assists pre-installed, which should result in a 27% reduction in swearing.

http://230grain.com/images/articles/mega2/nuevobillet746.jpg
http://230grain.com/images/articles/mega2/NOTABILLET713.jpg
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Of course I'm not going to leave you hanging with the standard product photos.

http://230grain.com/images/articles/mega2/notamegamonolith702.jpg
They're black-oxiding their Mega Single Stage Triggers (MSST because Im lazy) which should appease you folks who are concerned about the amount of speed and drag your rifle produces.

Here, have some advertising photos:

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I've been getting questions from our readers in IRC about how the barrel installation works, so here's a very rough tutorial. This is intended to give you a general idea, but when you end up with one of these please refer to the included instruction manual. Please. (Bew bew. Droids.)

HOW DO I PUT MAH BARREL IN?
You will need to remove the gas block and gas tube to install your barrel, then insert the barrel as normal and slide the barrel nut over the naked barrel. Then, using the supplied driver start the barrel nut into place by hand. Once the nut is hand tight, use a standard automotive torque wrench and torque the driver to 65 ft/lbs. Reinstall your gas block and gas tube and you're done.


http://230grain.com/images/articles/mega2/nuevobillet742.jpg
Driver & Nut

http://230grain.com/images/articles/mega2/nuevobillet739.jpg
Nut & driver interface

http://230grain.com/images/articles/mega2/nuevobillet737.jpg
Torque Wrench goes here.

http://230grain.com/images/articles/mega2/nuevobillet738.jpg
All set up in the receiver. (Torque to 65 ft/lbs on the driver to achieve 70 ft/lbs at the receiver; no indexing is required.)

That's all there really is to it. Mega Machine are really concerned with trying to making high quality AR parts more accessible to the general user. By including the specialized wrench with the upper, the folks at Mega are hoping to take advantage of the surprisingly large overlap of petrol heads and gun owners by using a tool that is commonly found in the technically-inclined garage. Plus, by eliminating the indexed barrel nut, they've managed to remove a common sticking point in AR upper receiver builds. All and all, my first impression of the completed MMU is extremely positive. If they can keep that price point below the VLTOR VIS, I will ironically end up one very broke kid.

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Oh and for those who do not know, I am working with Mega Arms on this project as a photographer and thus I am biased.

[Jager]

That non-railed monolithic upper has me seriously thinking about building a new upper for my AR. Any idea how much it weights? If it is as light weight as it looks it will put a traditional upper + M4 hand guards to shame. Is there any provision for mounting a small rail on the bottom? I'm unfamiliar with how monolithic uppers attach to a barrel; are any special tools required? Is it possible to easily clean/wipe-down the area between the guards and barrel? Does the upper have enough clearance around the bolt release to work with a Magpul BAD? Thanks for posting the photos you took and information.

[Miso Beno]

That non-railed monolithic upper has me seriously thinking about building a new upper for my AR. Any idea how much it weights? If it is as light weight as it looks it will put a traditional upper + M4 hand guards to shame. Is there any provision for mounting a small rail on the bottom? I'm unfamiliar with how monolithic uppers attach to a barrel; are any special tools required? Is it possible to easily clean/wipe-down the area between the guards and barrel? Does the upper have enough clearance around the bolt release to work with a Magpul BAD? Thanks for posting the photos you took and information.

They come with a nut and the torque wrench adapter for installing them, I don't believe there is a rail at the bottom but there is a place for a sling swivel/bipod mount. The space between the barrel and handguard is pretty tight but I don't see why you couldn't get something in there to keep everything nice and shiny.

[Steve Balmer]

Ohhh man my better half is going to be maaaad.

[Clinotus]

I am literally out of space for anything but will be heading to the local fun shop to purchase a safe so I can snag, mount, and never release one of those puppies. I can hear my SBR lowers crying from the current safe.

Mega...you complete me.

All kidding aside, the upper and sbr entries look great. Cant wait to touch one up and close.

[B4Ctom1]

That tool and interface are pure inexpensive genius.

[Danube]

Impressive! The garage tool angle is pure genuis. This is definitely on my radar for upcoming purchases.

[MrTwigg]

Nice uppers ! Now I have to re-think my next build...