A compact, professionally assembled AR-15 upper built around a 10.5″ 416R stainless steel .223 Wylde barrel finished with a FDE PVD coating, a streamlined 7075 aluminum upper receiver, and a rugged RG2-S M-LOK wedge-lock handguard.
The result is a short, clean-looking upper with quality components selected for a well-balanced combination of accuracy potential, durability, weight, and practical functionality.
Built Around a 416R Stainless .223 Wylde Barrel
The 10.5″ barrel is made from 416R stainless steel and uses a 1:8 twist rate with a .223 Wylde chamber.
The .223 Wylde chamber is a popular choice for AR-15s intended to shoot both .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO ammunition. The 1:8 twist provides a versatile twist rate for a broad range of common .223/5.56 bullet weights.
The barrel uses a carbine-length gas system, a .750″ gas block journal, and 1/2×28 muzzle threads. The FDE PVD finish adds a protective layer that also looks pretty spiffy.
Streamlined No-Forward-Assist Upper Receiver
The upper receiver is a 7075 aluminum, clear-anodized receiver with an integrated dust cover and a streamlined no-forward-assist design.
Instead of simply leaving an unused forward-assist opening, the receiver is purposefully machined without the forward-assist housing for a clean, modern appearance.
The clear anodized finish also gives the receiver its distinctive natural aluminum appearance rather than the traditional black AR-15 finish.
RG2-S Wedge-Lock M-LOK Handguard
The upper uses a RG2-S M-LOK handguard featuring a rigid wedge-lock mounting system and lightweight skeletonized construction.
The wedge-lock design secures the handguard around the barrel nut while the M-LOK interface provides plenty of flexibility for mounting lights, lasers, hand stops, sling hardware, and other accessories where needed.
The streamlined handguard also complements the short 10.5″ barrel without adding unnecessary bulk.
Outside Threaded OTX Muzzle System
At the muzzle is our OTX outside-threaded 3-prong muzzle device nitrided black.
The OTX system uses external threads to accept the included removable Castle Blast Shield, giving you the option to run the three-prong device with or without the blast shield.
The outside-threaded design keeps the blast shield attachment integrated with the muzzle device rather than requiring a separate, permanently attached muzzle device.
Professionally Assembled by Mid State Firearms
The parts are only part of the equation. How an upper is assembled matters.
Mid State Firearms has been building AR-15 components and uppers since 2013, with a focus on quality components, proper assembly, and customer support. We aren’t simply putting a collection of parts in a box—we build the upper as an assembly and stand behind our workmanship.
Every upper is assembled by our team with attention to proper component fit, gas-system installation, barrel installation, and overall function.
Adding a BCG? We can test the exact combination before it leaves our shop.
If you select a BCG from the custom options on this product, we can install it, headspace the upper with that exact bolt, and test-fire the completed upper before shipping. That means you’re not just buying an assortment of components—you can receive a complete upper that has been assembled and function-tested together. Properly built, properly tested, ready to drop on your lower and go.
Why Buy a Mid State Upper?
Mid State Firearms has been building AR-15 uppers for more than a decade. Our focus has always been quality AR components, proper assembly, and giving customers the technical information they need to choose the right configuration. We take pride in offering a plethora of options and components to suit each customer’s needs.
We build these uppers because this is what we do every day—not because we’re adding AR-15 uppers to a catalog of unrelated products.
12+ years in business • Mississippi-based • Professional assembly • Quality components • Limited lifetime warranty
Specifications
- Platform: AR-15
- Caliber: .223 Wylde ( 5.56 NATO or 223 compatible)
- Barrel Length: 10.5″
- Barrel Material: 416R Stainless Steel
- Twist Rate: 1:8
- Gas System: Carbine Length
- Gas Block: .750″ Steel Low Profile
- Gas Tube: Stainless Steel
- Muzzle Threads: 1/2×28
- Muzzle Device: OTX Outside-Threaded 3-Prong
- Blast Shield: Removable Castle Blast Shield
- Upper Receiver: 7075 Aluminum, Clear Anodized, No Forward Assist
- Dust Cover: Included
- Handguard: RG2-S M-LOK Wedge-Lock
- Handguard Interface: M-LOK
- Barrel Finish: FDE PVD
- BCG: Optional — select from the custom options
- Headspace/Test Fire: Available when ordered with a BCG
BCG Options & Test-Fire Service
Want the upper ready to install on your lower?
Select a BCG from the custom options menu. When purchased with a BCG, we can headspace and test-fire the upper using that exact BCG before it ships.
That additional step gives us an opportunity to verify the completed upper as a system rather than treating the barrel, bolt, and receiver as unrelated components.
Please note: Test-firing is available when a BCG is purchased with the upper. Upper-only orders are assembled and inspected but cannot receive the same BCG-specific headspace and test-fire verification.
Backed by Mid State Firearms
We stand behind the uppers we build with a limited lifetime warranty against defects in product, material, or workmanship, subject to our warranty terms.
If you have questions about barrel selection, BCG compatibility, gas systems, or configuring an upper for your particular application, contact us before ordering. We’re happy to talk with you and would rather help you select the right configuration than sell you something that isn’t what you actually need.
sound of freedom – This was a great set up. I loved being able to customize the set up. Only issue I had was my own fault as a newb to building these. I used a heavy barrel in a slim hand guard. It makes adding attachments tough with clearances. Hoping someday to also get an AR10 from here.