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Larue Tactical Upper
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Normally, two types of improvements are made to firearms.
The first are performance enhancements, i.e., add-ons or replacement pieces that make guns run smoother, shoot more accurately, or simply fit better.
The second is a cosmetic add-on, you know the type, those parts we just have to have because of the “way-cool factor”. For some of us, it can be anything from fancy grips to others who need the full-Monty of hand engraving with gold filigree; the things that give your gun a special look.
For years, LaRue Tactical has produced accessories for AR-style rifles that offer added attachment points (their LaRue Tactical Handguards) and super-secure mounting systems for the mil-spec 1913 Picatinny rail systems. LaRue Tactical owner Mark Larue calls them “optimizers” – products that offer “best of breed” improvements.
 Today, LaRue’s offering what may be the ultimate option– a complete LaRue Tactical upper for your AR-style rifle.
We’re talking complete as in, simply pull the two pins on your existing upper, remove it, and put the LaRue in its place. The LaRue upper comes in a couple of configurations, the Stealth Sniper System Sixteen, a sixteen-inch barrel/eleven-inch handguard version, and the Stealth Sniper System Short, a 10.5 inch barrel/nine-inch handguard model for LE and Military units. Either of the Quad S systems are complete A-3 uppers, featuring a .223/5.56 Wylde-chambered stainless steel barrel, a 1-in-8 twist polygonal rifling, mid-length gas, medium weight contour beauty that’s capable of shooting single-hole groups at 50 yards and 1/2 MOA groups at 100 yards.
The upper is completed with a mil-contract M16 bolt carrier group and charging handle. If you’re really into true “operator” equipment, the 11 1/2 inch barrel can be ordered with a special “shortened” gas block and special 8.2-inch LaRue handguards, optimized for the Surefire cantilever can mounting system. Otherwise, they come with standard threaded barrels and attached A2 flashhiders.
 The way-cool factor comes in from the accessory rail system. LaRue’s FF series handguard is a four-sided rail system with the reputation for being tough enough for the most demanding special operators around the world. The 1913 Picatinny-style rails give more than enough mounting points for virtually any variety of equipment you’d ever want to hang on your personal AR, from combination scope/nightvision on the top rail to an underslung foregrip/light/laser combination, and still offer two side rails for anything else you might decide is needed. If, for example, you’re shooting three-gun tactical matches, your scope can sit securely on the top rail with your red-dot sighting system mounted on either the left or right-side rails, enabling you to shoot with your favorite sight systems.
Our test unit, however, came with what may be the extra-added-oomph of LaRue’s custom quick release mount system, complete with an Aimpoint Comp M3 Red Dot Collinator Reflex Sight. The sight itself is something, capable of working in conjunction with every generation of NVD and the power-saving ACET technology that gives a reported 50,000 hours of operation on one single battery (at setting 7 out of 10). It’s also submersible to 135 feet, parallax-free, and offers unlimited eye relief. In short, it’s among the “go-to” sights used by the most high-speed “operators” around the world.
The custom LaRue tactical mount turns an already great unit into an unbelievable one.  With LaRue’s proprietary quick detach system, you can choose a custom mount for the EOTech 550 Series, Aimpoint Red Dot optical, or Trijicon ACOG Advanced Combat Optical Gunsights, and the AN/PVS-14 Monocular Night Vision Device (MNVD).  With their throw lever attachment system, you’re guaranteed the ability to remove your sight system and replace it with no loss of zero. It also looks like it might be superior to any other throw-lever attachment system currently being made.
In other words, when we dropped this upper on our AR-lower, it looked as if we’d spent weeks putting together a truly-customized AR. Fortunately for us, LaRue did all the work and we only had to pull a couple of pins and head for the range – which we did gleefully.
The upper didn’t disappoint us, either. With a factory standard trigger on a lightly used, but totally standard lower, we started shooting groups that, well, had to be seen to be believed.
Using 55-grain over-the-counter standard ammunition, we had no problem shooting tiny three-shot groups at 50 yards. We also produced 100-yard groups right at a half-inch.
 After having verified the sights and operation of our new rifle, we then moved to some precision XM193 sniper rounds we’d managed to squirrel away from a recent sniper match. Those produced what one observer called “ridiculous” groups. At 50 yards, they were better described as single-ragged holes. At 100 yards, we had no problem firing five-round groups that turned the promised 1/2 MOA results from advertising hype to addictive performance. With the absolutely solid performance of the upper, we moved along to plate racks, gleefully burning three magazines of ammo and scuffing up a collection of steel plates.
Altogether we put more than 100 rounds through the LaRue upper – in a very short order. We had no misfires, no failures to feed and found the integrated LaRue upper to be like their tactical accessories – rock solid.
Mark LaRue says his company is dedicated to optimizing equipment. If they see a tactical product they think they can improve on – and there’s a market for them, they’ll go after it with the best possible options.
The results are always impressive.
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