Nice completed upper but with minor quality control issue - Aero Precision M4E1 16in Threaded 5.56x45mm Complete Upper Receiver with Flash Hider

I got the 14.7 inch pencil barrel upper. The barrel profile / length, and the M4E1 upper receiver with bolt assist are the main reasons I got this. Not a fan of the Atlas S-One handguard though. Funny thing, the handguard is where the quality control issue was. After opening the package I was inspecting the upper and noticed a rather large gap between the Picatinny rail on the upper receiver and the Picatinny rail on the handguard. I looked at the handguard attachment and noticed one of the taper lock nuts was slightly crooked and there was a tiny silver burr sticking out next to it. I tried removing the taper lock but the opposite taper lock nut was wedged up against the barrel nut. I had to use a punch and an armorers hammer to pop it out and remove the handguard. I noticed the barrel nut was scored and the tiny burr on the handguard had fallen off. I wiped everything down, and put the handguard back on. The taper lock went on straight so I think the burr caused the issue. Maybe the handguard was dinged right before assembly. I don't know but now I got a slightly dented taper lock nut and a small bare aluminum gouge mark were the burr was. Oh well, it is solid on the barrel nut and the alignment is now good. Before I was only thinking about swapping out the handguard, but now I am definitely going to change it. Maybe I'll go with the Atlas R-One (when they are back in stock) or something from Midwest Industries. Maybe I'll splurge and get a Geissele handguard.