New FightLite Raptor Belt-Fed AR Upper: *Real* High-Capacity Firepower
If you really, really hate reloading magazines, then FightLite has just what you need. These madlads have just come out with their new Raptor belt-fed 5.56 AR upper, a drop-in assembly that’s supposed to work with any mil-spec AR15/M16/M4-pattern rifle.
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What you’re getting
This upper assembly includes a 16.25-inch self-regulating quick-change barrel (1:7 twist with ½”-28 threads at muzzle); a full-auto bolt carrier; an aluminum handguard with M-LOK slots at 12/6/10/2 o’clock positions; and what we’re all really here for, a dual-feed design that accepts all AR-pattern mags as well as M27 linked ammunition.
To help with this task, there’s a precision-machined billet steel feed tray; the upper itself, the feed cover and the charging handle are all machined from 7075-T6 aluminum. The whole assembly has a classic manganese phosphate finish with black MIL-A8625F hard coat anodization.
This is a short-stroke gas piston-operated system, chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO. It’s ready for optic mounting right out of the box. And speaking of that box it ships in, FightLite also includes a main action spring, bolt catch, carbine stock spacer, 100 M27 links and an operator’s manual.
That should all add up to enough parts and details to keep you busy for a while, putting the thing together like a lethal Lego set. It’s a similar idea to FightLite’s principles behind their MCR uppers but specifically made to drop into an AR platform.
FightLite says the Raptor belt-fed upper with fit any mil-spec AR-15/M16 lower made as far back as 1963, with no permanent modification. They say it allows the user to have a lot of versatility, enabling them to handle a wide range of tactical situations:
“Once installed, the patented RAPTOR upper receiver system allows you to feed from standard box type AR15/M16 magazines or M27 linked ammunition. Spanning the capability range from the optic ready carbine through a lightweight support rifle. The RAPTOR can be user-configured in seconds without tools to adapt to virtually any mission profile. Utilize our Dual-Feed® technology at operator discretion, permitting unprecedented firepower and weapon flexibility. “Specifically designed for responsible armed citizens, law enforcement and professional security personnel who wish to upgrade their rifle or carbine to RAPTOR performance and capability; standard features include gas-piston operation for extreme reliability in adverse conditions; a 16.25″ quick-change (3 seconds) barrel system, an MLOK handguard, and an integral MIL-STD 1913 optic rail for the mounting of optics and modern accessories.”
Asking price? A cool $3,999.99, at introduction (the MSRP is going up in a few weeks). If you’re curious about the kit, you can find more photos and a few more details on FightLite’s website here.
Photos: FightLite