Best .458 SOCOM Upper Receiver

 Best .458 SOCOM Upper Receiver

If you are looking to build your first AR-15 that uses a .458 Upper Receiver, this guide is for you. There are plenty of AR parts, but to build an AR-15 .458 SOCOM rifle, you would need to do some proper research to determine what parts to purchase.   

That said, a .458 SOCOM round is a great round, and it is extremely accurate at short ranges. If you are a hunter or shooter who prefers shoot range shooting, then this round would be an excellent option for your recreational activity. 

The first thing you would need to do is build an .458 SOCOM Upper Receiver. You can buy a stripped one or an assembled one; either way, there are some good options out there.  In this guide, we are going to discuss .458 Upper Receivers.

We have compiled a short list of some of the best .458 SOCOM Upper Receivers available. We have also included a buyer’s guide discussing what factors you need to consider when choosing an AR-15 .458 Upper Receiver. 

.458 Upper Receivers
Source: YouTub

Range

The .458 round is designed for short-range shooting. If you want an AR for long-range shooting, you would need to look at other rounds like the .308 Winchester. Nevertheless, if accuracy is a priority, it will depend on how far you plan on shooting. 

Parts Compatibility

It is smart to get an upper receiver that is compatible with AR-15 parts like AR lower receivers for better performance and shooting experience. Compatibility also helps to reduce recoil, which you’ll find to be helpful when shooting your rifle.  

The .458 SOCOM is designed to have near compatibility with a lower 5.56 AR. Therefore, if you have both, you should not be able to fit without a problem.

Top Pick
Lincoln Electric K2989-M (1)

Cross Machine Tool CO., INC. AR-15/M16 Best Billet Upper Receiver

  • Type III hardcoat anodized
  • Flattop Picatinny rail
  • Accepts standard port door cover

The Cross Machine Tool Co., INC Billet Upper Receiver is made from high-grade aluminum and it has an anodized finish for increased surface strength, superior durability, rust, and corrosion resistance, and abrasion-resistant.

.458 SOCOM Upper Receiver Comparison Сhart

Best .458 SOCOM Upper Receiver
ImageProductPrice
Cross Machine Tool CO., INC. AR-15/M16Cross Machine Tool CO., INC. AR-15/M16

Cartridge: 223 Remington, 458 SOCOM, 300 AAC Blackout

Finish: Black

Style: Assembled

Anderson ManufacturingAnderson Manufacturing

Cartridge: 458 SOCOM

Finish: Black

Style: Stripped

Cross Machine Tool CO., INC. AR-15 CMT Cross Machine Tool CO., INC. AR-15 CMT

Cartridge: 458 SOCOM

Finish: Black

Style: Mil-Spec

Aero Precision AR-15 Stripped XLAero Precision

Cartridge: 458 SOCOM, 450 Bushmaster, 50 Beowulf

Finish: Black

Style: Stripped

4 Best .458 SOCOM Upper Receiver (as of March, 2024):

1. Cross Machine Tool CO., INC. AR-15/M16 Billet Upper Receiver – Review

Cross Machine Tool CO., INC. Review, Pros and Cons

The Cross Machine Tool Co., INC Billet Upper Receiver is made from high-grade aluminum and it has an anodized finish for increased surface strength, superior durability, rust, and corrosion resistance, and abrasion-resistant. 

These properties enable the receiver to handle a .458 SOCOM round and protect the rifle when you shoot in bad weather conditions. On top of that, it has a matte black finish to prevent reflection from sunlight, allowing you to shoot your rifle without any interference on a hot day. 

The upper receiver is constructed to accommodate other AR-15 calibers, and not just the .458 SOCOM round, and because of this, it has a protracted ejection port to extract large cartridges after every shot. 

Furthermore, this upper receiver is compatible with AR-15 parts and it accepts standard 5.56 bolt carriers, charging handles, and barrel nuts.

It is also compatible with aftermarket rail systems and handguards. 

The upper receiver features a flattop 1913 Picatinny rail and M4 feed ramps. The dust cover port is milled into the receiver. However, this receiver does not come with a dust cover or charging handle. You’ll need to buy them separately if you need them, but they are not necessary. 

There is nothing unique or sophisticated about this upper receiver. It a great choice if you are new to AR-15s, and it comes with an attractive price tag. 

Overall, if you are looking for an upper receiver for a .458 SOCOM round that is pretty standard, this Upper receiver would be an ideal choice. It’s durable, reliable and it comes at an affordable price.  

Pros:

  • Abrasion and corrosion resistant
  • Highly durable and strong
  • Solid construction
  • Compatible with AR-15 parts
  • Affordable 

Cons:

  • It does not come with a charging handle or dust cove
  • It does not come with extra features

2. Anderson Manufacturing – 458 SOCOM Stripped Upper Receiver – Review

Anderson Manufacturing Review, Pros and Cons

This.458 SOCOM Stripped Upper Receiver from Anderson Manufacturing is ideal for those who are new to AR-15s. iI is more basic than the Cross Machine Tool, and it comes completely stripped.

This means that you need to put this receiver together. It’s designed for those who prefer to custom build their AR-15 guns. 

Anderson Manufacturing does produce already built upper receivers that don’t require any kind of custom work; however, this particular upper receiver requires a great deal of custom work.

If this is something you are interested in doing, then this is the upper receiver for you. Plus, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on this receiver, which will cut your costs if you are building your AR-15 from scratch. 

This upper receiver is made from T6 grade aluminum, and it has a hard-coat anodized finish to help prevent rust and corrosion. It has a nice matte black finish to reduce sun glare.

It also features a wider ejection port for proper and easy extraction of larger .458 rounds. 

It does not come with a dust cover; you would need to buy it separately if you need it. In summary, if you are custom building an .458 AR and you don’t want to break your bank in the process, consider getting the Anderson Manufacturing upper receiver.

It may take time and effort, but if you like building stuff, then you’ll enjoy building this receiver as it is quite versatile. 

Pros:

  • Strong and durable construction
  • Wide ejection port to properly extract large .458 rounds
  • Rust and corrosion-resistant
  • Matte black finish to reduce sun glare
  • Comes stripped

Cons:

  • Not ideal for those who are not interested in custom building an AR upper receiver

3. Cross Machine Tool CO., INC. AR-15 CMT Billet Upper Receiver .458 SOCOM – Review

Cross Machine Tool CO., INC. AR-15 CMT Review, Pros and Cons

The Cross Machine Tool CMT Billet Upper Receiver. 458 SOCOM is more advanced than the Cross Machine Tool Billet Upper Receiver in that it has more features such as shell deflector and M4 feed ramps

This upper receiver is constructed from 7075 T6 aluminum and has a hard-coat anodized finish to keep any corrosion or rust at bay. It is highly durable, and it comes with an enlarged ejection port to properly eject larger .458 rounds.  

It is compatible with Mil-Spec parts and aftermarket rail systems and handguards. The company utilized the 5 Axis machining technique for increased accuracy. Most upper receivers are machined using the 4 Axis or 3 Axis machining techniques.

So this particular upper receiver is designed to perform and function better. 

Besides that, it comes with a lifetime warranty and a dust cover. All in all, this upper receiver is well-made, durable and it is designed for optimal performance.

Pros:

  • Tough and solid construction
  • Durable 
  • Rust and corrosion-resistant
  • Machined for improved accuracy 
  • Enlarged ejection port to properly eject larger .458 rounds
  • Features M4 feed ramps, shell deflector, and other features
  • It comes with a dust cover
  • It comes with a lifetime warranty

Cons:

  • Expensive 

4. Aero Precision AR-15 Stripped XL – Review

Aero Precision AR-15 Stripped XL Review, Pros and Cons

The Aero Precision AR-15 Stripped XL Upper Receiver is designed for those who like putting things together. It is made from 7075 T6 aluminum and it has an anodized black finish to help prevent rusting and corrosion.  

It is highly durable and compatible with AR lower receiver and other components, and it has an enlarged ejection port to properly eject larger .458 rounds. 

The Aero precision, which is machined for precision, does not come with a port door or forward assist, so you would need to buy these components separately. There is an assembled version of this upper receiver, but it is more expensive. 

So if you are on a budget and don’t mind building your own AR upper receiver, this model would be a great option. 

Overall, it is a durable upper receiver machined for precision that is ideal for those building a big bore AR-15. 

Pros:

  • Resistant to rust and corrosion 
  • Anodized black finish
  • Strong and durable construction
  • Enlarged ejection port
  • Compatible with AR lower receiver and other standard components
  • Comes stripped
  • Budget-friendly

Cons:

  • Not ideal for those who are looking for an already assembled upper receiver

Buyer’s Guide

One of the smartest ways to go about choosing a .458 Upper Receiver is to know what to look for. Those who already own an AR-15 .458 SOCOM rifle have a good idea of what to look for. But if you are building your very first AR-15, here are some factors to consider when choosing an AR-15 .458 Upper Receiver.  

Durability

There is a wide variety of .458 SOCOM rounds, and they vary in weight. This can make it a little difficult when looking for a .458 SOCOM Upper Receiver, because some upper receivers are designed for light bullets. 

If you are dealing with heavy rounds, you need an upper receiver that is durable and adequately strong to handle such rounds. If you use an upper receiver that is not designed for heavy rounds, you are going to experience some problems with locking lugs, and your receiver may even crack. 

You don’t want to waste a good receiver and good money by purchasing an upper receiver that is not built to handle heavy rounds. So, when choosing a.458 Upper Receiver prioritize durability.  

Build an AR-15
Source: YouTube

Rust and Corrosion Resistance

Rust and corrosion are every firearm’s enemies. A rusted gun can cause serious problems and grave injury. For this reason, make sure to buy an upper receiver that has a corrosion-resistant finish. Specifically, check that it has a hard-coat anodized finish to prevent rusting and corrosion. 

Price

The prices for .458 SOCOM Upper Receivers vary. Fully assembled .458 upper receivers are more expensive than the stripped ones. If you are on a budget and willing to build your own receiver, the stripped option would be the most ideal. 

However, it is not advisable to buy an AR upper receiver based on price. You should prioritize durability and other key factors like whether it is resistant to rust and corrosion. 

But if you are on a tight budget, it would make more sense to buy a quality stripped .458 SOCOM upper receiver than to go with a super cheaper fully assembled one as it may not be of good quality. 

How to care for your AR-15

An AR-15 like all other firearms require good care and maintenance. This means that when you shoot your AR-15 a couple of times, you should clean afterwards to prevent carbon fouling and dirt buildup. 

Dirt and powder buildup can reduce the accuracy of your rifle and it can also cause malfunction issues which can result in serious injury. This is why gun experts recommend that you clean your firearm after using it.

Cleaning the AR-15
Source: YouTube

Although cleaning an AR-15 is a little bit more labor-intensive than cleaning a Glock or other pistol, it is necessary if you want it to continue performing optimally. Make sure to use gun cleaning solvents and oils designed for such guns.  

Obviously, to clean your AR-15 rifle, you would need to disassemble it first, so make sure to do it properly. The same goes for when you are reassembling it. If you have an instruction manual that shows you how to do it, use it to avoid doing it the wrong way. 

An incorrectly reassembled rifle can cause it to malfunction, and as a result, it may cause serious injury.

To avoid this, follow your instruction manual to do it correctly. It does also help to follow the necessary safety measures when cleaning your rifle, like ensuring that it is not loaded before you clean it, and using the right equipment for the job. 

It is also recommended that you wear eye protection and gloves to protect your eyes and skins from getting irritated owing to the fumes of the gun cleaners. Although nowadays, many gun cleaning solvents don’t emit strong fumes or strong odors. 

Lastly, make sure to store your rifle in a safe area where only you have access. 

Conclusion

Building your first AR-15 can be fun, but it also takes time and effort. In the end, you’ll be happy that you were able to put together a rifle that works well. If you are new to AR-15s, follow this guide to help you figure out what .458 Upper Receiver to buy and how to go about purchasing the right one.

Best .458 SOCOM Upper Receiver-1-1

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