Best 9mm AR-15 Uppers of 2022 – An Overview

AR 9mm Upper Review – What Are The Benefits?

While there are plenty of calibers that work with the standard AR-15 rifle platform, the 9mm is one of the most popular for a few main reasons. Here’s a look at some of the benefits of getting a 9mm AR-15 rifle:

Less Recoil

A heavy recoil can be detrimental to your rifle’s accuracy, especially if you cannot suppress the recoil. This will cause you to lose control of your firearm and lead to your shots landing anywhere (like the ground) instead of on your intended target.

Obviously, the more control you have over your AR-15 rifle means the more consistently you can hit accurate shots. Whether you’re out at the range or in the field beating down a big game target, hitting accurate shots each time is one aspect almost all gun owners will put to high standards.

Effective for Close-Range Shots

The 9mm AR-15 PCC is just what you need to get accurate close-range shots. The 9mm AR-15 rifle PCC will help you hit targets situated between 25 to 50 yards. Although the 9mm caliber is popular for most pistols (PCC), the caliber is also rather popular with the AR-style guns too, especially for those who enjoy close-range shooting.

Faster Shooting

Aside from accuracy, speed is also important. A 9mm AR-15 PCC is designed to be a quick-shooting gun to meet the needs of situations like varmint hunting or competitive shooting. Regardless of the situation, this rifle can be counted on for times when the timing is everything. It has a faster response time from pulling the trigger to land a critical blow on your target.

The Factors to Consider in a Good 9mm AR-15 Upper

Just like how you’d pick a lower, here are a few critical aspects to look into when searching for the best 9mm AR-15 uppers. These specifics will help you determine the overall performance and quality of your AR-15 rifle upper. This guide will be handy for first-time buyers who have no idea what to look for.

Rails

A good PCC upper receiver should come equipped with some kind of rail that will attach nicely to your AR-15. M-Lom or Picatinny rails may sometimes be intended for looks. However, they do carry the heavy importance of letting you install an optic or scope to boost the overall accuracy of the rifle.

Barrel

The upper should also have a quality barrel that will sharpen your accuracy game, especially when you need something effective in close quarters like the 9mm AR-15 rifle. Most barrels are made of durable stainless steel measuring from eight to 16 inches long with a twist ratio of anywhere between 1:8 to 1:10. Regardless of which you go for, you can trust to get a good amount of accuracy from a good upper.

Installation

We understand that not every AR-15 owner is equipped with expert level gunsmithing skills and that’s totally OK. That’s why most upper receivers on the market today come fully assembled and can simply be “dropped in” for quick and easy installation. All you need is to have the right kind of tools for a smooth and painless installation process.

The 6 Best 9mm Complete Upper Receiver AR 15 in 2022

1. Foxtrot Mike Products – AR-15 9mm Upper Receivers M-LOK Assembled – The Best 9mm Upper Overall

To start the list of the best 9mm AR-15 uppers is our top pick: the Foxtrot Mike AR-15 9mm Upper Receiver that comes ready assembled with a full-length Picatinny top rail with M-Lok compatible handguard. It features a unique interlocking connector between the upper and handguard to ensure the barrel nut does not work loose over time.  This is a fully assembled, drop-in type of receiver that’s easy to install and ready to go in just minutes so shooters won’t have to waste precious time on installation anymore. Simply tighten the screws and you will be ready to fire rounds off at the range.

The included M-Lok rail is even perfect for users to install their favorite scope or optic onto their AR-15 rifle. So, this is a great choice for those of you who already have one waiting to be put to good use.

Aside from that, this upper is even made from high-quality steel with hard-coated Melonite finishing for added durability. While the barrel of 16” is made from 4150 carbon steel that also offers a twist rate of 1:10 – a standard for 9mm AR-15s, to provide you with a great deal of accuracy.

The Foxtrot Mike upper receivers feature an ambidextrous design to suit both left-handed and right-handed shooters. The fact that it has taken into consideration all kinds of shooters proves that the company really does pay attention to detail.

The 9mm AR-15 upper even has a non-reciprocating forward charging handle to boost overall rifle reliability. Those looking for the best of the best when it comes to AR-15 9mm uppers should definitely give this FM brand product a closer look.

Considering all the aspects and features, it is without a doubt that this FM AR-15 9mm upper deserves our “Best Overall” honor. Not only is it convenient to have a fully assembled drop-in rifle that’s ready to go, but it even comes with an M-Lok rail included right out of the box for you to customize it to your heart’s content.

You would like this if:

• You want the best 9mm AR-15 upper receiver that can fire steel rounds without any issues.
• You need an AR-15 upper receiver that comes with a charging handle.
• You want an upper that features an M-Lok rail.
• You want a reliable upper receiver that can fire off more than 300 rounds without any issue.

You might not like this if:

• You don’t want to make minor adjustments. Some have found that the charging handle is in the same spot as the backup front sight, hence you may need to make some simple modification to the front sight before installing.

2. GUNTEC USA AR-15 9mm Cal Complete Upper Receiver -The AR9 Upper Runner-Up

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The GUNTEC USA AR-15 9mm Cal Complete Upper Receiver Kit comes complete with a bolt carrier group and charging handle. A good quality upper handle will require additional parts to actually make your AR-15 9mm (PCCs) function properly. Without them, the rifle might just be rendered useless.

One such critical part is the BCG that is essentially equivalent to the engine of your car. With the GUNTEC USA complete upper receiver kit, you get all the important parts in just one package to save you time and money from searching them individually on the market.

On top of the added convenience, each part is even made from highly-durable materials to withstand damage from heavy usage. The company has manufactured them to ensure your rifle is highly functional and reliable in whatever applications you plan on using your AR-15 9mm for.

So, if your rifle’s reliability is on the top of your list of priorities, then you’d be insane to pass up the opportunity to give this combi kit a closer look.

While this is not a fully assembled upper like the one discussed above, the parts are pretty easy to install and can be done in just a matter of minutes. However, they do require some patience and a few minutes more to work with compared to simple drop-in AR-15 uppers.

The bottom line is that the GUNTEC USA AR-15 9mm complete upper comes with all the parts you need to make sure your rifle is ready and raring to go for a shooting range. You can even count on the effectiveness of your 9mm AR rifle for home defense situations.

You might like this:

• You want upper receivers that are easy to install.
• You prefer a complete upper that features a well-built and reliable BCG and charging handle to make an excellent part for building your 9mm pistol caliber carbine AR-15 (PCCs).

You might not like this:

• None

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3. GUNTEC USA AR15 9mm Dedicated Billet Upper Receiver

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Next on our list is another one from the GUNTEC brand. This time, it’s the 9mm Dedicated Billet Upper that comes either in black or raw (unfinished) color. This choice is obviously based on your own personal preference.

Whichever color you choose, you’ll be left with an upper that is the best in reliability. Made from high-quality billet material, the 9mm dedicated billet upper receiver is designed with enhanced durability to last you a very long time. This billet upper can take on all kinds of rounds any day of the week without malfunctioning.

So, if you’re after the best 9mm upper receiver that can last you a long time then the GUNTEC may just be worth the investment. Why bother spending extra money on something that’s low in quality only to break after a couple of weeks or months?

This dedicated billet upper receiver is even compatible with most lowers to make it the right choice for you. Even then you might even want to consider taking the measurements of your lower receiver before purchasing this. That way you can be sure that your receiver is neither too long nor too short.

Another point worth mentioning is that this upper receiver has a free-floating style handguard to suit those who want to get the most accuracy out of their AR15. It is a well-known fact that free-floating rails are always better for accuracy.

The billet dedicated 9mm upper is definitely the one to get to help give your rifle’s accuracy a little extra boost. It makes a pretty awesome addition to your current 9mm AR-15 rifle (PCC), especially if you’re planning on building a project of your own. Any way you slice it, this will give you a decent receiver to work with.

You would like this if:

• You want AR-15 uppers that offer high accuracy.
• You need an upper with outstanding quality and construction.
• You prefer uppers that fit most lower receivers perfectly with barely any gaps between.

You might not like this if:

• You don’t want to have a hard time fitting optics and scopes.

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4. Foxtrot Mike Products – AR15 FM-9 Complete Monolithic Colt Style Upper Receiver 9mm

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Now we return to the Foxtrot Mike Products brand to review their Complete Monolithic Colt Style Upper Receiver. This is a fully assembled 9mm upper receiver that comes available in three different lengths: 16 inches, 10.5 inches, and 8.5 inches. The length you choose will obviously be based on your own personal preference.

The 9mm upper even comes with an M-LOK rail that’s designed to give you plenty of customizable options. So, if you happen to have an optic or scope laying around waiting to be put to good use, then this 9mm upper receiver may just turn your 9mm PCC into a sharpshooter and become the envy at the range.

The FM-9 Complete Monolithic Colt Style Upper Receiver comes with a barrel length of 16 inches along with an FM-9 muzzle brake that’s designed to help you reduce a great deal of recoil and to reroute the gas into different directions. This means that the gas won’t blow up in your face when you fire off a shot.

Since the 9mm pistol caliber carbines (PCC) have very little recoil to begin with, the attached muzzle brake might even reduce it straight down to zero so that you feel nothing. The FM Products upper receiver 9mm comes with a 10.5-inch handguard that makes this a little more compact, meaning it won’t take too much space when you store it away.

The bottom line is that the FM Products manufacturer delivers a product that stands head and shoulders over most 9mm AR-15 uppers on the market. This fully assembled, easy to customize, and very affordable upper receiver is just a budget version of the “best overall” upper receiver.

One thing to point out is that this upper receiver is also quite convenient since it has a muzzle brake added to ensure recoil is brought down to a minimum. You shouldn’t be shocked to experience no recoil at all once you have this installed onto your rifle.

You might like this if:

• You want 9mm AR-15 uppers that are very affordable for the price, delivering the best bang for your buck.
• You want an AR-15 9mm upper that features an M-Lok rail.
• You need the best 9mm AR-15 upper that exceeds expectations in terms of accuracy without a single malfunction even after 500 rounds.

You might not like this if:

• You have a rail’s sight base that may be interfering with the site charger.

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Best for Budget Option

5. Stern Defense, LLC – AR-15 SD Mod 4 9mm Upper Receiver M-LOK Complete – The Best for Budget Option

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This is the high-quality 9mm upper that PCC gun owners shopping with a budget will want to look for. The AR-15 SD MOD 4 9mm upper receiver is one of the best AR-15 uppers that we can find for the money and it is also compatible with Colt SMD and Glock magazines. It comes fully assembled with an M-LOK rail to give you a great opportunity to customize your AR-15 according to your liking.

If you happen to have a scope or an optic to give your accuracy game a leg up, then you would enjoy this affordable upper that’s worth the money. Other than that, this 7075 T6 aluminum made upper’s M-LOK rail is a free-floating variant. If you hold accuracy to a high standard, then the Stern Defense will be worth the money it’s going for.

The Stern Defense MOD 4 9mm upper receiver is a completely assembled upper with a 16-inch barrel and twist rate of 1:10 to deliver accurate rounds for the 9mm style rifle PCC. This upper receiver is quite effective at close ranges from 25 to 50 yards out. With a barrel made from highly durable stainless steel and Melonite finishing, the AR-15 SD MOD 4 9mm upper receiver is engineered to last you a long time.

In other words, this rugged, tough-as-nails kind of upper will not warp or malfunction even after firing off a ton of rounds. Definitely not bad for a “budget” upper. Despite the cheap price tag, you shouldn’t be expecting something cheap and flimsy from this. In fact, this Stern Defense upper could even be considered as a godsend for those on a budget as it saves you plenty of time and money that would have otherwise been wasted on trying to find the right parts individually.

With the right tools, you will only need a few minutes to install this onto your rifle. The free-floating M-LOK rail is even perfect to upgrade your rifle’s accuracy since it allows you to add on a scope or an optic. The customizability on the Stern Defense upper receiver allows you to turn your 9mm AR-15 into an accurate, close-range force without sucking the life out of your bank account.

You would like this if:

• You want an upper receiver that functions great for 9mm pistol caliber carbine (PCC) with subsonic rounds.
• You need durable and reliable accessories made from 7075 T6 aluminum.
• You want an upper that features an M-Lok rail.
• You prefer 9mm AR-15 uppers that can be quickly transferred to other AR-style rifles and PCC.
• You want uppers that won’t give you any issue regarding the mag well adapter and receiver.

You might not like this if:

• You don’t want uppers with a sticky charging handle.

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6. PSA Gen4 16” 9mm Nitride 1/10 15” Lightweight M-Lok Railed Upper

The PSA upper is another one for a budget-conscious buyer. The 16” length features a nitride finish with chrome moly vanadium barrel material that has a 1:10 twist in A2 style. The upper itself is made of billet 7075 T6 aluminum and is chambered in 9mm 9×19. The uppers also come with a PSA 15” lightweight M-LOK rail, making them very good looking accessories.

In the box, you’ll also find a charging handle with a GEN4 Hybrid bolt that’s made of 8620 steel with a nitride finish. However, the PSA accessories do come with some minor flaws such as loose ejector screws and there were reports where customers had to apply Locktite at the ejection port section. Beyond that, the PSA upper is accurate and a good fit for competitive shooters.

You would like this if:

• You want durable products made from 7075 T6 aluminum.
• You have M-Lok accessories/products and need an upper that can accommodate them.

You might not like this if:

• You don’t want 9mm upper receivers with loose ejection screws.

Conclusion

If you’re planning on building a high-performing, close-range rifle, then a quality AR-15 upper receiver will be worth the investment. With the right one, you’ll be furnished with all kinds of options at your disposal. You only need to pick the best one that suits your personal needs and preferences. Hopefully, today’s article on our top pick of the best 9mm AR-15 uppers has given you enough information to make an informed decision on which upper receiver is the best for your AR-15 rifle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is The Best 9mm Upper?

The best 9mm AR 15 upper would be the M-LOK Assembled which would ensure you’d fire steel rounds effortlessly and precisely as explained above. Plus, the presence of the charging handle would allow full control of the bolt and bolt carrier group and also, it can acts as an indicator of any potential malfunction or even to signify empty magazine without manually looking into the ejection port. Overall, it is a top-notch, reliable, durable and possibly the best 9mm AR 15 upper so please consider getting it for yourself.