Leapers Announces Billet AR Uppers and Lowers

The Leapers UTG PRO manufacturing facility in Livonia, Michigan, is home to a machine shop floor lined with world-class CNC, injection-molding, and robotic-automation machines. There is also an in-house Cerakote coating device. This manufacturing facility produces Leapers’ USA-made line of handguards, stocks, buffer tubes, scope rings, magazines, and now AR billet receivers.

Releasing first is a standard lower receiver, available for purchase as a set with the upper or as a stand-alone component. “This lower provides the same standard battery of arms and parts commonality that one would expect from a forged receiver, but also contains features that shooters of all skill levels and disciplines will appreciate,” says Leapers founder David Ding. “A true ambidextrous lower will also be available shortly after the initial launch, and both lowers share the same overall design elements and shooter-driven ergonomics.”

Ever have a customer lose a spring or detent? UTG PRO lower receivers feature a captured buffer detent and a rear takedown pin housing.

“Threaded steel pins replace the typical use of roll pins throughout the uppers and lowers, easing installation for first-time and even well-versed builders,” Ding says. “Common parts compatibility was a key must-have. Outside of the originally designed parts for the true ambidextrous lower, the majority of standard drop-in and aftermarket handguards, lower parts kits, bolt carrier groups, and fire control groups are compatible with the new UTG PRO receiver.”

When Leapers began work on this project ergonomic considerations were top of mind. “A shortened and flared mag well allows for compatibility with most, if not all, magazines and drums,” Ding says. “Its aggressive inner flaring speeds up magazine insertions, and ambidextrous trigger finger swells in line with the outer ledge of the mag well provide a deliberate trigger finger index for users with large hands. Ambidextrous ledges milled into the middle of the receiver provide trigger-finger indexing for medium-sized hands, and cutouts in the trigger guard provide the same for smaller hands.”

The billet receivers are precision CNC-machined from industry-standard 7075-T6 aluminum and finished in Type III Class II matte black hard-coat anodizing. The design of the receiver removes excess materials without hindering reliability while providing a modern aesthetic look unique to the UTG PRO. Overall receiver geometry reduces snag points and hot spots.

“Adding to the already exacting standards in quality control and tight tolerances, a lower to upper receiver tensioning screw comes standard,” says Ding. “It is important to note that both UTG PRO lowers remain fully compatible with most uppers in the marketplace, but obviously may not match up from an aesthetic standpoint.”

A tapered rear flattop upper provides shooters with a better purchase on charging handles with or without gloves and is particularly useful if the user has to “mortar” their rifle to clear a severe stoppage malfunction. The flattop also is machined with an additional Picatinny, a welcome bit of additional real estate.

Stand-alone receivers are available in three versions:  UTG PRO Stripped Ambi Lower, UTG PRO Stripped Standard Lower, and UTG PRO Stripped Upper. Receiver sets are available in two options:  UTG PRO Stripped Ambi Set and UTG PRO Stripped Standard Set. (leapers.com)