Everyone probably read that fake news article that was all over social media from "abcnews.com.co" (which is a FAKE news site) saying that Obummer passed another EO limiting gun owners to 3 registered weapons and all kinds of other BS. So, yeah, they probably all went and scare-bought. Good thing I'm to the point I'm not sweating any of that crap.
I ordered my last upper direct from anderson, it was like the one you have pictured with brass deflector but no assist or dust cover. try going direct, you may have better luck. anderson manufacturing.
My main AR15 that I shoot the most has no deflector, no forward assist, and no dust cover. I have had 0 issues with it. The reason why I prefer this AR is because it only weighs 5.8lbs.
I also rock the Caldwell brass catcher. There are a couple versions that Caldwell sells. The one I have works perfect. The one they sell for $10 less is kind of a piece of crap from what I've seen. Mine attaches to the pic rail and doesn't use velcro.
I will admit though, if I'm shooting the cheap steel case ammo, with no deflector, it spits those cases almost straight backwards. I've never been hit with one, but they can't be missing me by much.