Quality of AR components by manufacturer

[ilbob]

I have been getting a hankering to assemble an AR. I started looking at LPKs, lowers, uppers, and stocks, and found a wide range of prices and opinions on the quality of the various manufacturers selections.

Is there an authoritative source for who makes good parts versus not such good parts?

For instance, I have seen posts on various forums that claim CMMG LPKs are just re-branded DPMS, and other posts that claim CMMG LPKs far exceed the quality of DPMS LPKs.

I have seen the same kind of thing regarding lowers, and even stocks.

I'd like a nice carbine when i get done, but I want to spend as little as possible and still feel like I got a decent rifle at the end of it all.

[gotigers]

check out AR15.com for more in depth info, but i will list a few on the top of my head.

AR15.com industry page: http://www.ar15.com/forums/board.html?b=2

BCM Bravo Company Manufacturing has an excellent reputation.
CMMG is good stuff.
YHM makes good stuff.
Del-ton has entry level parts, Their rifle kits are popular for build it yourself.
J&T makes the parts for Double Star.

That is all i can think of off the top of my head, but there are many more. From cheap to $2000+ builds.

[flight954]

P.O.F. GenIII stripped lower $225.00 Find one at your local dealers

Stainless LPK $95.00 (the stainles kit has a better hand grip, i think it's worth the extra $25.00) http://blackrifleworks.com/

Buffer $13.00 (this could change depending on the caliber or barrel you will be using) and spring $2.00 http://blackrifleworks.com/

Magpul UBR stock $250.00 http://www.1811tacticalsupply.com/

Everything listed above will build you a good solid lower that will last you awhile or it will take a good beating.

Upper-this one the skys the limit depending on what you want.

[tINY]

The DPMS parts kit is fine, but the trigger is not great. I wouldn't worry about the durability of the mag release, buffer stop, etc...

The RRA 2-stage match trigger is nice (if you like 2-stage triggers like me).

All of the Magpul parts I've used are great.



-tINY

[Captains1911]

For LPK, I would go Daniel Defense, they just recently starting producing LPKs but are a quality manufacturer:
http://www.danieldefense.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=164

For other parts, I prefer BCM first, and then PKs:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/

http://www.pkfirearms.com/

If you want Colt quality, you will pay a premium, and can get any part you want from Specialized Armament:
http://www.specializedarmament.com/

I would PERSONALLY stay away from CMMG, DPMS, RRA, and Bushmaster, not to say that they are bad, but can be hit or miss, and better quality can be had for not much more $$.

Honestly, BCM is by far the best bang for the buck going right now, Colt quality at commercial prices. If I were building right now, I would buy a complete BCM upper, either carbine or mid-length (including bolt carrier group and charging handle), a Daniel Defense LPK, a BCM stock kit, handguards/rail of choice, and a stripped lower receiver of your choice (a stripped lower is pretty much a stripped lower, as long as it's within spec, it will be fine). Or you could buy a complete BCM lower, but that takes the fun out of putting it together yourself.

As already mentioned, any questions you have will be thoroughly answered at AR15.com.

[NSO_w/_SIG]

Capt.1911 is right on, also can't go wrong with Spike's stuff. I hear good things about Anvil Arms LPK's too although they are smaller and relatively unknown by many.

[Captains1911]

Ah yes, +1 for Spikes, I forgot to mention them, I especially like their stripped lowers and they have a few on sale right now:

http://www.spikestactical.com/z/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=104_65

[rdmallory]

Been a long time since I seen them..

http://www.spikestactical.com

Doug

[NSO_w/_SIG]

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-M4-14-5-Upper-Receiver-Group-A2X-p/bcm-urg-m4-14%20a2x.htm

I forgot that they have these now too, and are in stock. Total length 16.1"

Oops, wrong thread meant to post it in the the thread where the guy was looking for an light weight upper.

[sailskidrive]

I would go with Fulton Armory FAR15:

http://fultonarmory.com

Excellent build quality from a company with a premier reputation. They pretty much have the high end M1/M14 market locked up. Most people don't know they also build high quality ARs.

I'm thinking about buying one of their M110/Titans. :-)

~Sail