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Posted: 2/14/2016 10:19:37 AM EDT
[#1]
Here's the straight poop.
NDS and McKay worked together from 2005 to 2013 when both companies were started in the aftermath of FAC of America. Harlan, Rod, and I all worked at FAC. After it went out of business we decided to start our own companies. NoDak Spud LLC, and McKay Enterprises LLC. Rod McKay was the liaison with the stamping house (Morrissey Inc) and he owned the tooling. From the beginning NDS provided most of the technical support in the development of the AK receivers. Dan Coonan suggested the heat treat method. The vast majority of the AK receivers were designed using complete guns or parts kits provided to McKay and Morrissey by Nodak. We used DC Industries as a base to start operations until we got our own 07 Manufactures licenses. Then NoDak split off in 2008 and moved to Edina. McKay was to only sell AK's to Century and any military contracts that might arise. NoDak Spud covered all other commercial sales to small manufacturers and end users. McKay retained ownership of the tooling for the AK's in spite of considerable financial impute from NDS. The Uzi program was started by McKay to sell to Century. When Century went with another company McKay asked us to help them. Their Uzi receiver and bolt had some substantial dimensional issues and I agreed to personally go through it and correct them After that NDS agreed to carry the Uzi stuff under our brand name. In time Harlan and I decided to hand the program back to McKay. In 2014 Morrissey Inc bought the AK tooling from McKay without our knowledge. We still get our AK receivers from Morrissey and have a good relationship with them. McKay has NEVER been involved with the manufacture of ANY of our aluminum products. All our AR15 receivers are machined in house. Edited dates. |
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Posted: 2/14/2016 11:20:40 AM EDT
[#2]
I bought a Mckay lower last week and received it friday. I own NDS lowers, but was curious about what Mckay was offering, and the quick shipping was a big plus so i figured i would try one out.
The Positives: - Quick Shipping, it is nice to be able to receive a lower the same week you ordered it. - The Anodizing was surprisingly nice, and once oiled up matched my 603 upper perfectly. The Negatives - The attention to detail in the machining process is severely lacking. Please refer to below photos. - I had to take a 1/4 bit to the rear takedown pin hole so the pin would fit. I have heard others have had this issue also. - The pistol grip screw threads don't seem to be tapped deep enough. I screwed the A1 pistol grip screw in and with about 1/4 inch to go i felt like things were about to strip. Had to use a really short screw i had in spare parts plus a washer before i could get a tight fit. 
Considering after shipping these cost more than a NDS lower i was really disappointed with the lack of quality in the machining process. I wanted to test the waters with Mckay, but I will continue to buy from Nodak from here on out, you cant beat their quality or attention to detail. |
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Posted: 2/14/2016 12:59:38 PM EDT
[#3]
I bought a McKay A1 lower last year to give it a shot. It was not nearly as expensive as they are now. It is cheaper to buy the Nodak receiver and they are better quality as well. The McKay receiver did have some issues as was stated above. I have never had any issues with Nodak receivers and I have a bunch of them being used.
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Posted: 2/14/2016 1:41:59 PM EDT
[#4]
The machining on the lower where the buffer tube screws in is a deal breaker to me.
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Posted: 2/14/2016 2:39:12 PM EDT
[#5]
This is exactly why you don't impulse buy when you are tired and pissed off about stuff that happened earlier in the day.
Thanks for all the warning guys and, Mike thanks for clearing up the hearsay. Unfortunately i have two of these headed my way now. Oh well, live and learn. |
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Posted: 2/14/2016 4:32:53 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I bought a Mckay lower last week and received it friday. I own NDS lowers, but was curious about what Mckay was offering, and the quick shipping was a big plus so i figured i would try one out. The Positives: - Quick Shipping, it is nice to be able to receive a lower the same week you ordered it. - The Anodizing was surprisingly nice, and once oiled up matched my 603 upper perfectly. The Negatives - The attention to detail in the machining process is severely lacking. Please refer to below photos. - I had to take a 1/4 bit to the rear takedown pin hole so the pin would fit. I have heard others have had this issue also. - The pistol grip screw threads don't seem to be tapped deep enough. I screwed the A1 pistol grip screw in and with about 1/4 inch to go i felt like things were about to strip. Had to use a really short screw i had in spare parts plus a washer before i could get a tight fit. http://i.imgur.com/RX4dmEt.jpg http://i.imgur.com/4LYwq93.jpg Considering after shipping these cost more than a NDS lower i was really disappointed with the lack of quality in the machining process. I wanted to test the waters with Mckay, but I will continue to buy from Nodak from here on out, you cant beat their quality or attention to detail. The 2 issues you pointed out are indicative of anodizing build up. Very common even with NDS ones and NOT the fault of the manufacturer. It has always been recommended that folks "chase" the PG screw hole with a 1/4 x 28 tap, and hand run a 1/4" drill bit thru the pivot and takedown pin holes. |
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Posted: 2/14/2016 4:55:43 PM EDT
[#7]
I'll second 64cyclone's comments.
We each spend a fair amount of money on our builds, stick with NDS. Best, BC |
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Posted: 2/15/2016 3:28:39 AM EDT
[#8]
NDS all the way.
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Posted: 2/15/2016 10:15:51 AM EDT
[#9]
close....but no cigar
...if they can fix the two issues in the pics above, they would sell a ton of them . |
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Posted: 2/15/2016 11:04:16 AM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The 2 issues you pointed out are indicative of anodizing build up. Very common even with NDS ones and NOT the fault of the manufacturer. It has always been recommended that folks "chase" the PG screw hole with a 1/4 x 28 tap, and hand run a 1/4" drill bit thru the pivot and takedown pin holes. Interesting about the pivot and takedown holes. On my NDS lower it is very difficult to get the pins moving for disassembly. |
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Posted: 2/15/2016 12:21:37 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryThe 2 issues you pointed out are indicative of anodizing build up. Very common even with NDS ones and NOT the fault of the manufacturer. It has always been recommended that folks "chase" the PG screw hole with a 1/4 x 28 tap, and hand run a 1/4" drill bit thru the pivot and takedown pin holes. I realize the issue, but I have had dozens of lowers and owned NDS lowers and never had this issue before. A manufacturer could quickly chase their own work to remove that build up, and shouldn't expect customers to finish their work. So YES it is the fault of the manufacturer in my opinion, especially when they are charging so much for these lowers. |
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Posted: 2/15/2016 1:52:43 PM EDT
[#12]
We have had issues in the past.
So we opened up the dimensions on some things to compensate for ano build up. Threads will pile up more than a smooth hole because you have 4 sides to deal with instead of 2. Typically we go .003" oversized on them. I have chased threads or burnished a hole or two. 
Industry standard is .0007" to .0015" for hardcoat. |
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Posted: 2/15/2016 5:30:23 PM EDT
[#13]
I have 2 NDS Lowers. They are very tight with my uppers but functional with help from a tool like a cleaning brush getting the takedown pins moving.. They do loosen up with time. I would rather have them tight and functional than loose and moving/rattling.
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