McKay Enterprises A1 lowers

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - McKay Enterprises A1 lowers

Posted: 5/8/2015 3:32:13 PM EDT

I have been in contact with McKay Enterprises about their new A1 lowers. For those who are not aware, they have retooled their A1 lowers to delete the "SAFE" and "FIRE" markings from the right side of the receiver. The right side will now be blank as it should be. They had a batch done a few weeks ago, but were ruined somehow in the anodizing process. They have since manufactured a new batch and they are currently in for anodizing. They have been struggling to get the right hue to match the XM grey Colt uppers. They are hopeful that they will have them ready in a couple weeks. When they do come out, I plan on picking up one and I will give you guys some feedback. My main concern is the proper hue. I will keep you guys posted.

Posted: 5/8/2015 4:33:57 PM EDT

[#1]

Thanks man let us know! I would be in for one also

Posted: 5/8/2015 5:03:34 PM EDT

[#2]

I'd feel better about doing a BFPU on on of those than an NDS.

Tagged.

Posted: 5/8/2015 5:06:00 PM EDT

[#3]

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Quoted:
I'd feel better about doing a BFPU on on of those than an NDS.

Tagged.

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That is my plan with this lower. I have to match it to a nicely worn Colt C H upper.

Posted: 5/8/2015 6:02:52 PM EDT

[#4]

Have you heard any more as of late? Would love to try one of their lowers, last contact I had with Nodak I was told to expect late summer shipping

Posted: 5/8/2015 6:04:48 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
Have you heard any more as of late? Would love to try one of their lowers, last contact I had with Nodak I was told to expect late summer shipping

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The info I posted was from the e-mail I received today.

Posted: 5/9/2015 2:25:15 AM EDT

[#6]

If they would just move the roll marks to the front of the mag well I would go with them since NoDak won't do it...oh well

Posted: 5/19/2015 11:25:41 AM EDT

[#7]

I just got off the phone with one of the guys at McKay. He said they are still working on getting the color right. The first batch that was done a few months ago turned out pinkish. The latest color test they did is turning out greenish. So, it looks like it will still be a while before they will be available. I also e-mailed Harlan yesterday and asked about their NDS-16A1 lowers. They are still working on orders from December. Right now, it appears that getting an A1 lower will take a while. I have been trying to find a XM Grey NDS-16A1 lower for sale on-line, but I have had no luck. Oh well. Anyhow, I will keep you guys posted on any further developments on the McKay A1 lowers.

Posted: 5/19/2015 11:59:21 AM EDT

[#8]

If they are anywhere near the quality of the AR-10 receivers they make, they will be singular. I guess it's time to finally look around for an A1 kit.

Posted: 5/19/2015 12:50:41 PM EDT

[#9]

I'd like to see the pinkish and greenish ones, they might look right when distressed. They could sell them as blems. Could also be Cerakoted or Norelle'd.

Posted: 5/19/2015 1:52:18 PM EDT

[#10]

Thanks for the updates!

Posted: 6/24/2015 1:05:31 PM EDT

[#11]

I got an e-mail from Maurice McKay (McKay Enterprises) telling me that they now have a limited amount of A1 lowers ready. I called and got one ordered ($139). They did end up having US Anodizing do the lowers, so they should be the same XM Gray as Nodak Spud.

Posted: 6/24/2015 1:30:37 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
I got an e-mail from Maurice McKay (McKay Enterprises) telling me that they now have a limited amount of A1 lowers ready. I called and got one ordered ($139). They did end up having US Anodizing do the lowers, so they should be the same XM Gray as Nodak Spud.

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Did they say anything about the markings on the right side?

Posted: 6/24/2015 1:45:38 PM EDT

[#13]

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Quoted:

Did they say anything about the markings on the right side?

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Quoted:

Quoted:
I got an e-mail from Maurice McKay (McKay Enterprises) telling me that they now have a limited amount of A1 lowers ready. I called and got one ordered ($139). They did end up having US Anodizing do the lowers, so they should be the same XM Gray as Nodak Spud.

Did they say anything about the markings on the right side?

These are suppose to be their new A1 lowers where the markings on the right side have been deleted. They have been trying to get these done for several months now. They are still showing the old picture on their website. I also just ordered another XM16E1 lower from Nodak Spud for my future 605 build.

Posted: 7/2/2015 9:53:26 AM EDT

[#14]

I got the McKay Enterprise lower last night. It did have a couple issues of which I have already alerted Maurice McKay about. The only two issues I had with it are that the takedown pin holes were just a bit too small. I used a .250" drill bit and fixed that. The second thing is the metal around the receiver extension area. There are some raised ridges, but they are just slightly raised. The anodizing is first class since it was done by US Anodizing (same guys that do Nodak Spuds receivers). Also, these lowers are priced at $139 as compared to Nodak's at $160. If McKay can get the two issues solved, these will be a nice alternative to Nodak. It will just be a matter of them having them in stock. Here are some pics. Bear in mind, I have already distressed the finish to closely match that of the Colt upper.

You can see the ridges in this pic.

Posted: 7/2/2015 10:13:36 AM EDT

[#15]

Damn that looks good. There wed site says out of stock and $155 now

Man i really like that theres another company making a1 tho.

Posted: 7/2/2015 10:33:23 AM EDT

[#16]

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Quoted:
Damn that looks good. There wed site says out of stock and $155 now

Man i really like that theres another company making a1 tho.

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Maurice told me that they were probably going to raise the cost due to the anodizing cost. I did not know they already did it. I am glad I got mine when I did.

Posted: 7/2/2015 10:46:30 AM EDT

[#17]

What barrel did u use?

Posted: 7/2/2015 10:49:40 AM EDT

[#18]

Why did they bother finishing those receivers with the bracing machined that poorly..

Posted: 7/2/2015 10:52:20 AM EDT

[#19]

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Quoted:
Why did they bother finishing those receivers with the bracing machined that poorly..

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Because of the demand for a1 lowers and there not nodak spud.

Posted: 7/2/2015 10:53:38 AM EDT

[#20]

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Quoted:
Why did they bother finishing those receivers with the bracing machined that poorly..

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No kidding. They don't get that retro is about the details. All the more reason to appreciate how nice the nodak lowers are.

Posted: 7/2/2015 11:05:53 AM EDT

[#21]

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What barrel did u use?

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A C MP B marked Colt barrel assembly.

Posted: 7/2/2015 11:09:51 AM EDT

[#22]

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Quoted:

No kidding. They don't get that retro is about the details. All the more reason to appreciate how nice the nodak lowers are.

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Quoted:

Quoted:
Why did they bother finishing those receivers with the bracing machined that poorly..

No kidding. They don't get that retro is about the details. All the more reason to appreciate how nice the nodak lowers are.

I do think that they will remedy the issues before the next batch is done. The one I got was part of the first new batch. I am sure they were in a hurry to get them out since they had a backlog of orders. I have a Nodak Spud NDS-16A1 lower on order and I will be cancelling that order. I have no need to replace this McKay lower. The Nodak lower was ordered just in case the McKay lower was not going to be ready or was not going to work well.

Posted: 7/2/2015 11:20:04 AM EDT

[#23]

Yeah, no thanks

For a grand savings of $5 I will wait for a Nodak. The machining looks bad there at the buffer tube and still has the roll marks on the side. If they had placed them on the front of the mag well I might consider it but for $5 less I'll pass.

Good news is there's somebody else making them now at least.

Posted: 7/2/2015 11:53:41 AM EDT

[#24]

I wanted to try one out of curiosity. But like the man said, $5 differential, kinda not as attractive an option.

Posted: 7/2/2015 11:54:18 AM EDT

[#25]

I'd buy a pink or green lower for $50

just sayin'

Posted: 7/2/2015 12:14:48 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
Yeah, no thanks

For a grand savings of $5 I will wait for a Nodak. The machining looks bad there at the buffer tube and still has the roll marks on the side. If they had placed them on the front of the mag well I might consider it but for $5 less I'll pass.

Good news is there's somebody else making them now at least.

View Quote

McKay also charges shipping in addition to the price and Nodak Spud includes shipping in their price. That make Nodak Spud more appealing for another reason. A short while ago, I had e-mailed Harlan and gave him a heads-up and told him that this will most likely be the only McKay lower I will buy. At the new price, it is not cost effective. I will stick with Nodak Spud. Now, if McKay finds a way to lower their price and bring they lower up to the same standard as Nodak Spud, then they will be a good alternative. Until then, Nodak Spud still has my business.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - McKay Enterprises A1 lowers

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