I've looked through the headers in this forum and found little good info about whose parts kits are the best or even whose are the worst.  I could only find reference to a little squabble about the customer service at M&A.

So, between Model 1, M&A, JT Distributing (I think that's their name, I don't have my SGN here at work with me) Sun Valley Traders (are they even in business any longer?) and whomever else sells complete parts kits minus the receiver, whose stuff is the best?  Or at the very least, whose kits should I run away from at top speed?

Oh yes, contact info would be greatly appreciated as well.

I don't have a ton of money but I do have plenty of spare time.  I don't want anythign fancy, just a nice CAR-style kit and perhaps a Dissy or standard 20" GI kit.

As usual, thanks in advance,
Eric

I have had very good luck with Del-Ton.

"The Best" is an abstract concept to me. Everyone has their opinion on who makes the best parts.
None of the rifles I built so far have self-destructed or blown up in my face... (even after several hundred rounds down range) , so I consider that to be a good thing.

I've dealt with Del-Ton and J&T on kits, both were just fine. My latest Del-Ton kit had DPMS and CMT parts.

Quoted: I have had very good luck with Del-Ton. "The Best" is an abstract concept to me. Everyone has their opinion on who makes the best parts. None of the rifles I built so far have self-destructed or blown up in my face... (even after several hundred rounds down range) , so I consider that to be a good thing.

Not blowing up would definitely qualify as good in my books.have
Then one day, just for shoots & giggles, I bought a barrel wrench and discovered that my barrel nut was "two teeth" loose.hock.gif  That whole time, the barrel was loose!?!  I quickly remedied that and also swaged the hammer and trigger pin holes back into a more round shape than they were.  Now it shoots even better groups!

I would bet my arse on that gun, yes I would!  Now I just want to build a couple more rifles as good as or better than that old reliable rifle of mine which has become like a good friend.

I like CMT/stag lpks

jt distributing  is one the best i have used

Quoted: I like CMT/stag lpks

+2

The are of the highest quality lpk's out there

+1 for Del-Ton!

I've built with a M1S kit.  I sure wish I hadn't.

Quoted: I've looked through the headers in this forum and found little good info about whose parts kits are the best or even whose are the worst.  I could only find reference to a little squabble about the customer service at M&A. So, between Model 1, M&A, JT Distributing (I think that's their name, I don't have my SGN here at work with me) Sun Valley Traders (are they even in business any longer?) and whomever else sells complete parts kits minus the receiver, whose stuff is the best?  Or at the very least, whose kits should I run away from at top speed? Oh yes, contact info would be greatly appreciated as well. I don't have a ton of money but I do have plenty of spare time.  I don't want anythign fancy, just a nice CAR-style kit and perhaps a Dissy or standard 20" GI kit. As usual, thanks in advance, Eric

My personal experience with M&A has been good.  I ordered a kit, got it sooner than they promised, was pleased with the quality, everything went together smoothly and I've had no problems with it so far.  I've heard nothing but good things about J&T.  I've heard mixed messages about Model 1 as far as quality goes, and that coupled by the fact that I live in TX and would have had to pay 8.25% sales tax if I'd ordered from them (making them more expensive), pushed me towards M&A.  I will admit I basically went with M&A over J&T or Del-Ton strictly because M&A was roughly $10 less for what appeared to be basically the same thing.  I hadn't read the stories from this forum about M&A prior to ordering, but I'm not sure it would have changed my decision given the juvenile nature of the complaints against them which makes me question their legitimacy.  FWIW, I'm about to start my 2nd build, and at this point I'm planning on buying M&A's Mid-Length 16" kit.

+3 for CMT/Stag parts kit.  Hell, it even comes with an extra pivot pin detent in case you launch the first one.  LOL.  You can check in the EE for threads on whos selling CMT LPK.

I got a DPMS LPK yesterday and will try other ones. I am already planning my next lower and it's less than 24hrs since I finished my 1st one!  The DPMS kit  finish would match a HK or PTC 91, cheap gloss black if you know what I mean. Also the mag release button was made of a cheap glossy plastic, I had the feeling I was playing with parts from a kids tonka toy!
I really like the finish on the DPMS receiver but it was the 2nd one I picked, when at the show buying one I was handed the first one I did not think much of it. Started walking away and stopped, under closer inspection I saw all sorts of pot marks on the receiver, don't know if it was the metal or finish but I quickly had them change t he serial number on the paperwork and got another one out of the bunch which was flawless.
I will be looking for a stag and a RRA or MA LPK, think I will build a pistol caliber gun next, maybe even in pistol configuration to be different, I am running out of safe space too!
Rich

Run away from Model 1 Sales.
From the archives:
THIRD Model 1 Sales' Dissy Upper Blows Chunks!!!!

Quoted: +3 for CMT/Stag parts kit.  Hell, it even comes with an extra pivot pin detent in case when you launch the first one.  LOL.  You can check in the EE for threads on whos selling CMT LPK.

I vote don't go M&A for a LPK. Mine is notchy and the finish on the safety has worn faster than hell. It looks like it's done time in the sandbox after a year and a half.

I would go RRA, Stag, J&T, or Del-Ton. They are all top quality.

WIZZO

Oh yeah, my bad.  "WHEN you launch the first one."  I didn't, but came reeeeally close to doing so.

Thanks for the correction WIZZO!  LOL

I believe my decision has been made.  I will go with a complete parts kit from J&T Distributing as the supplier for my first-ever AR15 build.  Thanks to all for your input.Eric

I recently tried out a CMT/Stag LPK after having used a Bushmaster LPK.  I honestly thought the fit and finish on the Bushmaster was a little better.  Although, there is something to be said for the fact that the CMT/Stag comes with an aluminum trigger guard and a stainless slotted pistol grip screw.  

Only having bought the BM kit and the DPMS kit I favor the DPMS kit and have bought 3 of them.
I really like the non-cut hammer that DPMS offers.

The trigger on my latest DPMS kit is really really really smooth... no grit at all and fit perfect into my SP2 lower

JT gets rave reviews,

Only one I have experience with so far is M&A and it was just fine. They were the only one with the mid-length kit anyhow.
Matched the color and lines on my Superior lower perfectly.

http://webzoom.freewebs.com/heads_up_racing/AR-15.JPG

Last night I assembled a lower using Bushmaster parts.  They are a LOT better than the RRA parts that I used in my last couple builds.  Well worth an extra $10.