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Posted: 4/7/2006 4:04:00 PM EDT
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What's the general opinion on the quality and workmanship of Model 1 Sales products (www.model1sales.com)? Thinking about picking up an A3 16" C.A.R. upper after seeing their ad in the latest issue of G&A's Book of the AR-15. The one I am considering breaks down as follows: 16" Chrome Moly Barrel, 1-9 twist, A2 Flashider...$300 Chrome line Chamber and Bore....additional $35 YHM FF 4 rail....$115 Total Price....$450 without shipping The barrels are made by ER Shaw (?), and the other components are made by current government contractors. This is the best price I have seen while shopping around on the web, but would appreciate as much feedback from you guys as possible, before laying down the plastic with a company I am not familiar with. Thanks |
If you have access to the search function, you'll find a LOT of thread on Model 1 Sales jsut in the last month. They are a good bang for the buck, and I've not had any problems with the uppers I have bought from them. Two common complaints seem to be: 1. They used to have worse quality in the past - as in a few years ago 2. Their lower parts kits are not always as good as other manufacturers (if you buy a compelte kit - obviously not an issue if you buy an upper) |
They aren't that bad. One of my three is a Model 1 Sales upper on a RRA lower. It's about on par with everything else. Their LPK's are very rough and I ended up not using it. They do work though. The bolts seem to be weak from what everybody says on here. However, mine has been trouble free for damn near a thousand rounds. Is accurate as an 11.5" bbl is gonna be. Here are some pictures of it. ETA: The only complaint I have out of mine is on the protective ears on each side of front sight post. One is thinner than the other. It is only a cosmetic thing and quit bugging me after 5 mins but it is the blemish/flaw that I have found as of yet. 
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I have the exact same 11.5 + 5.5 upper, green and all! you're the first person I've seen post pics other than me 
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| I built a rifle from their kit. Some minor cosmetic blemishes that went away with a CLP wipe down. The upper had some odd sand like substance in it that was tricky to clean out. The roll pin for the trigger guard was very tight, thought I was going to break the lower installing it. But, the rifle shoots great! About 6-700rds through it with no problems. I would buy another as the price was real nice. |
Yeah, those are real rare   Mine from a Model 1 Sales Kit |
Buying from Model 1 has multiple risks and potential loss of time, effort, and money. Their reputation is spotty at best. There are no such questions about CMMG. They can build any configuration Model 1 makes without any question about quality, and support of their product. That is pretty damn useful. |
A few years ago I would agree with you but I think M1S has their shit together now. Most everyone I talk to that does have one of their uppers are satisfied with it. Mine was perfect, no blemeshes, bad service, problems, or anything. Just fast service and a good product, that seems to be more of the norm dow days than the exception. I cant speak for the lower parts kits but their uppers are great I think. |
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I am only passing on info that was told to me. I called Model 1 or M&A to ask about their chrome lined barrels. They told me they use the same barrel and flash chrome them. He also said the chrome will flake off. I do know that when a barrel is chrome lined the proper way the barrel dimensions are made larger to allow for a the space the chrome takes up in the bore. |
Didn't mean to flame you - I was just a little confused. The simple "CMMG" response just seemed a little like someone saying "Mercedes" iwhen a person is asking for advice on whether to by a Honda Accord. Your explanation makes sense (and I agree that CMMG kicks ass, and woudl recommend them in a heartbeat), but the feeling I got from his question was about Model 1, partly because of the PRICE (which is the reason most people buy Model 1). I'm sure he is smart enough to figure for himself that if he buys something significantly more expensive, he might have some peace of mind. Again - not trying to attack you, I just wanted to understand.  Just for my personal curiosity, though ... do you own any Model 1 Uppers? |
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To answer the question, a good friend that I compete against, on a whim picked up a 16" upper fro them just for plinking. He took it to a local 3-Gun match and the thing ran like a champ (literally dropping it on a couple of days before the match and putting it through its first test there). It sold me. It's a great option for a cheap and easy way to get another upper for practice/play, if you don't have the funds to build a complete rifle. I have 2 Rifle kits waiting for me when I get home and should keep me busy for a day or two, putting them together. I don't own safe queens, so these will be pushed hard. For the dollars, you really can't go wrong. And, let's be honest, even the best manufacturer has a bad day, so don't trust anyone's opinion except your own experience. SPC Richard A. White, Senior Medic 249th MP Detachment (EACF) Camp Humphreys, ROK |
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hi all Up until a few days ago, I would agree that Model 1 sales is pretty good, but last Tuesday my bolt broke on mw whlie shooting. It took me foreveer to take apart my rifle and try to take out the stuck bolt everthing else was fine. I will not buy from Model 1 sales anymore. Tom |
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Model 1 sales are great. There its been said. Their bolts are not mpi tested so one or two here or there will fail. Thats life. However they have pretty good customer service and will normally help you out if somthing like this happens. You must understand that they dont just build one or two every now and then to fill an order. They have racks of these things and people are always ordering them all the time. They sell enough for a few to go south here and there but are normally good about makeing things right. Also Del-Ton can take care of you for the same price + / - a few bux and their customer service is the best I've delt with. If you cant find what you want on their site just give them a call as they have a hell of a lot more than whats listed on their site. |
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I will say this, my overall experience with my upper purchase has been OK. The ER Shaw bbl's are pretty accurate, only shot out to 100yds so I can't speak for anything else. The finish was very good. Although the hand guards had quite a bit of play in it. The upper receiver does not have M-4 cuts, not that big a deal with FMJ, but jams A LOT with JHP's. The local ranges do not allow FMJ so it IS an issue. The bolt, carrier and lower parts kit I got were crapola! Out of spec trigger and hammer pins and like Timminator my bolt shattered at the cam pin with less than 1k rnds run through it. The first time it was shot it, the gas key came loose and had a lot of short stroking and several hours of trouble shooting the problem before I found out the key was not staked properly. Talk about frustrating. Would I buy another, yes probably, for a cheap blaster. I would only buy the upper though, no parts kit or BCG. But personally a no shit shooter can be had for only $100 more from CMMG or many other mfg's and you will be much happier to have all the better components. Buy once, cry once. |
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I got one of their M-4 kits for Christmas. I would have to agree with the other guys here that the Lower parts kit is Junk. nothing feels right, bolt catch to stiff, safety to loose. The front sight post is crooked. Ive been playing with it for months and cannot get it straight. Removed sight post and barrel with no luck. now Im looking at replacing it with a railed gas block and hoping I can get it straight enough to put a flip up front sight on it. Model one sales is a gamble. this is my second one. The first one I bought was O.K. it was a 20" with freefloating handguard. Both the guns cycle just fine. You may get a good one or you may not. |
I'll just throw this out to add to the discussion because I used to think that all my Bushmasters had one side thinner than the other concerning the protective ears of the front sight post... When I shoulder weak hand, the thinner post appears on the other side. It's actaully an optical dilusion in my case. I've found that this happens as my head is off from center due to the stock being present, when I look at the sights holding the rifle in such a way that I can view straight down the centerline, both ears are equal. Perhaps this is what you're experiencing but, then again, perhaps one side on your Model 1 FSP is thinner. Might want to check it out to be sure. I don't own Model 1 parts etc, but I just recently became aware of what I was actually seeing. It was bothersome to me.... But with an explaination it never crosses my mind anymore. Sly |
I don't think it's an optical illusion on mine. I have noticed that on my others when firing them. This one looks thin no matter how you look at it. Here is a picture for reference. It doesn't bother me that much. 
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