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Posted: 1/9/2012 6:03:47 PM EDT
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Thread. I know this gets discussed to great lengths but I still want some input. I'm looking for a lower to mate with my Spikes 16" middy. Some say a lower is a lower is a lower, and others think far differently...
Originally, I was looking into a Spikes lower since I have $200 in gift cards with them. But I'm a bit concerned about the wait times...some people say their times have decreased to as low as a week. Others have orders that are 6 months old and still don't have their goodies. I'm somewhat OCD about brands/matching, so that part of me says the wait would be worth it. However, now that my upper is here (bought from joeboboutfitters w/ 2 days between ordering the upper and delivery), I'm not so sure I can wait 6 months.... Other options I'm considering are PSA. Though somewhat of a new-guy in the AR market, I'm not sure if it's all kool-aid or if their product is really what people claim it is. And with some of their recent customer satisfaction qualms, I dunno if I want to travel down that path...though their prices are tempting. Do they stack up fairly against Spikes in regards to quality and warranty? All-in-all, I'm looking for a quality lower under $400 that includes a Magpul CTR stock and MOE grip. I'm also not sure if I want to piece the whole thing together...I don't have a lot of tools and I'd rather buy something complete to start with and learn the little ins-and-outs from there versus starting with a pile of pieces and YouTube videos. The money I would save buying everything individually I think I would end up spending on tools for assembly. Anything I'm missing? Should I wait for a Spikes lower? Is PSA on the same level as Spikes? Any other 'top' brands I'm missing in that price range? |
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By a spike's lower from somewhere else besides spikes direct Also, assemble your own and use one of those spike's battle triggers 
A lot of what I've seen has been out of stock...and have you used one of the battle triggers? Worth the money? If you really feel that your OCD will get the vest of you, I say just be patient and find a Spikes..There should be a few in the EE or on GB. In regards to the Battle Trigger, I got to shoot my buddy's rifle and his has a JP Spring in it. Definitely feels better than some of the standard triggers I have.. |
| Mega forged. For the money it's hard to beat. It has the best finish consistently of all the lowers I own (Noveske Gen 2's, KAC, Tactical innovations, Spikes, Noveske forged) with the gen 2 Noveske a close runner up. The price of the mega is on par with spikes just a few more bucks. |
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So how hard is it to change out stocks? Would I have to worry about the castle nut on a Spikes? I know some of the torquing is somewhat specific and I don't wanna over-torque on a replacement stock It can be as easy as slipping it off via the latch if you buy a complete lower. |
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Quoted: Quoted: By a spike's lower from somewhere else besides spikes direct Also, assemble your own and use one of those spike's battle triggers A lot of what I've seen has been out of stock...and have you used one of the battle triggers? Worth the money? http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=31719/avs|Manufacturer_1=SPIKES%20TACTICAL/Product/AR-15-LOWER-RECEIVER http://dsgarms.com/ProductInfo/SPKSTLS012.aspx http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Spike_s_Tactical_Lower_Multi_Forged_Bullet_p/sp-stls012.htm http://www.riflegear.com/p-549-spikes-tactical-st-15-stripped-lower-receiver-with-color-fill.aspx |
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I obviously forgot to mention I'm not too hot on the Spikes logo or the color fill....maybe I'm being too picky but it's what it want (or in this case, don't want)
Quoted:
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By a spike's lower from somewhere else besides spikes direct Also, assemble your own and use one of those spike's battle triggers
A lot of what I've seen has been out of stock...and have you used one of the battle triggers? Worth the money? http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=31719/avs|Manufacturer_1=SPIKES%20TACTICAL/Product/AR-15-LOWER-RECEIVER http://dsgarms.com/ProductInfo/SPKSTLS012.aspx http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Spike_s_Tactical_Lower_Multi_Forged_Bullet_p/sp-stls012.htm http://www.riflegear.com/p-549-spikes-tactical-st-15-stripped-lower-receiver-with-color-fill.aspx |
| I have a PSA lower mated with a Spikes 16" middy upper. Looks good, matches up well. I also have a Spikes lower that I got from AIM to use with my Spikes upper. The PSA lower works but I just wanted to have an all Spikes rifle. Just need to purchase an LPK and get another stock and buffer/buffer tube. No rush though :) |
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OK then this becomes a whole different problem. You have to decide if your OCD on brand matching is going to out weigh your dislike of the Rollmark. That is going to be purely your decision. Find a company in which you like the rollmark and buy it. You mean I can't have my cake AND eat it too? Waiting to hear back from Kat at Spikes to see if she can tell me which lower is most available right now and if the CTR stock/MOE grip is in stock....that will probably make my decision for me. |
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What part of TX are you in? If your in my area you can swing by and assemble a lower using my tools. Lots of fun and doesn't take very long. Besides, when you assemble it yourself you can torque everything to spec and be sure that its done right. My local shop has one of the Spikes punisher lowers, which I feel look pretty good. In the end its up to you. If you want to look at a Spikes and PSA lower in person you can come by and inspect mine some time. (I've also got RRA, EA, DSA, and Ameetec lowers you can look at.) |
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What part of TX are you in? If your in my area you can swing by and assemble a lower using my tools. Lots of fun and doesn't take very long. Besides, when you assemble it yourself you can torque everything to spec and be sure that its done right. My local shop has one of the Spikes punisher lowers, which I feel look pretty good. In the end its up to you. If you want to look at a Spikes and PSA lower in person you can come by and inspect mine some time. (I've also got RRA, EA, DSA, and Ameetec lowers you can look at.) I'm in DFW. That's kind of you...where are you at? |
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Quoted: Quoted: I obviously forgot to mention I'm not too hot on the Spikes logo or the color fill....maybe I'm being too picky but it's what it want (or in this case, don't want)Quoted: Quoted: By a spike's lower from somewhere else besides spikes direct Also, assemble your own and use one of those spike's battle triggers A lot of what I've seen has been out of stock...and have you used one of the battle triggers? Worth the money? http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=31719/avs|Manufacturer_1=SPIKES%20TACTICAL/Product/AR-15-LOWER-RECEIVER http://dsgarms.com/ProductInfo/SPKSTLS012.aspx http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Spike_s_Tactical_Lower_Multi_Forged_Bullet_p/sp-stls012.htm http://www.riflegear.com/p-549-spikes-tactical-st-15-stripped-lower-receiver-with-color-fill.aspx You said you wanted them to match  I give up Quoted: ..... I'm somewhat OCD about brands/matching, so that part of me says the wait would be worth it ..... |
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Quoted:
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I obviously forgot to mention I'm not too hot on the Spikes logo or the color fill....maybe I'm being too picky but it's what it want (or in this case, don't want)
Quoted:
Quoted:
By a spike's lower from somewhere else besides spikes direct Also, assemble your own and use one of those spike's battle triggers
A lot of what I've seen has been out of stock...and have you used one of the battle triggers? Worth the money? http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=31719/avs|Manufacturer_1=SPIKES%20TACTICAL/Product/AR-15-LOWER-RECEIVER http://dsgarms.com/ProductInfo/SPKSTLS012.aspx http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Spike_s_Tactical_Lower_Multi_Forged_Bullet_p/sp-stls012.htm http://www.riflegear.com/p-549-spikes-tactical-st-15-stripped-lower-receiver-with-color-fill.aspx You said you wanted them to match
I give up Quoted:
..... I'm somewhat OCD about brands/matching, so that part of me says the wait would be worth it ..... I was referring to brands matching...not necessarily the roll marks matching up with the spider logos seen on the upper parts. Sorry for the confusion |
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1. For the most part a forged lower is a forged lower - Unless you compare ones with different features like tension screws or takedown spring mods etc.
2. For the most part a billet lower is no better than a forged lower, technically weaker (not that it ever will make a difference) but billet has the possibility of being heavier due to extra material where it normally wouldn't be in a forged lower. Billet sometimes includes ambi controls or other go fast stuff that should be compared on its own. 3. A lower and upper from the same company will not promise a color/finish/fit match unless you buy as a "matched set" at the same time. 4. A lower and upper from different companies will not promise a bad color/finish/fit match. 5. A tight fit does nothing for acccuracy... all it does is make it more difficult to break down and ends up creating scratches from having to use tools to break it down. 6. A loose fit does not degrade accuracy. 7. Finish marks and machining marks and scratches will not effect your accuracy or function. 8. Lack of finish marks and machining marks and scratches will not increase your accuracy or function. 9. Buy whichever rollmark you like, but if it is a company that you cannot find information about from a google search (try a few different places for reviews) then you should inspect the lower for out of spec holes and measurements... bring an upper to attach for fit if you like... bring a PMAG to insure it drops free easily. 10. Company A vs. Company B is an exercise in futility. Not all of these apply to your situation, but I think im going to post this in all threads asking about lowers from now on... just to spread some knowledge and hope it sticks. |
| I would just buy a lower you can get locally and save all the mail and FFL crap...I can buy complete lowers for 239.00 locally out the door..I have to drive 50 miles to do so but its better than FFL transfer crap,shipping charges and waiting..That price is for complete RR lower with collapsible stock and they are decent lowers for the money.......I am sure other brands can be had locally at good prices depending on where you live.....Buying direct from the Company is the worse way to get a good price,vendors usually always sell for less....... |
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