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Posted: 7/30/2012 7:32:58 AM EDT
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I am atempting my first AR build and there are way too many parts out there. I have looked at several different lower parts kits and I have narrowed it down to two different ones and I need your input.
The first is the Spikes Tactical lower kit with the Boron lined Battle Trigger This kit runs aroung 210.00 or The second choice would be the CMMG with the polished trigger points. This kit runs about 90.00 so I am wondering if the extra money is worth the trigger? I had another tread asking about single and 2 stage triggers and feel that a single stage is all I need so is the Spikes Battle Trigger worth spending the extra 100.00 or would the CMMG trigger that is polished and hardened from the factory be just as good? Also is the KNS anti-rotation pin set worth that extra 33.00 bucks? This rifle will be used but not on a consistant basis. It will serve as home protection and my son starts JROTC this year and cannot compete in the Air Rifle team until his second year but I want him to start with the AR as well so once he gets used to it then it may get used more but no hardcore operator type work. Thanks |
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Don’t know about the Spikes, but seems a little pricey.
My question on the CMMG would be was it polished before or after hardening. I would probably get a LPK w/o the trigger/hammer and use the Geissele SSA. Geissele also has a new single stage for your case. KNS, worth it to some, not so much to others. I would pass for now. |
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Don't skimp on the LPK make sure you get high quality and proven durable brands.
I had built several lowers before and if I'm going to do it again I'm going to get either Daniel Defense or Colt LPK, as for the trigger if I wanted better than what comes with the LPK I would get the ALG which are better than stock triggers but won't break the bank. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_124/561855_ALG_Defense_Introduces_2_Mil_Spec_Style_Triggers___Tuned_by_Geissele.html I have KNS pins on some of my AR but not all, I won't put them on my M4 clone carbines, they're a personal preference so maybe just try it first when you have extra money, to see if you'll like it. |
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Quoted:
Don't skimp on the LPK make sure you get high quality and proven durable brands. I had built several lowers before and if I'm going to do it again I'm going to get either Daniel Defense or Colt LPK, as for the trigger if I wanted better than what comes with the LPK I would get the ALG which are better than stock triggers but won't break the bank. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_124/561855_ALG_Defense_Introduces_2_Mil_Spec_Style_Triggers___Tuned_by_Geissele.html I have KNS pins on some of my AR but not all, I won't put them on my M4 clone carbines, they're a personal preference so maybe just try it first when you have extra money, to see if you'll like it. I agree, but good luck finding a DD LPK anytime soon. I've hears good things about CMMG LPK's...I'd go that route, and then put the extra cash towards a Geissele trigger. |
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Where are you getting these prices? Spikes sells their enhanced LPK for $170 on their site, and CMMG does not offer a "polished" trigger LPK. I HIGHLY recommend AGAINST any third party polished trigger anything; that's asking for trouble.
I would go with the PSA MOE build kit for $139.99 and break in their standard trigger... |
| I am sorry I did put the wrong price for the Spikes LPK it is 169.99 from them and the CMMG LPK the trigger is polished before hardening. It is done at the factory before shipping so now CMG also has a LPK that has a 2 stage trigger along with it for 149.99 so it boils down to these two kits. From everything I have read there is not much difference in any LPK other than the trigger, grip or the KNS pins. All the rest of the stuff is the same so that seems to be the major difference. The Daniel Defense is basically the same as the CMMG and the PSA as well as the Stag so I am starting to think for 169.99 the Spikes is a better deal because it already has an enhanced trigger along with the KNS pins so it isnt something that I would need to purchase and install at a later date if I chose to. Someone made a reference to Colt as far as parts are concerned, I did not see a LPK from anywhere from them so that is not an option. I could probably buy the aprts indiviually but that is a major pain so I will just stick with a good LPK from a reputable dealer and it will all work itself out and if I do not like the trigger then later I can change it. I want to try some different triggers before I make my mind up |
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A geiselle SSA is $170 at PSA (it was $150 on sale) , why do U want to spend $210 for a NiB trigger?
I have used both Spikes and PSA standard LPK. Spikes tactical has a heavier trigger pull weight but smoother; PSA has a lighter pull weight but rougher.Quality wise, I think Spikes Tactical has a slight edge, but not much. But if U exclude the trigger, functionally there is not much difference. PSA on the other hand always has good deals, w/ free shipping, their LPK is hard to beat, even though their shipping is slow. You should look at the different options offered w/ their build kits and triggers ACT and QMS, very good price. |
| Hahaha $210 for a Spike's lpk. That's crack prices!!!!! My Spike's enhanced lpk was $150. The trigger is mil-spec weight, but breaks so crisply. And with all the stuff that comes in the lpk ( ambi safety, kns pins, better trigger guard, etc) it is a good value. |
| If this is your first rifle, I'd reccommend you buy one rather than build one. Prices are fantastic at the moment, and you can get a Colt at Wal Mart for Christs sake nowadays. Buy one, shoot it, see what you like and don't before you waste money on parts you find you don't really care for. |
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wrong. one is nickel teflon/boron coated and one is not[/quot do you have a link? This is from AIMS site ACT http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XALGACT&name=ALG+Defense+ACT+Combat+Trigger&groupid=576 pull weight 6 lb or more QMS http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XALGQMS&name=ALG+Defense+QMS+Quality+Mil-Spec+Trigger&groupid=576 pull weight 6.5lb or more essentially same info on PSA site not sure how this is wrong.In any event, what is the benefit of teflon/boron coat? smoother pull and lighter pull weight. So how is this wrong? |
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It is not my first rifle or the first time I have shot one. I carried one for 6 years and 1 year of that in Iraq so I am very familar with the rifle itself and all of the rifles I have looked at have way too many parts that I want to change so it would defeat the purpose of buying it if I am going to turn right around and change everything on it so I wanted to build it so I know that it is put together correctly and it would cost less depending on the parts I put in it. That is why I am asking others opinions on their experience with different parts so I do not make the mistakes that others have made when building theirs.
I am leaning toward the Spikes for sure. The more I talk to people the better I think I am going to like a single stage trigger since that is what I am used to and from what I have read the Spikes is a pretty decent one also it already comes with the KNS pins and a Magpul MOE grip so that saves from having to purchase those items unless I go with the Magpul MIRAD grip which I am considering because I like the feel of it as I have a smaller hand and I can change the pieces on it for better fit and comfort. the ambi selector is a plus as well |
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Spikes is good stuff.
I wouldn't get too "in want" of KNS pins. Grips are personal....best to try some at a show or LGS. With plates and a compact, straight on stance some of the aftermarket grips push more towards vertical for better wrist comfort to accommodate this. If you're right-handed the regular safety is fine. Welcome home and thanks. |
| Well since I wrote this I have purchased the CMMG kit since most of the basic kits all seemed the same. I put it together and I swear I do not remember the trigger pull that hard on my M16/203 This seems real hard but maybe it is that way at first. Is this normal? The trigger pull itself is very smooth and no gritty feel, it just seems heavy to me. |
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Well since I wrote this I have purchased the CMMG kit since most of the basic kits all seemed the same. I put it together and I swear I do not remember the trigger pull that hard on my M16/203 This seems real hard but maybe it is that way at first. Is this normal? The trigger pull itself is very smooth and no gritty feel, it just seems heavy to me. Did you get issued a brand new M16? A new AR trigger will be rough, and that often feels like more pounds than it really is. Lube the CRAP out of the FCG parts, especially the pins, and see how it feels after the lube works into everything. |
I bought a complete CMMG factory lower. The damn trigger would only reset half the time. After about 120rds it started shooting 2-3 rd burst. How hard is it to assemble a Lower? I removed the trigger and replaced it with a DD I had in the spare parts box.
I stay away from CMMG there are to many other brands to choose from. |
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DD parts kits in stock
http://www.pkfirearms.com/Lower_Receiver_Parts_Kits/34/c |
| The PSA LPKs are nice. I have put together several lowers using several different kits (DPMS, RRA, CMMG, PSA) and I'd say that the PSA trigger is best. Its a bit heavy but not gritty and has a clean break. Its also great that you can order them how you want them instead of buying stuff you dont want and then throwing it away or shoving it in a box somewhere. |
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Quoted:
Well since I wrote this I have purchased the CMMG kit since most of the basic kits all seemed the same. I put it together and I swear I do not remember the trigger pull that hard on my M16/203 This seems real hard but maybe it is that way at first. Is this normal? The trigger pull itself is very smooth and no gritty feel, it just seems heavy to me. The hammer spring may need to be tweaked or replaced with a standard one. I bought an ALG/ACT Nickel-Boron trigger and found the same to be true. I put the standard spring back in that came with my DPMS LPK and the result was a trigger pretty much exactly like the one in my factory Colt - just the slightest creep, with a snappy break. But it was only $45, and I got rid of the DPMS set that had terrible creep, so I guess having two ARs with the same trigger feel is not a bad thing. BTW, you're supposed to lube the pins and sliding surfaces before assembly on trigger sets of this type. I use Militec grease for this and many other gun applications. You can see a tutorial on this site for adjusting the trigger/hammer springs. I think that slight, almost imperceptible 'creep' on a single-stage trigger is a good safety feature. You don't want a 'hair trigger' on a basic combat rifle. As long as the assembly is correct, you should not need anti-walk pins on a semi-auto. The spring arms lock into the pin grooves and hold the pins in the receiver. |
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I appreciate all the responses. Everyone has been great here so far. I have changed lubes and tweaked the spring some and all seems to be well now. I was just shocked once I put it together at how stiff it felt but as in anything new, I am sure it will get better in a little time as well. The trigger breaks crisp and no creep so I am good now. I think if this doesnt cut it I will get a Timney Single Stage Match Trigger. I have used this trigger before in a friends rifle and I really like it. I just didnt want to spend the money for it at the time of the build Thanks again
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| I have a CMMG kit I picked up via a Cabelas gift card. It is a very good kit with quality parts. The paddle has no seam and the trigger is better than the one that came in my R25. The packaging is very good and will help with a first time build. The parts are divided out into colored packages which match up with the instruction videos posted on their webpage. I would use the same kit again if I wanted to build another rifle right now. |
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