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Posted: 1/29/2014 12:26:04 PM EDT
| Besides the triggers, is there any difference between LPKs? I am doing my first build and already have a PSA LPK that came with my rifle build kit but I have caught the black rifle disease and am already researching upgrades. What makes certain LPKs cost more than others? All those pins and little spings and other parts can't be any different from ones in other kits, can they? |
| Not really. Most of the small parts all come from the same 2-3 companies in the USA who manufacture them. it is, however, up to the individual companies who are selling each piece under their own brand new to give them QC and tolerance specifications. Cheaper kits do not have as good QC and some parts may be slightly out of spec. YMMV. |
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Yes it makes a difference.
One brand that I used for store builds, and I've built a few thousand, had issues with huge tolerances... I mean some triggers would drop into lowers without touching the sides, others wouldn't fit unless I removed metal from the sides. Same batch of loose parts kits, same group of lower, Aero Precision, SAA/SA&A, I decided to see how they'd fit into a Colt, LMT, and BCM, and it was the same. Some fit, some didn't. Some are smoother and have a better trigger pull. Less grit and more consistent. Spike's, DD, are better than one of the huge names out there (the same one I used to use). CMMG and Stag/CMT are pretty good and don't cost a lot more than say DPMS and give a smoother trigger pull and more consistent assembly. Armalite and Rock River are decent as well. For my own builds I've used Daniel Defense, though I also like the Spike's a lot. |
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Quoted:
Yes it makes a difference. One brand that I used for store builds, and I've built a few thousand, had issues with huge tolerances... I mean some triggers would drop into lowers without touching the sides, others wouldn't fit unless I removed metal from the sides. Same batch of loose parts kits, same group of lower, Aero Precision, SAA/SA&A, I decided to see how they'd fit into a Colt, LMT, and BCM, and it was the same. Some fit, some didn't. Some are smoother and have a better trigger pull. Less grit and more consistent. Spike's, DD, are better than one of the huge names out there (the same one I used to use). CMMG and Stag/CMT are pretty good and don't cost a lot more than say DPMS and give a smoother trigger pull and more consistent assembly. Armalite and Rock River are decent as well. For my own builds I've used Daniel Defense, though I also like the Spike's a lot. Okay how about PSA in your experience? |
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Quoted:
Okay how about PSA in your experience? Quoted:
Quoted:
Yes it makes a difference. One brand that I used for store builds, and I've built a few thousand, had issues with huge tolerances... I mean some triggers would drop into lowers without touching the sides, others wouldn't fit unless I removed metal from the sides. Same batch of loose parts kits, same group of lower, Aero Precision, SAA/SA&A, I decided to see how they'd fit into a Colt, LMT, and BCM, and it was the same. Some fit, some didn't. Some are smoother and have a better trigger pull. Less grit and more consistent. Spike's, DD, are better than one of the huge names out there (the same one I used to use). CMMG and Stag/CMT are pretty good and don't cost a lot more than say DPMS and give a smoother trigger pull and more consistent assembly. Armalite and Rock River are decent as well. For my own builds I've used Daniel Defense, though I also like the Spike's a lot. Okay how about PSA in your experience? I've never had an issue with mine from them, but there is a guy in the AERO forum photo page who has a bolt catch from them where the paddle broke off. Probably a rare occurrence. |
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Not worried about triggers I'm upgrading to an SSA when I get the extra cash You can save some money with this option. |
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It matters to me. I bought PSA kits and had one selector that was out I spec and hey just didn't have a uniform finish on them. This was at the height of the panic and I haven't seen any complaints like this since. I prefer the Stag and DD kits. That is what all of my rifles have now. I sold my PSA kits to some friends that were happy to have them. The one selector was polished up and made to fit and he hasn't had a moments issue with it. I just expect the parts to fit and have a uniform finish on them. Stag and DD always have that. I need 2 kits to finish a couple of rifles and those will be coming from Spikes, lots of good feedback on those
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In my limited experience with 5 lowers, no. I have used DPMS, PSA, and PTAC. With PTAC being the lower end of AR parts arena. I had one issue with the PTAC, the disco. and hammer was jacked up. It was resolved with a replacement kit. So PSA did more than take care of it.
AL |
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Not worried about triggers I'm upgrading to an SSA when I get the extra cash You can save some money with this option. Nice! That whole kit costs the same as the SSA MSRP. Even though I already have a LPK I might have to get it and save the extra parts. PSA has awesome deals I can't give them my money fast enough. |
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Quoted:
Okay how about PSA in your experience? Quoted:
Quoted:
Yes it makes a difference. One brand that I used for store builds, and I've built a few thousand, had issues with huge tolerances... I mean some triggers would drop into lowers without touching the sides, others wouldn't fit unless I removed metal from the sides. Same batch of loose parts kits, same group of lower, Aero Precision, SAA/SA&A, I decided to see how they'd fit into a Colt, LMT, and BCM, and it was the same. Some fit, some didn't. Some are smoother and have a better trigger pull. Less grit and more consistent. Spike's, DD, are better than one of the huge names out there (the same one I used to use). CMMG and Stag/CMT are pretty good and don't cost a lot more than say DPMS and give a smoother trigger pull and more consistent assembly. Armalite and Rock River are decent as well. For my own builds I've used Daniel Defense, though I also like the Spike's a lot. Okay how about PSA in your experience? I've only seen them in complete rifles and they seemed ok. Not a bad feel. I've no idea about longevity as I've not used them, and I don't know anyone that has had them for a lot of rounds. |
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Nice! That whole kit costs the same as the SSA MSRP. Even though I already have a LPK I might have to get it and save the extra parts. PSA has awesome deals I can't give them my money fast enough. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Not worried about triggers I'm upgrading to an SSA when I get the extra cash You can save some money with this option. Nice! That whole kit costs the same as the SSA MSRP. Even though I already have a LPK I might have to get it and save the extra parts. PSA has awesome deals I can't give them my money fast enough. If you like the SSA that is a hell of a good deal! If they offered it with the S3G I'd be tempted to get one. Very tempted. The smaller parts don't matter as much as the trigger, hammer, and disconnecter. Also the hammer and trigger pins. Having those break sucks and if you don't have spares will ruin your trip to the range. |
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The hammer might make a difference if you are doing a .22 build or use a .22 conversion kit.
There are two types of hammers; one has a notch at the top of the hammer, the other is rounded. Some .22 kits (CMMG, for instance) work better with the rounded hammer. For a .223 build, it makes no difference. |
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Quoted:
Okay how about PSA in your experience? Quoted:
Quoted:
Yes it makes a difference. One brand that I used for store builds, and I've built a few thousand, had issues with huge tolerances... I mean some triggers would drop into lowers without touching the sides, others wouldn't fit unless I removed metal from the sides. Same batch of loose parts kits, same group of lower, Aero Precision, SAA/SA&A, I decided to see how they'd fit into a Colt, LMT, and BCM, and it was the same. Some fit, some didn't. Some are smoother and have a better trigger pull. Less grit and more consistent. Spike's, DD, are better than one of the huge names out there (the same one I used to use). CMMG and Stag/CMT are pretty good and don't cost a lot more than say DPMS and give a smoother trigger pull and more consistent assembly. Armalite and Rock River are decent as well. For my own builds I've used Daniel Defense, though I also like the Spike's a lot. Okay how about PSA in your experience? |
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Not any two parts of almost any of the LPK's on the market are Mil-spec.
I learned this the hard way in extreme wet-cold Arctic conditions, shooting suppressed. After my Magpul Gen I MIAD grip fragmented in the -27 C temps, I went to go replace it, and noticed the selector detent had corrosion happening on it, in real time. This was a Rock River Arms MLGS AR15. I learned that the "vismod" AR15's usually source zinc-plated detents, untested MIM'd parts, sub-standard springs, look-alike pistol grips that aren't even dimensionally correct, let alone construction. I could go on.... Extension tubes not extruded....two-piece units from overseas that are welded and tumble-brushed to hide the seam from you so you think it will hold up under impact from the buffer.... Triggers and hammer made from porous crap metal, with non uniform surface hardness and terrible tooling marks cross-wise to the direction of function between the hammer sear and trigger nose... |
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