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Posted: 6/8/2008 4:57:54 PM EDT
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Even though differences may be slight I would like to know how lower parts kits compare. As I understand it RRA is considered the best of those readily available, but only by a hair above Stag, and DPMS does some sloppy things now and then so them low on scale. What about Armalite? CMMG? any others? |
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I have had very good luck with the DPMS parts kits, as well as those from Bushmaster and CMT/Stag. The RRA LPK's are nothing more that rebagged CMT/Stag parts. The only issues I've experienced with DPMS LPK's, were with the trigger guard roll pins. They seemed a bit over sized. I had to use a pair of vise grips to pinch the roll pin together to get them to drive in. There would be nothing worse than breaking the "ears" off a lower receiver while trying to drive in an out of spec roll pin  .EGW and CMT seem to make a large number of the LPK's you see for sale. I've been told by one of our industry partners that Model1 and M&A parts are good too, but one should always look at them closely before installing them. Not many companies actually make anything anymore, they all seem to out source and re-bag the parts as their own. Your mileage might vary, so look before you leap. 
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CMMG & DPMS have a really close relationship, right? So what is the chance that the CMMG parts kit supplied by DPMS |
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COLT makes the best LPK's, but be prepared to spend close to $200 for a full Colt LPK. My preference would be to get a LMT "basic" LPK that does not include the FCG (Trigger/Hammer), or pistol grip, and choose the trigger group I want for the build along with the pistol grip of my choosing. Another option would be to order each part separately from Brownell's that you need, and then order the trigger & pistol grip you want. You will spend more for the best, but you will have superior parts in your rifle. The main difference between Colt LPK's and all the others, is consistent quality control. |
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I did what Nick did. I assembled my LPK myself so I could pick and choose the top shelf parts without having to buy a total kit and end up with left over parts that I had removed. I ordered a small pin and spring kit from CMMG. This gave me the takedown pins and all the roll pins and springs. I then bought from Brownells a Wilson Combat bolt release. I left the extended paddle off. I also got a Colt buffer retainer. Colt magazine release button. Colt bolt release bumper. I then ordered from Rainier arms my Timney Trigger group. Magpul MIAD. Norgon Ambidextrous magazine release. LMT Ambidextrous safety selector. KNS Gen 2 Trigger Pins. I mounted a Magpul M93b collapsible stock and put a MGI buffer with a Tubbs chrome silicon flat spring in the receiver extension. I put all these parts in a SMOS Billet lower. Couldn't be happier. |
Oh to hear them tell it everything is machined on site....but I can't say for sure and the CMMG followers will surely stone you if you compare them to DPMS.
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I don't know who makes White Oak LPK's, Perhaps White Oak? I ordered one from Adco last week with out the trigger group, and it is pretty nice. They use actual rolled pins and everything seems well made. No missing pieces but had an extra pivot/take down detent. CMMG's bare a resemblance to DPMS. Bushmaster's seem alright but I had a rifle that came with a plastic trigger guard 
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Bushmaster has been using those damned plastic trigger guards for at least the last 20 years. Yuck! 
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I wouldn't call them problems, but I see a noticable difference is smoothness when using an M16-style no-notch hammer and a shrouded carrier. I feel that is the way the parts were originally designed to interact, and if I keep a proper parts maintenance schedule, everything works as it should. 
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As already posted. Most AR manufacturers get their parts from a very few manufacturers. Since CMMG started out selling DPMS parts before they where making them in house, it only makes since that they use some of those same manufacturers. For example LPKs. I like the feel of the CMMG standard trigger compared to some that I've found in other LPKs. Hope this helps. |
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