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Posted: 1/18/2013 12:03:06 PM EDT
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I'm not a complete AR Newbie, as i have 2 complete builds under my belt, but yet i'm still somewhat new to this style weapon.
I definitely understand the quality difference in lots of parts. BUT, i have yet to see any difference in any of the LPK's i have worked with. I have DPMS, PSA and a RedXARMS LPK's As far as the basic parts (mag Release, Bolt Catch) I see no differences, and if all the part are made from the same type of metal, i don't know how they could be different Grips - The only difference i saw was the RedXArms kit had an enhanced grip. Looks and feels like a Mako (Fab Defense) grip. Then you come to the trigger. I would think that this may be the biggest point of interest, but the parts are all Mil-Spec and have the same look and feel. The springs look to be all standard. However i have JP Enterprises springs that i sometimes swap out with stock springs. I'm beginning to think that they are all made by the same 2 or 3 factories and different companies just put them in their own packaging. So this brings me to my initial question. Other than saying i have a RRA LPK, what is the benefit of the different ones? |
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Great question that I am interested in as well. I have used CMMG LPKs so far and I believe the triggers are a little better than other standard AR triggers I have tried (could just be my perception....but that's how it seemed).
Looking forward to the input of others on this. ZimDog |
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guys i'll try to help here, i usually come along and throw in my 2 cents on LPK's because fanboys seem to clutter the discussion. that said, most all small parts are made by just a couple of machine shops and most gun manufactures source from them. CMT is the largest of the suppliers, they are also Stag. this is my personal opinion, i think ALOT of companies rebadge DPMS LPK's, after you have assembled a bunch of lowers and use a variety of LPK's you will see the difference. Stag and Rock River use coiled roll pins as where DPMS uses a "split/C type" of roll pin. you will notice that many kits will have triggers that are decent to crisp, to feels like gravel when you pull the trigger. all triggers need some break in, but some have to be stoned/polished on installation, you can run your thunbnail on the edge of the trigger and feel the machining "ridges" on the surface, instead of it being smooth.
this is just personal experience and my personal prefences from assembling a F'ing ton of lowers. Daniel Defense is hands down the best LPK i have ever used, great trigger, small parts that fit, and roll pins that fit. it's like someone took the time to QC every part in the kit second best is Stag/CMT, consistant quality and great triggers,and small parts and pins. then J&T/Double Star have excellent kits that are par with Stag, PSA and Rock River are both good kits, i tied them at 3rd due to several "mushy" triggers that had to be polished, that turned out great. CMMG actually came into a thread and explained how they corrected a procedure to porduce a better trigger, so i will give them another try,the other parts of their LPK was good. people rave about the Spikes LPK, but the one i got was a bag of garbage, it appeared to be a rebadged DPMS kit. i have personally had fitment issues with DPMS, Spikes, Anvil Arms, Blackthorne(yeah i know  ) M&A, Model1 sales, that's off the top of my head.
the LPK is an important parts of the rifle, like the bolt/carrier group, just take your time and buy quality the first time, you get what you pay for. i hope this helps 
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Quoted:
VOTEFROMROOFTOPS: Great info. Thanks for being so thorough. I'm saving this info in my "builds archive" for future reference. cool, i'm glad that helps. it's taken me quite a while to assemble as many lowers as i have, it's just nice when you get a LPK that you don't have to have a dremel to get bolt catches to fit, roll pins that literally have to be beaten in and a garbage trigger of of the package. i forgot to mention that J&T gives you extra detents and detents springs  sometime after a few beers you need that extra part
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From my experience Daniel Defense is the best kit I've seen, too bad they raised the price. Trigger is of no importance to me since I don't run the shitty milspec trigger. I recently used a Spikes and it was very good.
DPMS and J&T was the worst I've ever used. The J&T had out of spec parts and DPMS is often missing parts and their split/C pins are the devils work. I won't use them, I use only real roll pins. I use mostly RRA or Stag since they are usually the cheapest quality LPK you can get. |
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Quoted:
From my experience Daniel Defense is the best kit I've seen, too bad they raised the price. Trigger is of no importance to me since I don't run the shitty milspec trigger. I recently used a Spikes and it was very good. DPMS and J&T was the worst I've ever used. The J&T had out of spec parts and DPMS is often missing parts and their split/C pins are the devils work. I won't use them, I use only real roll pins. I use mostly RRA or Stag since they are usually the cheapest quality LPK you can get. +1 RRA went together smoothly. No casting marks on the trigger. Trigger is lighter and more predictable. DPMS is functional but they have some casting separation lines. The trigger is heavier. And whoever came up with their split roll pins needs to be taken behind the wood shed. On the plus side the safety feels a little more positive than the RRA, but that isn't much to write home about. All things considered I'd take RRA over DPMS any day. |
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Quoted:
From my experience Daniel Defense is the best kit I've seen, too bad they raised the price. Trigger is of no importance to me since I don't run the shitty milspec trigger. I recently used a Spikes and it was very good. DPMS and J&T was the worst I've ever used. The J&T had out of spec parts and DPMS is often missing parts and their split/C pins are the devils work. I won't use them, I use only real roll pins. I use mostly RRA or Stag since they are usually the cheapest quality LPK you can get. i'n just curious what was out of spec on the J&T kit  i've used easily 20 plus and have had excellent results, i can see DPMS having issues. i have recommended J&T to many people and all that used them, thanked me later, not saying they could not have a bad batch, just wondering what was out of spec in the kit.
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