Posted: 7/25/2009 7:10:10 PM EDT
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Picked up a Spikes lower at South Shore Sportsman along with a Spikes .22 complete upper. Will be assembling it during the week in hopes of doing some plinking by weeks end. Dealing with Mike and company is always a pleasure.
Here's a nice NY/NJ ARFCOM pic. 
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Quoted:
How much did the lower cost you? I think the price for a bare Spikes lower is $179 but don't quote me on that......I don't have the receipt in front of me and I purchased other items as well. I can tell you this, they had a boat load of lowers and complete AR rifles of different manufactures. I was pretty impressed with their inventory. Give them a call (516) 992-0004 |
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Well, had some spare time and decided to assemble both lowers. For a first timer, it went extremely smooth. I simply took my time and referred to a video I found on youtube.
Some points noted. The RRA spring kit was better than the Spikes kit. The RRA roll pins were just a tad thinner making assembly easier. The Spikes trigger guard was a PITA (holes seems too small for the supplied roll pins) so I used the trigger guard from the RRA kit on the Spikes lower. I used a magpul trigger guard on the RRA lower. I'll be swapping out the trigger guard on the Spikes for a magpul. The secret to easy assembly is having the correct tools. I purchased a spanner wrench last year when I bought the RRA lower. Now i'll need a carry handle for the Spikes and i'm set for the range (scope will come later). I'll probably buy a complete upper for the RRA and it'll be ready to go to the range. Anyway, here are the results. 
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Quoted:
I have one of Spikes lowers that I refer to as the "Somalia Export model" the fit and finish is EXCELLENT! Much smoother and seemingly harder than most other manufacturers, and I've seen a lot of them. http://www.spikestactical.com/z/images/large/CJ%20Lower_LRG.jpg Now I gotta buy one. |
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Quoted:
Some points noted. The RRA spring kit was better than the Spikes kit. The RRA roll pins were just a tad thinner making assembly easier. The Spikes trigger guard was a PITA (holes seems too small for the supplied roll pins) so I used the trigger guard from the RRA kit on the Spikes lower. I used a magpul trigger guard on the RRA lower. I'll be swapping out the trigger guard on the Spikes for a magpul. Last I heard, Spikes was selling DPMS LPK's. I'm pretty sure I even remember it being labeled as such, before (but I just checked, and it's no longer labeled on their site). Just for future reference, if you weren't completely satisfied with it. Or I could be completely wrong. 
Nice looking lowers, anyway. I've got a Spikes lower (from back in the $120ish days) and like it. |
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The parts kit was not as good as the RRA parts kit. If I had to change 3 things with the kit, it would be:
Trigger guard Trigger guard roll pin Bolt catch roll pin I would order a RRA parts kit for any lower I would assemble in the future. As a note: During assembly, I found if you taped off the lower with painters tape, then electrical tape over that, you'll lessen any chance of marring the surface. When I went to install the bolt catch roll pin, instead of using a hammer to knock the pin in place, I used a pair of pliers (one end taped off so as to protect the lower) and used that to squeeze the roll pin into the bolt catch housing. I finished it off with a small punch. The only time you have a chance to booger up the surface of the lower is when installing that bolt catch roll pin. You need to be careful and use a lot of tape to protect it. Both of the lowers I built came out great. There were no handling marks from the assembly. |
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Quoted:
I have the same lower. Got one when they were around 115 bucks a pop. Should have bought more than one. Best lower ive had so far I hate to tell you what I paid for two stripped "Bushie" lowers back in 2000. Makes you want to cry now when you see what they go for. I might just want to take a trip down to the South Shore (wait a minute I am there now at work  ) and get one of those. Parley, Arrgh, Plunder... Nice!
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Spikes is running a group buy right now
How about $100 stripped lowers right now? |
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Lets do it......i'm in for at least 2. |
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Seriously, does anyone know more about this "group buy"? I want to order a few lowers and the sale ends tomorrow !! EDIT to add: Went ahead and ordered 2 lowers. Lets see what happens. |