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While I am no expert on this subject, I believe that as long as it is labeled mil-spec, there is not much diference, although, I am sure that someone will come behind me on this.
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You're right[:D]. My own experience is that all the aftermatket people are using very high quality suppliers for uppers, lowers, and barrels; and any POS supplier they can contract with for internals and small parts. "Milspec" doesn't seem to mean a damn thing, except "it looks military". I've gotten junk parts from Rock River (cracked mag release that broke after 100 rounds), DPMS (truly ugly looking mag release button, out of spec bolt holdopen), and Bushmaster (hammer that looked like it was carved out w/a butcher knife).
Also, none of the aftermarket people, with the possible exception of Bushie, electropolish their bolt assemblies, which is why you see the occasional posting about a bolt that cracked or broke at the cam pin hole, or the guy who started getting malfunctions because the sharp edges at the front of his bolt shaved off enough brass from the base of his cases to tie his piece up. That's why all my bolt assys are Colt mil surp. They don't do that.
I haunt the gun shows to find used Colt internal parts. I'd rather have used Colt internals in my rifles, than any of the new pieces from aftermarket suppliers. Yeah, the aftermarket stuff is fine 99% of the time, but I don't want to have to worry about that 1% when I'm at the range, or out in the field.[:D]