Tactical Solutions versus Spikes .22 Uppers

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Tactical Solutions versus Spikes .22 Uppers

Posted: 6/11/2009 10:13:28 AM EDT

My decision is made in that I am definitely going to buy a .22 LR Upper for my AR. It will be one of the M4 look-alikes so it will replicate the look and feel of the 5.56 upper on my my Colt LE6921. I have narrowed it down to either the TacSol or the Spikes. There seems to be a fairly large following of Spikes on this forum, and TacSol is often mentioned favorably as well. However, I occasionaly read negative about both too. Is this just sibling rivalry with both products being high quality reliable offerings and people bad mouthing the other just to make them feel better about the one they bought. Or is one of these actually significantly better than the other. I am leaning toward the TacSol since I own and am completely satisfied with some of their 10/22 products, but I would like to hear from anyone who would like to share opinions (good or bad) on either of these. Thanks in advance.

Posted: 6/11/2009 11:48:25 AM EDT

[#1]

I really like my TacSol. I was headed towards a Spikes but I found a TacSol at a gun show for a bit less than the Spikes and the TacSol game with one BDM mag.

Once I got it home and did some research I discovered that the TacSol come with Mike Rock bbls. Added bonus.

The Spikes is similar but different enough fromt the TacSol. Mostly in the bolt and feed ramp area.

I am very happy with my TacSol and would recommend them to anyone. That said I have seen the guys from Spikes on this board provide great service and support for their product (others also).

YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH EITHER. Seriously. Everyone will say Ford or Chevy and thats great. They both work and are close enough (differences are there for sure but nothing huge) to being the same thing.

Spikes is well respected and appear to treat their customers VERY well. My TacSol doesnt have any problems so I can't speak about their service.

Tough choice isn't it? For me it came down to price, the extra mag, and walk out the door with it versus waiting a few days.

Good luck. Go buy some ammo while you mull it over.

Posted: 6/11/2009 12:28:31 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
Good luck. Go buy some a lot of ammo while you mull it over.

Like F-R, I also have the TacSol M4 dedicated upper. No complaints. And, as F-R has said, either TacSol or Spikes will serve you well. You'll find that these conversions have quite the appetite for ammo.

Have fun.

Mike

Posted: 6/11/2009 12:52:10 PM EDT

[#3]

I was in the same dilemna too before I got my Tacsol upper. At the time I got the Tacsol because it was $525 shipped with a mag and it got to me in 3 business days. But, I haven't seen that price for a while now. So, either way you can't go wrong with getting a Spike's at present since prices are evenly matched. My Tacsol has been 100% reliable seen day one. There was a thread here somewhere comparing the two bolts, there really wasn't much difference.

Posted: 6/11/2009 1:44:51 PM EDT

[#4]

I can't say anything about the TacSol because I have never even seen one but I do have a Spikes. The quality accuracy and reliability are top shelf I think it would be hard to beat Spikes.

Posted: 6/11/2009 5:31:18 PM EDT

[#5]

For those with the TacSol conversion, do you have the LW or the M4? Any photos of these?

I'm in the market for a dedicated .22LR for the AR lower (and impatient). TacSol looks good and I can have one in about 2 days. Not sure whether I'd opt for the LW or the M4 (not a big M4 fan and not sure about the LW). Spikes units are about a 2 week wait (

, regardless of whether the M4 version or the upper with YHM rail is ordered. M1S units are backordered 10-12 weeks. Would Spikes dedicated conversion unit and a M1S barrel work ??

Posted: 6/11/2009 8:13:35 PM EDT

[#6]

I have the M4 version. I love it.

Posted: 6/12/2009 2:42:10 AM EDT

[#7]

I have a Tac Sol and it runs great after they fixed it. I had problems with the upper and Tac Sol had me send the whole gun lower and all. I was shocked due to the fact they didn't build the lower. They tuned the problem out and shipped it back. Now the gun eats almost anything 100%. Point is good customer service goes a long way. I think both are great companies and you'll be happy either way.

Posted: 6/12/2009 5:34:31 AM EDT

[#8]

I just picked up a Spike's and I am very happy with it, reliable and accurate with Federal Bulk ammo.

Posted: 6/12/2009 5:39:39 AM EDT

[#9]

Ford/Chevy

Posted: 6/12/2009 8:26:54 AM EDT

[#10]

I built an Upper with Spike's Dedicated Barrel and 22 Conversion. I'm very pleased. I took a close look at a Tac Sol Rifle at Shot Show and it was Very Nice Too....
6 of 1 and Half a Dozen of the Other. Which can you get Quicker????????

Posted: 6/12/2009 9:49:20 AM EDT

[#11]

I've got a TacSol M4 upper. Awesome! Reliability with BDM mags and Federal Bulk Pack has been outstanding.

My Spikes MRP .22LR conversion is going less well, though it's probably an ammo issue and will take some time & new ammo (hard to find recently!) to sort out.

DN

Posted: 6/12/2009 8:03:13 PM EDT

[#12]

I have the Tactical Solutions LW (light weight) and the Spikes ST M4 upper with the Lother Walther barrel. Never a problem with either. I bought the the Tac Sol LW for my daugher and put it on a Bushmaster carbon 15 lower ( I found by chance) to get the lightest weight for her (what a great excuse to get both). The Spikes is on one of their marked 22lr lowers. Both weapons are amazingly accurate, even with Federal Value pack. My daughter likes to shoot both and does equally well with both. When we go to the range we always swap weapons. After she shoots the bullseye out of the target, she shoots to draw smiley face patterns and her initials on the target. So this does not answer your question, just like the above posts did not either. If you ever intend to go full auto, then Spikes is the only one of the two that will give you the option to do so. Support from both is awesome. I wish I could recommend on over the other, but I honestly can't. I think you will be pleased with either or both.

BTW- these are way way more fun to shoot than a 10/22.

Posted: 6/12/2009 8:06:06 PM EDT

[#13]

TacSol is running a 10% off deal right now. That might help you make a choice. Of course the bad news is that it wouldn't ship for 45 days or so.

Posted: 6/12/2009 9:24:00 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

BTW- these are way way more fun to shoot than a 10/22.

Hell yes! Its even more fun when you mount a can on them!

Posted: 6/15/2009 12:28:15 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
I was in the same dilemna too before I got my Tacsol upper. At the time I got the Tacsol because it was $525 shipped with a mag and it got to me in 3 business days. But, I haven't seen that price for a while now. So, either way you can't go wrong with getting a Spike's at present since prices are evenly matched. My Tacsol has been 100% reliable seen day one. There was a thread here somewhere comparing the two bolts, there really wasn't much difference.

im still in the same dilemma... can someone provide a link to this said thread??

Posted: 6/15/2009 6:08:08 PM EDT

[#16]

You really can't go wrong with either of them!

Posted: 6/15/2009 7:31:37 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
You really can't go wrong with either of them!

There you go, why people love Spike's, they are just good folks. They don't bad-mouth the competition, they take care of their customers, and they work hard to bring us all great products. What more could you ask for? I wish every business was run as well.

Tactical Solutions makes a good product too, I couldn't say anything bad about them.

And then there is this CMMG .22 upper I saw.

Lots of good choices.

Posted: 6/16/2009 5:58:48 AM EDT

[#18]

That is pretty incredible. These are both real stand-up companies. I talked to a TacSol rep on the phone and they praised Spikes and said that they actually use Spikes lowers on some of their guns. And here Spikes is pretty much telling me that I will be just as happy with the TacSol as with their product. In a world where everyone seems to badmouth their competition, it is nice to see good honest business folks out there.

Posted: 6/16/2009 11:10:17 AM EDT

[#19]

I wish Spikes would have a Fathers Day Sale I'd whip out the Visa ASAP

I do love my TacSol 10/22 Barrel is shoots so nice I can shoot the nuts of a squirrel at 50 yds.

Posted: 6/16/2009 1:46:30 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
I wish Spikes would have a Fathers Day Sale I'd whip out the Visa ASAP

Same here!

Posted: 6/16/2009 3:52:32 PM EDT

[#21]

I will buy either of them as soon as they're available in 4.5-5.5" length in Canada.

Posted: 6/16/2009 6:09:14 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
Ford/Chevy

Yeah that too. But for me it's like choosing between Eva Longoria and Eva Mendes. Can't go wrong with either.

Posted: 6/16/2009 6:12:55 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
You really can't go wrong with either of them!

Very classy.

Posted: 6/17/2009 6:56:15 AM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
For those with the TacSol conversion, do you have the LW or the M4? Any photos of these?

I'm in the market for a dedicated .22LR for the AR lower (and impatient). TacSol looks good and I can have one in about 2 days. Not sure whether I'd opt for the LW or the M4 (not a big M4 fan and not sure about the LW). Spikes units are about a 2 week wait (

, regardless of whether the M4 version or the upper with YHM rail is ordered. M1S units are backordered 10-12 weeks. Would Spikes dedicated conversion unit and a M1S barrel work ??

There is limited availability of AR items in the UK although it is slowly getting better, we now have a few specialists who are doing good work and converting the heathens, although I still have a couple of rifles with stocks made of that wood stuff.

I bought a Tactical Solutions M4 type because it is what was available, it is on a UK Sabre Defence lower with a telescopic stock although I have also used it on a lower that has a standard MILSPEC type stock and it's equally good. It is addictive, buy lots of ammo, you will need it!

I have never seen a Spikes setup but it is clear from the posts on here that they take care of their customers and have a very high quality product. They also respect their competitors, there have been at least two occasions that I have seen a posting from Spikes saying that the Tactical Solutions products are good. For you, the choice probably comes down to price and availability, which ever one you pick will be great.