Spikes Tactical ar

You can build one, but you wont save much. The only reason to build a BCM upper is if they don't offer a configuration you are looking for. Pic a lower you like and pin a complete upper to it. No need to buy a whole rifle unless you just want an all factory gun.

Not all my ARs are BCM, but my go to rifle is a BCM light weight, mid length upper, with BCM bolt, MOE handguards, one lil rail at 10 o clock for a light. RRA lower with a gieselle SSA trigger. Just a KISS carbine. It took 7 years and thousands of dollars to come to this setup. I wish I knew back then what I know now.

Unless you are going to hang light, laser, PVS, VFG, tactical spork, MP3 player etc, skip the rails. Spend the extra money on ammo. Shoot a case through it then decide what you need/want. You can always add rails and accesories later and build exactly what you need to shoot well.

Accuracy is better than I can shoot. But its only has a 3.5 power TA-33 ACOG. Not exactly a percision optic. I can hit man sized paper targets out to 300 which is the farthest I have had to shoot.

This is not a stab at rails. My replacement upper for the Spikes mentioned above is going to be 11.5" with 10" rails. And honestly a decked out suppressed SBR needs rails.....to look cool.

I will add I have a Spikes upper with a 20" diamond fluted YHM barrel that has given me no problems and is scary accurate. It is my favorite rifle range gun. The only thing Spikes on it is the upper itself.

Sorry for rambling but I hope it helps.

I think you would have a fine rifle. I think PSA had some teething issues with their lowers, but its been worked out.

I havent heard anything bad about them.

Make sure to post pics!

Now to start thinking about what kinda sights or optics.....sorry couldn't resist.

BCM's are as accurate as any other AR of a similar configuration, if you're looking for a absolute tack driver look at their SS410 uppers. They're a bit pricey though. BCM's are made as work rifles, their target user base is more interested in supreme above all else reliability and their rifles are built SOLID. Mine's been completely flawless, I keep the barrel clean, the BCG I let get a little dirty because it doesn't seem to bother it any. (I did pick up a SS410 BTW) They also make some of he best BCG's on the market.

Colt's are in fact the gold standard with which all others are measured against. Arguably you can do no wrong buying a Colt. They also reportedly hold their resale value better.

Spike's and to some extent PSA are slightly more "budget minded" they have fantastic features at fantastic price's, being said there's been a few (and I mean VERY few) QC issues. I'm on the verge of building a 20" PSA if that shows you my confidence in them.

Deciding between these companies is the tough part.

PSA makes good stuff. They can be a little slow shipping. PSA hold lowers for a few days to check the FFL and other stuff. They had some issues with complete uppers, but that has been worked out. They also had a bad batch of soft safety levers last year. That was worked out quickly. I have not heard of any issues with PSA lowers. Last year I built 2 complete ARs with PSA lowers and parts and 1 AR with mostly PSA parts. All three have been issue free.

Go to AR15.com and check out the PSA forum in the Industry forums. PSA will answer any questions you have on that forum. They usually reply within a day.

The PSA lower and parts with a BCM upper would be a very good combo.

If you're more interested in saving a few bucks than in getting something quality from the start, then my writing is useless.

Spikes has a warranty because you may well need a warranty. Go search for problems with Spikes. Then go search for problems with Colt.

The next best decision would be a budget lower from any number of sources (a blemished BCM would be wise); then try this complete upper:
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=6920MPU

It's been said a couple times. Build one. You'll learn so much it's worth it. And you'll have a gun as accurate as most you'll buy in the same price range. Also, I've never gotten hung up on the "Lifetime Warranty". I've beat the sht out of my colt, and it's never needed a Warranty call. Frankly, once you're around it for a while, you'll want to fix anything yourself anyway, it's just more fun. Well, I've never had one blow-up, so I guess that would be different, but for most stuff, it's just too easy with an AR.

Spooky, funny you post that because that's EXACTLY the setup I was going to go with. Only with the BCM upper. What does this have to offer over BCM?
Also, I was going to build my lower from scratch, with a psa stripped

Click to expand...

The differences between a Colt and something like BCM are probably almost theoretical. BCM, DD, Noveske, Knights are all pretty 'good to go'. I just like Colt.

I think most would agree that, barring certain extremes, the lower isn't very critical. The same is NOT true of a lower parts kit; I'd spend the extra ~$20 on a decent LPK, too.

Leafy, At the last gun show, while debating on yet another 22 pistol, I decided to check out some AR's. The first one that caught my eye was a Spikes Tactical, identical to the one you linked too, only with Dark Earth furniture. I had never heard of Spikes (I'm relatively new to AR). I googled on my phone, but could come up with little to nothing, I was looking for a price comparison. The Gun Show price was just over 900 for this rifle. I didn't inquire about it, just looked it over, really liked it.

I went on my way to check some others out, ended up with a M&P 15A. I already was familiar with S&W and knew they had the lifetime warranty. This 15A was on sale for 870, so after a little thinking, I bought it.

Going to the next show at the first of the month, I know that dealer, with the Spikes will be there. If they have that Spikes, I think I'm going to get it. Seems like a nice rifle and a good company, and it was a great looking rifle!

My first AR was a S&W. The M4gery type. I have added a lot to it since, but the internals and barrel are original. S&W makes a fine AR. Mine has been a warrior. Very accurate for a chrome lined 1:9 barrel. Never any FTFs or FTEs. This makes me think of the S&W sport. You can always get a sport for $600ish and change it as you learn and shoot it. It is a great entry into the AR market.

just another option.

Building is easy, but can be building a complete AR can be overwhelming. plus the cost of tools adds to the overall cost of the first one. I would suggest building a lower, the easiest, and getting a complete upper. Or a complete rifle and change it as you figure out what you want. The first AR you buy or build will not be what you finish with no matter how hard you try to plan. So don't spend a lot of time or money dwelling on the perfect AR. Just get a get good name AR, shoot it, learn and fight the addiction.