Market for new AR - spikes?

Spikes is gtg. Aim Surplus had their mid length version for $800 recently (they're now sold out).

The only negetive I've heard of PSA is customer service related (not good at returning calls, shipped incorrect order etc). If I'm not mistaken FN makes PSA barrels. They can be had under $400 for a complete upper.
http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...mv-cl-upper-with-bcg-and-charging-handle.html

GLWS of your Bushmaster. Personally as a buyer I would be looking at a long list of other ARs before I bought the Carbon15. YMMV

I personally avoid Spikes. They have a high quality product but a poor quality business attitude I don't agree with.

crazysccrmd said:

I personally avoid Spikes. They have a high quality product but a poor quality business attitude I don't agree with.

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Can you elaborate? I was actually looking at stocking up on a couple of Spike's receivers.

Buy this!!! Best deal going on a top end upper. http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Standard-16-M4-SOCOM-Upper-COSMO-p/bcm-urg-m4-16socom-cosm.htm

Then slap any decent BCG, mate it to a complete PSA lower and have a sweet rifle for under $600. This is what I did. The blemish is a couple scratches on the sharp edges of the picatinny rail. Who cares.

I guess I'm surprised a used Carbon 15 can command $850 with today's market unless it has sweet optics.

I bought a few Andersen Mfg blem lowers a couple months ago for $50 a piece. I'm looking at buying a rifle kit from PSA. I figure its the best compromise between quality and price that I can find in a kit. Total price for my carbine should come out to $535. (kit - 470, lower - 50, FFL - 15)
http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...-cmv-chrome-lined-premium-blem-rifle-kit.html

BCM is always at the top of my list for several reasons. They're a vet friendly Wisconsin based company that makes guns. I'm a vet originally from WI that loves guns, it's a perfect match! However, if money is an issue, which it always is, I'll make compromises. I have a BCM charging handle...

My point being, define your needs, shop around for something to meet those needs for the best price and you'll never regret it. And even if you do you can always throw it back on the internet saying that it's "custom" built... apparently that adds to the asking price.

CLP said:

Can you elaborate? I was actually looking at stocking up on a couple of Spike's receivers.

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http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_124/...1__Mid_length__Lighter_profile__MP_Upper.html

They've done this kind of thing on a few occasions.

And that bcm still needs a bcg and charging handle. The factor in shipping. Plus the lower and shipping plus FFL fee....

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Current prices:
Bcm upper-$342 delivered.
PSA complete lower- $150 (free shipping) + $30 transfer= $180
Ranier Arms BCG- $130 shipped.
Generic charging handle- $15
Handguard- $30

Total for a complete, quality rifle- $697, vs $900 (ish) for a Spikes?? Pretty easy decision. Shop around/wait for sales and you can easily cut $100 off the above price.

Jackal said:

Buy this!!! Best deal going on a top end upper. http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Standard-16-M4-SOCOM-Upper-COSMO-p/bcm-urg-m4-16socom-cosm.htm

Then slap any decent BCG, mate it to a complete PSA lower and have a sweet rifle for under $600. This is what I did. The blemish is a couple scratches on the sharp edges of the picatinny rail. Who cares.

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That looks like a great deal. About a week or so back, DSG arms had stripped spikes lowers for $65. They're at $89 now but I'm sure they'll be on sale again soon. It may be worth getting on their email list.

Here's what that BCM upper looks like. I built this rifle for exactly $565 (less optics/rear sight), using the upper from my earlier link. All parts are brand new, no hand me downs.

I have both a Spikes and PSA mid-length. I consider them equal. For the money, I'd get the PSA.

that thread is not the only reason spikes is not a good company to do business with because of their practices.

Grabagun is selling complete Colt LE6920s for $799-850 right now. And as already mentioned, Bravo Company has some amazing deals on "blem" uppers (the blem upper I received from them had marks from charging handle wear; but was otherwise new).

Palmetto State Armory has some aggressive pricing as well; but their reputation for customer service is kind of hit and miss.

If you can get $850 for a Carbon15 with the current great prices for ARs out there, you are definitely doing well though.

Agreed with Mr Robert's post above. If you can get $850 for that Bushy, find a Colt 6920. I've seen them go for $899 lately. You may spend a couple hundred more for shipping/taxes/ffl but absolutely worth it.

I bought one of the Spikes midlength uppers from AIM and a Spikes lower from Primary Arms and I've been very happy with both so far.

I have a Spikes M4LE upper on one of my rifles. It's a superb product that has been 100% reliable and is easily the equal of a Colt or BCM upper. The ST-T2 buffer used in that rifle means it is also the smoothest carbine gas system AR I've ever shot. Spikes also has a lifetime warranty and supposedly excellent customer service (though I've never had to use them).

That said, the thread from Arfcom that crazysccrmd linked about sums up the owner. Apparently he has a history of doing and saying stupid stuff (not to mention hiking up pricing during the recent panics).

Why can't he just let his excellent products speak for themselves?

So I doubt I'll be buying any more Spikes products. I'm afraid I have to add them to the list of companies (including Troy and CTD) that I no longer do business with.


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SO the consensus is, Palmetto State ARmory has been the company with good products at a good price.

I bought a full carbine from PSA, no problems.

I also built a 9mm with a PSA blemished lower, Blemished upper, LPK and Upper parts. It was all good and went together perfectly (I still can't see any blemishes.)

I have been happy with everything I got from them, and have not needed to contact customer service.

I'm about to pick up one of those BCM blem uppers since I have everything else, plus $200 credit with AAC from their damn the man promo. Now I can pick up another muzzle device to mount one of my cans and get another complete rifle for under $400. I wish everyone had a steady supply of cosmetic blemish units for sale.