Market for new AR - spikes?

[9mmepiphany]

I found the BCM blems to be an excellent value. I saw one and the only thing I could figure out was that it had rub marks where the cocking handle rode...the first thing you'd get the first time you chambered a round.

Also keep and eye out for their "training only" Gunfighter charging handles. 40+% off for scuff marks as far as I can tell. But that is their philosophy, everything is perfect for them to charge the like new price

 

[CLP]

i read that thread about Spike's. Definitely lacking professionalism at best, catty at worst. Very surprised since I've heard that they make good products. RRA lowers for me then...

 

[Fishbed77]

Just be aware that their shipping has been known to be sloooow and they are not very responsive to calls or e-mail...it is the cost of the lower price

I've noticed the last two orders I've made from PSA have been delivered in under a week (a drastic improvement from the 3 weeks or so for pretty much every previous order). It seems clear to me that they are working hard to improve shipping times.

Hopefully that will improve even further when they make their planned move of their headquarters and operations to a much larger facility near the Columbia Metropolitan Airport in the near future and double their workforce.

http://coladaily.com/2014/04/10/pal...and-lexington-county-operations-add-300-jobs/

 

[HOOfan_1]

Never bought from Spikes..not sure if I would. I have bought from PSA several times..experience wasn't horrible...but I've had much better service. PSA seems to sell stuff under their name with huge variance in quality too. I prefer Ranier Arms, BCM and Daniel Defense now.

 

[Fishbed77]

PSA seems to sell stuff under their name with huge variance in quality too.

It's pretty easy to know what level of quality you are getting from PSA based on their different lines.

Premium > Classic > Freedom > PTAC

As long as you get Premium or Classic, you're doing good. The only difference I've seen is that Premium stuff has CHF barrels. The jury is still out on the Freedom stuff, though they look to all use 416 stainless barrels. Avoid the el-cheapo PTAC stuff.

 

[HOOfan_1]

It's pretty easy to know what level of quality you are getting from PSA based on their different lines.

Premium > Classic > Freedom > PTAC

As long as you get Premium or Classic, you're doing good. The only difference I've seen is that Premium stuff has CHF barrels. The jury is still out on the Freedom stuff, though they look to all use 416 stainless barrels. Avoid the el-cheapo PTAC stuff.

I'm talking about their individual components as well. I know there was some stink over the Bolt Carrier Groups they were selling not long after the latest panic started. I am not sure how they named them though.

 

[Texaszach]

Almost certain I'll go with a psa build. It'll just depend on what they have available when I have the rifle sold.

I'm hoping to get a midlength upper, then find a premium bcg, add a charging handle and a complete lower. Then all I will need is a rear sight and I am good to go.

With the remaining cash I will likely buy a scope or red dot.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Just put together the following (all new parts/no hand me downs) for just under $1000:

BCM 16" Lightweight BFH Midlength 12" DD-LITE Upper (blem)
BCM Gunfighter Med latch
Failzero BCG
Geiselle SSA Trigger
Magpul Pro BUIS (front and rear)
PSA Magpul MOE Lower

There are some great deals out there right now and ammo is finally coming back down to reasonable prices and availability as well.

 

[Fishbed77]

I'm talking about their individual components as well. I know there was some stink over the Bolt Carrier Groups they were selling not long after the latest panic started. I am not sure how they named them though.

Their components are typically named in a similar fashion.

If I recall correctly, the stink was over 8620 steel bolts, despite the fact that PSA stated on their website exactly what what the bolts were made of. This was during the time when pretty much any AR bolt was impossible to find, and folks snapped up the 8620 bolts without understanding that it's a less-desirable alloy for that use than C158 or 9310.

 

[justice06rr]

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_124/5..._MP_Upper.html

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

And PSA is known for terrible customer service, warranty, and even shoddy workmanship on some of their products.

Not defending Spikes here. I've had good products from both companies, and they both even use FN barrels also.

and AR15.com is a dump FYI...

 

[Jason248]

Spikes is awesome, good quality product and awesome customer support. With how much they are always willing to help I buy from them as much as I can.

 

[crazysccrmd]

And PSA is known for terrible customer service, warranty, and even shoddy workmanship on some of their products.

Not defending Spikes here. I've had good products from both companies, and they both even use FN barrels also.

and AR15.com is a dump FYI...

Yeah, ar15.com sucks. I'm not on there, just linked the thread. While PSA may have sub par customer service, I've never seen them go out of their way to try and discredit a competitor in a blatantly obvious fashion. Completely unprofessional and that drove me away from Spikes even though they make a good product.

 

[Texaszach]

I put in my orders today...

PSA magpul acs-l complete lower

PSA m4 premium blem upper

PSA premium bcg

Daniel Defense a1.5 fixed rear

BCM gunfighter charging handle medium

Magpul MOE carbine fore end


I think I'm going to like her!

Total for parts shipping and transfer will be right at 725

 

[C5rider]

I know many folks are scouring threads (I was) looking to decide whether to build or buy complete. Then, many folks advise them to "buy Colt!"

Well, looks like the bottom fell out of the AR market and if you're still lookin' to "buy Colt", this MAY be the deal for you. No, I don't work for either Colt or CDNN, I just get the newsletter.

 

[9mmepiphany]

^^^

I really think the S&W M&P15 Sport is a better buy...but I'm bias, I don't buy Colt 1911s either

 

[Texaszach]

Prices are definitely dropping, but I still feel that I got a hell of a deal considering all the magpul upgrades, bcm charging handle, and daniel defense rear sight