Is the Spikes Tactical LPK Worth it?

[Dantheman]

Title says it all, almost. I'm gonna be needing a lpk soon but Im having a hard time time deciding which way to go.

What I want:
Something decent, good trigger and reliable.

What I'm wondering:
A spikes enhanced lpk is gonna run about 175.00. Geez, that sounds pricey compared to a rock river or similar lpk that cost ~ 70.00.

SO, is it worth the extra money? What are the benefits of buying the Spikes lpk compared to a "regular lpk" and then buying aftermarket springs to make the trigger better? If you wanted something decent, good trigger and reliable, which way would you go?

Any help and or insight on the matter is much apreciated.

Thanks,
Dantheman

 

[BradMacc82]

I've never used the Enhanced LPK, I've always used the standard and just upgraded the trigger at a later date. I've used Stag, Spike's, and PSA's lpk's and the best stock trigger I've had yet was from Stag, the standard Spike's was ok, and the PSA wasn't bad either.

 

[Dantheman]

I've never used the Enhanced LPK, I've always used the standard and just upgraded the trigger at a later date. I've used Stag, Spike's, and PSA's lpk's and the best stock trigger I've had yet was from Stag, the standard Spike's was ok, and the PSA wasn't bad either.

whats so enhanced about it? The ni-bx trigger?

 

[BradMacc82]

I believe so, I think the hammer and trigger are NiB coated - as I haven't used one myself, I couldn't give specifics.

 

[rob]

On two of my builds I have used the Bushmaster LPK from aim surplus. I really like the quality of the kit and the trigger. Unfortunately they don't seem to carry it anymore. They do have good prices on parts though.

I would NOT recommend the "Stainless Steel Lower Parts Kit for AR Receivers" from aim, the trigger is crap. That particular LPK was R-Guns brand (I didn't know that when I bought it). I would avoid any R-Guns crap after that...

Rob

 

[MauiWowie]

If you an afford it the spikes enhanced LPK is sweet

 

[EMS_92]

The enhanced LPK has a NiB hammer and trigger, as well as KNS non-rotating hammer/trigger pins, ambi safety, ergo suregrip and a billet trigger guard. Ican think of a member of this forum that has experiance with NiB (I dont) and can vouch for its added smoothness and little to no need of lube.

 

[Jed195]

JoeBoboutfitters has them for 167 with free shipping that's where I got mine. For what it's worth the trigger is alot smoother than my PSA lower build kit trigger. Also alot of people don't like the ERGO grip But as soon as my lower was complete it felt better than any standard grip and as a Marine I had an M16A2/M203 in my hands more than most.

 

[Mdeng]

No! I purchased an Enhanced LPK, it was missing the pivot pin and Spikes couldn't be bothered to send me one in a resonable time. I found one locally to complete my build and will never purchase another Spikes product.

 

[jrumann59]

I would NOT recommend the "Stainless Steel Lower Parts Kit for AR Receivers" from aim, the trigger is crap. That particular LPK was R-Guns brand (I didn't know that when I bought it). I would avoid any R-Guns crap after that...

Rob

SS with aluminum is a no no, due to galvanic response the SS will start to rust/corrode.

 

[HarCo2ANewb]

I used the enhanced kit in my current, in progress, build and it is really great, I just don't have anything to compare it too. Looks pretty sweet.

 

[HT4]

The enhanced LPK has a NiB hammer and trigger, as well as KNS non-rotating hammer/trigger pins, ambi safety, ergo suregrip and a billet trigger guard. Ican think of a member of this forum that has experiance with NiB (I dont) and can vouch for its added smoothness and little to no need of lube.

I run this trigger in a couple guns and generally put a little moly grease on the engagement surfaces. It is damn smooth... add one of the trigger adjusters and some light springs and you have an very nice trigger.

 

[Indiana Jones]

For a colorful trigger, no way

 

[erwos]

Here is my "high-end lower" build recipe:
1. Spike's Enhanced LPK
2. Magpul BAD Lever
3. JP Springs (normal power)
4. mch28 trigger adjuster
5. End plate that works with your sling system of choice (for me, usually a Magpul ASAP, sometimes the GG&G QD end plate)
6. Decent cheap mil-spec buffer tube, carbine buffer, castle nut, and buffer spring (your stock's locking assembly will fail way before any of these).
7. Collapsible mil-spec stock of your choice (I recommend a Magpul CTR or ACS, but some people love Vltors)

I would not rely on ANY standard LPK to have a good trigger. You want a good trigger, be prepared to pay for it. I am generally fine with a good battle trigger (eg, Spike's Battle Trigger, ALG Defense, etc.), but if I was running a competition or high-precision gun, I'd shell out for a Geissele. The RRA 2-stage is good, but it's hard to live with once you've gotten a taste for the really awesome FCGs out there.

 

[jawn]

I'm going to play devil's advocate here and say that the Spike's Enhanced LPK is not quite the deal that people make it out to be. The primary selling point is the NiB FCG, but it comes with a number of things that aren't necessarily that valuable. The Ergo grip is kind of a love-it-or-leave-it proposition. The KNS pins are also largely unnecessary.

For me, the enhanced LPK would just give me more things to sell or throw away.

 

[HT4]

I'm going to play devil's advocate here and say that the Spike's Enhanced LPK is not quite the deal that people make it out to be. The primary selling point is the NiB FCG, but it comes with a number of things that aren't necessarily that valuable. The Ergo grip is kind of a love-it-or-leave-it proposition. The KNS pins are also largely unnecessary.

For me, the enhanced LPK would just give me more things to sell or throw away.

It all depends on whether you want all the upgrades Spikes includes. When I priced it out last time (when I was buying), the cost of the upgrades alone was about the price of the enhanced LPK... so you essentially got the rest of the kit for free. In that regard, it is a good deal. I don't know if that is still the case with the 2012 prices... I have not looked into it recently. If you don't use one or two of the parts (especially the FCG), then I agree that it's not a good deal at all.

PS - I love the Ergo grip.

 

[sailskidrive]

I would not buy the "enhanced" kit again.

• First, there is something different about the construction of the "Spikes" Ergo grip, it doesn't quite feel the same as the other ones I have.
• Second I was expecting more out of the NiB coated trigger, to me it doesn't feel any better than a single stage out of a Rock River LPK.
• Third, I don't really care for the ambi selector switch, I keep bumping it on the right hand side; additionally it requires using two .05" allen keys to take it apart which is a royal PITA and impractical for field use.
• Fourth, I usually build on billet lowers, so the enhanced trigger guard was unneeded.

 

[erwos]

You really need new springs and an adjuster to get the most out of the NiB trigger.

It's interesting that you didn't like the ambi-selector, though; once I got the hang of using it with my thumb and index finger, I thought it was pretty handy, enough so that I'm going to retrofit an older gun with one. Unsure why you think taking out a safety from an AR-15 is part of field stripping it; that's an armory function, I should think.

 

[olddawg]

I thought the same thing about taking the safety out. Why bother? I locktite the little screw and forget about it. I'm a lefty and have ambis on all 3 of my AR's. No issues. I have enhanced LPKs on 2 of my builds and have been very happy with them. YMMV.

 

[TyFromMD]

The standard kit is good to go. I added the nickel boron trigger later. Don't like the Ergo grip. Don't need the anti rotation pins.