What AR-15 LPK should I avoid?

[omegared24]

You know if PSA would spend a couple extra dollars for better QC, I think the consumer would think it was worth it.

I agree 100%

The PSA kits I have looked like the parts were sourced from different places. Not uncommon of course, but it is obvious that one source was better than the other and QC is nonexistent.

I have two SOLGW LPKs and they also look like the parts were sourced from different suppliers. In fact, the packaging was even different. I'm confident that both those kits are fine as they are really good about QC.

 

[calicojack]

So based on reputation and personal experience, I'll stick my neck out with this list:

* Would Use
BCM
Geissele
Brownells (I trust Brownells anything)
CMMG
Aero Precison
Spikes
Rock River
Strike Industries

* Would Avoid
PSA (they used to be pretty good)
Anderson (Anderson lowers also kind of sketchy)
DPMS

* Not Sure
DEL-ton
Luth-AR
Sons of Liberty Gun Works
Black Rifle Depot
Wing Tactical

 

[3paul10]

So based on reputation and personal experience, I'll stick my neck out with this list:

* Would Use
BCM
Geissele
Brownells (I trust Brownells anything)
CMMG
Aero Precison
Spikes
Rock River
Strike Industries

* Would Avoid
PSA (they used to be pretty good)
Anderson (Anderson lowers also kind of sketchy)
DPMS

* Not Sure
DEL-ton
Luth-AR
Sons of Liberty Gun Works
Black Rifle Depot
Wing Tactical

I like your list...just beware, when you buy from brownells, which I do ALOT, they put parts in bags labeled brownells but it's actually DPMS parts relabled...

 

[JTH20]

So based on reputation and personal experience, I'll stick my neck out with this list:

* Would Use
BCM
Geissele
Brownells (I trust Brownells anything)
CMMG
Aero Precison
Spikes
Rock River
Strike Industries

* Would Avoid
PSA (they used to be pretty good)
Anderson (Anderson lowers also kind of sketchy)
DPMS

* Not Sure
DEL-ton
Luth-AR
Sons of Liberty Gun Works
Black Rifle Depot
Wing Tactical

Luth-AR was established by former DPMS employees that jumped ship after it was acquired by Freedom Group.

Everything I've used from Luth-AR, including their LPK's, has been top notch.

 

[Decoy]

I try to stay away from PSA and Anderson, I've seen multiple issues with both kits.

CMMG, Daniel Defense, Aero, BCM, Geissele, Brownells and Spikes are gtg

I've also had pretty good luck with DPMS but I've had issues with missing parts in one kit and out of spec roll pins in another.

 

[calicojack]

I like your list...just beware, when you buy from brownells, which I do ALOT, they put parts in bags labeled brownells but it's actually DPMS parts relabled...

Good to know. I HOPE that Brownells at least checks these out

 

[outrider58]

About the only things I order from brownells are maybe some kind of smithing tool or supply that I can't get anywhere else. I hate their search mech and their shipping is painfully slow.

 

[DutchV]

So based on reputation and personal experience, I'll stick my neck out with this list:

* Would Use
BCM
Geissele
Brownells (I trust Brownells anything)
CMMG
Aero Precison
Spikes
Rock River
Strike Industries

* Would Avoid
PSA (they used to be pretty good)
Anderson (Anderson lowers also kind of sketchy)
DPMS

* Not Sure
DEL-ton
Luth-AR
Sons of Liberty Gun Works
Black Rifle Depot
Wing Tactical

SOLGW parts are good to go. Those guys are into QC and getting it right.

 

[RuralRifleGuy]

I've had nothing but good experiences with Aero LPKs, it's become my go to and it's trigger isn't bad but nothing special either. I've not used anything else with the exception of some random small parts (detents, springs) from Brownells and Kak. I always avoid the stupid cheap LPKs because they're brands I have either never heard of or have heard bad/mixed reviews on.

 

[rockstarr]

So based on reputation and personal experience, I'll stick my neck out with this list:

* Would Use
BCM
Geissele
Brownells (I trust Brownells anything)
CMMG
Aero Precison
Spikes
Rock River
Strike Industries

* Would Avoid
PSA (they used to be pretty good)
Anderson (Anderson lowers also kind of sketchy)
DPMS

* Not Sure
DEL-ton
Luth-AR
Sons of Liberty Gun Works
Black Rifle Depot
Wing Tactical

I feel like it’s hard to go wrong with anything geissele. Dude makes some nice stuff, you’re gonna pay for it though...

 

[DaemonAssassin]

So based on reputation and personal experience, I'll stick my neck out with this list:

* Would Use
BCM
Geissele
Brownells (I trust Brownells anything)
CMMG
Aero Precison
Spikes
Rock River
Strike Industries

* Would Avoid
PSA (they used to be pretty good)
Anderson (Anderson lowers also kind of sketchy)
DPMS

* Not Sure
DEL-ton
Luth-AR
Sons of Liberty Gun Works
Black Rifle Depot
Wing Tactical

Add these changes to your list, please.

Would use:
COLT!!!!!!!
Larue Tactical
SOLGW
Del-Ton
SLR Rifleworks
Seekins Precision
Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM)
Odin
Criterion
Faxon
Shilen
Ballistic Advantage
Rainier Arms
Faxon Firearms
Lancer Systems
Magpul
Toolcraft
Wilson Combat
Daniel Defense
Tubb's Flatwire Springs
Radian Weapons
POF
PRI
KAK Industry
Yankee Hill Machine (YHM)
Surefire
DS Arms

Wouldn't use:
Radical
Tiger Rock
Leapers UTG
Aim Sports

 

[DutchV]

Add these changes to your list, please.

Would use:
COLT!!!!!!!
Larue Tactical
SOLGW
Del-Ton
SLR Rifleworks
Seekins Precision
Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM)
Odin
Criterion
Faxon
Shilen
Ballistic Advantage
Rainier Arms
Faxon Firearms
Lancer Systems
Magpul
Toolcraft
Wilson Combat
Daniel Defense
Tubb's Flatwire Springs
Radian Weapons
POF
PRI
KAK Industry
Yankee Hill Machine (YHM)
Surefire
DS Arms

Wouldn't use:
Radical
Tiger Rock
Leapers UTG
Aim Sports

If we're gonna be all-inclusive, I'd add Centurion to the "would use" list.

 

[calicojack]

AR 15 Lower Parts Kits Recommendations

Recommeded

1. Aero
2. Aero Precison
3. Ballistic Advantage
4. BCM
5. Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM)
6. Centurion
7. CMMG
8. COLT
9. Criterion
10. Daniel Defense
11. Del-Ton
12. DS Arms
13. Faxon Firearms
14. Geissele
15. KAK Industry
16. Lancer Systems
17. Larue Tactical
18. Magpul
19. Odin
20. POF
21. PRI
22. Radian Weapons
23. Rainier Arms
24. Rock River
25. Seekins Precision
26. Shilen
27. SOLGW
28. Spikes
29. Strike Industries
30. Surefire
31. Toolcraft
32. Tubb's Flatwire Springs
33. Wilson Combat
34. Yankee Hill Machine (YHM)

Avoid

1. Aim Sports
2. Anderson
3. DPMS
4. Leapers UTG
5. PSA
6. Radical
7. Tiger Rock

 

[kalister1]

I have a PSA that came with 2 front pivot pins.

 

[calicojack]

I have a PSA that came with 2 front pivot pins.

Lol they did the same thing to me once!

 

[Wardove]

Palmetto decent prices and work fine, just only with other Palmetto parts. Do not try to mix their uppers or lowers with other providers.

 

[MindTheGAP]

My favorite for 'budget' LPK's will always be CMMG. Have installed probably a dozen or so and I've never come across anything missing parts, out of spec, or with really rough toolcraft marks.

My second go-to is Spikes, though I do think they're a bit overpriced for what you get.

Last - BCM. BCM makes great stuff, and their LPK is no different. I've only used i think 4 of these but they all went in without a hitch.

The list quoted above is pretty spot on.

 

[WeldonHunter]

I can't tell you what companies to avoid. I'd say anything made outside of the US for sure. Xtreme Precision/AR15Xtreme makes quality mil-spec kits and they sell individual parts. They used to be located in southern California but relocated last year after becoming fed up with the politics regarding firearms and the outrageous taxes on and the way they treat businesses there, especially those in the firearms industry. They're in Tennessee now. They are a manufacturer that supplies OE parts to a lot of gun manufactuers. One I know of is CMMG. They have free shipping over $9.99. They also have an ongoing 10% off site wide discount code promo10%off https://ar15xtreme.com/store/

 

[ted76]

I have a PSA that came with 2 front pivot pins.

I bought one at a gun show that was missing parts, I will never buy another one.

 

[omegared24]

Palmetto decent prices and work fine, just only with other Palmetto parts. Do not try to mix their uppers or lowers with other providers.

So you're saying they make proprietary parts. That's an interesting excuse.