Hey all,

I have 6 Aero Precision lowers sitting in my safe that I would like to get “mostly” built in the near future.

I am looking to install the following:

• Pivot Pin,
  
• Take-Down Pin,
  
• Bolt Catch, and
  
• Mag Catch/Release

This is all I really need as I will probably go with a non-standard trigger guard, commercially available polished fire control group, and a buffer tube assembly based on whether I want to build a pistol or rifle.

There are several kits that are available minus these parts and grip (I have several grips and stocks in my stockpile).

I have used or helped with builds using LPKs from several manufacturers and admittedly have never had a problem.

Of the non-Gucci names (LMT, Geissele, Bravo Company, etc.), is one of the following better quality than another???

I am looking at kits from:

• CMMG (have assembled several rifles with these)
  
• White Oak Armament (have assembled several rifles with these and liked them)
  
• Smith & Wesson (they have a new kit coming out and is available for preorder on Brownells)
  
• PSA (will probably avoid this due to limited options for a basic kit)
  
• Brownells
  
• Joe Bob Outfitters
  
• Someone Else???

I want all American made parts and the best quality parts available.

Has anyone reviewed one or more of these kits and found one to be better quality than another?

Your insight is appreciated.

Thanks…

I have no problems with Rock River Arms parts

I like DSG Arms and they offer most of the individual parts you need.

I have a lot of their stuff in weapons and as spares.

all good options there. a couple of vendors offer "build your own lpk"
i like white oak, and they have a granular build your own product page:
whiteoak-lpk

All,

Thanks for the responses so far.

My takeaway from your responses thus far is that, "it doesn't matter which I choose because they are all good for the most part"?

If that is the case, I may pre-order a couple of the new Smith & Wesson kits and the rest from White Oak and do a comparison.

If there are any opinions, I would like to hear them.

Thanks.

They do vary. Aero sells limited kits without various parts depending on which kit you get. But I've heard about some issues, and their castle nuts are definitely not as good as some Magpul ones I already had.

Last 3 lowers I built I used Radian parts for the takedown pins, ambi selector, mag release button, and QD endplate, Norgon Ambi-catches, Geissele triggers, Magpul grips, and Colt bolt releases. For the rest of the small parts I bought them from an LGS, and they said they were KAK parts.

Some of these are a bit pricey, but I shoot left handed so I need them. The Radian stuff is really good too.

For kits of various size - Colt, LMT, BCM, Geissele are all good. I like Geissele's diamond plate knurling so that's enough reason to choose them over the others.

CMMG parts are known good quality. SOLGW is another which sits at around $40 for a basic quality kit with no grip, trigger, or buffer.

One of the OEMs to look for in a LPK is Schmid Tool, they have the S in a square on several parts. Most of the top kits are using this OEM.

My last 2 builds have been Tom's Tactical sans the triggers and they are just as good as a BCM lpk I have used IMO. Triggers are a different beast all together.

only parts kit that I thought was odd with the Anderson with the funky SS hammer,

however never had a problem putting one together, nor any complaints from the ones I sold,


note, if you are doing a semi MG42 build, that funky anderson hammer works great,



dpms, Bushmaster, Aero, were all good to go,


if you are just looking for the parts mentioned, may be cheaper in the long run to just order a handful of each part, unless you need extras or spares of the parts not being used,

I always pick up my small parts from Damage.
http://damageindustriesllc.com/store/

Thanks all for the responses...

I will be ordering some kits tomorrow. May go with a couple of different manufacturers/resellers mentioned by you guys.

Thanks,

As mentioned Sons of Liberty Gun Works and DSG are great sources.

I did not see it mentioned. Looks at Tom's Tactical. A great company. American made parts. Great prices. Great service. You won't be disappointed. I will guarantee you that.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
I did not see it mentioned. Looks at Tom's Tactical. A great company. American made parts. Great prices. Great service. You won't be disappointed. I will guarantee you that.

I’ve used their LPK in four builds...their nickel Teflon trigger groups are a great buy...quick shipping to boot...Tom’s Tactical has been my “stock up on AR LPKs, anything you might need in the future such as Toolcraft BCGs”...solid Texas Company and a pleasure to do business with

For inexpensive, I usually go with Stag, multiple rifles and two carbine classes, no issue.

Just to butt in/add to the thread, what's the general opinion on PSA?

I have 3 AR15 lowers which contain Wilson Combat LPKs. Multiple uppers are swapped among these lowers, including hard-use short-range uppers and slower-fire precision uppers. My records show the 3 lowers have fired a combined total of more than 20,000 rounds.

While using the 3 lowers, I've shot out 2 barrels. Worn out one bolt. Replaced a handful of firing pin retaining pins. Retired at least three gas ring sets. But all the parts in the LPKs are still chugging along without issues.

I have two new stripped lowers in the wings, to reduce some of the upper swapping among existing finished lowers. The first parts I have for the two new stripped lowers are Wilson LPKs.

quote:

Originally posted by Jester814:
Just to butt in/add to the thread, what's the general opinion on PSA?

I have two PSA builds (upper, build kit, stripped lower). No issues at all and they were cost effective.

A couple weeks ago I saw a post on another board listing the US-based manufacturers of LPKs and whatnot for AR15s. There were three or four, and under each was a list of the sellers distributing them. I'll see if I can find it again, but no promises.

I’ve always been partial to Spikes and CMMG.

Tony.

Again... Thanks all.

I have not ordered anything yet because you all are giving me a bunch of homework.

I know, pick one and go with it. If it is from a big player, it will be fine or they will make it right.

Problem is, I do not know the fate of these lowers and their ultimate use. Will one be the base of my next SBR, will it be my nightstand rifle, will I sell them or will I give them to family? So... I just want quality without sending the markup prices that Geissele and other put on them.

Again... Thanks. I am looking at every option recommended above.