Issue with Spikes Tactical FCG

hammonje · #1 01-20-11, 19:42

I purchased one of the Spikes Tactical triggers based on reviews here. I wanted a single stage trigger for my home defense rifle. Had a two-stage and didn't like the pull.

The assembly came in and I went to install it. Easy right. Hell no....I couldn't get the darn trigger pin through. I was frustrated a bit. Replacing an AR FCG is a joke.

The skinny was that the darn pins would not fit through the disconnector. The Spikes supplied pins would go through my other disconnectors and SSA. My other trigger pins would not go through the Spikes disconnector either. The disconnector was rough in general. A poor casting with rough edges.

I contacted Spikes by e-mail and stated the issue. They sent me a new non-coated disconnector(?) and a set of 2nd gen KNS anti-rotation pins. WTF???? I chewed up my other pins trying to get them through their original, out-of-spec disconnector. I just wanted new pins.

I hate the way the KNS anti-rotation pins look b/c they serve no purpose on a S/A rifle. I take this rifle out to the range to train a bit and place it back in my closet with my rig and body armor. This is a KISS rifle and it bugs the shit out of me that it looks as if I'm trying to be tacti-fucking-cool. People that know whats up know these are a gimmick and I agree wholeheartedly.

Anyway thought I would share my experiences. The trigger pull on the Spikes Tactical trigger is fantastic. It breraks within the first 1/3 or so of travel. Exactly where I wanted it to. I like the trigger to break early with a single stage. Pull is between 4.75 - 5.0 lbs on my Lyman gauge with JP reduced power spting kit. I can see why these are very popular. It's crisp and smooth.

I am still wondering if the disconnector is supposed to be coated as well. The replacement disconnector was not coated. What do the experts think????

SpankMonkey · #2 01-20-11, 19:48

Shit if your not happy with the gen 2 K&S pins I will take them.

hunter123 · #3 01-20-11, 20:25

I started a thread yesterday about my Spikes trigger group.The disconnector has cracks in the metal.I'm not too happy with thier quality control.It is coated.If only BCM would make an Ionbond FCG,lol.Here is a link to it with pictures. http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=71771

ra2bach · #4 01-20-11, 20:41

what do I think? I think I'm wondering what is the reason for this thread...

Duffy · #5 01-20-11, 20:50

They wouldn't send you a defective part on purpose, everyone makes mistakes...

hunter123 · #6 01-20-11, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duffy

They wouldn't send you a defective part on purpose, everyone makes mistakes...

True.I'm looking forward to getting the new disconnector and shooting it.I've heard good things about these FCG's.

hammonje · #7 01-20-11, 21:14

Come on guys we are reporting on serious defective part issues. We are not trying to flame them only reporting it objectively. I wrote them and sent pics for their quality control department. They are going to want to know about these issues. It costs them money and I wish them success.

I only want a nickel boron coated disconnector and a coated set of pins. I am entitled to what I paid for. The coating was the reason I purchased this trigger. A rough disconnector/hammer interface is not good for performance and will not generate a smooth pull.

georgiaboy454 · #8 01-20-11, 21:25

I had a Spikes Tactical complete lower which I mated to a 16" Rock River upper. After my first couple of trips to the range, I noticed my trigger pins were working themselves out of the right side of the rifle. Once or twice I even got a two round burst. I installed some KNS antirotation pins and guess what? Problem solved. So these pins are not just for making your rifle look "cool", they actually serve a purpose.

Artiz · #9 01-20-11, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgiaboy454

I had a Spikes Tactical complete lower which I mated to a 16" Rock River upper. After my first couple of trips to the range, I noticed my trigger pins were working themselves out of the right side of the rifle. Once or twice I even got a two round burst. I installed some KNS antirotation pins and guess what? Problem solved. So these pins are not just for making your rifle look "cool", they actually serve a purpose.

Actually, they don't, at least not on a normal AR-15... the hammer spring legs sit in two grooves on the trigger pin, one on each side and prevent it from working itself out. The hammer has a spring inside it that locks into the middle groove of the pin too.

SomeOtherGuy · #10 01-20-11, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artiz

Actually, they don't, at least not on a normal AR-15... the hammer spring legs sit in two grooves on the trigger pin, one on each side and prevent it from working itself out. The hammer has a spring inside it that locks into the middle groove of the pin too.

So your explanation of the theory of how retention is supposed to work overrides his stated first-hand experience with an actual problem and actual solution?

zukiii · #11 01-20-11, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgiaboy454

I had a Spikes Tactical complete lower which I mated to a 16" Rock River upper. After my first couple of trips to the range, I noticed my trigger pins were working themselves out of the right side of the rifle. Once or twice I even got a two round burst. I installed some KNS antirotation pins and guess what? Problem solved. So these pins are not just for making your rifle look "cool", they actually serve a purpose.

i had the same issue on a new department issued rifle during a patrol rifle class, but i have not installed any kns pins.

hammonje · #12 01-20-11, 22:58

I also commented to Spikes management the need for more robust pins. The ones with the kit were way too soft. The got chewed up by trying to go through the disconnnector hole that was too small. My other pins were of proper hardened steel and did not get cut up one bit.

The Spikes pins were chewed up to trash. When I requested the new parts I specifically asked for two sets of replacement pins. They are not shaped like mil-spec pins either. The Rockwell hardness was way too low in my opinion. Hopefully sharing these issues with Spikes will help them improve their product. The nickel boron coating and FCG have a great feel and crisp release. I can only imagine it will be superior with a nickel boron coated disconnector.

I have requested one.

justin_247 · #13 01-21-11, 11:12

Have you contacted the manufacturer other than sending them a comment on some forum? I've heard on numerous occasions of Spike's not only being willing to send out new parts at no cost, but have even been willing to install the parts for free if you mail the lower back to them.

This thread serves no purpose.

hammonje · #14 01-21-11, 11:52

Duh....no I just complained here. Did you not read the thread???? I sent them an e-mail, they sent replacement parts that were not nickel boron coated. Only reason I bought the FCG was because of the coating.

The disconnector was a piece of garbage. Did you look at the pics in the link???? Mine was just as awful. How is a hammer/disconnector interface that rough going to generate a smooth pull??? Any ideas????

Think before adding ignorant comments.

I have again contacted Spikes and they are sending a coated disconnector. They were very apologetic. Should have been made right the first time. I am going to speak with management this afternoon.

Whenever I have had an issue with Magpul products they always were after the original packaging to identify faulty lots. I had some enhanced trigger guards that were purple not black. They didn't give a hoot about the guards, but wanted the particular original packaging so they could track their manufacturing lots. That's responsible business practices. Saves them money and future business.

justin_247 · #15 01-21-11, 12:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammonje

Duh....no I just complained here. Did you not read the thread???? I sent them an e-mail, they sent replacement parts that were not nickel boron coated. Only reason I bought the FCG was because of the coating.

The disconnector was a piece of garbage. Did you look at the pics in the link???? Mine was just as awful. How is a hammer/disconnector interface that rough going to generate a smooth pull??? Any ideas????

Think before adding ignorant comments.

I have again contacted Spikes and they are sending a coated disconnector. They were very apologetic. Should have been made right the first time. I am going to speak with management this afternoon.

Whenever I have had an issue with Magpul products they always were after the original packaging to identify faulty lots. I had some enhanced trigger guards that were purple not black. They didn't give a hoot about the guards, but wanted the particular original packaging so they could track their manufacturing lots. That's responsible business practices. Saves them money and future business.

But you're still not happy with them, and you have not communicated this unhappiness back to them, right? No, you posted this thread that does nothing but complain.

Let us know what management says.

And if there was already a thread about it, why didn't you just post there?

nickdrak · #16 01-21-11, 14:29

*Double Tap*

nickdrak · #17 01-21-11, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammonje

The assembly came in and I went to install it. Easy right. Hell no....I couldn't get the darn trigger pin through. I was frustrated a bit. Replacing an AR FCG is a joke.

The skinny was that the darn pins would not fit through the disconnector.

I have received 3 different Spike Battle Triggers from AIM over the past few weeks. I installed one of them in my personal gun, and the others in co-workers guns. All of them came packaged with the trigger pin and disconnector installed on the trigger like such:

Im not quite sure how it could come assembled with the supplied pin fitting through both the trigger and the disconnector, and then it not fit during the installation?

I think the pins they supply are slightly oversized by design and may be a little more difficult to fit.... but they do fit.

hammonje · #18 01-21-11, 14:33

That's not how mine was packaged and it was sealed. The springs supplied were cheap too. I used JP reduced power, but the packaged springs were a dull, matte steel. Looks like something that would easily rust if exposed to H20, salt and oxygen. No pins will fit through the disconnector. It is out-of-spec and rough like the one pictured in the linked thread.

Everything in your picture is what I expected. Good pull though, but mine measures about 0.5 lb heavier than yours with the JP springs. I hope it smooths out with a coated disconnector.

SW-Shooter · #19 01-21-11, 14:39

Oh the noes, don't put the poser KNS pins in your super Tier 1 rifle, because we know you're no poser wanna be.

Please excuse the posers that run KNS pins, because we are as bad as those posers that put a dab of Loctite on any screws we feel may provide an ounce of prevention.

No sympathy here, because you just try to damn hard to sit next to the kewl guys at the Tier 1 awards show.

eta: May I borrow your Rockwell scale tester?

Artiz · #20 01-21-11, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by SW-Shooter

Oh the noes, don't put the poser KNS pins in your super Tier 1 rifle, because we know you're no poser wanna be.

Please excuse the posers that run KNS pins, because we are as bad as those posers that put a dab of Loctite on any screws we feel may provide an ounce of prevention.

No sympathy here, because you just try to damn hard to sit next to the kewl guys at the Tier 1 awards show.

eta: May I borrow your Rockwell scale tester?

WTF...

And by the way hammonje, the disconnector has nothing to do with the pull.