View Full Version : Spike's complete upper, checks out on paper...
jerrysimons
11-16-13, 14:30
http://www.spikestactical.com/new/ss/st-enhanced-upper-16-midlength-w-handguard-and-fsb-p-914.html
The specs on this thing check out on paper:
-FN CHF barrel with a profile similar to Noveske's and M249 spec chrome plating, HPT/MPI, head spaced chamber.
-f marked FSB
-8620 bolt carrier with staked gas key, grade 8 fasteners
-Individual HPT/MPI C-158 bolt, shot peened
-tool steel extractor, shot peened.
I have found these below $600 dollars and am tempted to
pick one up (even though I despise the freaking spider logo).
I know the company has been known for mall ninja marketing, which is annoying but these seem to check out on paper. I can get over the marketing if these will also check out for hard use like a BCM or DD.
Anyone else take a plunge on Spike's upper and ran it hard?
SilverBullet432
11-16-13, 14:36
If its made out of the right materials, then why would you not buy it? A buddy of mine has a spikes AR, currently about 5-6k rounds through it and works just fine still. Only thing he has replaced are the gas rings.
justin_247
11-16-13, 14:57
http://www.spikestactical.com/new/ss/st-enhanced-upper-16-midlength-w-handguard-and-fsb-p-914.html
The specs on this thing check out on paper:
-FN CHF barrel with a profile similar to Noveske's and M249 spec chrome plating, HPT/MPI, head spaced chamber.
-f marked FSB
-8620 bolt carrier with staked gas key, grade 8 fasteners
-Individual HPT/MPI C-158 bolt, shot peened
-tool steel extractor, shot peened.
I have found these below $600 dollars and am tempted to
pick one up (even though I despise the freaking spider logo).
I know the company has been known for mall ninja marketing, which is annoying but these seem to check out on paper. I can get over the marketing if these will also check out for hard use like a BCM or DD.
Anyone else take a plunge on Spike's upper and ran it hard?
Spike's produces very good products. They aren't Colt, BCM, DD, KAC, Centurion, or LMT, but they're still very good. Buy with confidence.
Andrew Tuohy of the Vuurwapen blog has several videos using Spike's uppers, and he yet to say anything bad about them. I have a Spike's 5.45 upper, and it is very high quality!
http://www.spikestactical.com/new/ss/st-enhanced-upper-16-midlength-w-handguard-and-fsb-p-914.html
The specs on this thing check out on paper:
-FN CHF barrel with a profile similar to Noveske's and M249 spec chrome plating, HPT/MPI, head spaced chamber.
-f marked FSB
-8620 bolt carrier with staked gas key, grade 8 fasteners
-Individual HPT/MPI C-158 bolt, shot peened
-tool steel extractor, shot peened.
I have found these below $600 dollars and am tempted to
pick one up (even though I despise the freaking spider logo).
I know the company has been known for mall ninja marketing, which is annoying but these seem to check out on paper. I can get over the marketing if these will also check out for hard use like a BCM or DD.
Anyone else take a plunge on Spike's upper and ran it hard?
Why not support a manufacturer that supports this forum??
We do offer member discounts on BCM products if interested.
C4
Especially when you can buy a BCM and put a Magpul MOE on it for less than the cost of the Spikes.
justin_247
11-16-13, 15:46
Especially when you can buy a BCM and put a Magpul MOE on it for less than the cost of the Spikes.
That's a nice statement. Show us how. Right now, pricing out the parts, that comes out to almost $700 using a generic charging handle and BCG.
jerrysimons
11-16-13, 15:57
Why not support a manufacturer that supports this forum??
We do offer member discounts on BCM products if interested.
C4
This is certainly my preference, but I am trying to build a carbine for someone on a tight budget. A comparable BCM w/ BCG and charging handle is $720.
Though once I add a free float some of your deals on a complete BCM are certainly unbeatable!
That's a nice statement. Show us how. Right now, pricing out the parts, that comes out to almost $700 using a generic charging handle and BCG.
Missed that the Spikes came with a BCG... Way to jump on my ass about it.
http://www.topgunday.com/wp-content/uploads/maverick-thumbs-up-large-160x160.jpg
I'll correct myself. For $460 to get an upper (http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-16-Mid-Length-Upper-Receiver-Group-p/bcm-urg-mid-16.htm), $30 for an MOE (http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XMAG440Blk&name=Magpul+MOE+Carbine+Length+Handguard+Black&search=moe), $45 for a charging handle (http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-GUNFIGHTER-Charging-Handle-GFH-Mod-4-p/bcm%20gfh%20mod%204%20556.htm), and $100 for a complete BCG (http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XAIMBCG&name=AIM+AR%2fM16+.223%2f5.56+9310+MPI+Bolt+Carrier+Group&groupid=723) you are out the door for $30 more than that $600 Spikes (http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XSTU5050MLS), with a great product.
That's assuming that there are no discounts for M4C.net members, which might make up for the 5% that I missed by.
justin_247
11-16-13, 18:09
Missed that the Spikes came with a BCG... Way to jump on my ass about it.
...
I'll correct myself. For $460 to get an upper (http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-16-Mid-Length-Upper-Receiver-Group-p/bcm-urg-mid-16.htm), $30 for an MOE (http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XMAG440Blk&name=Magpul+MOE+Carbine+Length+Handguard+Black&search=moe), $45 for a charging handle (http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-GUNFIGHTER-Charging-Handle-GFH-Mod-4-p/bcm%20gfh%20mod%204%20556.htm), and $100 for a complete BCG (http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XAIMBCG&name=AIM+AR%2fM16+.223%2f5.56+9310+MPI+Bolt+Carrier+Group&groupid=723) you are out the door for $30 more than that $600 Spikes (http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XSTU5050MLS), with a great product.
Do you have no attention to detail at all? The Spike's upper has a CHF barrel from FN. The BCM equivalent (http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-BFH-16-Mid-Length-Upper-Receiver-Group-p/bcm-urg-mid-16%20bfh.htm) is $70 more than the upper your posted.
Oh, I should also note that the BCG you posted is not mil-spec, whereas the Spike's BCG is.
justin_247
11-16-13, 18:12
To the OP:
I would carefully watch the AIM Surplus site. They have that Spike's upper usually for less than $600.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XSTU5435&name=Spikes+Tactical+16%22+ENHANCED+CHF+5.56%2f.223+URG&groupid=586
This is certainly my preference, but I am trying to build a carbine for someone on a tight budget. A comparable BCM w/ BCG and charging handle is $720.
Though once I add a free float some of your deals on a complete BCM are certainly unbeatable!
Understand. Realize that you are comparing retail prices for BCM.
C4
I just ordered a complete colt 6920 upper from grant for $599 - that is a hard to beat deal...
Everyone knows that you can get something cheaper somewhere else. The variable is what happens when something goes wrong and you are standing there holding a pile of aluminum that doesn't work. If that happens for something you bought at Walmart good luck. You pay more for customer service which in the end is cheaper and better for your mental health, but you may pay a little more.
DreadPirateMoyer
11-16-13, 19:51
I just ordered a complete colt 6920 upper from grant for $599 - that is a hard to beat deal...
This is the answer you are looking for, OP. Spikes stuff may check out on paper, but I've never seen any Spikes equipment that stacked up to proper equipment. Bad gas key staking, loose barrel nuts, etc. etc. So maybe on paper it checks out, but the QC/QA and reality of it doesn't.
No excuse for going with a Spikes upper when you can get a Colt for the same price or cheaper.
Why not support a manufacturer that supports this forum??
We do offer member discounts on BCM products if interested.
C4
I'm interested to hear more of this discount, I've been looking to get a BCM Comp Mod 0. What do I need to do when checking out to get this discount. Thanks
My first Spike's has over 1,000 rounds of mostly Silver Bear then Tulammo, Wolf and Ulyanovsk with some PMC, M855 and M193 mixed in. No malfunctions from first to last round fired, slow or mag dump. It is not a CHF barrel but is a 5.56 NATO chamber and chrome lined.
NOTE: I bought before ever finding M4Carbine and G/R Tactical.
I have used several M4 Sponsors on purchases.
My first Spike's has over 1,000 rounds of mostly Silver Bear then Tulammo, Wolf and Ulyanovsk with some PMC, M855 and M193 mixed in. No malfunctions from first to last round fired, slow or mag dump. It is not a CHF barrel but is a 5.56 NATO chamber and chrome lined.
NOTE: I bought before ever finding M4Carbine and G/R Tactical.
I have used several M4 Sponsors on purchases.
Report back when you have 10,000 rounds.
Berserkr556
11-16-13, 20:27
I wouldn't own a spike's because they aren't a site sponsor and I seem to remember some unpleasantness from spike's not too long ago. Besides my BCMs and Colts are proven over the long haul. Spikes is so TOS.
thebarracuda
11-16-13, 20:51
My experience with Spike's has been very good. That is three complete mid length rifles. I bought these rifles as a first purchase in the ar platform for myself, dad and brother. These were the lowest priced, yet still mil-spec rifles I found. Since then, we have moved on to buying BCM rifles. Not due to problems with the Spike's, but rather, people on this forum in particular, whose opinions and experience I respect, routinely state that companies like Colt BCM and DD among a few others, are simply top notch in all facets. And I wholly agree.
I would put my personally owned Spike's up against a BCM or Colt rifle... Its been a great rifle, both reliable and accurate. (sample size of 1) However, if you start looking at a large sample size, then I'll take a BCM or Colt over a Spike's any day. Its a lot easier to make a few really good, top notch guns. It is inherently more difficult to produce hundreds of top quality rifles like BCM and Colt do every day. Until Spike's reaches this point, maybe they have?, I'll stick to BCM/Colt.
As my knowledge base grew, I saw value in the track record of companies like BCM/Colt, and felt that the small amount of money it takes to run the best was money well spent. Thus, all my recent builds have been BCM. Though it kills me that I missed out on those Colt uppers Grant had at G&R. I shoot my BCM, my Spike's is now a back up and stays in the vault.
If you really want to buy the Spike's, go for it. The Spike's I've been around have been nothing but quality, solid guns.
thebarracuda
11-16-13, 20:53
But skip the learning curve, and buy the BCM or Colt etc...
TunaFisherman
11-16-13, 21:17
There will be holiday sales coming up. I would wait and check out those discounts and buy BCM or Colt.
jerrysimons
11-16-13, 21:42
Everyone knows that you can get something cheaper somewhere else. The variable is what happens when something goes wrong and you are standing there holding a pile of aluminum that doesn't work. If that happens for something you bought at Walmart good luck. You pay more for customer service which in the end is cheaper and better for your mental health, but you may pay a little more.
That's true, Spikes is kind of an unknown here.
With M4C member discount I am coming to (please say so Grant if you don't want these prices published,I will remove them).
$745 BCM 16" Mid Govt Hammer forged w/ BCG and gunfighter ch and no handguards.
$672 for same w/ non-hammer forged barrel.
With handguards and standard ch the Spike's enhanced upper can be had for as low as $580.
There is no doubt Spikes is cheeper, I am questioning if it is as good a value as it seems on paper.
jerrysimons
11-16-13, 21:52
This is the answer you are looking for, OP. Spikes stuff may check out on paper, but I've never seen any Spikes equipment that stacked up to proper equipment. Bad gas key staking, loose barrel nuts, etc. etc. So maybe on paper it checks out, but the QC/QA and reality of it doesn't.
No excuse for going with a Spikes upper when you can get a Colt for the same price or cheaper.
Hmm, that's kind what I thought might be the case, components check out but assembly might not.
jerrysimons
11-16-13, 21:58
I wouldn't own a spike's because they aren't a site sponsor and I seem to remember some unpleasantness from spike's not too long ago. Besides my BCMs and Colts are proven over the long haul. Spikes is so TOS.
This admittedly, is an obstacle, the more I think about it. I don't want to spec a rile for someone who then maybe sneered at because of its brand, however petty that might be.
Boba Fett v2
11-16-13, 22:09
One of my previous builds had a lot of Spike's components, the upper specifically. I had no issues with it and it ran flawlessly. I just couldn't get over the cartoonish roll marks and couldn't take them too seriously. At the time I considered buying Spike's stuff an "upgrade", and it was a phase of my AR building evolution. As I became less concerned with cost cutting I invested more time and effort into acquiring top tier parts, and eventually found my way to M4C.
Sent from my piece of s**t phone using Tapatalk2 (which can be equally unreliable when coupled with a junk phone)
justin_247
11-16-13, 23:23
This admittedly, is an obstacle, the more I think about it. I don't want to spec a rile for someone who then maybe sneered at because of its brand, however petty that might be.
This is retarded. Just because people are freakin' ignorant doesn't mean you should avoid purchasing a product. This is a problem with today's society... we are so obsessed with getting kudos from others, that we make poor decisions, knowing full well they are poor decisions, just because we're afraid to stand up for ourselves. There are idiots out there, complete and total idiots, who complain about M-4s and how they're supposedly crap, especially ones from Colt. Yet the founders of this forum fought long and hard to help salvage that reputation with facts and honesty. Screw the masses!
Bottom line: if you can get a complete Colt, BCM, DD, LMT, KAC, or Centurion upper for around the same price as the Spike's, you would be silly to choose the Spike's. And you don't need the CHF barrel unless your friend is going to have a really, really high round count. If you're insisting on having the CHF upper, the Spike's is probably the way to go - and it will serve you well. But if you're not, you can probably get a better deal going with one of these other manufacturers.
jerrysimons
11-17-13, 07:09
This is retarded. Just because people are freakin' ignorant doesn't mean you should avoid purchasing a product. This is a problem with today's society... we are so obsessed with getting kudos from others, that we make poor decisions, knowing full well they are poor decisions, just because we're afraid to stand up for ourselves. There are idiots out there, complete and total idiots, who complain about M-4s and how they're supposedly crap, especially ones from Colt. Yet the founders of this forum fought long and hard to help salvage that reputation with facts and honesty. Screw the masses!
Bottom line: if you can get a complete Colt, BCM, DD, LMT, KAC, or Centurion upper for around the same price as the Spike's, you would be silly to choose the Spike's. And you don't need the CHF barrel unless your friend is going to have a really, really high round count. If you're insisting on having the CHF upper, the Spike's is probably the way to go - and it will serve you well. But if you're not, you can probably get a better deal going with one of these other manufacturers.
I hear you, the is partly why I started this thread, it is dumb if the upper is gtg. But at the same time my bro does not know what I have learned about ARs. I am attempting to educate him and I am trusted to find him the best rifle he can get. I want to do it right the first time and not have him feel like I steered him wrong after talking to others, or to eventually see what others here have said, "my Spikes was good, but I went on to prefer BCM and DD".
TacticalMark
11-17-13, 11:03
As mentioned in the first page, a Colt 6920 complete upper is hard to pass up. $600 from G&R http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=6920MPU
jerrysimons
11-17-13, 12:44
As mentioned in the first page, a Colt 6920 complete upper is hard to pass up. $600 from G&R http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=6920MPU
That sure is a great deal, thanks. OOS now.
Never had a spikes, and no opinion on them, but if you decide to go that route dsg arms has chrome lined complete mid length uppers with bcg/CH for $535.
That's true, Spikes is kind of an unknown here.
With M4C member discount I am coming to (please say so Grant if you don't want these prices published,I will remove them).
$745 BCM 16" Mid Govt Hammer forged w/ BCG and gunfighter ch and no handguards.
$672 for same w/ non-hammer forged barrel.
With handguards and standard ch the Spike's enhanced upper can be had for as low as $580.
There is no doubt Spikes is cheeper, I am questioning if it is as good a value as it seems on paper.
That sure is a great deal, thanks. OOS now.
The Magpul FDE Colt 6920 upper shows in stock for me at G&R. Grant must have gotten a UPS delivery ;)
That really is a great deal. At $535 for Spikes vs. $599 for a Colt is there really a choice here?
justin_247
11-17-13, 15:33
As mentioned in the first page, a Colt 6920 complete upper is hard to pass up. $600 from G&R http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=6920MPU
This a superb deal! Forget Spike's! Buy this. Now.
jerrysimons
11-17-13, 15:36
The Magpul FDE Colt 6920 upper shows in stock for me at G&R. Grant must have gotten a UPS delivery ;)
That really is a great deal. At $535 for Spikes vs. $599 for a Colt is there really a choice here?
It is OOS when you try to add it to the cart.
Sometimes Grant's inventory foes not update immediately, I have noticed.
It is OOS when you try to add it to the cart.
Sometimes Grant's inventory foes not update immediately, I have noticed.
We have updated the QTY on our website so you can order one now.
C4
HighDesert
11-17-13, 16:47
The Magpul FDE Colt 6920 upper shows in stock for me at G&R. Grant must have gotten a UPS delivery ;)
That really is a great deal. At $535 for Spikes vs. $599 for a Colt is there really a choice here?
Well... yes: Carbine vs Middy :D
.
As mentioned in the first page, a Colt 6920 complete upper is hard to pass up. $600 from G&R http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=6920MPU
Thanks for the heads up. Just ordered one.
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