There seems to be a wide difference in prices for mil-spec buffer tubes. They range from approx. $20 on up. Is there that much difference in quality or is it a "pay for the name" deal. Thanks
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There seems to be a wide difference in prices for mil-spec buffer tubes. They range from approx. $20 on up. Is there that much difference in quality or is it a "pay for the name" deal. Thanks
I don't know. I'd get a CMT or LMT or something that you know is going to be properly extruded. I think most corner cutting is going to be done on non mil spec tubes anyway.
I'd get a good brand though. It's kind of an important part. ;)
Going off G&R's website, CMT $40, LMT $45, Vltor $44.95...any of those would be great, and all close to the same price. BravoCompany has a kit for $55.95, that would be a good choice as well if you needed more than just the receiver extension.
I'm not sure of any reason to spend more than that, and I don't see many offerings for less than that, either. If you're interested in a specific item from a specific vendor, feel free to ask and there's probably someone here with firsthand experience with it to say "yay" or "nay".
This is the cheapest one I've seen to date: http://www.dsarms.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MAM4BFR
I have no first hand knowledge of its quality though.
The DS Arms receiver extensions work just fine...
Be sure to get a high quality castle nut, though, like LMT or Colt, so it can be properly staked. Some castle nuts do not have have any cut outs on the receiver plate side for proper staking.
Interesting. I hadn't seen a milspec tube as cheap as that DSA. They are definitely a company I trust though.
Oriontacticalgear.com has the Stag/CMT tube, for 39.99 as of 8/21, find something to make 50.00 and it ships for free.
Jeff
True. For information, the High Standard receiver plate works well, but the castle nut is missing the cut-outs. For a couple of dollars more, buy a Colt or an LMT for the standard receiver plates.
The DD's and Vltor sling attachment plates stake well, too.
I would be curious to see how many "mil-spec" receiver extensions are "completely" mil-spec. I would think that most are dimensionally mil-spec for where the stock slides onto. But does anyone know if they are all mil-spec at the threads also? I have used Diemaco, LMT and Vltor and so far I lean towards the Vltor as I am partial to their numbered extensions (I suggested to Eric about 4.5 years and I am not sure if he started doing it on my suggestion alone but it is there regardless). :D
Boltgun
I'm sure I can't assume that any $40 plus extension is forged.
Are LMT, CMT and VLTOR extensions forged?
The only place that I've seen extruded/forged called out in the product description is on SA's Colt parts list page.
So if CMT and DSA both offer extruded REs and one is $20 and the other is $40...
;)
Ok, I have finished my research on RE's.
The TDP does NOT require a forging, but does specifically say that that it needs to be an "impact" extrusion made out of 7071.
Companies that do impact extrusion and make their RE's out of 7071:
LMT
CMT
Colt (who buys their RE's from CMT)
DSA RE's are 6061 (not the mil-spec 7071).
C4
P.S thank you EK for your technical knowledge on this subject.
Interesting that DSA doesn't use LMT REs. As I understand it DSA lowers are just LMTs with the DSA logo. You'd think they'd use the REs too.
Wonder who else is using the DSA version.
Good pick! So, DSA's RE's are "MILSPEC" in SIZE ONLY. That's downright irritating. IMHO, they should not be able to call it MILSPEC unless it actually is...
From a technical angle, what are the impact differences between 6061 and 7071? For people who don't do "mortaring drills" will the 6061 extruded RE's work?
If anyone knows for sure, that would be great...
Thanks, Grant.
So does a CMT A2 RE cost $25 because it cheaper to make than a carbine RE or because it's not 7071?
I ask because I hate to assume anything and I need one. :)
Has anyone done any research on the PK firearms RE on their Improved 6pos stock? I think the stock istelf is pretty good but am unsure about the RE.
Good Lord. This is the deepest that I've seen the RE milspec talk go as far as specs and manufacturing.
When it came to REs, I didn't know all this.... I just trusted my common sense and knew was I wasn't going to buy based on price. The part is too important to price shop.
Why am I still learning? I should know everything by now! (like the guys on TOS) :D
I have been getting my CMT mil spec M4 buffer tubes from a vendor I have dealt with for years and trust for $35.00. I was in the dark at how they were made and bought on price,just dumb luck . :D
I have one of the mil-spec RE's from PK Firearms. I also have mil-spec RE's from LMT, VLTOR and CMT. My unscientific analysis (based largely on "feel") is that the RE from PK Firearms is much more like the CMT one than either of the others. Still, it's a nice RE and has worked just fine.
Hope that helps.
I agree that this is an interesting thread and it's always great to learn these sort of little details. :)
Derek
Count one more vote in the "I just learned something too" category.
I see it as "Damn something else to worry about geeze!". : pulls hair out : :D
Just kidding
Any markings on a RE to indicate who made it?
http://global-tactical.com/milspecca...andbuffer.aspx
...just mil-spec dimensions or dimensions and materials???
Anyone know?
TIA
Dill :)
OOPS, looks like all I needed was to look...
http://www.magpul.com/pdfs/buffertube-Milspec-M4.pdf
7075-T6 Forgings, is that better than Companies that do impact extrusion and make their RE's out of 7071
LMT
CMT
Colt (who buys their RE's from CMT)
???
Btw, those are not actually made by Magpul as stated on that page (AFAIK). They just bought them from someone else and resold them. That is what they told me last year. I had some of them in last year. Don't have any anymore so cannot say how they were marked or anything.