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Thread: Spikes CHF mid-length also by FN

  1. #51
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    Quote Originally Posted by wolf_walker View Post
    In my opinion..

    They seem to take themselves a little less seriously than some of the other outfits. And are priced and cater to, to a degree, a more fun-shooter market. And aren't selling some oly crap in the process. I appreciate that myself. I looked really hard at a DD upper(again) before ordering this one, and at a bunch of BCM stuff (again) that wasn't in stock anywhere, just couldn't justify the money/wait. I'm a hobby shooter who is reasonably educated in the hardware and demands quality and competence and value, and got no use for having a soldiers weapon, since I'm not a soldier. There's a lot of us out there. If they weren't around I'd have waited on BCM or waited a few weeks and spent the money on DD stuff since I specifically wanted a CHF barrel. This is the 2nd time Spikes has gotten my business for these same reasons btw. It was purely good timing on there and AIM's part in my case. It's worth noting that while I'm sure Spikes had plenty of input, they have said AIM requested this particular combo. AIM as well as anyone would know what sells, to who, when, and for how much I would think.

    Note at no time have I said they were in any way shape or form "better" than DD or BCM. If I had a dozen other guns I might have waited on BCM, or if I had more gun-disposable income I might have just bought a DD upper, but I don't. They are serving my market sector better than most, and with a good product. I promise if any of it turns sour I'll bitch and moan.

    For us that work in the AR business. We identify two types of buyers. They are referred to as the 80% and 20%. 80% of the consumers that buy AR's are cost oriented, not concerned with a company following a set standard (TDP), think colored logo's, snakes, spiders, and zombies are a "cool" roll mark. They don't shoot a lot and generally don't know a lot. Training is either stupid or they know all they need to know about how to fight with a weapon by playing some video game.

    The 20% get it. They know there is a TDP and is important that a company follow it. A company has to earn their trust and they do not fall for gimmics and other marketing nonsense. They intend to use a gun to defend themselves and second best or "good enough" just won't cut it. They attend a lot of training, shoot thousands of rounds per year and post little on the errornet.

    The above descriptions are not pointed at you, anyone in this thread or any AR manufacturer. Just some observations by someone that works in this field.


    YMMV.


    C4

  2. #52
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    This has me more than moderately interested. That's a pretty competitive price if the manufacturer specs are right. 1lb, 10.4oz barrel isn't bad, an ounce heavier than the Centurion lightweight barrel of the same length. If Spikes or Aim sells a 14.5" middy version of this with no or a buyer-supplied muzzle device, I can't think of a reason not to order one to replace my RRA upper.


    -B
    Last edited by BAC; 07-27-11 at 21:42.
    RIP, Jeff Dorr: 1964 - July 17, 2009


    "When young men seek to be like you, when lazy men resent you, when powerful men look over their shoulder at you, when cowardly men plot behind your back, when corrupt men wish you were gone and evil men want you dead . . . Only then will you have done your share." - Phil Messina

  3. #53
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    Quote Originally Posted by wahoo95 View Post
    Feel free....we all have our opinions. My point is that are getting good product to market that fits the desires of a large consumer base. I've been waiting a year now for BCM to deliver a Dissy to the market to no avail even though the demand is there. I have seen the demand for a barrel profile that fit somewhhere between LW and Govt profile for quite some time now, so its nice to see Spikes attempting to address that "want" that some have since its not a need. ST sees the growing intrest in 300aac and is addressing it. Thrse things may seem insignificant to some, but to a guy with 15+ years of Sales & Marketing under his belt I see a company that is aggressively going after a market by providing quality products that fit current trends and wants. They have come a long way from where they started.

    Having great product is no good when its rarely in stock with no clue as to when new stock will arrive. Dont take that to mean that I dont like BCM or DD because the opposite is true. I have a 2 BCM's, 3 DD's, and a couple Spikes That I actually shoot and have been equally as happy with all of them.

    Like I said we all have our own opinions and thats mine.
    When a company buys or makes the amount of barrels that BCM and DD do, you cannot focus on a VERY limited number of shooters.

    Here are the facts and where the numbers are:

    1. Most people still think an HBAR or SOCOM barrel is a good idea.
    2. The most popular barrel profile is the M4.
    3. The most popular gas system is the carbine.
    4. A medium percentage of the consumer like Govt profiled barrels.
    5. A medium percentage of the consumer likes mid-length gas systems.
    6. A small percentage of the consumer like LW or pencil barrels.
    7. Most of the AR consumer base has NO IDEA who AAC is or what a 300 whisper is.

    So what ST and some other companies are doing is catering to a VERY small sub section of the AR market (FYI).


    C4

  4. #54
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    Quote Originally Posted by wolf_walker View Post
    I believe that, but I can't not think FN would have a boat load of lawyers to "fix" that in this day and age. Especially if it had reason to believe the barrels weren't worth having there name on them. Do they just not care? I get what you are saying but it don't sit right with our sue-happy society, mile long contracts and intellectual property, trademarks, etc, etc.
    My guess is the FN has not idea their name has been laser engraved onto these barrels.


    C4

  5. #55
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    Quote Originally Posted by EnibraCFourM View Post
    These are quality ingredients.
    But I think there is a difference between pure skill, knowledge from hard-gained experience applied as a trade on one side, and design and packaging mostly based market trends on the other.

    Just because you can have something machined and built doesn't mean you should. Another analogy? I can go to the market and buy the best vegetables but that doesn't mean I should open a restaurant.
    DING! DING! DING! Winner Chicken Dinner!

    I will share a story about a popular AR manufacturer on this forum. They received a batch of barrels where the thickness of the chrome was not to spec (TDP) and they rejected the entire batch (at their cost). In another instance, this same manufacturer was testing their barrels for accuracy and discovered that they did not meet their accuracy requirements and scrapped the entire batch (at their cost).

    As someone that works in this industry, I gotta tell you it is NOT the norm to check the chrome thickness or the accuracy of a barrel. Companies typically just ship them onto you, the consumer and let you figure it out.

    So when are comparing one manufacturer to another, make sure to realize that not all companies are equal and yes, there is a reason why some things are more money.



    C4

  6. #56
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    Quote Originally Posted by C4IGrant View Post
    When a company buys or makes the amount of barrels that BCM and DD do, you cannot focus on a VERY limited number of shooters.

    Here are the facts and where the numbers are:

    1. Most people still think an HBAR or SOCOM barrel is a good idea.
    2. The most popular barrel profile is the M4.
    3. The most popular gas system is the carbine.
    4. A medium percentage of the consumer like Govt profiled barrels.
    5. A medium percentage of the consumer likes mid-length gas systems.
    6. A small percentage of the consumer like LW or pencil barrels.
    7. Most of the AR consumer base has NO IDEA who AAC is or what a 300 whisper is.

    So what ST and some other companies are doing is catering to a VERY small sub section of the AR market (FYI).


    C4
    Great points....not splitting hairs over those facts, just pointing out that ST is doing a good job at addressing the needs of those who fall under the "facts" listed above in addition to the the wants those who make up some small markets.

  7. #57
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    Quote Originally Posted by C4IGrant View Post
    DING! DING! DING! Winner Chicken Dinner!

    I will share a story about a popular AR manufacturer on this forum. They received a batch of barrels where the thickness of the chrome was not to spec (TDP) and they rejected the entire batch (at their cost). In another instance, this same manufacturer was testing their barrels for accuracy and discovered that they did not meet their accuracy requirements and scrapped the entire batch (at their cost).

    As someone that works in this industry, I gotta tell you it is NOT the norm to check the chrome thickness or the accuracy of a barrel. Companies typically just ship them onto you, the consumer and let you figure it out.

    So when are comparing one manufacturer to another, make sure to realize that not all companies are equal and yes, there is a reason why some things are more money.



    C4
    I admit the melonited gas tube, mid length gas on an "FN" CHF barrel with a profile that seems reasonable, with an ion bonded BCG and all of the TDP minimums satisfied in the barrel/bolt got me a little excited..along with the price..but I cannot get the Caveat Emptor warning out of my head for some reason when I think of this company..so for my first mid length, I may just go back to considering a company that has a better reputation..but if Spikes is making an honest product here, I am more than intrigued by the combo they're offering here I won't lie.
    Formerly known as "Son of Vlad Tepes"

  8. #58
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    Quote Originally Posted by blgjr64 View Post
    Has anyone heard anything about these Spikes uppers? Anyone have hands on experience with these uppers and barrels? Specifically these FN CHF barrels? Are these "new" barrels to the market or has this specific barrel been around? I would appreciate if some of you guys could shed some light on this upper and barrel. Thanks.
    we shipped off 65 of these uppers today, you should see some reviews soon.

    Bryan
    Aim

  9. #59
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    Quote Originally Posted by wahoo95 View Post
    Great points....not splitting hairs over those facts, just pointing out that ST is doing a good job at addressing the needs of those who fall under the "facts" listed above in addition to the the wants those who make up some small markets.
    Oh you can make a living catering to the small markets. I really only go after the 20%ters and have a thriving business.

    To be honest, the real money is in the low ball market (as that is where the bulk of the consumer lives). I just cannot bring myself to lie to my customers and tell them that brand XYZ is as good as say Colt.

    The truth is that I am thrilled that more companies are expanding past the standard "M4" barrel (which I hate). This means that the 80% market will finally realize that there are other options out there and increase their knowledge levels.

    So a big round of applause to any companies that is making Govt profile, LW/Pencil and or mid-length gas system barrels!



    C4

  10. #60
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    Quote Originally Posted by Son of Vlad Tepes View Post
    I admit the melonited gas tube, mid length gas on an "FN" CHF barrel with a profile that seems reasonable, with an ion bonded BCG and all of the TDP minimums satisfied in the barrel/bolt got me a little excited..along with the price..but I cannot get the Caveat Emptor warning out of my head for some reason when I think of this company..so for my first mid length, I may just go back to considering a company that has a better reputation..but if Spikes is making an honest product here, I am more than intrigued by the combo they're offering here I won't lie.
    buy one, if you don't like it i will send you a call tag to pick it up, Tom and I worked up this config together and i will stand behind them.

    Bryan
    Aim

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