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Thread: Highest quality standard LPKs

  1. #1
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    Highest quality standard LPKs

    I think we need a thread for the best currently available LPKs and their features, and where to get them from. I'll update the first post as information becomes available. If you want to put an LPK in the #1 list, be prepared to explain why.

    We all have heard the bullshit 'LPKs are all the same', so I hope we don't have to go down this path here, since HERE we know they are NOT the same.

    I'm assuming the following:

    a true Colt parts kit is the standard - as found in a new 6920 lower. I can tell a gun with Colt parts from another almost with my eyes closed, just based on how the feel when I operate the controls. This is NOT the reason I choose Colt, but they definitely feel smoother and more solid to me.

    The top-quality parts list:
    Guaranteed Colt parts - Source: Brownells, G&R?, Specialized Armament Warehouse.

    Can anyone comment on DD LPKs?

    The "OK, but not Colt level parts" list. Usable and should not give problems.

    Stag? I've used two in range guns and they seem to be OK.

    The "plinker" list:
    DPMS
    Bushhamster


    The "Pot-Metal ****ing Junk" list
    Oly
    Sherluk
    Model 1

  2. #2
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    I just ordered a G&R lower parts kit. I like that he gives the customer options on the trigger / trigger guard, spring, end plate, receiver extension, castle nut, etc. Thats the main reason I went with G&R...that and the great service in the past.
    No experience with DD. What about Armalite kits?
    "To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms..."
    - Richard Henry Lee, 1788

  3. #3
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    My personal experience with DD kits is that they produce a heavier than Colt trigger pull, which also has a cleaner break. Reading reviews at various websites, I have found that many others have had the same experience.

    I would rate them above Stag but below Colt.

    One DD kit I installed had a bad bolt catch spring, which was easily replaced. I consider this a "luck of the draw" QC occurrence and would not hesitate to use their kits again.

    I plan to use a G&R kit the next time.
    'That whole effort was held together by sweat, shame, and a tiny bit of pride.' -- Son of Commander Paisley

  4. #4
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    As a dealer that puts together his own LPK's, I have shopped around a lot and looked at tons of parts.

    IMHO, there is only ONE king for LPK's. That is Colt. They hold the TDP and have to make parts to a KNOWN/SET standard. No one else has to do this (less FNH).

    So from what I know, I rate LPK's in this order:

    1. Colt
    2. LMT/KAC (both have .Mil contracts for guns and parts)
    3. G&R LPK (we use several LMT components in our kits)
    3A. DD/BCM/Noveske/S&W (These companies care about the components they put into their guns and always choose quality. Some of them also make some parts in house).
    4. Everything else.



    YMMV.



    C4
    Last edited by C4IGrant; 10-21-11 at 11:19.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by KimberFan View Post
    I just ordered a G&R lower parts kit. I like that he gives the customer options on the trigger / trigger guard, spring, end plate, receiver extension, castle nut, etc. Thats the main reason I went with G&R...that and the great service in the past.
    No experience with DD. What about Armalite kits?
    Thank you for your business. We appreciate it.



    C4

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by C4IGrant View Post
    1. Colt
    2. LMT/KAC (both have .Mil contracts for guns and parts)
    3. G&R LPK (we use several LMT components in our kits)
    3A. DD/BCM/Noveske/S&W (These companies care about the components they put into their guns and always choose quality. Some of them also make some parts in house).
    4. Everything else.
    Due to the .Mil contracts wouldn't that place Colt, KAC, and LMT all in the same place due to the fact that they also have to uphold the TDP with their LPKs?

    Also, if you rate Colt, KAC, and LMT parts kits above yours, would you recommend their kits over using your kit?

    Why do you rate their LPK higher yours?
    We miss you, AC.
    We miss you, ToddG.

  7. #7
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    I'm happy to see this post as it is something that I have been wondering about for a while. I am currently slowly building a carbine for my son (he is only 11 months old so I have some time), but the object of this build is to build a simple but very high quality gun. As a result, I am very interested in the results of this discussion.

    I have assembled 4 rifles using various parts kits. 1 back in 1994 with a Bushy kit, 2 about 4 years ago with Stag kits, and one last year with a DD kit.

    I'm not the best at telling, but I really didn't have any real issues with any of the LPKs. The bushy's bolt catch was kind of loose, but I attribute that to the poor dimensional tolerances of the 1st gen DPMS lower it went in. The two Stags went together with no problems.

    At that time, I was under the impression that parts is parts. After coming to this site and learning, I wanted to buy better parts for my next latest SPR build. I chose the DD kit on price and its good reputation. The kit went together well, the A2 handguard had far less flash on it than the previous three kits, and the Magpul trigger guard was nice, but the trigger was very gritty probably the worse out of any of the parts kits I have dealt with. It required some light filing with an emery board to smooth out and now it is smooth, but as has been mentioned, a little heavier that normal (it might just be springs now). The bolt catch has since picked up a little gouge in it which I have not noticed on any other rifles of mine. Function however is flawless.

    The trigger however disappointed me as I was looking for a smoother trigger like what you get with new rifles. My M&P has the smoothest trigger out of the box of any stock AR or M16 I have used. My Colt is an old 1990s large pin so it may not be of the quality of the latest Colts, but I certainly consider Smiths stock trigger much better.

    So this raises the question to me, do the manufacturers perform some sort of post machining on some parts when they receive them from their suppliers? Do they smooth out the trigger before they ship out the rifle? My DD fire control parts have the same "S" markings that the Colts on Grant's website have, but I assure you that most would consider the stock DD trigger unacceptable on a new Colt rifle?
    “The ruling class doesn’t care about public safety. Having made it very difficult for States and localities to police themselves, having left ordinary citizens with no choice but to protect themselves as best they can, they now try to take our guns away. In fact they blame us and our guns for crime. This is so wrong that it cannot be an honest mistake.” – former U.S. Sen. Malcolm Wallop (R-Wy.)

  8. #8
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    How bout PSA? Seems they're getting lots of stuff from FN, so is it reasonable to assume they get their LPKs from there too?

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Magic_Salad0892 View Post
    Due to the .Mil contracts wouldn't that place Colt, KAC, and LMT all in the same place due to the fact that they also have to uphold the TDP with their LPKs?

    Also, if you rate Colt, KAC, and LMT parts kits above yours, would you recommend their kits over using your kit?

    Why do you rate their LPK higher yours?
    No. LMT and KAC do not have the issued TPD and they do not have filed reports and .Gov inspectors checking their parts.

    Yes. I recommend Colt/LMT/KAC parts above mine because they either machine or QC their parts in house. So they will generally have better control over everything IMHO. Let us also remember that you cannot buy LMT or KAC LPK's. So that leaves Colt.


    C4
    Last edited by C4IGrant; 10-21-11 at 13:37.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cobra66 View Post

    So this raises the question to me, do the manufacturers perform some sort of post machining on some parts when they receive them from their suppliers? Do they smooth out the trigger before they ship out the rifle? My DD fire control parts have the same "S" markings that the Colts on Grant's website have, but I assure you that most would consider the stock DD trigger unacceptable on a new Colt rifle?
    Some companies buy forgings and finish them in house. Colt and LMT would be two that do it.

    Don't confuse forging markings with anything other than the company that made the rough forge.


    C4

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