Mil-spec, with so many resellers and companies that manufacture these products, who has the best QC in form, fit and function along with finish. I’m big on buying American made items but there is little published info about the products on listing websites. Prices are all over the place as well. Not looking for links but actual input from end users of said products.
Generally speaking if you stick with a MILSPEC tube and not a commercial one then you should have no issues.
But of all the dozen plus companies that manufacture mil-spec extensions and related hardware who has the best quality material, finish, etc. Some companies have a better produced item by comparison to their competition. It is the small details of the finished components that I really want to find out with regard.
You want pretty buy a Vltor, it has their emblem embossed on the back end. You want a quality product buy the BCM. If you want it forged and expensive buy a Colt.
Arent Vltor and BCM forged as well? I thought they did and doing so is part of it being milspec aside from just the diameter.
From the Military Moron web site “Vltor now makes their own mil-spec dimensioned 5-position carbine buffer tubes. These are beautifully machined, rather than forged like Colt, and are just as strong (if not stronger). A really nice touch is the Vltor logo machined into the back of the tube. Beside it is the clubfoot version of the carbine modstock - it makes a difference when sighting it in from the bench at the range, if you like to support it with a sandbag, or use your offhand to hold the butt against your shoulder. Vltor also offers a rubber buttpad (made by SOG armory) that fits onto all of their stocks, for those who would like a bit of padding or a completely non-slip surface.”
According to an earlier thread on M4net the BCM like most is extruded. Actually if I read it correctly only the Colt is forged (or maybe forged extrusion).
I have a Vltor but I’m ordering a BCM for my SBR to go with a Vltor modstock. The Vltor has 5 positions, the BCM 6.
The VLTOR is the nicest I have personally seen. The extra position isn’t missed by me.
The LMT’s I have are nice too, but construction quality being equal, the finish, laser etched position indicators, and engraved logo on the VLTOR are nice extras.
-RD62
Her’s a good thread from AR15.com http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=456301&page=2 about buffer tubes and the materials used. A rep from DS Arms stated:
[i]"If it was a sales pitch I would not make this statement DSArms makes buffer tubes in both 7075 and 6061 that said 95% of all our sales are 6061. As a matter of fact we don’t even do runs for 7075 anymore no one wants to pay the extra for it. If you must have a 7075T6 call:
Colt or LMT those are the only 2 that I know that use 7075 Vltor does from time to time also."[/i]
For God’s sake. Does anyone have any documented receiver extension failures?
Like IG said, buy Mil-Spec and get your trigger on.
I don’t know about failures but here’s a thread on M4net about extensions.
I am now dismounting my high-horse.