The bigger question is how many companies are there making small parts, who are they, and who which companies buy from them??? Same concept as things like Bolts which companies like AO Precision provide for the majority of the major and minor AR companies.
More and more by the minute.
We buy nothing from AO and I know of several companies that have stopped using them as well.
C4
The only LPK’s I’ve used lately have been PSA’s.
I’ve bought three of them in the last several weeks, and every part of all three have been Grade A.
Nothing in these kits have disappointed me in the least.
They did have the split roll pins instead of the spiral, but I actually prefer them, so it still worked out in my favor.
No complaints at all.
3 PSA kits for me too. All went together well & were good quality.
Triggers in all 3 have a clean break and selectors have a nice positive snick to them.
^this I have the PSA lpk on my bcm and it’s been gtg after 4k rounds so far. I did have a bit of a time with the roll pins, but other than that they were Ok.
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Just wondering…
I know that proper fitting is the first indicator of a good LPK but I don’t think it is the best indicator?
I think the “fit” is just an early indicator of quality and the true indicator is how it holds up after many thousands of rounds? If it doesn’t fit properly, it is disqualified right off the bat, but because it does fit properly, that doesn’t mean it will last and hold up.
It seems a lot of people call a properly fitting LPK gtg, even before they fire the first round with it. I think that is jumping the gun on gtg a wee bit.
Even with LPK stock triggers, isn’t it “acceptable” to have a trigger that is a little gritty, rough, and creepy at first??
I have always heard to not judge a trigger until you have 500-600 rounds through it. In September, a buddy had a new DD trigger that was gritty as heck but it turned out OK after just a few hundred rounds.
Just curious why no one is challenging a lot of the gtg claims of LPK’s that have just recently become available, instead of giving them a “possibly gtg” or “optimistically gtg”?
But maybe it’s just me…
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You make several very good points here.
And I admit I don’t have many rounds through these kits.
My opinion is based on the fact that I’ve been dealing with AR’s for about 25 years or so, and I’ve worked with many, many parts over those years.
I’ve had some very good parts, and some very bad parts, so I kinda know when I am handling and installing something whether it’ quality or crap.
The PSA parts just fit and feel extremely good to me.
Now I could be wrong basing quality on just my personal judgement, but I must admit that my judgement rarely lets me down.
I just received a LPK from DD the other day and the hammer was rounded, not notched.
The pull is smooth and crisp but heavy.
I also bought a DD LPK in the last couple months and got a rounded hammer. All other kits I’ve bought or helped friends install had notched hammers except for 1 of 3 Stag LPKs from BCM. I was pleased with all four of these kits as I was with an ArmaLite LPK, except for its heavy trigger pull.
A Bushmaster LPK a friend got was not bad and had a good trigger. Sub par LPKs I’ve helped friends install: Del-Ton and DPMS.
I just installed a DD LPK the other month. It was a nice looking, complete kit and I pretty much bought it from the recommendations here. The other choice was to be a G&R kit but they werent in stock at the time. I can echo what is said above about the trigger, its heavy but smooth and crisp.
The safety selector isnt as crisp as Ive felt but Im not sure if this has much to do with the selector itself. It may be the spring well in my TD grip is a bit deep and not putting the pressure on the selector detent spring. perhaps dropping a small ball bearing or something in the hole will up the pressure? Id like to hear any comments or thoughts about that.
Id like to pick up some hammers and triggers sets from some more reputable places. I Have a Geisselle SSA in my parts bin. Its a very nice trigger and will be good to have around for the right rifle. Id just like to see how much (and how well) I can do with a stock trigger.
Every AR I have has a G&R LPK. In fact, every time I build up a lower it’s an automatic addition to the list of components going into the rifle. Was thinking of buying another just so I’ll have spare bits in case another takedown detent and spring decide to launch themselves into Narnia the next time I remove a stock…
PSA kits are great! Get the Moe ones and they are a steal and great quality.
I recently built up a couple of lowers with PSA LPKs. The bolt catch roll pin was a bitch, but I think that would be common.(?) The trigger on both (at least initially, I don’t have many rounds through either) is smoother than that on either of my BCM lowers, but I’m not sure about the pull weight. After a couple of shots I don’t really notice the weight unless I’m shooting off a rest or it’s really bad.
I don’t really have any experience with any other brands though except at the counter in shops.
I’d like to try a Geissele but missed out on the S2S due to a shortage of green.
Anyone know anything about JP lower parts? I have a Colt FCG, and don’t want to purchase a complete LPK.
The JP kit Rainier Arms is selling is the closest I can get without having to purchase parts piece meal with the exception of the A2 grip. I want to be able to get just quality small parts minus the A2 and the FCG.
I would love to have it all Colt but man are their parts spendy. It still isn’t out of the option, but if I can settle for something of good quality for less price, that would be great. I know “cheap” and “good” don’t usually go together…
You could do this- http://www.specializedarmament.com/catalog/AR_15_Parts-4-0.html and piece it together or you could do this- http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=CLPK
and sell off the parts you don’t need like trigger/hammer and grip. That would almost offset the entire cost of your parts.
My PSA LPK purchased summer '11 had mostly “S” markings (apparently LW Schneider) and a “C” marking.
LW Schneider makes lower parts for A LOT of companies
Bravo Company sells DPMS, Stag, and Rock River.
That has to amount to at least a tacit approval of those kits… 
I’ve always been confused by this. Almost everything on their site is of high quality except the LPK’s seem to be from companies of the sort that they are not.
I’ve also heard that they use their own sourced higher quality parts in their lowers, but they certainly don’t sell them. Is it purely a demand issue? When the demand for their lowers tapers off will we see their LPK’s made available?
You are on to something here but don’t look to hard or ask to many questions. Tipping over the game table will get you nowhere fast…
LW Schneider goes with gun parts like Harbor Freight goes with tools…