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
Same for the receiver plate too.
Some cheapo ones wan’t take a stake very well.
-RD62
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). 
Boltgun
You will never find a FORGED, MIL-SPEC RE for $20. You get what you pay for in RE’s.
C4
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.
I think there are some. CMT’s are extruded. Don’t know about the VLTOR or LMT yet.
C4
So if CMT and DSA both offer extruded REs and one is $20 and the other is $40…
Just because two items are extruded, does not mean that both parts are equal.
Let me do some digging on the DSA RE’s.
C4
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 source of info, and a good guy.
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.
Most every Tier 3 AR manufacturer passes their AR’s off as “mil-spec.” I like to think of them as nothing better than a used car salesman.
6061 would be acceptable for most people uses I imagine.
C4