When changing from a commercial tube to a Mil-Spec buffer tube, are you able to use the same end plate do I need to use on that is “Mil-Spec”.
Working on a helping a friend with his lower this weekend and the end plate he had would not fit the new Mil-Spec tube.
Suggestion, tips anything would be helpful. Thanks in advance.
wouldn’t fit how?
anything that fits a comm tube should fit a milspec tube… they’re smaller in diameter. unless the threads are thicker or something… i’ve never seen a takeoff endplate that wouldnt fit a milspec receiver extension.
i personally always replace the endplate when swapping stocks, though- either because it was staked and i dont like the sloppiness of reusing, or because i’m upgrading to a sling mountable endplate… having the stock off is a good time to upgrade.
otherwise, new endplates can be found at DSGarms.com, bravocompanyusa.com, etc., etc…
It doesn’t matter, it will fit either tube. I’m betting the endplate is out of round or something. I re-used an endplate that had been staked pretty well and it was out of round.
The plate was too tight to go around the buffer tube. I thought it was strange but we had 4 sets of hands who tried with no success. 
I’ll have him order a new parts and see how that works out.
thanks for the advice!
Where did the parts come from? Was the end plate previously staked like it should have been? If so, it may have distorted it which is why it won’t fit properly.
I had some Bushmaster endplates that were very difficult to put on and I had to tap them in place.
Like Iraqguns said,
Really depends on the quality of the parts involved. When the “Election Gun Buying Scare” happened, I received some real crappy AR parts that were way out of spec, including endplates from a few makers. One plate had to be filed down at least 1/8" on top to let my charging handle cycle, and one was so loose inside the tube that the extension wouldnt hold and would rotate freely. 
I asked him this question yesterday and he did not know were the parts came from. He bought the lower, LPK and buffer tube from a group buy. He originally had a Mil-Spec tube on it but asked for something else so they ended up giving him a RRA buffer tube. The end plate was not staked. The end plate was really tight going around the new buffer tube and decided not to tap it into place in fear of ruining the threads…
He is going to the local store to see about finding another end plate since its only a $4 part.
Thanks for all the help guys.