While at work perusing through this site and others that prefer higher grade gear, I was thinking to myself how much fantastic information we now have at our fingertips that can explain why certain processes and materials are better than others in creating parts for a reliable, hard-use defensive carbine (Needed to make this distinction, as I’m not talking about plinkers, match rifles, varmint rigs, etc). For example, we know that we should be looking for Mil-Spec 11595E - 4150 Grade Barrel Steel (CMV) and for HPT/MPI when looking at barrel specs and that we should be checking the BCG for specs that mimic BCM BCG specs. I know there’s tons more I can add, but you get the point.
For the major components of the AR it seems that one can easily look up why certain parts from certain companies are considered superior to ‘run of the mill’ parts from lesser companies. However, I don’t think I’ve ever seen specific information regarding what makes one LPK better than another. What are the specs for these parts?
I apologize if this has been covered before, but the LPK, at least to me, is the most enigmatic piece of the AR puzzle, as I’ve never seen specific information as to what the golden standard is. Plus, people are very secretive as to who makes the parts that are considered good. Yes, I know COLT AND LMT are two, but it seems that there are other manufacturers that also make good parts, but it’s not kosher to disclose who.
ETA: I wanted to add that I have the most experience with CMT/STAG LPKs, which, by most accounts, appear to be, I guess, ‘decent’ quality. However, when I received my LPK from GRANT the parts appeared to look better.
It is really hard for there to be a “golden standard” with the LPK since the stuff we put in is very different from the mil-spec stuff we have a safety switch, where the military stuff is safety/single fire/3 round bust. So the FCG is not going to have the Mil-spec standard along with the safety. The only other piece that I could think of that could be that would be a concern for me is the bolt hold open latch. As for as springs and the detents (sp?), well that one I think is mute point.
Of course this is my warped logic and it could be wrong.
(climbs back into the mountain to hide from the M203/Mk19 fire)
I did notice the bolt catch feeling a bit better constructed in Grant’s LPK than the CMTs I’m used to dealing with. It hard to put into words, but it just seemed more solid, I guess.
What makes one LPK better from another could be anything from “finish” to quality of the material used. It could also be how the part “fits” in your lower.
Since the holes and position of holes in a lower receiver can vary and LPK’s can vary in sizes, it is really somewhat of a crap shoot on how things will fit.
While you like our LPK, someone might have a Billet lower (that is way too tight) and our LPK’s do not work for them.
Yes, this is true and was evident when I assembled two lowers not too long ago. One lower had a pretty damn good trigger pull for a stock trigger while the other one had a very gritty and craptastic feeling trigger pull, which is why I ended up going with a Geiselle SSA trigger.
My favorite LPK comes from White Oak Armament, it does not have a trigger/hammer group which makes it an easier financial decision to drop in my favorite trigger, the Geiselle SSA.
I also noticed that the buffer retaining pin in the STAG LPK was a little undersized in comparison to GRANT’s LPK, so it has more back and forth movement.
They may, after a 4 to 6 week wait I just got two White Oak Armament LPKs. Bought 2 FCG from a member here and should be set one I get a couple of lowers.
I don’t know squat about LPK’s but I have been in the mfg biz for a few years and I can tell you casting, springs, stampings, etc all fall under ISO standards…TS if they go in auto. (depending which tier)
Anyway, Not going to get into the details but you can be assured any and all these commodities are only as good as the tooling, raw material and specs put into them…especially when you torture them.
Well the adco website may not be reflective of actual inventory. about 3 month ago I placed an order for 4 lpks when the status was backorder, and got a shipment notice the next morning…
Just an FYI to those of you that are interested in our or the LMT LPK’s we sell, if you buy a STRIPPED lower from us, you can also buy one of our LPK’s.
