Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Mil Spec or Commercial?

My first AR15 was a RRA A2 Tasc rifle. It was nice and I never had any trouble with it. It wasn't Mil-Spec. I sold it because I wanted one with a A4 flat top so I could use the removable carry handle and some type of optic. Last month I bought a Stag complete lower and upper with the Plus Package. This one is Mil-Spec. I went with the Plus Package because I'm keeping this one for good. So I wanted to get all the parts and QC checks that go with a Mil-Spec AR15. If I was only going to use it at the range and/or hunting, Mil-Spec wouldn't matter.

NYH1.

Overweight, out of shape, and tacticool with a cheap Colt.

does it look like I imagine I am someone else uphiker?

That scope doesn't look mil-spec. It'll probably fail on you.
PS-I never had a man post a picture of himself on the internet for me before. I think that I'll be scarred for life.

why all the fuss between you two over a buffer tube. If if fails just replace it. If you are going to war then carry a spare.

No need for spare if going to war, plenty of guns laying around for the taking in war if yours croaks...
I always said if its a SHTF war type thing that happens, my 22 will net me whatever I need.. guns, ammo etc...

I am not sure how it got off on buffer tubes. My point was on construction regards testing, material, etc and in general, I think I may have a commercial buffer tube on one of my rifles.

In my humble opinion, to many people get hung up on Milspec, either your gun will run, (and has proven it will run) or it won't. To carry on that my gun will last longer, kill more people, and never fail during a SHTF situation, is ridiculous at best. If my primary weapon fails during a SHTF situation, I will simply acquire another weapon, and shoot it, till it fails or runs out of ammo. I guess what I'm saying is, you have NO idea when your gun could fail!

I just like quality stuff but this is getting a bit rediculous.

If someone is ok with a cheap gun, then that's fine but I don't see too many people comparing a Remington plastic stock to a McMilian... It is what it is.

Common sense isn't allowed here!

I like quality stuff too. What I'm saying is our "quality" stuff could malfunction at the worst time. If that happens we will just have to deal with it. That McMillan stock could get run over by the jeep on safari, and the Remington plastic stock didn't. Now who has the more functional gun. If "Joe Smith's" Bushmaster/dpms/oly has gone bang every time he pulled the trigger, then he's probably got a good one. Your AR either works or it doesn't, if it doesn't, get it fixed, or replaced with one that does.

I did have the end of a no-name buffer tube I ordered out of shotgun news many years ago just snap right off on the second or third shot. My first clue should have been the fact that the anodizing on it was nearly purple.

Truth of the matter is, the military needs to change its Milspec, which is over 40 yrs. old. There are much better materials available today, than there were 40 yrs. ago. Does anyone think that 4150 is the best steel available for a bbl. today? It's not, but it's Milspec.

I vote we equip our Seal teams with Oly built M-4's, I mean if it runs it runs why spend that extra money on all that testing and specifying steel types, chrome lining etc.

The minimum standards for any M4-pattern carbine should be:
1) 4150 (or better) barrel steel
2) HPT and MPI barrel
3) Chrome-lined chamber and bore
4) 5.56 chamber
5) Properly staked key on an M16 carrier
6) Shot peened, HPT and MPI bolt
7) Proper extractor spring/insert
8) "Milspec" (or 1.14" OD) receiver extension

I think the Seals are equipped even better than that. I'm talking about average shooters, that are constantly told their guns are no good because one or more parts aren't milspec. If it breaks, replace the part that broke and continue on.

In the beginning of this thread, it was asked which should the op get, commercial or mil spec for a Colt. I said mil spec cause it was better and what Colt used. Not a single poster here can prove that to be wrong.

The problem I see is a standard is set but companies who cut corners don't meet the standard yet I'm told I'm at fault for explaining there is a difference.

No you have the correct answer. He has a Colt, which comes with a milspec tube and should be replaced with the same. I was mainly talking about some of the folks on AR-15 that constantly chastise people about their choice of AR. If it works and is 100% reliable, in my opinion, it's a good one. If a part breaks, replace, or upgrade if necessary and go back to shooting.

always buy the best you can afford in parachutes, life vests, and firearms.

Ok. So I need to buy two complete adjustable butstocks with tube and springs. What do I buy? To say this thread has confused the [bleep] out of me is an understatement.

O

What's confusing? You can buy a Mil Spec LMT or VLTOR that is as good as you're gonna get or you can buy a cheap commercial tube and take your chances...

I'll bet the price difference is less than $20. you decide.

Buy whatever you think will work for you. Some people choose to spend a few more dollars to insure top quality parts. Some dont. Its up to the end user. All my receiver extensions are BCM. They are noticeably better quality than any of the commercial extensions I have replaced.