10-28-2013, 08:29 PM
There are some pretty significant differences, though most users would never notice.
A lot of your lower parts are Metal Injection Moldings. The true Mil-spec calls for batch-tested magnetic particle inspection on several critical parts, like the hammer/trigger, and bolt catch.
I've seen bolt catches break from suppressor use. The increased cyclic rate is very hard on the bolt catch when your run to bolt lock.
Detents also are not the same as the Mil-spec, which calls for cadmium-plated detents. Civilian look-alike parts use cheap zinc-plated detents, which will corrode something horrible in humid environments. I have witnessed it personally when my Magpul 1st Gen MIAD grip fell to pieces in -27 C, high humidity weather. When I went to replace the grip with a spare, my selector detent looked like a corrosion party was in full-swing, where you could literally watch the chemical reaction happening in real time.
The Colt and other high-end parts will have inspection stamps and proofs on the trigger, hammer, bolt catch, safety/selector, and magazine catch. With most parts though, there is no way of knowing the chain of custody and what processes they went through. Are they made b Elisco Tool? Are they made in Taiwan?
That's the issue you run into with no-name or economy branded parts. It might not be a big deal for most people, but if you plan on any of the following, I would suggest being prejudiced about what LPK's you use:
* Shooting suppressed
* Competition
* High-volume
* Humid environments
* Extreme cold environments
* High priced hunting events
A lot of your lower parts are Metal Injection Moldings. The true Mil-spec calls for batch-tested magnetic particle inspection on several critical parts, like the hammer/trigger, and bolt catch.
I've seen bolt catches break from suppressor use. The increased cyclic rate is very hard on the bolt catch when your run to bolt lock.
Detents also are not the same as the Mil-spec, which calls for cadmium-plated detents. Civilian look-alike parts use cheap zinc-plated detents, which will corrode something horrible in humid environments. I have witnessed it personally when my Magpul 1st Gen MIAD grip fell to pieces in -27 C, high humidity weather. When I went to replace the grip with a spare, my selector detent looked like a corrosion party was in full-swing, where you could literally watch the chemical reaction happening in real time.
The Colt and other high-end parts will have inspection stamps and proofs on the trigger, hammer, bolt catch, safety/selector, and magazine catch. With most parts though, there is no way of knowing the chain of custody and what processes they went through. Are they made b Elisco Tool? Are they made in Taiwan?
That's the issue you run into with no-name or economy branded parts. It might not be a big deal for most people, but if you plan on any of the following, I would suggest being prejudiced about what LPK's you use:
* Shooting suppressed
* Competition
* High-volume
* Humid environments
* Extreme cold environments
* High priced hunting events