AR parts: Who actually makes what?

[res308]

Been looking around a little, haven't seen this, so if it's already on here I apologize.

I'm thinking about trying another build to keep cost down, so, as far as AR parts are concerned, who actually makes what. I've seen some good reviews on here for Spikes tactical and Tactical Innovations lowers, I'm not familiar with those. I've also seen good comments about Smith and Wesson lowers and rifle. Now, when they first came out I always heard they were garbage. Are they good now?

So the question is, who actually machines out the upper and lower receivers for "Acme Whizbang Tacticool" and all the others.

Also, I used to know just a little about the forge markings. What's the story on these? I know it indicates who machined it, but how do you decipher them? Such as the keyhole, the bent/broken A, etc., etc.?

Side note: Anyone here have any experience with Sabre Defense?

[E4 No More]

TGO member Sherman A. House from The Outpost, told me two Sundays ago that four factories actually make the parts, and the the different companies stamp their brand on them. I suggest that you ping Sherman for details.

[Smith]

TGO member Sherman A. House from The Outpost, told me two Sundays ago that four factories actually make the parts, and the the different companies stamp their brand on them. I suggest that you ping Sherman for details.

Correct. Sabre makes their own if i'm not istaken and they are considered high end good. I have one of their lowers on my AR build and am very pleased with it.

[tnroadrunner]

I believe Stag Arms makes their own.

[Guest gcrookston]

Someone sent me this list a while back of lower manufactures. I do not vouch for it's accuracy:

AR-15 Lowers

Lewis Machine & Tool

* LMT

* Lauer

* DS Arms

* PWA

* Eagle

* Armalite

* Sabre

* Knights Armament

* Barrett

Continental Machine Tool

* Stag

* Rock River Arms

* High Standard

* Noveske

* Century (New)

* Global Tactical

* CLE

* S&W

* MGI

* Wilson Tactical

* Grenadier Precision

* Colt

LAR Manufacturing

* LAR

* Bushmaster

* Ameetec

* DPMS

* CMMG

* Double Star

* Fulton Armory

* Spike's Tactical

JVP

* Double Star

* LRB

* Charles Daly

Mega Machine Shop

* Mega

* GSE

* Dalphon

* POF

* Alexander Arms

Olympic

* Olympic

* SGW

* Tromix

* Palmetto

* Dalphon

* Frankford

* Century (Old)

Sun Devil

* Sun Devil forged billet receivers

Superior

* Superior Arms

* Lauer (New)

AR Uppers:

Forging marks/makers.

A (splintered) = Anchor Harvey Aluminum

AF = Alcoa Forge

C AF = Colt Alco Forge

C MB = Colt / Mueller Brass

Cardinal (stylized) = Cardinal Forge

CH = Colt Harvey Aluminum

CK = Colt / Kaiser Aluminum

Circle/Crooshairs w/"AR" = ArmaLite

CM = Colt / Martin Marietta

D (stylized) = Diemaco

DK = Diemaco / Kaiser Aluminum

E = Emco

EK = EMCO/Kaiser

E MB = EMCO/Mueller Brass

F keyhole = FNMI / Cerro Forge

FA = FNMI / Anchor Harvey

FK = FNMI / Kaiser Aluminum

FM = FN/Martin Marietta

FMB = FNMI / Mueller Brass

Keyhole = Cerro Forge

L = Lewis Machine & Tool

LK = LAR / Kaiser Aluminum

LM = LAR / Martin Marietta

M (under diamond) = Mueller Industries

PA = Capco / Anchor Harvey

PM = Capco / Martin Marietta

Edited April 7, 2009 by gcrookston

[Guest DaG]

Holy Sh*&! Gcrookston,

that is some good info....

DaG

[Jasongar8]

I had that exact same list, i got it from over on subguns a while back but dont know if it is 100% correct.

-Jason G

[Smith]

Essential Arms makes their own. Great bargain lower.... if you can get one!

[res308]

Thanks for that great piece of info gcrookston. I talked to a buddy of mine today who works at Sabre Defense in Nastyville. According to him, Sabre makes most all their own stuff now, including some handguards. Some of the smaller stuff like springs are still farmed out though.

I may be able to get a complete upper from him to get started. He's supposed to call me back when he goes through some of his stuff this week. That'll keep my cost way down. Just need to find a good deal on a good lower (like to find a Sabre lower somewhere to match) and then start gathering my parts.

[Guest docvantrease2003]

double star an smith an wesson for me

[Metalhead]

+1 for Sabre Defence - they're good peoples. Speaking of which, should have a M5 Tactical coming in around Tuesday.