Whats you take on Spikes Tactical

RyanExtra · 07-23-2010, 13:48

So I am in the market for a sub 1000 AR15. I have found Spikes Tactical and they seem to have all the specs with a good price. I searched on here and found a thread that turned into a pissing match. Not helpful if you know what I mean.

What is your opinion on the quality of these rifles compared to S&W and Armalite and other similarly prices ARs?

Whats you opinion on the order process ie: customer service, order fulfillment time.

To keep this thread on track please don't post unless you have personal experiences to share. Lets keep it civil.

Thanks in advance.

ghostman1960 · 07-23-2010, 14:52

I own a Spikes middy and I am perfectly happy with it. I have not had any problems with it and it shoots like a charm. Spikes has a lifetime guarantee and great customer service. There will be others along here pretty soon to tell you that they suck and get BCM or Colt etc... There is a lot of hate out there for Spikes at the moment but for the money you get a good quality product in my opinion.

***Chuck TX*** · 07-23-2010, 14:54

Their specs aren't certified, that's about all that's really known about how in spec they are. Which one may or may not find suspect. Take that for what it's worth. I used to have one. No issues to speak of, though I sold it off before I ever really put it thru the ringer. They did send me a stripped lower that wasn't even threaded for the grip screw, so I'm not so sure about their QC. They almost made it right, but not quite. I'd not feel inclined to bother with them again. Overall they don't have the history and really haven't been put to the test like Colt, Noveske, Sabre Defense, Daniel Defense, LMT, BCM, etc.

BCM is having a sale now. You could put together a nice Middy for $800-900 probably. That would be a sure bet on quality and a better investment IMO. They ship fast, and if there is a problem they'll make it right.

If you want to go cheaper, I'd go for the S&W M&P15 deal at CDNN.

ghostman1960 · 07-23-2010, 14:57

**NeverMore1701** · 07-23-2010, 15:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostman1960

What, someone disagreed with you, and gave valid reasons why? Please.

I got a Spike's stripped lower and built it up, have had no problems with it at all. That is the extent of my personal experience with them, though I think fake cans and m203s are cheesy.

ghostman1960 · 07-23-2010, 15:06

No I just called it before it arrived.

Two_Clicks · 07-23-2010, 15:24

Got a sweet deal on a stripped lower a while back working great, plan on purchasing their 22lr upper sometime. Check out their facebook for some discounts as well
They seem to be a stand up operation

toddmog · 07-23-2010, 15:30

I just built up a spikes lower with a Daniel defense lpk. Topped it off with a complete m4le upper from spikes too. I've only got 100 rounds through it due to the weather and my work schedule. I'm happy so far.

Spikes has a discont code for arfcom memebers, but the sale bcm is having right now is hard to beat too. My next build will be a middy from spikes or bcm...depending on who has the best deal at the time.

Spiffums · 07-23-2010, 15:40

I don't care for the roll mark.......... and in the AR market now a days that's all you really have much choice over is the lower.

***faawrenchbndr*** · 07-23-2010, 15:48

Their receivers are great!
I would only use them for a build, not a complete rifle.
Many better options out there than Spikes.

I am getting one of their dedicated .22lr uppers though.

K. Foster · 07-23-2010, 16:27

I have one of their complete lowers, no issues.

RyanExtra · 07-23-2010, 21:39

Thanks for the feedback. I am a AR virgin and dont know what a middy is? I was looking to get a built rifle but am not afraid to learn. Ill check out BCM.

Jer · 07-23-2010, 22:13

Man I hate whenever I see another 'how good is Spikes' thread pop up.

T'hell with Spikes and their lack of moral. This has been covered HUNDREDS if not THOUSANDS of times on the world wide web so I will spare the details but it doesn't take much footwork to see how they tried to gouge everyone from the customer to dealer and lied to cover up the lies they were caught in.

Look at BCM. Better rifle. Better ethics. Cheaper price. What more do you need?

There are FAR too many options out there to give money to a company that will stab you in the back the first chance they get.

Novocaine · 07-23-2010, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanExtra

I am a AR virgin and dont know what a middy is?

"Middy" is "mid-length": something that is slotted between full length and carbine length, usually in reference to a gas system. On guns with 16" barrels it's suppose to deliver reliable functioning while being easier on a gun. It also allows you to extend sight radius a bit if you are not using gas block separate from the front sight.

***GPalmer*** · 07-24-2010, 00:08

This 22 page thread where Spike's CEO promises to publish the documentation for the certifications they've been claiming but then doesn't carry through on that promise sort of cooled my enthusiasm for their products. Personally I'd go with Bravo Company. Another suggestion I'd make is to consider AR15Performance. they make nice rifles, the owner is the "Ask the Expert" mod for black rifles here at GlockTalk. I own one of their rifles and it's excellent, the quality exceeds the price.

***Chuck TX*** · 07-24-2010, 00:45

RyanExtra, a middy or recce has a longer gas system (9" instead of a carbine's 7"). It's shortens the dwell time, which is the time the bullet is still in the barrel after it passes the gas port. In other words on a 16" barrel a carbine gas system will slam back more violently with the greater back pressure than that of a middy gas system. So a middy will kick slightly less (not that 5.56 AR's kick much anyway) and it'll will be easier on the parts.

The difference isn't extremely noticeable to most folks. Another plus of the middy is it gives you more handguard out front for a more aggressive grip and a longer sight radius for iron sights. Some may find it more aesthetically pleasing than a carbine gas system on a 16" barrel as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostman1960

No I just called it before it arrived.

Yes, you almost did. Except I never said they sucked, just stated the truth of the matter. However, I salute your internet prowess anyway.

I was busy typing a helpful post with an explanation of my reasoning based on first hand experiences with many AR brands from bottom of the barrel to top shelf, a couple of which have been Spikes uppers and lowers. I've also had to actually deal their customer service, and it wasn't great.

Glad you're happy with your rifle. Ain't nothing wrong with it, but what I stated is true. In the same price range a person can snag a BCM (or maybe a Daniel Defense), companies that back up what they claim with the scientific data to prove it. Not to mention what Jer stated, but I ain't going there.

djegators · 07-24-2010, 07:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPalmer

This 22 page thread where Spike's CEO promises to publish the documentation for the certifications they've been claiming but then doesn't carry through on that promise sort of cooled my enthusiasm for their products. Personally I'd go with Bravo Company. Another suggestion I'd make is to consider AR15Performance. they make nice rifles, the owner is the "Ask the Expert" mod for black rifles here at GlockTalk. I own one of their rifles and it's excellent, the quality exceeds the price.

And in that thread is a lot of name calling and threats of violence. Maybe that side of a company doesn't matter to you, but to some it does. At the very least it demonstrates the owner's lack of professionalism. As for the actual products, BCM is one of the top AR makers, they back that up on paper, and in the field. With the sale they have right now, you can't get a better price for the quality.

Randolph da man · 07-24-2010, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by djegators

And in that thread is a lot of name calling and threats of violence. Maybe that side of a company doesn't matter to you, but to some it does. At the very least it demonstrates the owner's lack of professionalism. ...

and this is exactly why Spikes will never see a $$ of my money.

Benello · 07-24-2010, 13:40

I have a M4LE and it is great. 250 rounds through it including rapid strings and multiple double taps without any issues. Fit and finish is very good. Some play between upper and lower but nothing like Colts I've held. I bought this rifle because it is under $800 and has many features of a much more expensive rifle. I don't think it can be beat right now all things considered.

ghostman1960 · 07-24-2010, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck TX

RyanExtra, a middy or recce has a longer gas system (9" instead of a carbine's 7"). It's shortens the dwell time, which is the time the bullet is still in the barrel after it passes the gas port. In other words on a 16" barrel a carbine gas system will slam back more violently with the greater back pressure than that of a middy gas system. So a middy will kick slightly less (not that 5.56 AR's kick much anyway) and it'll will be easier on the parts.

The difference isn't extremely noticeable to most folks. Another plus of the middy is it gives you more handguard out front for a more aggressive grip and a longer sight radius for iron sights. Some may find it more aesthetically pleasing than a carbine gas system on a 16" barrel as well.

Yes, you almost did. Except I never said they sucked, just stated the truth of the matter. However, I salute your internet prowess anyway.

I was busy typing a helpful post with an explanation of my reasoning based on first hand experiences with many AR brands from bottom of the barrel to top shelf, a couple of which have been Spikes uppers and lowers. I've also had to actually deal their customer service, and it wasn't great.

Glad you're happy with your rifle. Ain't nothing wrong with it, but what I stated is true. In the same price range a person can snag a BCM (or maybe a Daniel Defense), companies that back up what they claim with the scientific data to prove it. Not to mention what Jer stated, but I ain't going there.

I know BCM posted their docs/certs but did DD? Has any other AR maker besides BCM posted their certs?

smokin762 · 07-24-2010, 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by faawrenchbndr

Their receivers are great!
I would only use them for a build, not a complete rifle.
Many better options out there than Spikes.

I am getting one of their dedicated .22lr uppers though.

I have the Spikes dedicated .22LR upper and I love it.

***GPalmer*** · 07-24-2010, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokin762

I have the Spikes dedicated .22LR upper and I love it.

I'm in the same boat as faawrenchbender. I have one of the dedicated .22LR uppers with the Daniel Defense rail on order and I've been vacillating over whether to cancel the order or not because of the thread above. So far I haven't but I'm still mulling over it...

***Chuck TX*** · 07-24-2010, 16:57

Tac-Sol makes a fine dedicated .22LR upper as well if you're looking for an alternative. I've had two and both have run very well on a wide variety of ammo. Including some ancient stuff. Quite accurate too.

smokin762 · 07-24-2010, 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPalmer

I'm in the same boat as faawrenchbender. I have one of the dedicated .22LR uppers with the Daniel Defense rail on order and I've been vacillating over whether to cancel the order or not because of the thread above. So far I haven't but I'm still mulling over it...

I understand, sometimes people have bad experiences with some products that they have purchased and they just don’t have anything good to say about that product after that.

I am just as guilty of that myself.

The Spikes Tactical .22LR dedicated Upper has been great for me. It shoots well and it keeps a great group but if I was a better shot I could do better.

I have not had any problems from this upper.

I am a simple guy. I like the iron sight so I just put a Detachable Carry Handle on it and use it. So far, I have been very happy with it.

I have posted these pics earlier on another thread but all I am trying to do is show that they are a good Upper.

These are my targets at 50 yards with the iron sights on my dedicated .22LR Upper

***GPalmer*** · 07-24-2010, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck TX

Tac-Sol makes a fine dedicated .22LR upper as well if you're looking for an alternative. I've had two and both have run very well on a wide variety of ammo. Including some ancient stuff. Quite accurate too.

I have one of their LT uppers which is a fantastic upper. And their customer service is stellar. I had issues with the LT upper recently, the symptoms sounded unusual to them so they had me ship the whole rifle back to them on their dime for evaluation. No drama involved, they heard it wasn't running right and they wanted it fixed. They wound up replacing the barrel and bolt and putting 400 rounds down range to make sure it was operating perfectly. And had one of the techs call me back to discuss some questions I had on ammo and rifle care. I love companies that stand behind their products like that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokin762

I understand, sometimes people have bad experiences with some products that they have purchased and they just don’t have anything good to say about that product after that.

I have not had a bad experience with any of Spike's products. So far all I've ordered and received from them are some generic parts. No issues whatsoever, parts were priced well, shipped quickly and worked fine. My feelings stem purely from the contents of that thread I linked above. I've done a lot of research on their dedicated .22LR uppers and from the feedback I have seen, they certainly seem to be a first rate product.