Who gets the closest to mil-spec?

[Col. Colt]

The Technical Data Package that the Military M16/M4 is built to is a highly detailed, explicit document that calls out EXACTLY what specs will be adhered to for every single part, and the materials and composition of every single part. It's cute to say "Government Issue = Lowest Bidder" to imply poor quality - but it just isn't so here.

The "Lowest Bidder" has to meet all the same tight specs as the "Highest Bidder" - so he has to be more efficent to give a lower bid - corner cutting on the quality level specified is Not Allowed. And I don't think axes are involved at all.

ALL Parts must meet spec or an entire Lot is Rejected. Colt, on parts they subcontract like springs, requires that the subcontractor send them samples of the metal that will be used to make the item, for lab analysis. Then the finished parts are also inspected - and must meet spec - or Colt can reject the whole lot. Lowest bidder means only that - they are contracting to provide an item at the best price - they are not allowed to reduce quality. CC

[jimmyzwei]

a whole lot of this inspection you refer to depends on the size of the actual contract - low volume contracts DCMA (Defense Contract Management Agency) won't even inspect. Not worth there time or effort, you only find it long after the parts come out of DLA (Defense Logistics Agency) and a QDR (Quality Deficiency Report) is written by then the parts have been paid for and its to late. Army management of contractors quality is a joke, unless the contract is big enough to staff DCMA inspectors on site. What realy should happen is DLA should have inspectors at all initial receiving locations and inspect all incoming product using AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) sampling frequencies

[lyman]

didn't RRA make carbines for the DEA or a similar agency,

guessing that may make them milspec?

lots of other companies made them for police contracts, but not sure that would count,,

[BlitzKrieg]

Colt, FN, Lewis Machine & Tool, LWRC for starters.

Would not be surprised Rock River, Stag, Daniel Defense are as well (or close to milspec).

Since there is not a huge Tsunami of brand name AR rifles and Carbines crapping out, its a good
guess most are made darn good.

I do think it safe to say all those bins of AR parts at gun shows..... some quality control headaches populate those bins and thus...prices are a bargain.

ON a weapon: its not bargain if it is not trustworthy.

[pipboy344]

dpms was a military contractor back in the 80's and 90's.
I'd presume they remain so.

All their AR-15s appear to be mil-spec. They refuse to make A1 uppers though, only C7.

[BlitzKrieg]

Who gets closest to milspec on M14/M1A: LRB,Fulton Armory, Springfield Armory ? Probably none are true milspec but way good enough.

I think you'll find tiers of goodness in AR platforms with the deciding factors being better quality barrels, bolt carrier groups and trigger / hammers. Rest of parts pretty much the same across the brands.

[S.B.]

I would have to venture a guess is Colt, I mean they did make them both select fire and semi auto for our military?
Steve