Vertex Ops anyone?

[mcantar18c]

Anybody have experience with these guys? I've never heard of them but they have the lowest price on the lower I want (I can't justify buying this lower for the prices anywhere else... which raises a flag in my opinion).

[Skully]

Anybody have experience with these guys? I've never heard of them but they have the lowest price on the lower I want (I can't justify buying this lower for the prices anywhere else... which raises a flag in my opinion).

I have ordered from them before as they were the only ones with a Seekins product I was looking for in stock while no one else had it. What I remember they shipped in 24 hours priority mail and got it in 3 days. That was one order though, about 6 months ago.

[Beer]

[mcantar18c]

Thanks!

[Skully]

You going for the

2A-Armament Balios-Lite

(http://www.vertexops.com/2A_BALIOS_LITE_Lower_p/2a-bl556-2.htm)or the

(http://www.vertexops.com/STT_15_p/stt-15.htm)San Tan Tactical STT-15 AR-15 Billet Ambi Lower Receiver (http://www.vertexops.com/STT_15_p/stt-15.htm)?


[Coffee]

[mcantar18c]

The San Tan blem. Can't beat $225 on a $300+ chunk of aluminum.

[Skully]

The San Tan blem. Can't beat $225 on a $300+ chunk of aluminum.

Didnt see a Blem version? $225 aint bad but wonder what the blem is?

[Skully]

You should go for the Shepard Arms all TITANIUM LOWER (http://www.vertexops.com/Titanium_Lower_p/sf-ti-lower.htm) behind door number 3 FOR $1,088.

$88 really? Cant they just sell for $1000 even?

Some manufactures/retailers...........

[Coffee]

Maybe because if you are that loaded to spend $1000 on a stripped lower $88 is pocket change.

[mcantar18c]

It's the "Grenade" one

From their site:


The STT-15-GRENADE model is exactly the same as the STT-15 however they have some small cosmetic blemishes, they are MECHANICALLY PERFECT. If you are actually going to use your weapon instead of keeping it locked away in a safe never to see the light of day it's bound to get a nick or scratch eventually so why not save some $$$

I still haven't committed to it 100%... it's between that and the JBO Spartan, since it'd save me near $100 and I like how it looks.
Decisions, decisions...

[Skully]

It's the "Grenade" one

From their site:


I still haven't committed to it 100%... it's between that and the JBO Spartan, since it'd save me near $100 and I like how it looks.
Decisions, decisions...

I snagged 4 of the JBO spartan lowers while back when they started their $20 off if you buy 3 or more. At $109 each I got the wife, me and the kids all matching lowers for xmas. You know the family thing. :)

I like them, except only gripe is no Battery assist device works with them so far. I have tried MAGPUL BAD & the Tactical Link Battery assist (even though they say it does, it doesn't really.)

[mcantar18c]

Lol yeah I saw that titanium one too.

Hmm I was planning on running the Tactical Link one (unless I go with the San Tan, of course). What prevents it from working?

[Skully]

Lol yeah I saw that titanium one too.

Hmm I was planning on running the Tactical Link one (unless I go with the San Tan, of course). What prevents it from working?

The shape/angle of the bend in the lever hitting the thicker billet reciever.

The MAGPUL BAD lever doesn't even engage at all on the SPARTAN lower, it is stopped by the shape against the thick part of the receiver at the bolt stop itself.

The Tactical Link was better with its straight forward 90 degree angle at the bolt stop it actually worked, but it was not a complete 100% as it is supposed to. I found that after locking it back manually or with an empty mag, A mere jerking motion or shaking it would let it go to easy. I think it was still the thickness of the receiver around that area looked like it was preventing it from engaging all the way.

Maybe if you doing a simple mag dump and change fast it is no problem, but for me I just gave up on the idea having one. I have been eyeing the PHASE 5 complete Battery lever/bolt lock all in one, but the price it is up there for 50% chance of not working.

I have a tactical link on another forged standard lower and works perfectly.

[mcantar18c]

I might be tempted to take a dremel to the lower in that case. Have you seen the Phase 5 version? It's ugly as hell but it's a solid piece that replaces the entire catch... might work a bit better.
Do you happen to have a MUR upper lying around?

[Skully]

I might be tempted to take a dremel to the lower in that case. Have you seen the Phase 5 version? It's ugly as hell but it's a solid piece that replaces the entire catch... might work a bit better.
Do you happen to have a MUR upper lying around?

I updated my post above yours to mention the PHASE 5, haven't decided yet.

Do I have that bad of a parts whore reputation I have MURs lying around? :)

No i don't [Coffee]


Get this though, I did have one a while back I sold on a complete upper. I didn't like the thing for the cost that it was.

If you like the MUR, Joe Bob has a matching SPARTAN Billet upper now as well for $110. (http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Spartan_Stripped_Billet_AR15_Upper_Receiver_p/jb-spartan15upper.htm)

http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/v/vspfiles/photos/JB-SPARTAN15UPPER-2T.jpg

[mcantar18c]

I updated my post above to mention the PHASE 5, havent decided yet.

Do I have that bad of a parts whore reputation? :)

No MURs lying around, did have one a while back I sold on a complete upper. I didn't like the thing for the cost that it was.

If you like the MUR, Joe Bob has a matching SPARTAN Billet upper now as well for $110. (http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Spartan_Stripped_Billet_AR15_Upper_Receiver_p/jb-spartan15upper.htm)

http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/v/vspfiles/photos/JB-SPARTAN15UPPER-2T.jpg
Ah I see it now. Yeah, but I'm sure you could pass it off to someone here for near what you pay for it.
And yes you do... you're like our resident taste tester, you make sure everything's ok before the rest of us go for it lol.

Well I already have a MUR (Noveske marked)... I googled pics of it on the Spartan and it almost looks like it sits a little high, like the upper was maybe half a millimeter higher than the lower. I want to make sure it isn't going to do that.
If I'd seen that Spartan upper sooner though, I probably wouldn't have bought the MUR.

[Skully]

Well I already have a MUR (Noveske marked)... I googled pics of it on the Spartan and it almost looks like it sits a little high, like the upper was maybe half a millimeter higher than the lower. I want to make sure it isn't going to do that.
If I'd seen that Spartan upper sooner though, I probably wouldn't have bought the MUR.

Well VLTOR claims;


The MUR is a rigid Mil-Spec flat-top upper made to fit all AR15/M16 M4 rifles and carbines. The MUR was developed to give the customer a Mil-Spec correct upper receiver with a thicker wall, making the MUR upper receiver a stronger platform. This more rigid upper receiver will increase accuracy and reliability, while extending the life of the interfacing components.

So maybe it is just the perception of the photo your looking at. You should not have an issue.

[mcantar18c]

Yeah, well, apparently JBO claims to work with the TacLink lever... [Coffee]

Here's what I'm talking about...

49665
49667

[Skully]

Yeah, well, apparently JBO claims to work with the TacLink lever... [Coffee]

Here's what I'm talking about...




I can see the backside of it looks raised, interesting? (I thought you were talking about the SAN TAN and the MUR)

I can say that the 2 JBO SPARTANS that are built now (wifes & mine) work perfectly with a standard forged upper, there is no raise at the back. Wonder if it is that "Specific" SPARTAN lower has an issue or the MUR? Is those pics from another forum that he may have built and can give complete feedback or was he raising the issue posting this pics?

BTW the TACTICAL LINK did work, just not 100% as it should :)

Here is a picture of a functioning SPARTAN lower and MUR upper, no issues mentioned in the posts.
http://i62.tinypic.com/14n1bix.jpg

[mcantar18c]

Well, the only things left I have to decide on this build are San Tan vs JBO lower, and Noveske vs Daniel Defense barrel (12.5" CHF).
So I may as well just go ahead and order everything else and flip a coin or something [AR15]

[Skully]

Well, the only things left I have to decide on this build are San Tan vs JBO lower, and Noveske vs Daniel Defense barrel (12.5" CHF).
So I may as well just go ahead and order everything else and flip a coin or something [AR15]

Just remember if you go Joe Bob, he from what I can tell by seeing the posts about him and some of my personal experience if there is a problem he will take care of it. [Beer]

[mcantar18c]

I think I'll just shoot him an email and attach those pics I posted and see what he says. If he gives me a thumbs up I'll just order the Spartan. Then figure out a barrel and I'll be ready to sit and twiddle my thumbs anxiously waiting on the UPS man.