How to tell mil spec from commercial?
- Thread starter copeland
- Start date
If those are bone stock factory rifles than the Stag will be mil-spec diameter and the Bushie commercial.
The easiest way to tell, just by looking at them, is to look where the threads go into the receiver. The outside of the commercial tube will be the same diameter as the outside of the threads, on a mil-spec diameter tube the threads will be greater than the tube diameter.
I'm sure that someone will be along shortly to give you the actual diameter so you can measure with a caliper if you have one available.
ETA: Looks like dutchxd and I were typing at the same time. Still, the easiest way is to eyeball it if you don't have calipers.
The easiest way to tell, just by looking at them, is to look where the threads go into the receiver. The outside of the commercial tube will be the same diameter as the outside of the threads, on a mil-spec diameter tube the threads will be greater than the tube diameter.
I'm sure that someone will be along shortly to give you the actual diameter so you can measure with a caliper if you have one available.
ETA: Looks like dutchxd and I were typing at the same time. Still, the easiest way is to eyeball it if you don't have calipers.
More importantly you would think the industry would simply standardize the tube sizes so we can be done with this nonsense once and for all...
So that techno weenies can brag that thier gun, that they never actually shoot with and only pose in thier underwear so the girlfriends, (or maybe thier moms, not sure if they actually have girlfriends) can post the photo's on the web, ...."Is all milspec!"
It really makes no difference unless you want to put the fancy "Milspec" bits and pieces on for the "Tactical photo shoot"!
Scott
It really makes no difference unless you want to put the fancy "Milspec" bits and pieces on for the "Tactical photo shoot"!
Scott
One way or another, doesn't make a difference. Many com extensions are made of the same materials as their milspec counter parts. This is a gap that has remained since the AR was made commercial, before it become popular to the point that any part of any variation of the type (be it military or law enforcement) could be acquired commercially. Why they haven't standardized? Profit. Plain and simple. Everybody wants something better, something original, authentic and special. The Milspec product market offers just that, as you can almost literally own a firearm that is down to specifications 95% exactly the same as it's military/law enforcement counter part. Now how isn't that cool? However when it comes to performance and otherwise practicality, the improvements of milspec over commercial is marginal. Nonetheless the extra expansive options make for owning an AR quite the freedom of choice in personalizing your firearm and boosting consumerism.
All depends on which side of the coin you look at it.
All depends on which side of the coin you look at it.
gushulak
CGN frequent flyer
So true, good explaination!
Mr Wolverine
CGN Regular
- Location
- Manitoba. Canada
Just to add a little fuel to the fire!
It is true that “Mil-Spec” diameter tubes are thinner diameter than commercial tubes, for this reason they are also manufactured from a better grade material. Caution, some after market “Mil-spec” tubes may be manufactured from poorer grade material which in fact makes them inferior to a good commercial buffer tube.
It is true that “Mil-Spec” diameter tubes are thinner diameter than commercial tubes, for this reason they are also manufactured from a better grade material. Caution, some after market “Mil-spec” tubes may be manufactured from poorer grade material which in fact makes them inferior to a good commercial buffer tube.
