Guys I just got a friends Elite Arms .556 Carbine/US made green quad rail. He wanted to upgrade with a lowpro gb, and a MRF FF tube. 1st thing I noticed was the Redfield scope was mounted in "low" rings, and were tightened all the way down on the left side, then snugged on the right. (Not Elites problem, but where he purchased it (Coopers Trading Inc.) in Burnsville NC. When I pulled the bolt I noticed the gas key wasn't chrome lined, and the bolt itself was a hex shape. Next I was looking at the (Plastic) buttstock not polymer like Magpul or even a RRA M4, "Plastic". It felt like the buffer tube had some play, and sure enough with 2 fingers the castle nut screwed right off. I started getting worried at this point, and called Elite Arms, and got a woman saying that the owner left her his phone so she could use the "wireless hotspot". "OK" I said, "does he machine his own parts?" She replied "NO" he's not a Gunsmith, he just has his Manuf. license and likes to assemble the parts for fun.
I started measuring parts on the lower, (which is painted, and flaking) and everything was out of spec. The LPK had the notch cut on the hammer as RRA, DD, etc. so I assumed USGI kit, but when I looked closer, the hammer pin was falling out. So I just contacted the gun's owner and explained, and he said to just torque everything down and put a TruGlo red dot sight on it, and sight it in. I removed the rail, and checked the barrel and it was torqued at approx 15-20lbs.(Uggh) Next I opened the extractor on the bolt, and guess what? NO SPRING! just a rubber mini golf tee looking piece.
My point is when buying an AR please check their background, their are new Companies out there that are good, I was the 1st to evaluate Tactical Machining's lower, and it was good, and now they are respected, as the same is with Carolina Mtn Tactical. But my opinion is if you have a question, or are in doubt, there's always BCM, Noveske, RRA, Colt, Bushmaster,etc. that have been doing this for years and years, and have a good setup, and QC, along with great Customer Service. So if a ? arises about Elite Arms.... Just say No. Or buy and get a seperate LPK, BCG, stock, etc. and make it work.
I started measuring parts on the lower, (which is painted, and flaking) and everything was out of spec. The LPK had the notch cut on the hammer as RRA, DD, etc. so I assumed USGI kit, but when I looked closer, the hammer pin was falling out. So I just contacted the gun's owner and explained, and he said to just torque everything down and put a TruGlo red dot sight on it, and sight it in. I removed the rail, and checked the barrel and it was torqued at approx 15-20lbs.(Uggh) Next I opened the extractor on the bolt, and guess what? NO SPRING! just a rubber mini golf tee looking piece.
My point is when buying an AR please check their background, their are new Companies out there that are good, I was the 1st to evaluate Tactical Machining's lower, and it was good, and now they are respected, as the same is with Carolina Mtn Tactical. But my opinion is if you have a question, or are in doubt, there's always BCM, Noveske, RRA, Colt, Bushmaster,etc. that have been doing this for years and years, and have a good setup, and QC, along with great Customer Service. So if a ? arises about Elite Arms.... Just say No. Or buy and get a seperate LPK, BCG, stock, etc. and make it work.
