Mil Spec vs. Commercial

[Eric67]

I was reading last night on another forum, to be left unnamed,
(hint...the main topics are suppressors and everyone there is an expert on
everything.....just ask them)

Anyway, they were bashing commercial diameter receiver extensions
(buffer tubes) with really no explanation as of why.

So my question is why would you prefer the mil spec over the commercial?

I have 2 commercials and 1 mi spec and other than the fact I can't
interchange the stocks they function the same, to me anyway.

Any knowledge or opinions here?

 

[Enoc]

There is no difference in quality. I believe the milspec stocks were standard issue for along time and just recently have the commercial ones made an apperance on the market. I have trained with/own both and the commercial stocks can take just the same stress and abuse as the milspec. Only benefit of milspec is more companies use them than commercial.

 

[Fyrtwuck]

How do you tell the difference?

 

[j0sh]

http://www.magpul.com/pdfs/technotes/ctr/buffertubeid.pdf

 

[Glocktogo]

Mil-spec is 1.14", commercial is 1.17" outside diameter.

 

[CAR-AR-M16]

Mil-spec is 1.14", commercial is 1.17" outside diameter.

Commercial tubes have CUT threads while true MIL-Spec tubes have rolled threads which are deeper/stronger. A true MIL-Spec tube would also be forged while most commercial tubes are extruded.

 

[Enoc]

How do you tell the difference?

The easiest way is to look at the end of the tube... A milspec tube will be completely flat and a commercial tube will slant inward at the end.

 

[Eric67]

Commercial tubes have CUT threads while true MIL-Spec tubes have rolled threads which are deeper/stronger. A true MIL-Spec tube would also be forged while most commercial tubes are extruded.

That would make a difference and explains the price disparity I've seen in
some. The Vltor selling for $45 for just the tube and others for $20 or less.

Thanks all for the info.

 

[CAR-AR-M16]

The easiest way is to look at the end of the tube... A milspec tube will be completely flat and a commercial tube will slant inward at the end.

 

[SHOTGUN12]

The O.D. measurement method of recognition is reliable, however not all Mil-Specs are flat at the end .... and I have a couple commercial tubes that are flat at the back end.