Stag Arms: The Go-to Manufacturer for AR-15s (Or Just Awful)?

September 28, 2021 Topic: AR-15 Region: Americas Blog Brand: The Reboot Tags: AR-15RiflesAR-15 RifleGunsFirearms

Stag Arms: The Go-to Manufacturer for AR-15s (Or Just Awful)?

We look at the facts.

The Stag 6.5 Creedmoor line features a Stag Slant Cut and includes uniquely designed parts for the lower to guarantee the best fit between the upper and lower. The remainder of the rifle utilizes the DPMS platform for parts compatibility.

In addition, the Stag 10S 22″ features a 6.5 Creedmoor chambered 22″ 1/8 barrel, Lantac 762 Dragon Compensator, 16.5″ Stag M-LOK Handguard and a QPQ Nitride BCG.

The variety with this one would be hard for any competitor to beat as the company offers the following: AR10 in LH 24” (Creedmoor), 10S LH 22” (Creedmoor), Standard 10 24” (Creedmoor), 10S 22” (Creedmoor), Keymod (.308), M-LOK (.308), 10S LH (.308), 10 LH (.308), 10S LH KEYMOD (.308), 10S LH M-LOK (.308), 10S (.308), Standard 10 (.308), 10S KEYMOD (.308), 10S M-LOK (.308), 10 LH 24” BONES (Creedmoor), 10 LH 22” BONES (Creedmoor), 10 24” BONES (Creedmoor) and 10 22” BONES (Creedmoor).

And, as always, every complete rifle from Stag Arms comes with a Transferable Lifetime Warranty, an Infinite Shot Barrel Guarantee, a magazine and a rifle case.

STAG ARMS BARRELS

This manufacturer also offers a wide range of barrels from the 16” 5.56 M4 Nitride Barrel with a 1.9 twist to the 24” 5.56 SS Bull Barrel Assembly. Here’s a quick look at how they vary in terms of price and features.

The 24” 5.56 Bull Barrel sells for $199.99 and has a 1/8 twist. It’s made from 410 stainless steel. The diameter at the gas port is .936”. The best thing in their online store are their barrel assemblies. Granted, the prices may seem pretty high compared to the barrels themselves, but you’re getting everything you’ll need.

The Crowned 16” 5.56 M4 Barrel Assembly sells for $269.99 — you get to choose between an A2 F-marked front sight, an F-marked front sight without the bayonet lug, a railed gas block or a low profile gas block.

The 24” 5.56 SS Bull Barrel Assembly sells for $329.99 and again, is a bit expensive, but you’re getting your money’s worth. Additionally, it includes all the necessary parts to attach the barrel to your upper receiver.

AR-15 LOWER RECEIVERS

Many avid shooters like to upgrade an AR-15. This may include AR furniture upgrades, high-tech optics or upper receivers.

But if you’re in the market for a top shelf lower, Stag Arms has a stripped lower receiver for just $49.95 that features a mil-spec .250” small pin and type 3 anodized hard coat. Depending on where you purchase one, you can usually add additional options such as a 6-position stock hardware kit or an adaptive tactical stock.

STAG 15 VALKYRIE SERIES

The Stag 15 Valkyrie Series is chambered in the all new .224 Valkyrie cartridge, created by Federal Premium® Ammunition. Built around an 18” 416R Stainless Steel Fluted Heavy Barrel, the 224 Valkyrie cartridge provides less wind drift and drop than all other loads in its class and stays brisk past 1,300 yards.

The Valkyrie features Two-Stage Match Trigger, coated in Nickel-Boron, designed specifically for precision shooting. Each pull is smooth and consistent to ensure that this trigger will enhance the shooters ability to create tighter groups at the furthest distances.

The rifle is finished with a Magpul PRS Stock, Aluminum Enhanced Trigger Guard, Hogue Pistol Grip, and Manganese Phosphate coated, chrome lined .224 Valkyrie/6.8 SPC II bolt carrier group. The 224 Valkyrie cartridge is the new choice for both long-range target shooters and hunters!

PARTS AND ACCESSORIES

One area that Stag absolutely excels in is AR-15 parts. Their builders sets are some of the best around and you’ll get everything you need from them. The Stag 10 Upper/Lower Combo is really something else and I dare you to find a cooler design.

The upper uses a DPMS High Profile with a tang height of .210 and the assembly features a picatinny rail and installed forward assist.

The prices aren’t so great, but if you’re going with Stag Arms for your AR needs, you might as well trick it out with the proper parts. Their site has a range of handy accessories, many of them listed on their Quick Ship page.

The prices on these items are extremely low and seem to me to be an excellent value. For example, the field repair kit only costs thirty-two bucks and includes all of the parts that are usually lost or broken during the course of owning a rifle.

If you want to get super serious about gun maintenance, there’s the Breakthrough Cleaning Kit & Stag Arms Parts Kit Bundle for $122.95. This one’s got everything you could possibly need to properly clean and maintain a .223, 7.62 and 9mm.

It comes with 3 nylon bore brushes, 2 brass patch holders for .22 cal and .30 cal, a lightweight Velcro front soft case, 1 two ounce bottle of Breakthrough Military Grade Solvent, 1 two ounce bottle of Battle Born High-Punty Oil, 1 packet of Battle Born Grease, 2 buffer retainer springs, 2 buffer retainers, 2 extractor spring inserts, 4 pivot/takedown detent pins, 4 pivot/takedown detent springs, 2 safety detent pins and 2 safety detent springs.

That’s to say nothing of everything you get in the bolt rebuild kit that’s included (camp pin, disconnector, extractor pin, firing pin, hammer spring, mag catch spring, trigger spring, etc.). Seriously, they’ve really thought of everything with this one.

That’s the thing about Stag, they have a reputation that’s founded, first and foremost, on being a reliable parts dealer which is why many people don’t immediately think of them when it comes to AR-15s, but as we’ve seen here, their firearms are almost always as admirable as their parts and accessories.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Stag Arms are known for their customer relations and return/exchange policies. Unused products can be returned within fifteen days of their arrival. In addition, their customer service department is on standby to respond to return requests.

As one user on Reddit was quick to point out, “Stag’s firearms are a little higher [in price] than core15 but they provide truly first class customer service and warranty. They even warrant the barrel with an ‘infinite’ shot guarantee which we know is impossible so they are pretty much saying if you shoot out the rifling we will give you a new barrel.

“While stag arms hasn’t been producing complete firearms for as long as other major companies they have been supplying factory parts to many major companies rumored to include Colt, FN, and S&W as well as tons more!”

Of course, not everyone has the same experience with a manufacturer and Stag Arms is no exception. Elsewhere on Reddit, a user had this to say about their experience ordering from Stag: “I placed an order with Stag Arms over two months ago, the order is still listed (on stag’s website) as, ‘awaiting fulfillment.’

“I know Stag has had some internal issues and I’m beginning to wonder if this company is going to shut down and keep my money…I used their, ‘contact us’ portal on the website and got zero response, called customer service and was told they were working on completing my order (two weeks ago).”

A user responding to this post echoed the sentiment, saying, “I became a Model 2 owner a month ago…I contacted customer support because I think my front sight is a little bent and see if they can replace it but they haven’t emailed me back.”

However, it is worth noting that these user experiences were posted to Reddit 11 months ago when the company was in a state of transition. And as usual, responses were divided with one user replying, “I ordered a barrel…3 weeks ago and I got it within a week even though the website said it was going to take a month.”

As far as refunds are concerned, Stag asks customers to expect a 2-3 week processing period before refunds are issued.

UPDATE FROM STAG ARMS CUSTOMER SERVICE:

  • The company has recently hired additional internal support to help in assisting customers

  • Refunds: Processed in 1-2 business days. When the refund hits, it will depend on the credit card company

  • Lifetime Transferable Warranty and Infinite Shot Barrel Guarantee

SHIPPING

Perhaps in response to some of the consumer complaints about the lengthy lag time on orders, Stag is currently advertising their Quick Ship Page in a slideshow on their homepage.

Bear in mind, however, that not all of their products can be found on the Quick Ship page. But those that are ship within two business days. Users are advised to punch in the coupon code FAST AND FREE to automatically receive free shipping at checkout.

Quick Ship items include their builders sets and the Stag 10 Upper/Lower Combo.

UPDATE FROM STAG ARMS SHIPPING:

  • The company has recently hired additional internal support to help in shipping products as quickly and efficiently as possible

STAG ARMS DISCOUNTS

Stag Arms occasionally offers their customers discounts. Since August is National Shooting Sports Month, they are currently giving customers a 20% off discount on all non-sale products. They also do American Summer Giveaways that are worth as much as $2,200.