wise lite or ima rear receiver sections

[redrivertactical]

ok guys...the burning question...should i use the two ima rear receiver sections that i have purchased to build up these parts kits or hang on and pick up two wise lite rear receiver sections? Im pretty much torn. I know how great the wise lite sections look and am terribly attracted to them. Weigh in on this please.

[Michael J]

I figured the ima rear would be an easier build for me than re-fabricating a receiver from those wiselite stampings. not to mention, i had it all priced out, and the value of all the things i needed if i went with using the ima rear added up to be like $300 cheaper ! This is only based strictly on parts, including pirates conversion parts. I have access to a complete shop of machines and tools at school, and bountiful piles of metal i can make whatever jig i like out of, for FREE. I think that attributes to the cost, and why i am in favor of the ima rear.

Here are my cost estimates:

option #1 using IMA rear:
-receiver parts + buffer tab still attached $110 (hand select)
-wiselite barrel bushing $150 (apex)
-ratchet plate $25 (apex)
-camming repair section stamping $120 (apex)
sub total: $405

option #2 using wiselite rear stamping (all parts from apex):
-stampings $475
-barrel bushing $150
-ratchet plate $25
-buffer cone $35

-buffer tabs $32 (RTG)
sub total: $717

other parts needed regardless of above choice:
-All rivets required $37 (RTG) (rails, trunnion, front sight)
-Pirates conversion parts only, no services done $265


Like i noted, i have access to tools, and machines free, so i assumed total price beyond calculated to be close. Mind you, this is not including accessories, park, blue, or whatever else i decide needs to be done to maker her look sexy like an m53 should . I do expect small things here and there to run the estimated costs up, and shipping + taxes will be the craps... but hey, at least that $300 you saved, can be put towards other stuff, or paying pirate to do the tough stuff .


IF however this is not based on estimated costs, and the money means little to you. Well, if i had the cash, i'd have bought more ima rears to simply "stock up" on. I suppose, as gun building aint really popular here in canada, it don't make a difference for me... but, i would expect the value of your ima rears to increase, faster than that of the wiselite stampings. They can be made, while the ima rears are the "real deal", and won't just pop up in the years to come. So, it may be wise to store your ima rears for now, but thats completely up to you .

[oakrodent]

Try BRP, they have really really nice stuff. It also looks more correct then the wise lite. Also if you do use IMA I would buy the mid section and the trunnion section from BRP. I believe the mid section is only $15. It has some grinding cuts but they are easy to fill. The trunnion section I believe is $250. Any way the measurements for the trunnion and barrel tabs are correct and the trunnion is still riveted on. I have built a few of them and they turned out great. But now I bought o few of the complete mg42 receiver section from BRP. I am supper happy with them. They are easy to build. They just take a little more time. If you can't tell I like the MG42

[www.Prussia.us]

Michael J, and Oakrodent sure hit all the important points.

The other nice thing the re-weld offers is the historic aspect, and by the grace of god IMA is dumping them so they are dirt cheap.

Oakrodent's suggestion to buy the BRP mid-section for $250 or so would be MUCh easier than welding the WLA cam section, but for those proficient with a welder then it really does not matter.

Either way IMA's choice (as I highly doubt they were misplaced in the warehouse) to finally dump these means Christmas has come early for a lot of builders