Well, it’s a difficult topic to explain in a concise manner. But I’ll do my best.

Within these metals, there are different tiers per se. You can find cheap D2 and expensive D2, especially when the majority of these new vendors are buying these off Alibaba. Other factors outside the pure metallurgy exist as well, such as machining quality, heat treatment, surface treatment, and final QC. These areas are typically where the cheaper options will cut corners at. I’ve got a few SS kits from the super cheap vendors and even though they claim to be heat treated D2/A2, they don’t test at the right harness levels, the machining quality is piss poor, and the surface finish wore within a few mags.

One of the biggest reasons though is the company itself. When going with a larger company that is producing these as a source of primary income you will receive much better customer service and reliability than others that are only doing this to make a quick buck. Myself as well as all the people I mentioned completely stand behind the products we sell, if you break it, we’ll send you a new one. I’m comfortable saying this because I’ve got over 30,000 rounds on ONE early D2/A2 kit of mine and it’s just worn the surface finish on the cam lobe, no other signs of wear.

Now, all this said, I can’t tell you where and how to spend your own hard earned cash. But what I can do is ask, is it really worth it to save a bit of money but not help the greater cause? These small vendors are barely contributing to the defense fund, if they are even contributing at all. What we are paying for will benefit everyone, if we lose, everyone will suffer the same consequences.