Stag Arms Model 8 Opinions

mp1290

mp1290

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I know this topis has been beating to death on multiple occasions on multiple sites. But I would like to hear the opinion of fellow AWB brethren to make a more informed decision before I spend $1000 on my first AR rifle.

I have been slowly building/ deciding what kind of AR rifle I would like to build.
Currently i have a Stag Arms Lower receiver, with a stag parts kit and a A4 pinned buttstock.
My questions arise now where i am looking to spend my money on a complete upper receiver. I have decided on the Stag Model 8 because they cater to the AWB states, have a good reputation, and i will be supporting North East Jobs. I am leaning towards the piston gun because of the ease of cleaning and the amount of shooting i do shouldn't wear anything out costing me a lot of money. I will be using this gun for recreational shooting, pest control, and potentially a zombie apocalypse.

I would appreciate your suggestions on if i should or shouldn't buy this upper. Just need someone elses opinion before i drop all my dough.
 
As many others will say , Stag is not all their cracked up to be. You won't find the best AR money can buy in a Stag and there are far better AR platforms if you're going to spend $1000. Smith and Wesson makes one hell of a rifle and I don't know if you looked into them but definitely do so. I started my AR addiction with the M&P Sport and couldn't be happier with it. It hasnt given me one issue in over 1000rds. I swapped the handguard for a quad rail , changed the stock , added a tactical charging latch , and a few other things making it a $900 beast AR. Best of luck.
 
The S&W isn't a piston gun is it? Ive been leaning towards those because i don't have the time to meticulously clean my guns after i go shooting. Because of this i only shoot one or two guns at a time while at the range to decrease the time it take me to clean them.
 
I wanted a AR-15 and had no experience building one. So I went to Four Seasons and purchased a Stag #8. I think it was $699 at the time (8 months ago). I have found it to be a great gun for the price, but it needs upgrades to make it a better performer. I found the pinned collapsible stock that comes with it is subpar and the buffer tube spring sounds like a kid on a pogo stick. I will also probably replace the bcg and charging handle to an upgraded model sometime in the future.
I have since built my own with a NES 2012 lower from the group buy, a RRA LPK, PSA 16" A4 upper, Failzero bcg, and Magpul forend, stock, sling swivel etc.. This self built gun is rock solid and makes the Stag look and feel like a toy.
If you want one and don't know how to build (or can't afford the best parts) then get a Stag. If you want more flexibility and higher quality parts then build your own.
 
The Stag Model 8 piston system is actually made by CMMG. Adams Arms is a better piston system.
 
I own the Stag 8L (lefty) version. My bet is that most of the trash talkers have never owned one. Sure, the Adams Arms, Noveske and other Tier 1 rifles are of better quality, but my 8L has NEVER had a problem. For me, it's a good balance between "the best" versus the affordability of a tier one rifle. The only thing I've added was a roller cam for the bolt which stays remarkably clean. If it's reliable, accurate and goes bang every time, I'm okay with a Stag.
 
I planned on an 8L but a friend gave me a sweet deal on an LMT upper with buis and a Leupold scope. Truly a breeze to clean.

Took my mongrol AR to the Holbrook and fired reloads which used pulldown powder. I've never seen so much grime before. It still needs more cleaning.

-tapatalk blows chunks-
 
I recently purchased a model 8 (my first AR)...It has run without issue 600+ rounds, puts shot group inside a half dollar at 100yds. Upgraded the stock, trigger guard, grip, charging handle, hand guard and added a cheap Chinese optic. The gun runs clean and is accurate enough for me and I am very happy with it. I looked at the S&W ($600) and an LMT CQB($1700)...I feel I got the best mix of features/function for the price($1000). Not sure why there is so much negative talk about Stag?? Mine has been great. Good luck with your decision.
 
I have a stag model 1 not an 8 but it is a great rifle. Accurate, reliable and damn fun to shoot. Stag makes great guns. Jim
 
Bluefin said:
I recently purchased a model 8 (my first AR)...It has run without issue 600+ rounds, puts shot group inside a half dollar at 100yds. Upgraded the stock, trigger guard, grip, charging handle, hand guard and added a cheap Chinese optic. The gun runs clean and is accurate enough for me and I am very happy with it. I looked at the S&W ($600) and an LMT CQB($1700)...I feel I got the best mix of features/function for the price($1000). Not sure why there is so much negative talk about Stag?? Mine has been great. Good luck with your decision.
Click to expand...

thats what I wanted to know. Thanks for your help. I'm gonna order one soon and also get the roller pin as well.
 
I owned a model 8 shot very well but mine had to have the upper replaced. One day after shooting I cleaned the gun etc. I could not get the gun to go back togther, the inside section were the piston runs got messed up. Stag was excellent in replacing the entire upper. I sold the gun to another forum member soon after. I dont believ he has had any issues.
 
If you buy the Stag for $100 more you can get it with the Plus package. For an extra $100 its totally worth it.
 
stinx said:
If you buy the Stag for $100 more you can get it with the Plus package. For an extra $100 its totally worth it.
Click to expand...

Well after a week of planning and reading, I went ahead and bought the Stag Upper to match my lower.
I got the Model 8 with the Diamondhead flip up sights, ban compliance, and the plus package.
Said it will take 2 weeks to ship but i will be sure to give a full range report with pictures when it arrives.

Thanks for your opinions and advise.
-Max
 
Ya know, for the price of the Stag you can't go wrong. While I don't have an 8, I run a Model 3 and beat it. I've changed it a bit, took the railed gas block off and put on a low profile one, installed a full quad rail as well as a MagPul stock. It runs like a champ and never mis feeds. Round count is approaching 9K. Recently I bought a Stag 3G comp/muzzle break to try, taking the original muzzle break off and found I like it. I also own an AR platform rifle I built on a Spkes lower with a BCM upper as well as a pre ban Colt, but I use the Stag more. Would I use it in competition...entry level, yeah, but would get a Daniel Defense say for really hard use. For now the Stag is a super range AR rifle with a lot of features for the short price tag.
 
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I don't like pistons generally speaking in ARs. I think they add unnecessary complexity and diminish your potential parts pool. It sounded like you already had your mind made up, but I would have spent the money differently, just my .02. If you get a rifle that runs well and is accurate, that is all you can really ask for. Good luck!

If you don't have the 5 minutes to give your AR a good enough cleaning now and then, you probably shouldn't own one.

Mike
 
The stag Model 8 uses the CMMG piston system,its not very hard to remove the piston system and go back to DI if you ever needed to.
 
You must be reading all of the internet hoolah about Piston vs. Direct Impingment. Buying into the Piston system without trying DI is like marrying the first girlfriend you've ever had. Why tie yourself down on the first go? Buy into a basic set up. Figure out what you like and don't like. Branch out from there. If you find DI is a pain in the ass to clean, then go Piston. But honestly, unless you're crawling around in dirt and dust every day you're not going to fully realize the benefits of a Piston system.
 
No experience at all with stag. If you see the value go for it. As far as DI vs piston. I was going to go piston for the clean reason as well. But decided to spend the extra loot on a WO barrel instead. It actually has very little clean up really

Sent from my T-Mobile Galaxy S III
 
Adams Arms piston upper is much better than stag and if you wanna spend the money get a Sig 516 upper. I gave about 3k through mine without a single failure (I shoot mostly wolf or Tula) the gun stays cleaner and cooler and cleans in 10 mins
 
I picked up an Adams Arms upper in Agawam a few years ago and after about 2500 rounds, it is flawless. On piston rifles, you need to know not all railed arm guards will fit. Troy makes a great set if you are into that. as someone pointed out, they are slightly more complicated in that you can, sing no tools, take the piston system out to clean it. It is easy to do and if you can disassemble a 1911, then disassembly of the piston system is a joke. As you stated though, cleaning is a breeze so for me, this far outweighed the added complexity.
 
2e17wbr.jpg


I'll try to keep opinion to a minimum and stick to facts.


The pic (assuming the embedded image shows up) is a 5 shot group inside 1" at 100 yds from my Stag 8, from this past weekend when the climate was about 71 degrees F, 70% humidity, 5 mph crosswind, using handloads with 45 gr. Sierra spitzer bullets and 24.7 gr H335 powder.


Not bad for a 16" M4 profile barrel, wielded by a mediocre shooter sighting through a $25 Walmart 9 x 40mm scope which I didn't bother zeroing.

There have been zero malfunctions in approximately 600 rds since I've had the rifle. This is the rifle Stinx referred to in his post. The upper and lower fit together perfectly, with no wiggle whatsoever. There is no pogo stick noise noticeable from the buffer spring. I've taken the upper apart, including the piston assembly, with no problems reassembling. You just need to align the holes to slide the piston through. The receiver and BCG barely need cleaning. I give them a wipedown with a patch and some Hoppes and the patch only gets a little gray.
 
I have had stag uppers in the past...There not bad, but a Model 8 upper is 800 bucks and Adams Arms upper is about 500ish give or take.

I personally like my Sig Piston upper, but my adams arms is just as good for half the price
 
fred2386 said:
You must be reading all of the internet hoolah about Piston vs. Direct Impingment. Buying into the Piston system without trying DI is like marrying the first girlfriend you've ever had. Why tie yourself down on the first go? Buy into a basic set up. Figure out what you like and don't like. Branch out from there. If you find DI is a pain in the ass to clean, then go Piston. But honestly, unless you're crawling around in dirt and dust every day you're not going to fully realize the benefits of a Piston system.
Click to expand...

Your right that i havent owned a DI AR15 but i do own a remington 742 with gas blowback and hate shooting it. I am very meticulous with cleaning my guns after anytime i shoot them so a simple 5 min cleaning is out of the picture for me. I did happen to get the upper in the mail this friday and put 300 rounds through it. Very clean no malfunctions and accuracy was good soon as i got the irons sighted in
 

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