Spike's vs Cryptic Coatings: AR-15 brands compared
Spike's leads in 4 of 5 categories.
Spike's for receivers and furniture. Cryptic Coatings for bolt carrier groups.
From tens of thousands of real builds and live prices at 30+ retailers.
Our take
Spike's Tactical makes AR rifles, uppers, lowers and parts in Florida, with the Spider logo on the lowers. The T3 tungsten buffer is one of their most known parts.
Lifetime warranty · Forged lowers · Tungsten buffers
- Close to average prices
- The more popular pick: in 7% of builds
- Receivers (Cryptic Coatings receivers are rarely picked)
- Furniture (Cryptic Coatings furniture are rarely picked)
Cryptic Coatings makes coated AR bolt carrier groups in PVD and CVD finishes like Mystic Bronze, made to cut friction and run cooler.
Veteran founded · Lifetime warranty · BCG specialist · Low lube
- Paying more: about 22% above average
- Bolt carrier groups, picked 2.4x as often
Many builders mix them: 11% of Cryptic Coatings builds add Spike's, most often the upper receiver.
Biggest differences
"Picked" is the share of builds with that part that chose each brand.
| Spike's | Cryptic Coatings | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price vs average | About average | 22% pricier | Spike's cheaper |
| Share of builds | 7% | 5% | Spike's 1.4x |
| Retailers carrying | 15 | 4 | Spike's 4x |
| BCGs picked | 4.0% | 9.6% | Cryptic Coatings 2.4x |
| Parts listed | 332 | 243 | Spike's 1.4x |
Price: Spike's wins
For the same part, Spike's parts run about average and Cryptic Coatings parts run 22% pricier than average.
Builder favorite: Spike's wins
Spike's is in 7% of builds and Cryptic Coatings is in 5% of builds.
Why Spike's: Everything Spike's makes carries a lifetime manufacturer's warranty.
Receivers: Spike's wins
Spike's upper receivers picked often, Cryptic Coatings rarely.
Why Spike's: The Spider stripped lower is forged 7075-T6 with a Type III Class 2 hard coat anodized finish.
Most picked Spike's receivers
Spike's Tactical Upper Receiver$99.99, in stock at 5 stores
Spike's Tactical Spikes Tactical Upper/Lower Receiver$217.99, in stock at 5 stores
Spike's Tactical Flat Top Upper w/ Ejection Port Door$103.50, in stock at 3 storesMost picked Cryptic Coatings receivers
Rarely picked
Internals: Cryptic Coatings wins
Builders pick Cryptic Coatings bolt carrier groups (2.4x) more often than Spike's. Spike's barrels, muzzle devices and buffer tubes are picked often, Cryptic Coatings's rarely.
Why Cryptic Coatings: Steel Cryptic BCGs use an 8620 carrier and a Carpenter 158 bolt, are HPT and MPI tested, and the gas key is staked with grade 8 screws.
Furniture: Spike's wins
Spike's handguards picked often, Cryptic Coatings rarely.
Most picked Spike's furniture
Spike's Tactical Crr Quad Rail Handguard$265.50, in stock at 1 store
Spike's Tactical BAR2 AR Rifle Rail 13.5" Free Floating$206.76, in stock at 3 stores
Spike's Tactical Crr Rail M-LOK Handguard$265.50, in stock at 1 storeMost picked Cryptic Coatings furniture
Rarely picked
The full record
Everything we track for Spike's vs Cryptic Coatings, from builds, store listings and daily prices.
| Spike's | Cryptic Coatings | |
|---|---|---|
| Share of builds | 7% | 5% |
| Price tier | Mid priced | Premium |
| Parts listed | 332 | 243 |
| Part types | 22 | 1 |
| Retailers carrying | 15 | 4 |
| In stock now | 50% | 29% |
| Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts | Flat | 10% lower |
| On sale now | None | None |
