Which should you buy, Wilson Combat or Cryptic Coatings?

Wilson Combat for bolt carrier groups, receivers and furniture. Pick Wilson Combat if you want close to average prices: builders pay 15% cheaper than average. Builders pick its bolt carrier groups 1.8x as often and receivers far more often. Pick Cryptic Coatings if you don't mind paying more: builders pay 22% pricier than average. Or mix them like builders do: 26% of Cryptic Coatings builds add Wilson Combat, most often the pistol grip.

Is Wilson Combat cheaper than Cryptic Coatings?

Wilson Combat. Wilson Combat 15% cheaper than average, Cryptic Coatings 22% pricier than average.

Which do more AR-15 builders use, Wilson Combat or Cryptic Coatings?

Wilson Combat. Wilson Combat is in 4.4x as many builds.

Wilson Combat or Cryptic Coatings: which internals do builders pick?

Wilson Combat. Wilson Combat bolt carrier groups picked 1.8x as often.

Wilson Combat vs Cryptic Coatings: AR-15 brands compared

Q: Wilson Combat or Cryptic Coatings: which receivers do builders pick?

Wilson Combat. Wilson Combat lower receivers picked often, Cryptic Coatings rarely.

Q: Wilson Combat or Cryptic Coatings: which furniture do builders pick?

Wilson Combat. Wilson Combat pistol grips picked often, Cryptic Coatings rarely.

Q: Can you mix Wilson Combat and Cryptic Coatings parts?

Yes. 26% of Cryptic Coatings builds add Wilson Combat, most often the pistol grip.

Wilson Combat leads in 6 of 6 categories.

Wilson Combat for bolt carrier groups, receivers and furniture.

From tens of thousands of real builds and live prices at 30+ retailers.

Our take

Wilson Combat is best for:

Wilson Combat is the custom 1911 shop from Berryville, Arkansas, and AR folks know it for barrels, drop-in triggers and accuracy tested rifles.

Custom shop · Accuracy guarantee · Drop-in triggers · 416R barrels

Close to average prices
The more popular pick: in 24% of builds
Bolt carrier groups, picked 1.8x as often
Receivers (Cryptic Coatings receivers are rarely picked)

Cryptic Coatings is best for:

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

Many builders mix them: 26% of Cryptic Coatings builds add Wilson Combat, most often the pistol grip.

Biggest differences

"Picked" is the share of builds with that part that chose each brand.

	Wilson Combat	Cryptic Coatings	Difference
Price vs average	15% cheaper	22% pricier	Wilson Combat cheaper
Share of builds	24%	5%	Wilson Combat 5x
Retailers carrying	15	4	Wilson Combat 4x
Parts listed	591	243	Wilson Combat 2.4x
BCGs picked	17%	9.6%	Wilson Combat 1.8x

Price: Wilson Combat wins

For the same part, Wilson Combat parts run 15% cheaper than average and Cryptic Coatings parts run 22% pricier than average.

Builder favorite: Wilson Combat wins

Wilson Combat is in 24% of builds and Cryptic Coatings is in 5% of builds.

Why Wilson Combat: There's no written warranty because of federal warranty law, though Wilson stands behind its products.

Receivers: Wilson Combat wins

Wilson Combat lower receivers picked often, Cryptic Coatings rarely.

Most picked Wilson Combat receivers

Wilson Combat Lower Receiver Forged$51.79, in stock at 2 stores

Wilson Combat Billet Upper Receiverout of stock

Wilson Combat Wc-15 Billet Lower Receiver$61.63, in stock at 4 stores

Most picked Cryptic Coatings receivers

Rarely picked

Internals: Wilson Combat wins

Builders pick Wilson Combat bolt carrier groups (1.8x) more often than Cryptic Coatings. Wilson Combat barrels, charging handles and triggers are picked often, Cryptic Coatings's rarely.

Why Wilson Combat: Wilson AR barrels are 416R stainless with button rifling.

Most picked Wilson Combat internals

Wilson Combat Bolt Carrier Assy 5.56 NATO Polished$150.49, in stock at 7 stores

Wilson Combat Lo-Profile Gas Block .750"$30.37, in stock at 7 stores

Wilson Combat Tactical Trigger Unit$152.99, in stock at 7 stores

Most picked Cryptic Coatings internals

Cryptic Coatings 5.56 NATO Bolt Carrier Group$217.99, in stock at 2 stores

Cryptic Coatings 5.56 NATO Bolt Carrier Group$238.99, in stock at 2 stores

Furniture: Wilson Combat wins

Wilson Combat pistol grips picked often, Cryptic Coatings rarely.

Most picked Wilson Combat furniture

Wilson Combat Starburst Gunfighter Pistol Grip$25.32, in stock at 8 stores

Wilson Combat M-LOK Handguard$108.68, in stock at 8 stores

Wilson Combat Buttstock$49.49, in stock at 3 stores

Most picked Cryptic Coatings furniture

Rarely picked

Shopper clicks: Wilson Combat wins

Of recent clicks through to a store for these brands, 89% went to Wilson Combat and 11% went to Cryptic Coatings.

The full record

Everything we track for Wilson Combat vs Cryptic Coatings, from builds, store listings and daily prices.

	Wilson Combat	Cryptic Coatings
Share of builds	24%	5%
Price tier	Mid priced	Premium
Parts listed	591	243
Part types	55	1
Retailers carrying	15	4
In stock now	61%	29%
Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts	Flat	10% lower
On sale now	None	None