Which should you buy, Magpul or LMT?

Magpul for stocks. LMT for receivers and internals. Pick Magpul if you want close to average prices: builders pay 19% cheaper than average. Builders pick its stocks 209x as often. Pick LMT if you want close to average prices: builders pay 12% pricier than average. Builders pick its receivers far more often and internals far more often. Or mix them like builders do: 29% of LMT builds add Magpul, most often the stock.

Is Magpul cheaper than LMT?

Magpul. Magpul 19% cheaper than average, LMT 12% pricier than average.

Which do more AR-15 builders use, Magpul or LMT?

Magpul. Magpul is in 7.6x as many builds.

Magpul or LMT: which receivers do builders pick?

LMT. LMT lower receivers picked often, Magpul rarely.

Magpul or LMT: which furniture do builders pick?

Magpul. Magpul stocks picked 209x as often.

Can you mix Magpul and LMT parts?

Yes. 29% of LMT builds add Magpul, most often the stock.

Magpul vs LMT: AR-15 brands compared

Q: Magpul or LMT: which internals do builders pick?

LMT. LMT bolt carrier groups picked often, Magpul rarely.

Magpul leads in 4 of 6 categories.

Magpul for stocks. LMT for receivers and internals.

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

Our take

Magpul is best for:

Magpul makes PMAG magazines, MOE stocks and grips, and created the M-LOK slot system that most handguards use now.

Created M-LOK · Mil-spec compatible · 60 day returns

Close to average prices
The more popular pick: in 29% of builds
Stocks, picked 209x as often

LMT is best for:

LMT, now LMT Defense, makes rifles for militaries around the world. On the parts side it's known for the MRP monolithic upper and the Enhanced Bolt.

Monolithic uppers · Military contractor · Berry compliant

Close to average prices
Receivers (Magpul receivers are rarely picked)
Internals (Magpul internals are rarely picked)

Many builders mix them: 29% of LMT builds add Magpul, most often the stock.

Biggest differences

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

	Magpul	LMT	Difference
Price vs average	19% cheaper	12% pricier	Magpul cheaper
Share of builds	29%	4%	Magpul 7x
Stocks picked	41%	0.2%	Magpul 206x
Parts listed	1,103	154	Magpul 7x
Retailers carrying	23	10	Magpul 2.3x

Price: Magpul wins

For the same part, Magpul parts run 19% cheaper than average and LMT parts run 12% pricier than average.

Builder favorite: Magpul wins

Magpul is in 29% of builds and LMT is in 4% of builds.

Why Magpul: Every Magpul product has a 60 day, no questions asked return policy, so you can test it in the field.

Receivers: LMT wins

LMT lower receivers picked often, Magpul rarely.

Why LMT: The MRP upper is machined from a single 7075-T6 forging with the rail built in, and it's set up for quick barrel swaps.

Most picked Magpul receivers

Rarely picked

Most picked LMT receivers

LMT MARS-L Stripped Lower Receiver$320.99, in stock at 3 stores

LMT Upper Receiver$211.50, in stock at 2 stores

LMT MARS-LS PDW Lower Receiver$989.99, in stock at 2 stores

Internals: LMT wins

LMT bolt carrier groups picked often, Magpul rarely.

Why LMT: The Enhanced Bolt uses a proprietary material that's stronger than a standard bolt and easier to clean.

Most picked Magpul internals

Rarely picked

Most picked LMT internals

LMT Defense 5.56 F-A BOLT CARRIER GROUP$247.99, in stock at 2 stores

Lewis Machine & Tool 5.56MM CHARGING HANDLE$97.20, in stock at 2 stores

LMT 5.56 Chrome Lined M4 Barrel$428.40, in stock at 1 store

Furniture: Magpul wins

Builders pick Magpul stocks (209x) more often than LMT. Magpul handguards and pistol grips are picked often, LMT's rarely.

Why Magpul: The MOE SL stock fits mil-spec carbine tubes and has a slim profile, an anti-rattle feature and an ambi QD sling mount.

Most picked Magpul furniture

Magpul MOE Stock Collapsible$33.99, in stock at 9 stores

Magpul MOE K2 Grip Polymer Gray$14.97, in stock at 5 stores

Magpul MOE-SL Mid-Length Handguard$29.99, in stock at 8 stores

Most picked LMT furniture

LMT Defense SOPMOD Buttstock Tan$188.10, in stock at 1 store

LMT Defense SOPMOD Buttstock$188.10, in stock at 1 store

LMT DMR .308 Adjustable AR-10 Rifle Stock$403.65, in stock at 1 store

Shopper clicks: Magpul wins

Of recent clicks through to a store for these brands, 73% went to Magpul and 27% went to LMT.

The full record

Everything we track for Magpul vs LMT, from builds, store listings and daily prices.

	Magpul	LMT
Share of builds	29%	4%
Price tier	Mid priced	Mid priced
Parts listed	1,103	154
Part types	34	21
Retailers carrying	23	10
In stock now	85%	70%
Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts	13% higher	Flat
On sale now	2 parts	None