Timber Creek vs Radian: AR-15 brands compared

Radian leads in 4 of 6 categories.

Timber Creek for the price and furniture. Radian for charging handles and receivers.

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

Our take

Timber Creek is best for:

Timber Creek makes machined aluminum AR-15 and AR-10 parts in a wide range of anodized colors, from handguards and charging handles to safety selectors.

Anodized colors · AR-15 and AR-10 · Machined aluminum

  • Spending less: about 43% below average
  • Furniture (Radian furniture are rarely picked)

Radian is best for:

Radian makes ambidextrous AR controls in Redmond, Oregon, and the Raptor charging handle is the one everybody knows. They used to go by AXTS Weapons Systems.

Ambi controls · Limited lifetime warranty · Billet charging handles

  • Paying more: about 33% above average
  • The more popular pick: in 26% of builds
  • Charging handles, picked 20x as often
  • Receivers (Timber Creek receivers are rarely picked)

Many builders mix them: 15% of Timber Creek builds add Radian, most often the charging handle.

Biggest differences

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

Timber CreekRadianDifference
Price vs average43% cheaper33% pricierTimber Creek cheaper
Share of builds3%26%Radian 9x
Charging handles picked2.0%41%Radian 20x
Retailers carrying1015Radian 1.5x
Parts listed418398

Price: Timber Creek wins

For the same part, Timber Creek parts run 43% cheaper than average and Radian parts run 33% pricier than average.

Builder favorite: Radian wins

Timber Creek is in 3% of builds and Radian is in 26% of builds.

Why Radian: Radian covers everything it sells with a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.

Receivers: Radian wins

Radian lower receivers picked often, Timber Creek rarely.

Most picked Timber Creek receivers

Rarely picked

Internals: Radian wins

Builders pick Radian charging handles (20x) more often than Timber Creek. Radian bolt carrier groups and triggers are picked often, Timber Creek's rarely. Timber Creek buffer tubes are picked often, Radian's rarely.

Why Radian: The Raptor is an all billet ambidextrous charging handle you can run from either side.

Furniture: Timber Creek wins

Timber Creek handguards picked often, Radian rarely.

Most picked Radian furniture

Rarely picked

Shopper clicks: Radian wins

Of recent clicks through to a store for these brands, 91% went to Radian and 9% went to Timber Creek.

The full record

Everything we track for Timber Creek vs Radian, from builds, store listings and daily prices.

Timber CreekRadian
Share of builds3%26%
Price tierBudget friendlyPremium
Parts listed418398
Part types1923
Retailers carrying1015
In stock now68%63%
Price change, 90 dayson the most picked parts5% lowerFlat
On sale nowNoneNone

What builders pair with them

Timber Creek vs Radian: questions builders ask

Which should you buy, Timber Creek or Radian?

Timber Creek for the price and furniture. Radian for charging handles and receivers. Pick Timber Creek if price matters most: builders pay about 43% less than average for the same part. Builders pick its furniture far more often. Pick Radian if you don't mind paying more: builders pay 33% pricier than average. Builders pick its charging handles 20x as often and receivers far more often. Or mix them like builders do: 15% of Timber Creek builds add Radian, most often the charging handle.

Is Timber Creek cheaper than Radian?

Timber Creek. Timber Creek 43% cheaper than average, Radian 33% pricier than average.

Which do more AR-15 builders use, Timber Creek or Radian?

Radian. Radian is in 8.5x as many builds.

Timber Creek or Radian: which receivers do builders pick?

Radian. Radian lower receivers picked often, Timber Creek rarely.

Timber Creek or Radian: which internals do builders pick?

Radian. Radian charging handles picked 20x as often.

Timber Creek or Radian: which furniture do builders pick?

Timber Creek. Timber Creek handguards picked often, Radian rarely.

Can you mix Timber Creek and Radian parts?

Yes. 15% of Timber Creek builds add Radian, most often the charging handle.

What is Timber Creek known for?

Timber Creek makes machined aluminum AR-15 and AR-10 parts in a wide range of anodized colors, from handguards and charging handles to safety selectors.

What is Radian known for?

Radian makes ambidextrous AR controls in Redmond, Oregon, and the Raptor charging handle is the one everybody knows. They used to go by AXTS Weapons Systems.

More Timber Creek comparisons

More Radian comparisons