M5 BM - Badger vs. PTG

[G17C]

I'm having a McMillan A5 inletted for the M5 DBM bottom metal. I very much like the Badger M5 Enhanced bottom metal but at nearly 1/3 the price, the PTG set up is very tempting. Can anyone shed any light on the quality difference between the two?

TIA for any insight!

 

[G101489]

Get the badger. You went high end by going McMillan, so don't go lower end by going PTG. Not saying it won't work, but you will wish you would have gotten the badger.

 

[spife7980]

While I've heard that the ptg is nice I've also heard a of a couple issues with it but I've never heard someone say the badger was an off product. Maybe that's due to the people installing them, maybe it's the product, maybe it's random luck. I can't say, but the badger is the fool proof option from this side of my computer screen.

 

[jetmd]

Badger.....Done

 

[Waorani]

I have both and like the matte finish of the Badger a little better. They show up on ebay occasionally for a decent price.

 

[rd_kng]

I have three of the PTG bottom metals and have never had a failure. Two of them are mounted in McMillan stocks and 1 in a Bell and Carlson. The only difference I can tell is the shape of the trigger guard and the cost. I just received a new Grayboe stock for a current build and will stick with the PTG. Good luck.

 

[G17C]

Get the badger. You went high end by going McMillan, so don't go lower end by going PTG. Not saying it won't work, but you will wish you would have gotten the badger.

Yes, this is my thinking as well, just wanted to confirm it is correct. I really like the release paddle of the Badger Enhanced as well.

 

[Ledzep]

PTG. I mean it's your money, whatever makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside... but it's not a complicated part. It holds a box mag and provides a backing for the action screws. I've run 3 PTG dbm's personally, and built or helped build tens of rifles with both Badger and PTG dbm and there's no real performance difference that I've seen.

 

[G17C]

... but it's not a complicated part.

I agree, I just like the design of the enhanced version better. Plus I get a mag and new screws.

 

[powdahound76]

The enhanced is nice with the extra in front and the mag release is way nice.
I have had Badger, Surgeon, and PTG and not had an issue with any of them while my rifles sit in my safe and I change diapers and take my kid to taekwondo, swimming, and for hang out time with other kids......
really though, they all work just fine for my wimpy little needs. Badger is top end stuff. If your budget allows, I would go Badger.

 

[G17C]

If your budget allows, I would go Badger.

Well, it really doesn't but if I didn't I know I'd be looking at the perfectly-functional-but-less-expensive PTG on the finished rifle that I'm already spending way too much $$ on[SUP](1)[/SUP] thinking "I coulda had BO." ;-/

My already smoldering card took the hit on the Badger Ordnance last night.

[SUP](1) [/SUP]With the GAP Crusader serving as inspiration, a Remington SPS Tac that I've had for a few years is being re-barreled with a R5 Bartlein in M40 contour cut to 23 inches, having the action trued, a Holland bolt handle installed with a TIG weld, reworked barreled action being Cerakoted and placed in a new pillar bedded McMillan A5.

 

[Pusher591]

Well, it really doesn't but if I didn't I know I'd be looking at the perfectly-functional-but-less-expensive PTG on the finished rifle that I'm already spending way too much $$ on[SUP](1)[/SUP] thinking "I coulda had BO." ;-/

My already smoldering card took the hit on the Badger Ordnance last night.

[SUP](1) [/SUP]With the GAP Crusader serving as inspiration, a Remington SPS Tac that I've had for a few years is being re-barreled with a R5 Bartlein in M40 contour cut to 23 inches, having the action trued, a Holland bolt handle installed with a TIG weld, reworked barreled action being Cerakoted and placed in a new pillar bedded McMillan A5.

Should be a nice build and you won't regret the BO. They both function the same but for me it came down to looks only really. The BO looks way better and if you are building a nice high end rifle might as well use high end parts.

 

[TWOMANATTACK]

If I am not building a USMC spec rifle I always buy PTG. The price is considerably less and the quality is equal. We build about 30 guns a year, no quality problems with either manufacture, it comes down to economics

 

[FatBoy]

Does the PTG come with pillars?

Personally, BO gets my money unless I am building a clone and it's not a spec part. They take all the guesswork out of getting it to function perfectly. Smith uses the supplied pillars without fucking with them, it feeds and functions perfectly. And, Marty has been a stellar supplier to this communtiy before there were 200,000 guys running around with super snipery Ninja rifles and his service has always been top notch. End of story.

 

[Sonic Crack]

The ptg DBM works. Finish is sub par, sometimes the mag well will bottom out on the stock inlet. Ive seen a few of them that have been machined incorrectly (large burs/undercuts). I have never had anything off to say about the Badger DBM

 

[supercorndogs]

Does the PTG come with pillars?

Personally, BO gets my money unless I am building a clone and it's not a spec part. They take all the guesswork out of getting it to function perfectly. Smith uses the supplied pillars without fucking with them, it feeds and functions perfectly. And, Marty has been a stellar supplier to this communtiy before there were 200,000 guys running around with super snipery Ninja rifles and his service has always been top notch. End of story.

Yes, PTG comes with pillars. I had several of the that dropped in to an M5 inlett, but always check them. I had one that the mag well was taller than the pillars. So it would bottom out on the action before the pillars were making contact.

 

[G17C]

The BO Enhanced M5 showed up today and looks great. However, a note of interest: the over-priced AI mag has considerable vertical play after it's locked in. I'm not even sure it will function correctly. The $30 Magpul mag locks in perfectly with no wiggle, retracts easily and looks better.

Seriously, $90 for that POS AI mag?

Edit - after a second look, the Magpul mag has the same play. Still I'd buy the Magpul over the AI even if the price was the same.

 

[tlg308]

I've got the PTG, works great. All it needs to do is hold a mag and does so.

 

[spife7980]

It has enough vertical play in it when installed in the stock or just with the two separate pieces in hand?

 

[beenjammin]

https://www.konohawk.com/store/p18/K..._Assembly.html

another options with a mag but more expensive then ptg. Almost exactly 40 above ptg and 40 below badger.

 

[G17C]

It has enough vertical play in it when installed in the stock or just with the two separate pieces in hand?

In hand. I'm thinking this is normal and will be tight(er) once installed.

 

[Harv24]

I purchased a PT&G bottom metal last year for my HS Precision Stock. Sent the stock to them and had them do the inletting. The metal dropped in and the mag fed with no issues
Been using it for the last year. no issues.

Just my experience.

 

[Jgun]

I installed the PTG on an FN action in an HS precision stock with the mini chassis, that I did the inletting for myself. I went with the PTG because there were only two options I could find for DBM and the other company wanted me to send my action to be milled out (which I didn't want to do). and I have had good luck in the past with gauges and reamers from them. In my case (might be isolated} I found that I had problems with the mags not having a positive stop to prevent over insertion. I had to send it back to be reworked. From what I've heard, this problem is specific to the WIN/FN DBM.