AR Lower Receiver

NitrusReigns · May 11, 2010, 09:08 AM

I am a student still right now and do not have a lot of money, but I want to start investing in a good, high quality AR. I figured I would start out by just buying a lower receiver and then I can keep building it up from there, but I really don't know that much about them at this point. I guess I'm just wondering if anybody has advice on which manufacturers and stuff to start looking at for this. Who makes a really good lower receiver for an AR and what are some of the really important features to look for?

gotigers · May 11, 2010, 09:16 AM

There are several and everyone will have a different opinion.

try here:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=3&f=4

Technosavant · May 11, 2010, 10:43 AM

For lower receivers, it doesn't matter much. In spec is in spec. Some have tighter magwells than others; I have some CMMG lowers that are great, I have a Superior Arms that is just fine, but older model Pmags don't drop free from that one.

I'd steer clear of Vulcan/Blackthorne/Hesse and Olympic- too much chance that things might be out of spec (Olympic's stuff tends to be accurate, but hit and miss in quality, the other company is just pure garbage).

As I said, I've used CMMG, Superior Arms, I have an Aero Precision at home waiting for me to build it up. There's really no shortage of decent lowers out there.

Palmetto-Pride · May 11, 2010, 11:27 AM

I would check out Stag also they make pretty good lowers and complete rifles for that matter.

kraigwy · May 11, 2010, 12:35 PM

As mentioned, the lower isnt that important.................except for the trigger. On my Service Rifle AR, my trigger cost me more then the lower. Its the Upper that counts.

Depends on what you want to do, if you want to compete, and have to have accuracy, you can't beat the White Oak.

Technosavant · May 11, 2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

As mentioned, the lower isnt that important.................except for the trigger. On my Service Rifle AR, my trigger cost me more then the lower. Its the Upper that counts.

My assumption is that the OP was looking at stripped lowers. Trigger will vary depending on the use- for a basic defensive or range rifle, the standard trigger in a LPK will be fine. For longer range precision, you are 100% correct- the good triggers cost money.

You are also 100% correct about the upper. There won't be any functional difference between a $100 lower and a $300 billet lower (assuming you use the same LPK). The differences in reliability and accuracy come from the barrel and the bolt carrier group. The price difference between a good barrel and an OK one tends to be more than the difference between a fantastic BCG and an OK one (RRA makes a decent BCG that can be had for $140, but another $20ish can get you a REALLY nice one).

candr44 · May 11, 2010, 04:51 PM

Check Spikes Tactical or Tactical Machining. They both had blemished lower receivers a while back and may still have some. Spikes was selling them for $65 and Tactical Machining's were $75.

I bought a Spikes blemished receiver at a gun show and their lower parts kit for around $125 out the door. I looked the receiver over closely and never could find the blemish. The trigger on Spikes lower kit also feels better than my DPMS kit.

The quality of parts you should pay attention to are the barrel, bolt carrier group, trigger, and buffer weight. Those have more to do with good fuction than a lower receiver does. BCM and Daniel Defense are a couple of companies that make good quality upper parts.

10-96 · May 11, 2010, 06:32 PM

+1 what Kraig said. Him speak big wisdom.

Longdayjake · May 11, 2010, 06:40 PM

Quote:

I bought a Spikes blemished receiver at a gun show and their lower parts kit for around $125 out the door. I looked the receiver over closely and never could find the blemish. The trigger on Spikes lower kit also feels better than my DPMS kit.

I was under the impression that there weren't any blemishes on them but rather there was no bullet stamp for the safety mechanism.

May 11, 2010, 09:08 AM	#1
NitrusReigns Junior Member Join Date: May 9, 2010 Location: South West Michigan Posts: 3	AR Lower Receiver I am a student still right now and do not have a lot of money, but I want to start investing in a good, high quality AR. I figured I would start out by just buying a lower receiver and then I can keep building it up from there, but I really don't know that much about them at this point. I guess I'm just wondering if anybody has advice on which manufacturers and stuff to start looking at for this. Who makes a really good lower receiver for an AR and what are some of the really important features to look for?

May 11, 2010, 11:27 AM	#4
Palmetto-Pride Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 2,071	I would check out Stag also they make pretty good lowers and complete rifles for that matter. __________________ “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.” -Margaret Thatcher-

May 11, 2010, 12:35 PM	#5
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	As mentioned, the lower isnt that important.................except for the trigger. On my Service Rifle AR, my trigger cost me more then the lower. Its the Upper that counts. Depends on what you want to do, if you want to compete, and have to have accuracy, you can't beat the White Oak. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

May 11, 2010, 06:32 PM	#8
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	+1 what Kraig said. Him speak big wisdom. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

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May 11, 2010, 09:16 AM	#2
gotigers Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2009 Location: Memphis Posts: 353	There are several and everyone will have a different opinion. try here: http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=3&f=4

May 11, 2010, 10:43 AM	#3
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	For lower receivers, it doesn't matter much. In spec is in spec. Some have tighter magwells than others; I have some CMMG lowers that are great, I have a Superior Arms that is just fine, but older model Pmags don't drop free from that one. I'd steer clear of Vulcan/Blackthorne/Hesse and Olympic- too much chance that things might be out of spec (Olympic's stuff tends to be accurate, but hit and miss in quality, the other company is just pure garbage). As I said, I've used CMMG, Superior Arms, I have an Aero Precision at home waiting for me to build it up. There's really no shortage of decent lowers out there.

May 11, 2010, 04:51 PM	#7
candr44 Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2006 Posts: 481	Check Spikes Tactical or Tactical Machining. They both had blemished lower receivers a while back and may still have some. Spikes was selling them for $65 and Tactical Machining's were $75. I bought a Spikes blemished receiver at a gun show and their lower parts kit for around $125 out the door. I looked the receiver over closely and never could find the blemish. The trigger on Spikes lower kit also feels better than my DPMS kit. The quality of parts you should pay attention to are the barrel, bolt carrier group, trigger, and buffer weight. Those have more to do with good fuction than a lower receiver does. BCM and Daniel Defense are a couple of companies that make good quality upper parts.