AR 15 Lowers

[grandpatim]

I am thinking about building my own AR15. I have been looking at parts on the internet and have pretty much decided what I want to build. But the lower receivers I have looked at are from very low priced to very expensive. Does anybody have any recommendatios for a particular seller or brand. I already have a guy with an FFL that will let me have it shipped to him so thats not a problem. I just want to make sure I get a good quality receiver but not pay an arm and a leg for it. I realize that I may have to settle for one or the other.

Thanks

[ThunderDownUnder]

I use Rock River Arms lowers. I have had great success with them.
Plus they are easy to do business with.
Colts and Bushmasters are also tops in my book.

The problems usually arise from improper assembly of the barrel, upper, gas system rather than the lower.

J

[Bob Wolff]

lots of opinions and knowledge here...
http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=3&f=4

Bob

[Jungle Work]

I use Stag Arms or Rock River Lowers, just whatever I can find cheapest at the time, since they are both the same.
DPMS and other are ok.
JM$.02 W

Jungle Work

[anygunanywhere]

+1 for Stag Arms lowers.

Used Rock River parts kits though.

Anygun

[HEMIzygote]

LMT all the way.

http://www.lewismachine.net

[Rex B]

I've been following AR15.com for some time, as I'm assembling ARs also - just finished the first one. From what I've seen, any of the lowers will do just fine. Right now the lowest priced lower is from EssentialArms.com.
They cost $77 plus shipping.

Another alternative is an 80% finished lower.
All the difficult machining is done, you just have to (accurately) drill and ream a few holes, possible clean up the magwell. A little less than the EA if you shop, with the bonus of no FFL or 4473 involved.

And if you are really adventurous, and have access to a milling machine, you can buy a 0% forging and machine your own.
I'm working up my courage to start one of those

[grandpatim]

I knew about the 0% forgings but not the 80%. Looks like the natural progression of building.

[Rex B]

For the full progression, you need to include the "hacking a lower from a hunk of aluminum with chisels and files".

And then there's the "Take a chunk of bauxite and heat..."

[grandpatim]

[KBCraig]

For the full progression, you need to include the "hacking a lower from a hunk of aluminum with chisels and files".

And then there's the "Take a chunk of bauxite and heat..."

Is it cheating if we collect cans from the trash?

[grandpatim]

I just ordered a Stag lower. The FFL I was going to use ordered for me for 105.00 shipped and his fee. I figured that was a pretty good deal. Thanks everyone for the input. Now to the gun show in Lubbock next saturday for the rest of the parts.

[Rex B]

I shopped and shopped for all the pieces for mine, and still came out pretty close to $600. For that money I could have just ordered a complete kit (less lower) and then bought the lower, and had a better end-product for less money.
But I like finding deals and I like the building process.

Have fun at the gun show

Rex

[grandpatim]

That's what I'm planning on doing is getting a kit for my first one. The next will probably be individual parts. I just have to decide on 16 or 20 inch barrel. Pretty much decided on rail type top receiver.

[dukalmighty]

I have built several ar-15's from kits and have used stag arms and rock river lowers,i have found that the kits are the way to go the upper is already fully assembled all you do is build the lower and attach the upper your ready to put rounds downrange,i did build one from scratch starting with a 20 in ss match grade barrel and by the time i bought the parts kit and buttstock,forearm,gas tube etc i had more than 50.00 over buying a kit involved but i builded it from scratch and it shoots better than i can.If you are going to build from scratch you will need an armorers wrench and either a lower vise block or barrel block to assemble the upper.tools you don't need if ya buy the kit ,just my 2 cents