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I have a friend who is considering ordering a few stripped lower receivers to build his own. He is currently looking at the Aero Precision AP15 - AR15 Stripped Lower Receiver. He also looked at the Armalite model as well...

I am considering getting in on building my first one as well. I already have a Colt AR15 and am considering getting 2 or 3 stripped lowers for a variety of rebuilds.

What would be your choice based upon quality and price, emphasis on quality?

Spikes or CMMG both make excellent "reasonably" priced lowers in this market. They are running right now between 160 and 190 each from various places.

James

All the forged receivers I've handled or own seem pretty alike to me. Either I'm looking at the wrong thing or the quality is pretty even for all the major manufacturers.

Dan wrote:All the forged receivers I've handled or own seem pretty alike to me. Either I'm looking at the wrong thing or the quality is pretty even for all the major manufacturers.

Maybe this should be a "sticky", but here is the list again:

Lewis Machine & Tool
LMT
Lauer
DS Arms
PWA
Eagle
Armalite
Knights Armament
Barrett

Continental Machine Tool
Stag
Rock River Arms
High Standard
Noveske
Century (New)
Global Tactical
CLE
S&W
MGI
Wilson Tactical
Grenadier Precision
Colt
LAR Manufacturing
LAR
Bushmaster
Ameetec
DPMS
CMMG
Double Star
Fulton Armory
Spike's Tactical

JVP
Double Star
LRB
Charles Daly

Mega Machine Shop
Mega
GSE
Dalphon
POF
Alexander Arms

Olympic
Olympic
SGW
Tromix
Palmetto
Dalphon
Frankford
Century (Old)

Sun Devil
Sun Devil forged billet receivers

Superior
Superior Arms
Lauer (New)
-------------------------------------
The above list contains the machine companies that machine the raw forgings into usable receivers. Each individual company applies their own finishing standards.

Considering how the AR just comes apart in seconds with 2 pins, why build multiple lowers? 1 lower with fixed stock and 1 with adjustable then lots of different uppers. Save a bundle of cash and you can only shoot one at a time.

flintknapper wrote:

Dan wrote:All the forged receivers I've handled or own seem pretty alike to me. Either I'm looking at the wrong thing or the quality is pretty even for all the major manufacturers.

[Maybe this should be a "sticky", but here is the list again:

Lewis Machine & Tool
LMT
Lauer
DS Arms
PWA
Eagle
Armalite
Knights Armament
Barrett

Continental Machine Tool
Stag
Rock River Arms
High Standard
Noveske
Century (New)
Global Tactical
CLE
S&W
MGI
Wilson Tactical
Grenadier Precision
Colt
LAR Manufacturing
LAR
Bushmaster
Ameetec
DPMS
CMMG
Double Star
Fulton Armory
Spike's Tactical

JVP
Double Star
LRB
Charles Daly

Mega Machine Shop
Mega
GSE
Dalphon
POF
Alexander Arms

Olympic
Olympic
SGW
Tromix
Palmetto
Dalphon
Frankford
Century (Old)

Sun Devil
Sun Devil forged billet receivers

Superior
Superior Arms
Lauer (New)
-------------------------------------
The above list contains the machine companies that machine the raw forgings into usable receivers. Each individual company applies their own finishing standards.

Can we make this a "STICKY"? I just do not want it to fall through the cracks for those interested in building their own...

I don't see Essential Arms on that list.
I understand they are a manufacturer and produce lowers under several brands besides their own.
I have built several of their lowers and they seem first-rate.

POF for billet lowers from what I have seen makes TOP NOTCH stuff. The price reflects also, but you did say quality. I would aslo look into Larue Tactical. A friend of mine has done plenty of business with them and they have the absolute best customer service and fit and finish products. From what I understand though as of now they will not sell you one of their lowers unless you have an upper on order, purchased already of have done good business with them already. My friend ordered a made to order upper and a few lowers from them as well as a trijicon scope, a mount, and a bunch of Pmags. And they are in Texas to boot.

Why do folks buy "Uppers" and "Lowers"? Why don't they just go and buy an AR-15?

I am sure that there are valid reasons, and I would be interested in hearing them. Is this for modification purposes?

There is a federal excise tax of $100 on a finished rifle.

Also, you can save money and/or create a unique configuration by assembling parts from various sources.

You have fun building your own.

stroo wrote:You have fun building your own.

I have a difficult time managing Q-tips, but I will take your word for it.

I have torn-down M-16s and their variants for the majority of my adult-life (at least as far as any Armorer would allow me), and found little joy doing so. But the idea of mods to it does sound interesting.