Stripped lowers, what's the difference? Cheap vs Expensive

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Reaper of the apocalypse

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i'm gonna build my AR, first step is getting a stripped lower. I've been looking at Aero precision stripped lowers, going between $115-$135, they look pretty good. I've also seen NEA lowers for $150, and an Anderson arms lower for $100.
THEN I see Colt Canada lowers for $225, and some other high end names for around that price and higher.

So the question is, what's the difference?? They're all completely stripped lowers, just basically more or less the same machined pieces of aluminum. Is the steel harder/better in the expensive ones? Will the cheaper ones be good enough?

Since we're on the topic i may as well include the stripped uppers i'm looking at, because it's the same deal with them.
 
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667 said:
They're not steel.
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To add : they are aluminum. Some are anodized (receive a protective finish) some are not. The type of anodizing finish ( hardness, maybe cerakoted instead of anodized) and the hardness of material, forging process / machining process etc. Stick with a reputable brand name that's been in the business for longer than a few years and there should not be any issue.
 
You will be just fine with purchasing the forged aluminum Aero Precision upper and Lowers as they make the receivers for a couple of other reputable brand OEM sets. Anderson is also fine with NEA bringing up the rear on the three brands that you have looked at. This is your first build so you will find out quickly what you will and will not like for future modifications and or builds. My advice is to Avoid the very expensive hardware for your first rifle.

Have some fun!!
 
Reaper of the apocalypse said:
Yes, Aluminum not steel.
But what exactly justifies a CC lower being double the price of the Aero? I don't think something as basic as the finish can increase price that much.
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The NAME and the perceived exact Mil-Spec tolerances for front line military use. You will never have an issue with CC quality.

Everything else is stated to be built on mil-spec dimensions however many are mostly for the civilian markets so there have been questions regarding how "parts bin" mil-spec some of the OEM mil-spec pieces are. You can search the posts on this site to read about the many warranty issues found on some AR hardware only to be vehemently informed by the OEM's that their pieces are indeed mil-spec.
 
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Reaper of the apocalypse said:
Yes, Aluminum not steel.
But what exactly justifies a CC lower being double the price of the Aero? I don't think something as basic as the finish can increase price that much.
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I personally found my stripped CC lower was easier to assemble than my stripped NEA lower. Mind you that could have been due to the differences in LPK's. I'm using the same upper on both lowers and it mates better to the CC lower than it does the NEA. So although all should be within the same spec (range of dimensions) Tighter tolerances are sometimes better than looser ones.

There are a lot of little things with it that contributed to me buying a CC lower, and to be honest I'll do it again in a heartbeat. That being said, if you're buying purely based on price point (which is absolutely fine to do) you're not going to find anything to justify the price point.
 
A lower is a lower is a lower. I buy branded receivers of companies I like, support or agree with.
I bought spikes tactical because I once read they were refusing to sell to government agencies within states imposing restrictive gun laws in the US.
I've built on noveske receivers because I read an article on johnny noveske and thought he sounded like a pretty awesome dude.

Get as arbitrary as you like when it comes to deciding on brands of receivers, because they're all relatively the same.
 
I just completed an AR15 using an Anderson stripped lower. I ordered a LP kit from Brownell and had absolutely zero problems. I've fired a couple hundred rounds through this AR since, also with zero problems. I've used Stag Arms and Colt before and can honestly not find any difference between all of them. I suggest you go with the least expensive reputable lower you can find.
 
As long as it's in spec a lower is a lower. The reason Colt Canada lowers cost more is the little maple leaf on the side, and the fact that they're machined in Canada by perfectionists with OCD. It's really a "good, better, best" situation, "good" will do just fine.
 
Most "mil-spec" lowers are forged and forged from 7075 aluminum. In the most simplistic terms, forging is basically heating up a metal and then hammering it into a shape. This is how most AR lower are made. To set up a forge is very expensive, however once it it is set up it is very cheap to mass produce. However every part will be the same. Almost all forged US made AR lowers come from the same five or fewer companies.

Some of the "fancier" ARs are billet 7075 aluminum. Billets are usually from a cast block of metal and then cut to the AR shape by a CNC mill. This allows neat customization and doing small (but more expensive) runs of ARs. You can add detailing or customization like full ambidextrous controls, etc.

You can cheap out on forgings by using a "softer" aluminum alloy like 6061.

You can also get into exotic metals like lithium-aluminum alloys which are more corrosion resistant than 7075 aluminum and is also lighter and more rigid.
 
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Great explanation from ctcs.

Most forgings are identical so as long as the machining is within spec you're GTG. However, the issue with some billet and a few forgings are that exterior dimensions have been changed (ie. flared magwell) so there may be issues with certain accessories fitting properly (ie. Redi-Mag). For that reason alone I stick to plain Jane forged lowers that have no enhancements.
 
FoxAlpha said:
A lower is a lower is a lower. I buy branded receivers of companies I like, support or agree with.
I bought spikes tactical because I once read they were refusing to sell to government agencies within states imposing restrictive gun laws in the US.
I've built on noveske receivers because I read an article on johnny noveske and thought he sounded like a pretty awesome dude.

Get as arbitrary as you like when it comes to deciding on brands of receivers, because they're all relatively the same.
Click to expand...

AP manufactures for Spikes.
 
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