N00b starting with a stripped AR lower? Some questions...

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Kindly Old Coach

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Firstly, I am a total n00b at ARs. Fired a couple fifteen years ago, including the C7, but have never owned one. The recent "3-gun match in Granby threads" in the Action Shooting section have got me thinking about building one up slowly, though. Been reading this section for a couple of days, now, and I have gearhead questions:

Who makes the Rolex of stripped lowers, Canadian market-wise? As in, general build quality, concentricity and location of holes, ability to accept quality innards and uppers from other makers without hiccups? Presuming money is no object for a stripped lower (I'm willing to pay for a multi-thousand dollar rifle if I can spread it out), which makers would you be keeping a preferential eye out for on dealer sites and the EE?

Reason for asking: IPSC 3-gun here in Québec is not likely to require me to hit anything beyond 50 meters. I'd rather start with an SVI-quality lower, then add really good fire control, and put a Canadian Tire upper on it to get out and start shooting, because uppers can be bought, traded, and swapped on a whim, overnight, as funds permit. Does that make sense?
 
ATRS make top notch lowers, but you won't be ill-served by picking up a STAG, S&W, RRA or Armalite either.

Buy a quality lower parts kit or LPK. Don't cheap out here or you'll have nothing but problems and headached.
 
Ive done a few Ar's from scratch starting from stripped lowers(Bushmaster). Its a real learning curve and is not always a cheaper way to go. Lots of cool parts in Canada but you will pay out your arse for them. The Suppliers up here do all the paperwork/crap and deserve the extra money. Good luck trying to find anyone in the States that will help you with parts.
Go to Questar or ArmsEast,etc....and max out the credit card on a complete gun. You will sleep better. I should have spent my time working overtime hours at my real job than chasing down parts. I probably have 40 hrs work + $ 800-900 in each just dicking around driving picking up stuff. The gun will still end up costing the same as a new rifle. Ya its cool to say you built it but it gets old fast.
 
Kindly Old Coach said:
Firstly, I am a total n00b at ARs. Fired a couple fifteen years ago, including the C7, but have never owned one.
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This right here is a good reason to start with a decent quality, factory AR to start.
I'm not going to tell you not to start collecting top quality parts for your build, but if you have one that you shoot, you can use it as a benchmark and to formulate your own opinion on what you want and what you need out of the build.

Kindly Old Coach said:
Who makes the Rolex of stripped lowers, Canadian market-wise? As in, general build quality, concentricity and location of holes, ability to accept quality innards and uppers from other makers without hiccups? Presuming money is no object for a stripped lower (I'm willing to pay for a multi-thousand dollar rifle if I can spread it out), which makers would you be keeping a preferential eye out for on dealer sites and the EE?
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While I agree with the sentiment that Billet uppers and lowers are of exceptional quality and feel, there really is no need for them compared to the vast majority of forged counterparts. The only exception I can think of, is if you planned on a longer, (26"+) bull barrel - then you may want to consider an upper receiver with a thicker case wall (typically billet).



Kindly Old Coach said:
Reason for asking: IPSC 3-gun here in Québec is not likely to require me to hit anything beyond 50 meters.
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I'd be inclined to run a short carbine (11.5" or 14.5") for such a match, but would recommend a 16" for that and other general purpose shooting/competition if you are inclined to do that.
I'd steer clear of Norinco as re-sale-ability may bite you in the behind.

Kindly Old Coach said:
I'd rather start with an SVI-quality lower, then add really good fire control, and put a Canadian Tire upper on it to get out and start shooting, because uppers can be bought, traded, and swapped on a whim, overnight, as funds permit. Does that make sense?
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Kind of, but not really. There are really decent ARs out of the box. Trigger groups can be swapped out if that strikes your fancy, but a RRA 2 stage can be had on a stock gun, and is as good as any other 'match' type trigger for 3 gun.
 
X-man said:
ATRS make top notch lowers, but you won't be ill-served by picking up a STAG, S&W, RRA or Armalite either.

Buy a quality lower parts kit or LPK. Don't cheap out here or you'll have nothing but problems and headached.
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How are the RRA kits at Questar?

Which other retailers sell good kits?
 
I haven't heard a single complaint about RRA or STAG LPKs. I've used both with great results. I haven't used Armalite LPKs so will refrain from comment, however, I have used factory Armalites, and they've worked quite well, so no complaints there. I can't say that I'm a fan of DPMS though.
 
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