Help me decide which lower to buy (sharps vs aero precision vs Spikes Tactical)

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mchaley

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I'm caught between three lowers. There's a shARps lower for $55+$20 shipping and there's an Aero Precision lower for $80+$15 shipping.

I want to buy a budget lower. By budget I mean as cheap as possible without suffering from an inferior product.
$75 for a shARps lower (http://www.rguns.net/rifles/rifles-semiauto-ar15-lowers-556rguns-stripped.shtml#SHARPS)
SharpsARLower.jpg


or

$95 for an Aero Precision (https://surplusammo.com/index.php?m...id=329&zenid=d58bab5d03738fbf6b7d9af7b4e92e76).
API%20Strpd%20Lwr.JPG


OR

Spikes Tactical lower for $100.50 (including shipping) from (http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=56222/pid=31719/sku/Stripped_AR_15_Lower_Receiver)
p_100004685_1.jpg



What would you buy and why? I'd like to keep it under about $100.

or, if you know of a better deal, let me know.

Thanks!
 
I've heard of Aero and Spikes. Seeing how Spikes is fast becoming a household brand name, I would go with the Spikes. The Sharps lower is produced by a company I've never heard of. The difference in price between the three is negligible. Stick with a brand that has a reputation and service.

TDC
 
You might have issues with importing/exporting from the US... And the piece is over the 100 dollar exemption with the Spikes.
 
ESQ said:
You might have issues with importing/exporting from the US... And the piece is over the 100 dollar exemption with the Spikes.
Click to expand...

Heck, you might have trouble importing into Japan.
They still haven't issued about 48 out of the 50 personal handgun ownership permits allocated to the country.

On a serious note...

All of those lowers are forged, right? Spikes is not billeted?
 
I read somewhere that the Spikes are machined from forgings. The Sharps and Aero also claim to be machined from forgings as well.
That is the standard way of making lowers and uppers.
 
ESQ said:
You might have issues with importing/exporting from the US... And the piece is over the 100 dollar exemption with the Spikes.
Click to expand...

Spikes comes to $100.50 - good enough.

Importing and exporting to and from Canada... is a can of worms. I have to start a thread about that soon. This will be ordered and built in the US.

notbsd said:
Heck, you might have trouble importing into Japan.
They still haven't issued about 48 out of the 50 personal handgun ownership permits allocated to the country.

On a serious note...

All of those lowers are forged, right? Spikes is not billeted?
Click to expand...
Yep, they're all forged. Billeted is a lot more $ I think.

This... wouldn't fly in Japan, lol.
 
TDC said:
The difference in price between the three is negligible.
TDC
Click to expand...

I think that is the wrong way to look at it.
The Spikes lower is actually 35% More expensive.

If that practice is used throughout his build. His $1000 build will cost him $1350.

or in practical terms add a few zeros. Would you pay $7500 for a car or $10,000 for the exact same car but with a different name?


Sorry, that is the shopper in me coming out.....:redface:


p.s go with the spikes:)
 
Im in much the same boat right now OP. My research has concluded that Aero Precision or Spikes is the way to go. Spike's lower receivers are in fact, produced by Aero Precision and stamped with the Spikes logo. The prices in your original post are the going rates in $USD. In Canada, the best rates on lowers are $199 for a Spikes stripped lower, and $159 for an Aero Precision stripped lower (both from Kodiak Outpost). The Aero Precision ones are currently sold out, but it wouldn't hurt to contact them to see if there is a waiting list when more arrive.

tl;dr

Buy the Spikes if you need it now, or wait a bit and save $40 on the equivalent Aero Precision (and avoid have Spike's goofy logo plastered on your rifle forever!)
 
Check out Questar or Blueline. They currently have sales on stripped lowers. With the cost of shipping, paperwork for import, potential brokerage fees, and exchange, you can buy a better quality lower already here in Canada and have it in your possesion in a few days. It is really easy to be penny wise and pound foolish when checking out some of those "deals" to be found on US web sites.
 
ESQ said:
You might have issues with importing/exporting from the US... And the piece is over the 100 dollar exemption with the Spikes.
Click to expand...

The $100 exemption is not applicable to lowers no matter what the price is. The same export/import rules apply as if you were bringing in a complete firearm.
 
mchaley said:
Spikes comes to $100.50 - good enough.

Importing and exporting to and from Canada... is a can of worms. I have to start a thread about that soon. This will be ordered and built in the US.


Yep, they're all forged. Billeted is a lot more $ I think.

This... wouldn't fly in Japan, lol.
Click to expand...

It's nice to quote all those prices......but those prices are unobtanium in Canadai. I don't know what your citizenship is or if you will ultimately register the rifle here but there will be costs to do that. No doubt the rifle will still come under cost that you could build it for in Canada. Not having seen a Sharps I can't comment on that one....but as for Spikes or Aero Precision or for pretty much any main stream lower I have ever seen or put together........they are all in the same league. That Spikes lower with the bullet-marked color-filled safety I think is going for $250 or so here in Canada (the standard fire/safe marked lowers are going for $199)......but as for quality, Spikes or Aero Precision are in the same league as BM, Stag, CMMG, DPMS, Armalite, S&W....etc......besides some of these brands come from the same manufacturer from common forgings.
 
rivetc78 said:
I think that is the wrong way to look at it.
The Spikes lower is actually 35% More expensive.

If that practice is used throughout his build. His $1000 build will cost him $1350.

or in practical terms add a few zeros. Would you pay $7500 for a car or $10,000 for the exact same car but with a different name?


Sorry, that is the shopper in me coming out.....:redface:


p.s go with the spikes:)
Click to expand...

You present a valid point. My recommendation was based on the fact that Spikes is a well known company with a good reputation. That 35% increase in cost is simply piece of mind.

TDC
 
TDC said:
You present a valid point. My recommendation was based on the fact that Spikes is a well known company with a good reputation. That 35% increase in cost is simply piece of mind.

TDC
Click to expand...

Wrong! the 35% increase in cost simply gets you the Spikes logo. Spike's Tactical has officially disclosed that their lowers are manufactured by Aero Precision.

Unless the Spikes logo is worth 35% more to you, buy the Aero Precision.
 
The price difference between the Aero and Spikes is $5 usd. The sharps (which I've been hearing is garbage) is $75 total - $55+$20 shipping.

I may just flip a coin ;)

The aero looks unpainted on surplusammo.com. The spikes, on the other hand, looks painted and just looks a bit better. For $5 more, I may go with the spikes.
 
A lower is a lower is a lower, don't get all wrapped up in brands, most dealers are using blanks made at the same place and finishing them. The lower is the least important piece of the AR puzzle and not worth obsessing about.
 
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