NEA build

quinnjoblow

quinnjoblow

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East of Toronto
I had enough time yesterday to put the lower parts kit in my NEA lower. This was one of the last batch of lowers that SFRC had on sale for $64.95 a few months back.
It's definitely not the first lower I've assembled but it was my first machined billet type lower. I can say I was impressed with how easily the lower parts kit(DPMS brand lower parts kit) fit the lower. everything was a snug fit. Even the bolt release roll pin went in with just the right amount of tapping.
One improvement the NEA lower had that I liked was the detent for the rear takedown pin is located or moved from the buffer tube, to the same location as the safety/fire detent under the pistol grip. I have used Bushmaster and Aero Precision lowers and the detents were in the standard places.
I also liked the fact that the trigger guard is part of the lower.
I had a few minor beefs with the lower. The rear takedown hole had a burr at detent hole. It was easy to remove with a Bic pen. The other issue was some of the visible machine marks from cnc milling. The machining marks wont be a big deal once I get a few scratches on it anyway.
I think for the cash it was an awsome deal on a Canadian made lower.
Details on the build..NEA lower, DPMS lower parts kit, Tapco 6 position stock set/ tube buffer( haven't checked but I think tube is mil spec), NEA f/a bolt carrier group, Flattop 11.5 Bushmaster chrome lined 5.56 upper. I payed $325 for the upper almost 10yrs ago. Now it has a home. I will post pictures later.
 
Nice! I bought one of these too, but haven't received it yet. I've got 90% of an AR already in the gearbox, but this will be my first time filling in a lower too. Glad to hear the DPMS fit properly for you.
 
Just went through this same process about a month ago, with an NEA Lower & DPMS LPK.

I had a little different experience however....

Usually when I recieve an LPK, I go through the kit and lightly emery cloth the usual suspects to remove any burrs so they are drop in ready. Something I learned assembling .45s for a certain Cdn Co back in the day.

First I had to lightly emery cloth the inside of the rear take-down and pivot pin areas, as both an Aero & Vltor Uppers were snug to the point of only 1/2 seating in both rear areas. The front pivot area required little work. The rear take-down area still wouldn't fit so upon further inspection, it was found the rear take-down area inside the reciever was out by a bit. Not much, but enough to still only make it seat about 1/2 - 3/4 in.

So out came the Dremel & Micrometer (yes you read that right) to spec the rear to the front (just behind the safety selector area) so the were even. Some light anodizing/material removal in that area now sees both of the above Uppers fit properly with no play or wedge required.

Secondly, i had to take a micro file and de-burr/enlarge the bolt catch pin area so the pin would fit. If i remember it was one, maybe two light passes before it went into place properly.

Other than those two minor set-backs, everything else dropped right in without a fuss & functions as should.

Some will say that these details shouldn't happen and I agree to a point. Sure QC could be a bit better here but let's be realistic about this. The NEA Lower was listed at either $65 or $80 depending on when you bought in. I knew this going in, so I was prepared to tinker with it if needed.

To the OP, glad to hear yours assembled without a hitch.

Cheers
 
I have put together several NEA lowers. For the most part they went together pretty much the same as any other lower I have built. I did discover that one of the lowers doesn't like one of my uppers. I have about 8 uppers of all kinds of different makes. The lower in question works with most of the uppers but was very tight with one or two. Not really sure why. Its not really a big deal and I could do a bit of sanding and fitting if I really wanted that lower to work with that upper. Otherwise I just mix & match differently.
 
The NEA lower was tight on my Aero Precision upper. But it did line up perfectly. The NEA fit every magazine I tried after the build.Pmag, E-lander and LAR. Can't say that that about my Bushmaster lower.
 
I too just got one of these lowers and really don't see what the big fuss is about, I put a spikes tackle. LPK in with ALG qms trigger and it was a breeze. Now, well next year to find me an affordable upper and parts.
 
I did a build with an NEA Z marked lower and an NEA upper (not a matched set). The fit is tight but that translates into zero wiggle.
I installed a Daniel Defense LPK, Troy Alpha forend with built in flip up front sight and Troy FDE squid inserts, Fail-zero nickel-boron BCG, DD buffer tube, Magpul FDE CTR stock, MOE+ FDE grip and FDE RVG, Stainless custom 300BLK barrel courtesy of Suputin, S&J linear comp, Phase 5 EBR-2, BCM med latch charge handle, Hi-lux 1-4 7.62 scope in QD PEPR mount.
Works great and very accurate.

View attachment 18526
View attachment 18527


Let's see some more pics
 
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I put an Armalite LPK in mine. The bolt catch roll pin pushed in with finger pressure - blue locktite keeps it in. No other issues save for having to sand the rear takedown area so a few uppers would bed nicely into it.
 
Here is mine. Its a "Z" marked lower with an Aero upper. fit was very tight had to touch the rear pin area with my dremel. Fits nice and tight now

 
Here is my NEA build. Z marked lower, NEA upper, zero wiggle, X1000 fun.
IMGP6433_zpsfed24985.jpg
 
my build, $64 lower. Slickside upper that is a nice fit. Only complaint is that my Pmags are a very tight fit.

P1010770_zpsfdef92c1.jpg
 
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I too had no problem putting my DPMS lower parts kit in. It fits really nice with my Bushmaster upper and my NEA upper. No wedge required for either. I have found that it doesn't like Gen 2 Pmags. The whole reason I bought it was to replace my first production run NEA lower that didn't like most mags. The magwell was so large it wouldn't engage the bolt hold open after the last round was fired. The new one is so tight some Pmags won't go in without the use of a hammer. For $64 I didn't expect perfection so I'm not disappointed and it's only 2 mags of many. Every other mag I have drops free without issue.
 
X-man said:
How are you liking that CCS stock from NEA? Any issues manipulating the safety? Very nice build and great photo by the way!
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I like the stock a lot...I'm >6'1" so to be frank, the ergos suck; but I didn't exactly build it for long shooting sessions.
No issues manipulating the safety at all.
And thanks for the compliments. If you ever get to Cambridge to visit friends or family, PM me and you can shoot her any time.
 
X-man said:
How are you liking that CCS stock from NEA? Any issues manipulating the safety? Very nice build and great photo by the way!
Click to expand...

Runningfool said:
I like the stock a lot...I'm >6'1" so to be frank, the ergos suck; but I didn't exactly build it for long shooting sessions.
No issues manipulating the safety at all.
And thanks for the compliments. If you ever get to Cambridge to visit friends or family, PM me and you can shoot her any time.
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Thanks for the offer! I may have finally been bitten by the PDW bug. :)
 
strider007 said:
Pretty sweet...good to hear all of your experiences, since I've been debating on building a NEA. Thought that it would be pretty cool to own a Canadian made AR...only thing now is to find one of those lowers that SFRC was blowing out...
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They show up on the EE now n then. I bought an extra one that I've no immediate use for, but for the price it was I can just sit on it.

Motuik had been clearing out their lowers for a decent price last week. Wish I had bought one to go with the upper I bought from them.
 
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