What's a good ar-15 lower?

[James1873]

First off, I know zero about ar-15's. I just know I kind of want one. I was thinking about buying a stripped lower, just to have it, then slowly acquire the parts I need to build one as money comes in to nickel and dime a gun together.

What's a good lower to get? Or does it really matter?

 

[chrisco]

Aero Precision
For the $$ can't be beat IMHO.


YMMV
Shoot straight - chrisco

 

[ShawnC6]

I went Dlask for my first.

They are on sale, figured it was a good price for Canadian made.

http://dlaskarms.com/products/dar-701-lower-100

 

[Curly1]

Aero Precision
For the $$ can't be beat IMHO.


YMMV
Shoot straight - chrisco

I did an Aero as well, for only $134.95 how can you go wrong.

 

[FoxAlpha]

Any milspec lower is a good one. Aero, BCM, Colt Canada, Colt USA, Daniel defence, spikes tactical, stag arms, to name a few off the top of my head.

 

[enefgee]

A lower is a lower, pretty much. As long as it was made to spec, the brand is irrelevant for most uses.

 

[Tommycanada]

any milspec lower is a good one. Aero, bcm, colt canada, colt usa, daniel defence, spikes tactical, stag arms, to name a few off the top of my head.

this.

 

[FrankieT]

Agreed. Spikes, DD, CC and Stag have all served me well. You can add LMT to this list as well

 

[James1873]

Right on, thanks guys

 

[Dirt Merchant]

If they are all good lowers, possibly made from the same factory (I have read even Noveske lowers come from the same forging factory). What make one lower cost more than another?

 

[Percussion]

Mostly the roll marks, a lot of lowers are indeed made by the same manufacturers. However different roll marks are put on. For example aero makes lowers, under contract for lets say PSA, exact same lowers but different roll mark = price premium.

And then you have lowers with different designs and functions, ie. Ambi bolt release, or custom designs.

 

[Leg]

If they are all good lowers, possibly made from the same factory (I have read even Noveske lowers come from the same forging factory). What make one lower cost more than another?

Forgings do come from only a few sources but that doesn't mean the quality is the same. Some places may accept forgings that won't be accepted by another. The machining and finishing of the lowers is normally in house and quality can and does vary. A colt and Olympic could both use the same forge house but the finished products can vary. As to the price difference? A lot of times your simply paying for the name.

Having said all that it's pretty hard to mess up a lower. Aero seem to be the best deal going these days.

 

[kthomas]

Kac

 

[Dirt Merchant]

Roll marks? Does that mean the cost of putting on their logos?

 

[Longshot84]

I think it has more to do with the perceived value of the roll marks. Brand recognition or what have you.

 

[SmithShooter]

If you want AR-15 then the only option is Armalite

 

[CobraGT]

Only ones I'd avoid (from experience) are Olympic Arms/SGW, and (from reputation) NEA. Any other major manufacturer should be fine.

 

[badboybeeson]

Lower is not important unless u want ambi
Focus on the bolt and the bbl

 

[Longshot84]

If you're patient, you might be able to pick up a stripped Norinco lower for under $100. I picked mine up for somewhere around $50 if I remember right. No issues getting the LPK in or mating to uppers.

 

[00 Spool]

CC lower for $199:

https://gun-shop.ca/product/colt-canada-diemaco-stripped-ar-15-lower-receivers/