Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: fisheral87 on February 13, 2009, 02:49:16 PM

Title: AR-15 Lowers
Post by: fisheral87 on February 13, 2009, 02:49:16 PM: I have to believe there are fairly broad opinions on this topic. What are your experiences with different lowers? And your opinion on what lowers are the best performers? (Best quality for the price) Also thought this would be a great topic/experience base in general, especially for guys looking to get into the ARs. Thanks.
Title: Re: AR-15 Lowers
Post by: demontang on February 13, 2009, 03:21:51 PM: From what I have seen there arnt any bad ones out there. I know the Olympic lowers have tight mag wells but thats not a big deal. For complete lowers it realy just come to what trigger you want with it. RRA has a great trigger and so does the colt match, bushmasters. The other's have decent triggers and are fine for hunting plinking and target shooting, but if you plan on having a nice match type trigger without having to replace the stock one then those are the three to look at. :twocents:
Title: Re: AR-15 Lowers
Post by: jeepasaurusrex on February 13, 2009, 03:41:17 PM: http://www.snsindustriesinc.com/ (http://www.snsindustriesinc.com/) :tup:
Title: Re: AR-15 Lowers
Post by: 12Gauge on February 13, 2009, 05:18:40 PM: Oly Arms is probably the best bang for your buck. And it is made right here in Olympia, WA. I have a Oly arms that I pieced together myself. It shoots 2" groups at 200 yards with open A2 sights.
Title: Re: AR-15 Lowers
Post by: BC CHASER on February 13, 2009, 05:32:17 PM: I run Lewis Machine Tool and Colt. It all depends on what you are looking for.
Title: Re: AR-15 Lowers
Post by: demontang on February 14, 2009, 11:24:24 AM: I think the AR name on the lower is like the chevy,ford, dodge thing :twocents:
Title: Re: AR-15 Lowers
Post by: 12Gauge on February 14, 2009, 11:40:00 AM: Quote from: demontang on February 14, 2009, 11:24:24 AM
I think the AR name on the lower is like the chevy,ford, dodge thing :twocents:

You can buy DPMS, Sabre, Bushmaster, (TA) Tactical Solutions, (AA) Alexander Arms, PW Arms, and your just paying for the name. You have to buy what make you smile like a little kid.
Title: Re: AR-15 Lowers
Post by: 280ackley on February 14, 2009, 12:02:40 PM: I bought a Mega lower for my first build. There are a few on here that do know a bit about ARs but you might try a posting here.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=8&f=15
Title: Re: AR-15 Lowers
Post by: CastleRocker on February 16, 2009, 10:45:41 AM: [/quote]

You can buy DPMS, Sabre, Bushmaster, (TA) Tactical Solutions, (AA) Alexander Arms, PW Arms, and your just paying for the name. You have to buy what make you smile like a little kid.
[/quote]

I've had a few lately, Mil-Spec makes them all pretty close, not necessarily the same, but real close. I have a couple from Essential Arms, when I purchased them three months ago they were $69 per stripped lower. I also have three Stag lowers....they have a nice buck cast into the side and they make me smile like a little kid.

NO, I don't have any for sale.
Title: Re: AR-15 Lowers
Post by: fisheral87 on February 16, 2009, 05:59:36 PM: Well you're no help. :chuckle:
Title: Re: AR-15 Lowers
Post by: FALFire on February 17, 2009, 08:16:54 AM: Lowers are pretty much the same except for the post ban Colts, they use a larger fire control group pin set and the front take down pin is an oddball thing. Choosing any forged aluminum lower of your choice and the only difference is surface appearence and the brand name roll marked on the side. There are some lowers that are machined from billet aluminum but they tend to be expensive and often times heavier than forged aluminum but they are very nicely done.

Upper recvr's are again pretty much the same, mostly all forged aluminum and for the most part Mil-Spec. There are some different grade bolts and a few minor cosmetic differences in bolt carriers but they all function the same.

The true heart of the AR is the barrel and good quality trigger, which there are several out there to choose from in both single and two stage.

If you are looking to build a blaster/plinker then any lower parts kit with standard trigger will do. If you are looking at a true custom gun take a look at JP Enterprises.
Title: Re: AR-15 Lowers
Post by: actionshooter on February 17, 2009, 09:58:16 PM: Quote from: FALFire on February 17, 2009, 08:16:54 AM
Lowers are pretty much the same except for the post ban Colts, they use a larger fire control group pin set and the front take down pin is an oddball thing. Choosing any forged aluminum lower of your choice and the only difference is surface appearence and the brand name roll marked on the side. There are some lowers that are machined from billet aluminum but they tend to be expensive and often times heavier than forged aluminum but they are very nicely done.

Upper recvr's are again pretty much the same, mostly all forged aluminum and for the most part Mil-Spec. There are some different grade bolts and a few minor cosmetic differences in bolt carriers but they all function the same.

The true heart of the AR is the barrel and good quality trigger, which there are several out there to choose from in both single and two stage.

If you are looking to build a blaster/plinker then any lower parts kit with standard trigger will do. If you are looking at a true custom gun take a look at JP Enterprises.

:yeah: you nailed it