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AR Lowers and Why?

1014 Views 28 Replies 20 Participants Last post by  Donnie, 
bigern311
Ok guys, so here's a question for your vast knowledge. I have decided to build me an AR. Don't wanna buy off the shelf and don't wanna spend the 3k either....My question is this: Whose lower would you go with and why?

Oh and for clarification, Im going for an SBR/pistol set up in 5.56.

Thanks for your advice!!
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MEvans1993
Do you want something utilitarian or a beauty queen? Look up billet vs forged.

Here's my takes, and why I got them.

Daniel defense: came with rifle, cant buy stripped. Flared magwell is nice
lmt: once again cant buy stripped, bought it for its no frill looks for future sbr.
Battle arms development: pricey for forged, but absolutely beautiful. Bought it because it looks sharp, and will be sbr'd.
Psa: nothing special. Theyre having issues as of late, check reddit gundeals and ar15 sub reddits for more info.
If it was no frills and on a budget, lrb arms. Otherwise I'd go noveske, mega, or really anything that looked appealing. They all serve the same purpose.
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S
budget????
bigern311 said:
Ok guys, so here's a question for your vast knowledge. I have decided to build me an AR. Don't wanna buy off the shelf and don't wanna spend the 3k either....My question is this: Whose lower would you go with and why?

Oh and for clarification, Im going for an SBR/pistol set up in 5.56.

Thanks for your advice!!
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Risingsun
bigern311 said:
My question is this: Whose lower would you go with and why?
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Best AR15 Lower for your money is a LWRC M6 IC Ambi.

I have never build one just from scratch because a have concerns on small vendors Quality Control. I've generally started out with a Colt or LMT.

Daniel Defense has excellent rifles, that will probably be my next AR.
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sldcountry
Mil spec is mil spec
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Rizza32
Noveske Billet
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bigern311
Budget is some what open. I don't think 500 bucks s wise but I would probably go up to $300.
Smokeshow60 said:
budget????
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I have a buddy that just bought a DD and youre right, they are very nice guns.
Risingsun said:
Best AR15 Lower for your money is a LWRC M6 IC Ambi.

I have never build one just from scratch because a have concerns on small vendors Quality Control. I've generally started out with a Colt or LMT.

Daniel Defense has excellent rifles, that will probably be my next AR.
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I am planning on going with their barrel so they were already on my radar.
Rizza32 said:
Noveske Billet
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K
sldcountry said:
Mil spec is mil spec
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This. Pick the logo you like best for the given price.

For a billet, look at New Frontier's billet lower. Shopping around you can find them for under $100 and i don't think you can beat them for the price. Ambi is nice, but i find aftermarket levers are more useful. YMMV.
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Risingsun
FYI. Love your Avatar!
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sldcountry said:
Mil spec is mil spec
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This

If you want it to "look good" but be heavy go billett

Personally I go with forged because of the weight savings and they look just fine

I have built 2 spikes lowers (if you can get over the dueling d!$ks, if you dont know just google) they also have different logos you can purchase. My spikes have always been gtg

Aero precision is another I have heard good things about and a friend has been pleased with his build

If perfection is not a must then Aero has blem lowers for like 55 bucks. They have minor cosmetic imperfections but function fine. I plan to get two of them soon to build my boys their first ARs
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bigern311
Spikes Tactical is what actually sent me down this path....I love their Compressor but don't have the patience to wait 2 years for one....

huffmaj3 said:
This

If you want it to "look good" but be heavy go billett

Personally I go with forged because of the weight savings and they look just fine

I have built 2 spikes lowers (if you can get over the dueling d!$ks, if you dont know just google) they also have different logos you can purchase. My spikes have always been gtg

Aero precision is another I have heard good things about and a friend has been pleased with his build

If perfection is not a must then Aero has blem lowers for like 55 bucks. They have minor cosmetic imperfections but function fine. I plan to get two of them soon to build my boys their first ARs
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A
Anderson and double star both work and are both cheap on buds
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bigern311
Do yall know if the markings on the lower dictate what type of build you have to use it for? In other words, if its marked SBR do I have to make it an SBR?

This why I ask:

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vertigosol
bigern311 said:
Do yall know if the markings on the lower dictate what type of build you have to use it for? In other words, if its marked SBR do I have to make it an SBR?

This why I ask:
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sbr stands for "spikes battle rifle" or something similar I read once .Serial numbers do not dictate SBR status.
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QbanMiSsiLeCrIsIS
Just bought a Rock River Arms AR-15 Lower Half with 2 Stage National match trigger, BCM Upper with free upgrade on BCM bolt carrier and free BCM mod 0 compensator. Also Bought a MI gen 2 drop in quad rail. All under 900 bucks!
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bigern311
QbanMiSsiLeCrIsIS said:
Just bought a Rock River Arms AR-15 Lower Half with 2 Stage National match trigger, BCM Upper with free upgrade on BCM bolt carrier and free BCM mod 0 compensator. Also Bought a MI gen 2 drop in quad rail. All under 900 bucks!
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Dang that's pretty good. Have you taken possession of them yet and if so how is the quality?
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QbanMiSsiLeCrIsIS
bigern311 said:
Dang that's pretty good. Have you taken possession of them yet and if so how is the quality?
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Not yet, I'll have it all by next week. All new stuff. Check out Bravo Usa Company. They are having a deal on the BCM uppers and they are throwing in the compensator and bolt carrier. Bought the quad rail at midway and the lower with but stock on gunbroker. This is all true mil spec. Screw bushmaster, s&w that stuff can't compare.
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DrToyHoarder
Spikes are about 90 bucks, and hard to beat. You can get different markings, my last build had a punisher, instead of the typical spider. For a billet, I'd go with YHM, about 200 bucks and very nice quality.
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s4mur41h4x0r
bigern311 said:
Do yall know if the markings on the lower dictate what type of build you have to use it for? In other words, if its marked SBR do I have to make it an SBR?

This why I ask:
Click to expand...
I own an SBR model and an ST model I like them both, I actually just got the approved F1 on my Spikes "SBR" serial number, I found it comical too that they used that designation. but as others said, it is just a model number, nothing more. I have been very happy with my spikes lowers, I also have the Aero "Pew" lower and it is very well made.

Like others said Mil-spec is Mil-Spec and Spikes was the best option for me (Value:Quality ratio)
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HK SD9 Tactical
I have ARs with Aero, Spikes Tactical, Novske lowers. I like the Aero, Noveske, and Spikes Tactical. I am really impressed with the Aero Precisions and I did 5 builds with them. The fit is exceptional when married to the proper upper. The Spikes Tactical has the FA engraving on it if that is what you are looking for as well.

These days lowers are pretty much lowers except if they are billit or forged. Unfortunately, with ARs you are going to get a thousand different opinions and ultimately you will have to decide which you want to use. Names these days mean little and I once was told that there are only about four major lower machiners who put whatever the end distributor wants on them.

I have parts from just about every manufacturing source and name brand including YHM, BCM, RRA, PSA, etc etc etc, to name but a few.

If you are not in a rush, lots of research and reading on various forums. With that, FN makes some killer barrels, but I am not sure on whether they have anything shorter than carbine length for the AR platform.

YMMV
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