Advice Please AR Lower

[Aust328]

I want to build my first AR... Never done it before and wanted some advice on a good mid priced lower. I don't want junk but I don't have a pot of gold. Can I get some advice on good mid-priced lowers? Thanks everyone... This site has been nothing but a pleasure to be a part of.

[HoneyBadger]

Honestly, just about any lower will be fine. I have used several Palmetto State Armory lowers for builds with no problems. They are cheap ($60-70), and they have fit tightly with every upper I've used so far. Do whatever fits your budget for a stripped lower, and I'm sure you'll be just fine.

Stay away from polymer, unless that is specifically what you're looking for (it doesn't sound like you are).

[blacklabel]

Sound advice from the HoneyBadger.

[spleify]

Honestly, just about any lower will be fine. I have used several Palmetto State Armory lowers for builds with no problems. They are cheap ($60-70), and they have fit tightly with every upper I've used so far. Do whatever fits your budget for a stripped lower, and I'm sure you'll be just fine.

Stay away from polymer, unless that is specifically what you're looking for (it doesn't sound like you are).

+1, especially about the polymer stay away from those.

Most all lowers today are of descent quality and you cant go to wrong. Good luck with your new addiction.

[jerrymrc]

I did my 300blk on a surplus arms lower. I think among the forged lowers 70% of them are keyholes. Why pay $50 or more extra for fancy engraving.[Flower]

[3beansalad]

I dont want to high-jack the thread and I will yield to the experts above, but would like know what's the drawback to a polymer lower if properly assembled? I have two Aero lowers, and a NFA lower. I've had no problems with either brand.

[SouthPaw]

For your first build, buy one that is in stock at your local FFL. You can take it home that same day and save yourself the shipping and FFL fees. You can also get started on it right away. For your upper I would buy online. I have yet to see an upper at a LGS for less than $700.

[ray1970]

For your upper I would buy online.

If you're somewhat mechanically inclined and are willing to invest in some specialty tools, I'd build the upper as well. It's probably easier than putting the lower together.

[MarkCO]

Lowers are much easier to put together at home than uppers. Proper barrel nut installation and gas key alingment with the gas tube are common "oops" of first time builders. Can be done, just the lower is easier.

Stag, Tactical Machining, Sun Devil are the three I default to. I know they will always be right with a tight connection to the uppers I use. Both are good companies that support the sport as well. That said, yep, most are pretty decent and will work.

If you want to step up in features, look at Seekins or Lancer.

[MarkCO]

I dont want to high-jack the thread and I will yield to the experts above, but would like know what's the drawback to a polymer lower if properly assembled? I have two Aero lowers, and a NFA lower. I've had no problems with either brand.

The polymer lowers that have the integral buttstock, like the old Cav Arms and now GWACS, are okay. They may have some flash to trim and can be pretty tight, but they are durable. The ones that accept a standard buffer tube...they crack and break way too frequently. I don't recall the name, but there is a new one that molds the threads for the buffer tube instead of machining them, that one might pass muster, but I have not played with it at all. For a dedicated .22 they might be okay, maybe even a range toy, but they are just not long term durable.

[BPTactical]

The polymer lowers that have the integral buttstock, like the old Cav Arms and now GWACS, are okay. They may have some flash to trim and can be pretty tight, but they are durable. The ones that accept a standard buffer tube...they crack and break way too frequently. I don't recall the name, but there is a new one that molds the threads for the buffer tube instead of machining them, that one might pass muster, but I have not played with it at all. For a dedicated .22 they might be okay, maybe even a range toy, but they are just not long term durable.


Funny you mention that Mark, last weekend I had a gent come up with a poly lower(New Frontier) and he could not get it apart to clean it. Keep in mind he had only about 300 rounds through it.
I pulled the buffer tube so I could get it apart and the buffer retainer hole had fractured, allowing the buffer to come forward unrestrained and lock up the rifle.
No fix possible, new lower was the fix.
Keep the poly lowers for a dedicated 22.

[ray1970]

Lowers are much easier to put together at home than uppers.

I suppose it depends on the person. Seems people out there are always losing springs and detents, breaking trigger guard ears off of the lower, and scratching and dinging things trying to install roll pins and such. Plus, there are more parts and pieces to put the lower together than to assemble an upper.

To each their own.

[HoneyBadger]

I dont want to high-jack the thread and I will yield to the experts above, but would like know what's the drawback to a polymer lower if properly assembled? I have two Aero lowers, and a NFA lower. I've had no problems with either brand.
I own several poly lowers, but I think the general fear is that the polymer will never be as strong and tough as most metals. I have never had a problem with mine, but if I needed a rifle to save my life, I'd rather spend the extra $20-30 for some peace of mind that my lower won't break under harsh conditions.