Ranking AR-15 complete lowers

[Del_Gue]

Looking to mate a custom Adco 16" AR-15 upper with one of the following complete lowers with a collapsible stock. How would you rank these in terms of reliability, fit and finish? Which Colt lowers would be compatible with a small-pin upper receiver?

Bushmaster
Colt
DPMS
Olympic Arms
Smith and Wesson

Thanks,

Del

[Tbag]

Personally, I'd never consider a DPMS or the Olympic. Several Colts would work, like the 6920 just of example, the last couple years of S&W are supposed to be alright too. Many like there Bushies and lot of folks like RRA. I'd likely pursue an LMT or BCM, maybe build a Noveske #2 lower which are very nice. There are a whole host of lowers most which would likely serve well.

[Richard K]

Don't overlook Spike's Tactical. I'll put mine up as equal to or better than any you can find for fit, finish and price.

[StagLefty]

I'm a kool aid drinker but I like Stag Arms. [Beer]

[ghettodub]

I really can't tell that much of a difference with lowers. Mine is Spike's and I'm happy with it. They all pretty much seem the same to me, but if someone can sell me on features of one over the other, then...

[cstone]

For the price of the Delaware Machine lower, it seems like you could have a few and have it finished very nicely. I'm curious about the nickel boron finish on the lowers. Anyone know if it is worth the difference in price, $65 vs $125?

Sorry about the thread jacking.

[Great-Kazoo]

when correctly installed, i have yet to experience issues with any lower. . Now magazines, ammo, incorrect hammer and or buffer for caliber being used are different issues. YMMV.

[Dr_Fwd]

when correctly installed, i have yet to experience issues with any lower. . Now magazines, ammo, incorrect hammer and or buffer for caliber being used are different issues. YMMV.

Amen!

[Singlestack]

Don't overlook Spike's Tactical. I'll put mine up as equal to or better than any you can find for fit, finish and price.

+1 on Spikes!!! You can get the stripped lower for $80 and Spikes LPK for $63 from AIM tactical. They are currently out, but said they expect more in the next couple of weeks. Worthwhile to check back.

Singlestack

[Byte Stryke]

I have actually had no problems with my DPMS.

[tmckay2]

this thread is a disaster waiting to happen as people will most likely be pimping their favorite. fact is in general lowers are all going to perform the same. its a non "functional" part of the weapon. i have used five different lowers and never noticed any difference. sure, if you are going to get it stamped, buy something a little more expensive for safeties sakes, maybe lmt or bcm, but frankly for any old rifle pretty much anything will work. ive used dpms, stag, superior arms, del-ton and colt, believe it or not. i never noticed any difference other than finish. id say buy a reputable company, any will do, but find it the cheapest you can. spend your money on barrels, triggers, hammers, and bcgs. most everything else is just flashiness with a fancy name and insignia on it. ive gotten really good deals on lowers from aimsurplus fyi.

[Del_Gue]

Thanks to all for the replies. This "newbie" learned a lot.

Del

[colocowboy01]

Kind of a late post on the thread, but to answer the question you asked. I personally would rate for quality, fit, and function:

1 Bushmaster
2 Colt
3 Smith and Wesson
4 Olympic Arms
5 DPMS

I have owned several of all of them except the S&W(I have a personal grudge against S&W stemming from the 90's and the assault weapon ban.) The Bushy's and Colt's finishes match up better with more uppers I think.

[ShooterJM]

Keep in mind the design on the side isn't generally who made it. There are probably a half dozen actual manufacturers that make 90% of all the brands.

[Buzzkill69]

(I have a personal grudge against S&W stemming from the 90's and the assault weapon ban.)

Do tell!

I assume your referring to the 2000 Clinton deal?

[colocowboy01]

Do tell!

I assume your referring to the 2000 Clinton deal?


Yep, it all started with me joining into the boycott of Ruger after Bill Ruger jumped into bed with the anti-gunners, which I still am keeping the boycott alive. Then when S&W fell to the political pressure of the Clinton's I expanded my personal boycott to include S&W, which also still stands. There are too many other good weapons and companies out there. Why shoot a S&W when you can shoot a Glock or H&K?

[SAnd]

I have a Bushmaster with a tite mag well. It's the only Bushmaster I have experience with so it could very well be the one in a thousand that slipped through. I won't condemn all Bushmasters because of it. It does bum me out though.

[colocowboy01]

I have a Bushmaster with a tite mag well. It's the only Bushmaster I have experience with so it could very well be the one in a thousand that slipped through. I won't condemn all Bushmasters because of it. It does bum me out though.

I will trade you some silver bars for your bummer of a Bushy.[Tooth]

[espos1111]

If you are talking "complete" lowers it is hard to say. Just buy what is affordable for parts. EVERYBODY has their favorite.You could ask the question about the just about the stock, as that is the one part that you get for fit, function, and comfort. I personally have a RRA, Spikes, and 2 SAA lowers. RRA 2 stage trigger, 2 Del-Ton, and one Spikes LPK. A Tapco 6 position CAR stock, A2 standard stock, and a RRA pistol buffer tube. Spikes, Del-Ton, and RRA CAR, H, and H2 buffers. It is all about performance vs. price and vice-versa in some cases. I like them all. Just be forewarned you will probably end up with a few spare parts. Thats OK, you just use them for your next build :D I would search here and on ARFCOM for the individual part and make your choice from that info. Then comes the hard part, the upper parts and optics.

[patrick0685]

Keep in mind the design on the side isn't generally who made it. There are probably a half dozen actual manufacturers that make 90% of all the brands.

i wish there were a list out there saying who made what for who...make sense?

[espos1111]

i wish there were a list out there saying who made what for who...make sense?

Makes sense to me but then "they" couldn't charge more for "their" parts:eek:

[SAnd]

I will trade you some silver bars for your bummer of a Bushy.[Tooth]
Sorry but no.
I'm using it anyway. I just got my Form 1 (Short Barrel Rifle) back on it. I filed on it some so my 9mm mag block fits fine now. It always worked fine with metal mags but PMAGs are still stiff, I still need to push them in and pull them out. I don't normally use PMAGs anyway.

[cliff]

Don't trade your silver.

[colocowboy01]

Don't trade your silver.
I am going to sell some of it to help fund more bugout stuff. I started buy silver @ $4.50 an ounce. My liberal, economist, brother-in-law kept telling me at the time it was a very bad investment, because it does not pay dividends and would never be worth anything. Now he says that silver would be a bad investment because it costs to much. Man, I am glad I did not go to college and study economics.
[Beer]

[porfiriozg]

i'll take a few ounces if your selling


I am going to sell some of it to help fund more bugout stuff. I started buy silver @ $4.50 an ounce. My liberal, economist, brother-in-law kept telling me at the time it was a very bad investment, because it does not pay dividends and would never be worth anything. Now he says that silver would be a bad investment because it costs to much. Man, I am glad I did not go to college and study economics.
[Beer]

[ShooterJM]

i wish there were a list out there saying who made what for who...make sense?

Via arfcom. http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=12&t=318113

LMT = LMT, Lauer(old), DS Arms, PWA, Eagle, Knights Armament, Barrett, Bushmaster (?)
CMT = Stag, RRA, High Standard, Noveske (old), Century (current), Global Tactical, CLE, S&W, MGI (1st batch), Wilson Tactical, (some?) Colt, Ratworx
LAR = Grizzly, Bushmaster (L Prefix), Ameetech, (?)DPMS, CMMG, Double Star, Fulton, Spike's Tactical, Noveske (new)
MMS = Mega, Gunsmoke, Dalphon, POF (forged), Alexander Arms, Stinger, Spike's Tactical(old)
JVP = Double Star, LRB
Olympic = Olypmic, SGW, Tromix, Palmetto, Dalphon, Frankford, (old)


Keep in mind they are likely constantly rotating depending on production capability, delivery timelines and bid price.