Favorite lowers

[R2Chief2]

Tried to find a thread on this topic and only saw ones about specific lowers.

As much as I'd like to get more ARs, I don't really have the money for it, but I figure getting another lower is like buying stock in a future AR if there were to be any kind of ban. I currently have a Seekins Precision lower but would like a few more if I can find them.


So what are people's favorite lowers and why?

[SAnd]

I love raw forgings or 80% lowers. You can't beat the cool factor of your own markings or no markings at all.

[nisils14]

I think billet lowers in general are cool. They just have an awesome custom look to them. With that said, I really like Seekins, Mega and Larue.
I would also really like to have one of these.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q160/badazzar15/magpulbillet.jpg

[R2Chief2]

I love raw forgings or 80% lowers. You can't beat the cool factor of your own markings or no markings at all.

Is that where you do the milling "yourself"?
I saw a video on youtube of someone doing that and wish I had the capabilities.

[Great-Kazoo]

Anything that is available for under $200.

[SAnd]

Is that where you do the milling "yourself"?
I saw a video on youtube of someone doing that and wish I had the capabilities.

That's it. I found some real good step by step instructions on the internet. That and a mill-drill gets me there. It takes me about 8 to 10 hours to to do an 80% and about twice that to do a raw forging.

Here are a couple interesting numbers. A raw forging weights 1 lb. 9 oz. (25 ounces). A fully machined receiver weights 8.2 ounces. Two thirds of the metal is removed. A typical 80% receiver weights 12.2 ounces as received.

One more thing. The price of raw forgings has gone from $30 in November to $80 currently when they have them.

[R2Chief2]

That's it. I found some real good step by step instructions on the internet. That and a mill-drill gets me there. It takes me about 8 to 10 hours to to do an 80% and about twice that to do a raw forging.

Here are a couple interesting numbers. A raw forging weights 1 lb. 9 oz. (25 ounces). A fully machined receiver weights 8.2 ounces. Two thirds of the metal is removed. A typical 80% receiver weights 12.2 ounces as received.

One more thing. The price of raw forgings has gone from $30 in November to $80 currently when they have them.

Please post some links if you have them. I'm really interested in this as well.
I'm not sure I have access to the necessary equipment though?

[SAnd]

Please post some links if you have them. I'm really interested in this as well.
I'm not sure I have access to the necessary equipment though?

I wouldn't attempt a raw forging without a mill or mill/drill. I'm not saying it couldn't be done but I know I need a mill to do it. I can't be accurate enough without a machine guilding my hand.

There are fixtures (or jigs for the non politically-correct inclined) to complete the 80% lowers without a mill.

Here is a thread in the "Build Your Own" forum by some folks wanting to complete some 80% lowers-
http://www.ar-15.co/threads/80983-Anyone-hosting-quot-build-parties-quot-for-completing-an-80-lower

Here is a link to the instructions I use. It will give you an idea of what is involved in machining a lower -
http://www.lecreg.com/P4x4/ARblank.pdf

Have fun.

[dwalker460]

I think the Tactical Innovations standard lower is one of my favorites.

[King]

My favorite lower is my BCM. Nothing sexy about it. Simple, rugged, and the factory trigger is fantastic.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

The $200 variety.

[King]

I dont think you will have the luxury of getting your top priority. Buy what you can and move on

[ShelbyJK500]

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q160/badazzar15/magpulbillet.jpg

Love it...just wish it had Magpuls "logo" along with it's stamping on the M&P MOE models!

[ChunkyMonkey]

http://i.imgur.com/ZNlqn8gl.jpg?1

One of my fav....

[R2Chief2]

Anything that is available for under $200.

I just picked up a Seekins Pecision forged lower (SP15) for only $130.
It's not as nice as the billet lower I have, but for $130, it's beautiful!

[R2Chief2]

http://i.imgur.com/ZNlqn8gl.jpg?1

One of my fav....

That's a Gen2, isn't it?

I really liked the gen2 vs the gen 1

[R2Chief2]

Anything that is available for under $200.

Would that include Aero?
I may have the opportunity to pick one up for under $200 but I don't recall them being high end.

[DSB OUTDOORS]

Anything that is available for under $200.
^^^^ This. I have a few. But nothing beets one that's available!! Right now. And the parts that make it function! [Coffee]

[Sharpienads]

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m591/Sharpienads/Hellbreaker1_zps8a545ce0.png

[ChunkyMonkey]

Wow. Want!!!

[wARmachine15]

Not a great angle but Quentin Defense makes a great series of billet lowers with military branch emblems. And they do it on the cheap - $169 or so.

I'm partial to this one.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/18/9ude2ese.jpg

[R2Chief2]

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m591/Sharpienads/Hellbreaker1_zps8a545ce0.png

Reminds me of the P40s from the flying tigers.

One common thing I realizing is that I really like the integrated trigger guard as seen on the Seekins billet , Noveske gen2, Magpul, this one (what kind is that BTW), the one from wARmachine15 above, etc

[jerrymrc]

I think billet lowers in general are cool. They just have an awesome custom look to them. With that said, I really like Seekins, Mega and Larue.
I would also really like to have one of these.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q160/badazzar15/magpulbillet.jpg

I would not have a clue where those came from..... http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac44/jerrymrc/IMG_0426.jpg

[muddywings]

If you want to pay out the wazooo for a tricked out lower and you like the PMAG design on the mag well: AXTS Weapon Systems.
I won't mention the price here as I might get banned.

http://i.imgur.com/bmWk0rf.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Tx1fDD6.jpg

[Sharpienads]

Reminds me of the P40s from the flying tigers.

One common thing I realizing is that I really like the integrated trigger guard as seen on the Seekins billet , Noveske gen2, Magpul, this one (what kind is that BTW), the one from wARmachine15 above, etc

http://www.ammoland.com/2012/08/hellbreaker-ar15-lower-receiver/#axzz2LUjqKYdH

[R2Chief2]

If you want to pay out the wazooo for a tricked out lower and you like the PMAG design on the mag well: AXTS Weapon Systems.
I won't mention the price here as I might get banned.

http://i.imgur.com/bmWk0rf.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Tx1fDD6.jpg

That is really sweet. I think the integrated right hand bolt drop adds to the price too...not just the "Magpul" look.
It that why they didn't use a pmag in the picture...would it have been too obvious they were coping?

[muddywings]

That is really sweet. I think the integrated right hand bolt drop adds to the price too...not just the "Magpul" look.
It that why they didn't use a pmag in the picture...would it have been too obvious they were coping?

I always thought their promo pics were a bit odd.
This one looks better but it's a first generation prototype (the safety indicator is still at 90 degrees vs 45): http://4chandata.org/images/threads/125533_AXTS_Weapon_Systems_A-DAC_Evolution(...).jpg

The the extra features are the left hand mag release and the ADAC feature which allows you to lock the bolt to the rear using the magazine release button.

I shoot righty and my wife shoots lefty so that is the reason I picked it up, along with their Raptor charging handle and of course I have an ambi safety.

[Kraven251]

I have been a big fan of the RRA lowers. I heard they had some QA issues at one point, but of the ones I have had recently haven't had any issues with them at all.

[mahabali]

This is my favorite of mine.

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd485/mahabali/IMG_2164.jpg

[R2Chief2]

I always thought their promo pics were a bit odd.
This one looks better but it's a first generation prototype (the safety indicator is still at 90 degrees vs 45): http://4chandata.org/images/threads/125533_AXTS_Weapon_Systems_A-DAC_Evolution(...).jpg

The the extra features are the left hand mag release and the ADAC feature which allows you to lock the bolt to the rear using the magazine release button.

I shoot righty and my wife shoots lefty so that is the reason I picked it up, along with their Raptor charging handle and of course I have an ambi safety.

How do you like it? Does the quality match the price?
I'm really like the right hand bolt catch as well as the pmag look.
But that price is high end...

[kwando]

Just ordered a seekings! w00t

My fav until then was my BCM

[brutal]

Just ordered a seekings! w00t

My fav until then was my BCM

Just finished building two. Two more due in soon.

PSA LPK went in like butter. However, one trigger is nicely polished, the other is a gritty mess. the S S trigger sucks, the two dots trigger is great. WTF?

Next two will probably get RRA LPK also due in if they are as good or better (or the same) as the PSA.

[R2Chief2]

I have a nephew in high school that is SO infatuated with the Marine Corp and is already doing a young Marines program. He's planning on going the ROTC route in college before joining the Marines.

I'm thinking that a build with this lower would make an awesome HS graduation gift!!!

And since he's got a couple years I have plenty of time to learn how to do it...


Not a great angle but Quentin Defense makes a great series of billet lowers with military branch emblems. And they do it on the cheap - $169 or so.

I'm partial to this one.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/18/9ude2ese.jpg