Stripped Lower Question

[William]

Is there a real difference in a stripped lower between the cheaper lowers such as RRA, DelTon, DPMS etc, vs the upper ends? I am asking not taking into consideration parts kits, just the receiver itself. I am wanting to build an AR, but thinking I could save some money on the lower and invest that money in the upper.

[Colorado Osprey]

Most forgings are made from only 2 or 3 companies and labeled and finished in house with their serial numbers.

RRA, Stag, Bushy and a bunch of others (like Double Star and Del-Ton) in my opinion are all the exact same except for the logo and finish.
The DPMS is or was from a different casting before Cerebus aquired them... can't say on current production.

Milled billet recievers such as Sun Devil are just that... milled billet.... more time and machine intensive and therefore more expensive... But I wouldn't say they are any better.

When building I usually choose a lower that has a big name recognition for potential resale at a later date. Remmy, DPMS, Bushy, RRA, etc. Lots of people have no idea who Del-Ton is for example.

[SA Friday]

The number one difference is forged vs milled. Companies putting out the majority of AR lowers are forging. Milled are less available and cost a bit more. I have a DPMS, Colt, RRA, and Sun Devil. There IS a difference, and the milled are much nicer IMO.

Biggest deciding factor is what you are going to be using the gun for. Just want one and plinking, go with a reputable forged lower. You gonna shoot competitions and dump thousands of rounds through it, spend the extra Benny and get a milled receiver. Going to try to push a bullet past 600yds regularly with it, the milled might be the way to go too.

Biggest difference I've seen is the fit between the upper and lower. The milled seem to be really snug. All the milled receivers I've seen just plain looked better too; crisper lines.

Are they so good that you just have to have one? If you have the money and means, sure why not. Is it going to make or break a gun build, not even close.

[Dr_Fwd]

Most forgings are made from only 2 or 3 companies and labeled and finished in house with their serial numbers.

RRA, Stag, Bushy and a bunch of others (like Double Star and Del-Ton) in my opinion are all the exact same except for the logo and finish.
The DPMS is or was from a different casting before Cerebus aquired them... can't say on current production.

Milled billet recievers such as Sun Devil are just that... milled billet.... more time and machine intensive and therefore more expensive... But I wouldn't say they are any better.

When building I usually choose a lower that has a big name recognition for potential resale at a later date. Remmy, DPMS, Bushy, RRA, etc. Lots of people have no idea who Del-Ton is for example.

THIS!!

[Circuits]

There are THREE basic lower types: billet, forged and cast.
Among forgings, there are only two or three forges operating in the country, but all forgings are not the same. The lowest tier forgings are made with the most basic process and common, forge-owned dies, while some mfgs provide the forge with their own, proprietary dies which can be used to produce forgings only for that manufacturer.

The casting or forging is then machined to final spec by the mfg.

Then the cast, forged or billet lower has any special treatments, coatings or finishes are applied. All of these steps can affect the appearance , performance and commercial desirability of the finished lower.

From a build standpoint, any forged lower with proper anodizing and in-spec machining is about equal, except for personal preference as to brand, markings, color, etc.

[William]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I appreciate the information.

I want an M4 type, so will be going for shorter barrel, and not for long distance accuracy. So it sounds like a forged receiver is fine for me. Plus an expensive lower would kill the project.

Here's what I picked out:

http://www.spikestactical.com/z/inde...roducts_id=170

[ZombieKiller25]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I appreciate the information.

I want an M4 type, so will be going for shorter barrel, and not for long distance accuracy. So it sounds like a forged receiver is fine for me. Plus an expensive lower would kill the project.

Here's what I picked out:

http://www.spikestactical.com/z/inde...roducts_id=170

I just bought 3 of those with the pictograms and logo color filled. They are absolutely gorgeous and priced right. Your gonna love them

[William]

I just bought 3 of those with the pictograms and logo color filled. They are absolutely gorgeous and priced right. Your gonna love them

The colors will look great! Price is the best I have seen. I thought about getting the colors. I am on a budget for this rifle though.

[gunnergrady]

Hi william, any lower that is 7075 T6 forging and is mil. spec. regardless of what name is stamped on the side will all work with mil. spec. parts. I just received a lower from Tactical Innovations for $99.99 and it is one fine lower, you NEED to check them out. Why spend $150 and up for a lower that has a cool logo or big name, you are just throwing money away.

[zoo9guy]

I thought the market had bottomed out at $79.00 and ordered 2. They will be in Tuesday, I'll give you my opinion on them when they arrive. I'd have to see that someone had a successful build on the dirt cheap 55.00 forged ones.
Here's a link to a couple of succesful builds on the TNW's. They are cut from a 6061 billet, not 7075, I have done a bit of research on 6061 and with the beefed up design have I no problems with using it. http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=463760

Here's the link to the closeout forged lowers- http://rguns.net/rifles/rifles-semia...d.shtml#SHARPS

I hope somebody orders one and does a review, that's cheaper then most LPK's!

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson....... One of the Original Radicals.