Matched... or not?

[BigBear]

Hopefully a quick question:

In building a new AR is it better to purchase a matched receiver set or does it really matter? What are the pros/cons?

I see some matched sets for $700 stripped while some lowers stripped are from $50-$300...

Whats the story?

[Great-Kazoo]

Buy what you can afford. They are all suppose to be in some marginal specification. Myself, I'm buying a $100 or less lower some rifle kit for $499 and the rest on components.

[CS1983]

I have an unmatched lower/upper on my SPR and it shoots just fine -- better than me most days. Unless you have some serious tolerance issues, it shouldn't really matter.

[Great-Kazoo]

Updating my reply. is there a difference between a "matched" upper and lower to the basic A lower, B upper, yes. One has to decide what they want from said build.

(OH NO HERE COMES THE WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE SPIEL)

Having owned factory AR's before the days of parts kits, for the average shooter the difference (besides finish and even sometimes fit) is IMO negligible.
Build your own, buy an off the rack AR or drop the coin on a Tier 1 ($1200-3K) rifle.

The bottom line... it's the person behind the trigger that makes the difference.

Know your rifle, stick with the same factory or load your ammo, and one can equal or outperform the guy shooting the $2Kk AR. That $400 stripped upper & lower buys an optic, mags or more ammo

[Circuits]

Pros - you *might* get a tighter fit or superior cosmetic finish match.
Cons - you *will* spend more.

There will be no functional difference between the two.

[ray1970]

It's kind of a crap shoot due to the +/- tolerances.

I've had non-matched receivers that fit together very well.

Unless you're building a serious, high end precision rifle you probably aren't going to see much difference in accuracy down range.

[BigBear]

Ok... interesting...

So is there anyplace to get a non-marked upper and lower? I know the serial/.cal has to be on their for registration purposes but does it have to have all the other "junk" on there (roll marks, etc)?

[Irving]

There aren't many companies that put out a product without labeling it. Not in the gun world anyway.

[CS1983]

I hear the DOJ has some guns for sale...

[Circuits]

Ok... interesting...

So is there anyplace to get a non-marked upper and lower? I know the serial/.cal has to be on their for registration purposes but does it have to have all the other "junk" on there (roll marks, etc)?

Only the serial actually has to go on the receiver - other required markings (maker name, city, state, model, caliber) can go on the barrel instead of the receiver.

Closest I've seen are the NoDak Spuds non-logo lowers, otherwise, you'd have to build up an 80% lower to get a basically-bare lower.