AR lower (Does the brand really matter?)

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Okiegunner

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A lower is a lower is a lower. So I have been told. Almost all are CNC cut after the forging, or CNC cut billets. Am I right? I'm just going off what I have been told and what I have read. If this is the case, then almost any "decent" lower should be as good as the next.

So, does the make or brand of a AR lower really matter? Other than, of course, one's particular preference for a certain rollmark or logo.

I have recently assembled (I hate using the word built, because all I did was assemble, not build) a fairly nice AR upper, at least in my opinion.

Daniel Defense upper
FN CL, 1 in 7, middy, 16 inch barrel
DD front and rear Combat sights
YHM, Diamond cut, rifle length FF Quad Rails
Magpul Vertical grip (was going to go with DD, but I liked the Magpul more)
DD front QD sling swivel.
Vltor BCM Mod 3 "Gunfighter" CH
BCM, FA BCG

I realize that this is kind of a "Franken" upper, but it is what I wanted.

Thought for the longest time that I had scored a LMT "Defender" lower to put this on. Right now, it looks like I did not.

I am still thinking about mounting this upper on a LMT "Defender" or a Mega Arms "Gator" lower.

However, and this is my question...Is it worth it? Will any lower work as good as the next one? Is it just catering to personal choice (vanity??) to buy the LMT or Mega (or BCM, Noveske) for that matter?

PSA and Spikes both make lowers that can be had for less than most of the afore mentioned.

Anyhow...thanks for the input.
 
Yes you are right, a lower is pretty much a lower. There are one or two that are a little different (JP RIfles for example), but really any name brand lower will work just about as well as any other.
 
All lowers are not created equal. People get way too caught up on the rollmark, though. I have had my hands on quite a few lowers and like Stag best. Tight tolerances and a nice finish.
 
I've done builds with CMMG, DSA, Del Ton, R-Guns and have factory Armalite rifles. Aside from slight variations in texture/color, they're all pretty much the same. I'm liking the fit and finish on the DSA ZM4 lowers, though, and you really can't go wrong for $75. I have two builds on them, one with an R-Guns stainless LPK and R-Guns M4 upper, one is a pistol with PSA LPK and a franken upper.

101_1429.jpg

My next build is going to sport a green anodized R-Guns lower with an Armalite M15(T) upper and Armalite NM trigger group.

Three of my friends have built on DTI lowers with no complaints, another likes Stag.

I'd personally be fine with pretty much any forged lower. I'm not a fan of polymer or billet, though.
 
I recently built a gun for a friend with a Tactical Innovations billet "STBA" lower... I'd never used one before and did so at request of said friend. It's actually a pretty cool design and I'm looking forward to seeing what it looks like after 20K-30K rounds. Might have to use another one. :D

Cheers,
C
 
You have the regular forged 7075 lowers with three types of ano finish and assorted roll marks. A large selection of billet lowers with various enhancements. There are getting to be more ambi lowers on the market like the AX556 from AXTS, Seekins has some nice stuff.

Your the only one that can decide if the extra cost over a standard lower is worth it. The Mega Gator gives you a nice grip area in front of the mag well.
The AXTS A-DAC has some very nice enhancements that are affordable, the AX556 is more than I care to spend on a lower, but they are ultra cool.

Aero Precision lower, add a 45* ambi safety selector, this makes a very nice lower that is very affordable.
 
I prefer to build on caliber multi to avoid complications when switching between 5.56 and 6.8
 
I've had a CMMG and a PSA lower and the only difference is the finish. The only lowers I'm not totally sold on is the polymers. It's prolly just fear of the new, though.

Adel, is it really an issue if you're using a mis-matched caliber lower and upper? I never really thought about it being an issue.
 
Jaybird78 said:
Some people bring up resale value.

Easier to sell a rifle with a "namebrand" than one of the "small manufactures" names on it. FWIW
Click to expand...

I've been known to do that :D. All things being more-or-less equal ( as seems to be the consensus on this issue) then one would be foolish not to go with any of the popular,well-known brands that are most likely to bring the best trade/re-sale value. Right ?
 
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I guess the name brand thing would depend on your honesty. If you wanted you could probably grab a cheap everything and then put it on a Colt, BCM, or such lower and sell it as such. Someone with a trained eye would probably catch it, but someone who is just wanting an AR wouldn't know the difference. I personally could not take advantage of a person like that.
 
You said you've "been known to do that." I took it as you did what I said, switched out the lower, and sold it as a whole rifle. If I misinterpreted, I apologize.
 
I like to buy the stripped lower locally so I can handle and inspect it first. And since you don't have to go through a distant sale then a FFL transfer fee, the local buy can break even in cost.

There are differences in lowers but you really have to inspect first hand to see differences. I've been pleased with S&W, Valkyrie (JD Machine) and Charles Daly lowers. I have an ArmaLite that is ok but isn't finished as nicely nor does it have the magazine well flared as well as the first three. If I were buying another lower I'd be looking for the S&W M&P-15, it's nicely finished and has a top notch rollmark everyone knows. PSA and Spikes should be good choices but I haven't handled either first hand.

(Okiegunner, I have my Daniel Defense upper on the S&W lower and it's a very nice match color and finish -wise. I call this AR my Dan Wesson!)
 
fanchisimo said:
You said you've "been known to do that." I took it as you did what I said, switched out the lower, and sold it as a whole rifle. If I misinterpreted, I apologize.
Click to expand...

No worries,I noticed myself that my post was a little ambiguous. When I said "I've been known to do that" I was responding to Jaybird's comment about "some people bringing up re-sale value", which I'd long felt should be factored in on a purchase, and since I'd just recently posted this a couple times, I thought he may have been referring to me.:)
 
Thanks for the input.

Right now I have this upper mounted onto a DTI lower. Really, really, snug fit. It actually fits a little tighter than my DTI upper does. Nothing at all wrong with the DTI lower. I could probably leave well enough alone and just leave it at that.

However, I have been working a lot of weekends lately and have been picking up a ton of "overtime". At this point in time, I can afford to buy another lower to put my new upper on. I won't say money is no object, but I could afford to spend $400-$450 or so.

I do kinda prefer a nice, smooth 4-5lb. single stage trigger. Something without too much creep, with a crisp break. For whatever reason, I just can't seem to get into the 2 stage triggers. I realize that most of you will have a different opinion on this, but, to each his own.

I am still leaning towards a LMT Defender or a Mega Gator. Someone mentioned JD Machine, those also seem like a pretty good value.

Thanks much
 
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For the most part, a lower is a lower is a lower(as long as its made of the same material as the next). Polymer lowers are NOT the same quality as aluminum.

BUT, the name brand like DD, Noveske, BCM, will fetch a higher resale value and would overall be better quality. Otherwise they will all function the same and would likely have equal reliability as long as you stick with good LPK's.

In my case I prefer to stick with Spikes, PSA, and the likes for the $ savings and spend the rest on ammo and accesories. If money was no object then I'd be buying the top-tier receivers of course, but unfortunately money does not grow on trees...
 
Fanchisimo

Just from reading, thats a nice looking trigger. I actually thought about trying one out.

Now...Everyone will laugh after the comment I made above about my trigger preference.

I got a great deal on a Geissele super 2 stage trigger, ($140.00 for the Geissele) as part of a package buy. Mega Lower, DD LPK (minus trigger), Noveske single point QD, along with OD Magpul pistol grip and OD Magpul buttstock.

Anyhow, I got everything ordered about an hour ago. Looking forward to getting my upper mounted up.

I figure that if I just can't get adjusted to this trigger, I'm sure for the price I paid, someone will take it off my hands.
 
In my area folks go nuts over anything with a Spikes or DD logo on it. anything else they act like it's junk and won't buy it. But in reality they are all made to pretty much the same specs. I've got Sig, Spikes and an LRB lower all work like they are supposed to. I even like the New Frontier poly lowers. The farm gun was about all plastic and took more use/abuse than any rifle should or could. If you are looking to maybe resale you might want to pay attention to what the local makets likes but if it's a keeper I'd say buy what you can for as little as possible and enjoy it.
 
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