Are AR lower receivers being gouged?

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

CoyoteSix

Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2012
Messages
370
Location
Idaho
Quick question folks: Are Lower AR-15 receivers getting gouged?

I haven't studied AR parts much before so I don't know if current prices are fair.

I'm really interested in a polymer lower, complete or stripped doesn't matter.

Thanks!
 
My observations around NE Ohio and online is they shot way up in price with $100 stripped lowers selling for $250 - $275 but as of now they seem to be settling down and getting more inline with "normal". The prices vary depending on who made the lower also with some brands commanding a higher price which was always par for the course. Right now I wouldn't be too quick to buy a stripped lower unless you have the rest of the parts for a build as parts are a little scarce right now.

Just My Take
Ron
 
My LGS has them for $160. I've seen cheaper than that on sale before online through Palmetto State. Due to all the madness, the prices have shot up, but as Reloadron mentioned above, prices are coming down. If you're not in a hurry, give it another month or two and you'll see those prices shaved even more.
 
Well, they're not being gouged, because stripped lowers aren't a necessity like food, water, medical supplies and food.

They have however increased in price due to the market forces of supply and demand.

Prices are starting to return to normal, and in some cases parts can be found for near pre-panic costs -- particularly the polymer lowers, which have never been in very high demand compared to forged or billet aluminum.
 
Quick question folks: Are Lower AR-15 receivers getting gouged?

I haven't studied AR parts much before so I don't know if current prices are fair.
Click to expand...

No such thing as gouging.
If YOU feel the price is fair, regardless of what someone else says, then the price is fair. Will there always be someone who says they got something for a lot less than you? Sure, but you also won't hear too many saying how much more they paid than you did either
 
Everything gun related went up quite a bit in the last five months. Everything AR-15 related went up 2x or more in the last five months, and was sometimes hard to find at all.

Now some AR parts, like lower receivers, are becoming pretty easy to find again, for prices pretty close to what they were before. You could find sales on AR receivers down around $50 a year or two ago, sometimes. Now you can pre-order a new one for $99 (inc. shipping) from some places, for delivery a couple months from now.

Other parts (bolt carrier groups, for example) are still a bit hard to find, but in a few months we'll be pretty close to normal again.
 
LGS here has as many aluminum ones as you like from a selection of makers for $149, and another just south has a dozen in stock that are not selling at $179. Seems things are settling down.


Willie


.
 
The little gun shop that I work at occassionally has a complete lower for $250.00 which is about what it was a year ago or more. The brand is CMG, and he has about 6 of them. The trigger pull is attrocious to say the least, however a Timney trigger is easy enough to install.;)
 
Funny thing is that stripped lowers have become pretty easy to find now, but where are all the uppers?

I can't find a stripped or assembled (with port cover and forward assist) upper receiver in stock anywhere. Does anyone know where these are hiding?
 
PSA had a couple uppers sans BCG and CH earlier today. I was sorely tempted order the 16" mid-length their website claimed was in stock, but my wife and I agreed to hold off a while till we get a few other things taken care of. Boy was it tempting, though.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/complete-uppers/16/psa-16-mid-length-heavy-premium-stripped-upper-no-bcg-or-charging-handle.html

PSA also had some BCGs in stock, at least when I looked. Can't find the link atm...

I am hopeful that prices will continue heading towards reasonable as supply continues to catch up. Rifles and components are becoming available again both locally and online, so I think it's just a matter of time for the prices to come down to something I can live with.

A little more directly on topic: lowers in this area shot up in price, but I'm finding them for 125-150 with fair frequency now. I would buy one at that price if I were desperate, but I think I'm going to hold out for the hope of a sub-100 sale from PSA or another maker.
 
Last edited:
Funny thing is that stripped lowers have become pretty easy to find now, but where are all the uppers?
Click to expand...

As the lowers have the serial number on them, most manufacturers put all of their effort into making lowers in case there was a ban. Larue even sent people who had ordered complete rifles their lowers just so that people could transfer the "firearm" into their name, with the understanding that the rifel would be completed at a later date.

As such, it will probably be a while before things like upper receivers catch up.
 
Well since you're looking for a polymer lower you should find them a little cheaper that what's mentioned about. But I'd go ahead and pay the extra for a milspec stripped lower made of 7075 aluminum alloy. If you're patient and scour the usual sites you won't get gouged. (Pun intended :D ).
 
Fishbed77 said:
Funny thing is that stripped lowers have become pretty easy to find now, but where are all the uppers?

I can't find a stripped or assembled (with port cover and forward assist) upper receiver in stock anywhere. Does anyone know where these are hiding?
Click to expand...
BCM -- one of the best in the business -- is regularly releasing limited amounts of uppers now, usually with options for adding a BCG and CH. Check their website.

Also, this resource is useful: http://www.arpartsfinder.com/instock/index.cgi?type=upper&quant=50#.UX6so-DN820
 
PSA had a couple uppers sans BCG and CH earlier today.
Click to expand...

BCM -- one of the best in the business -- is regularly releasing limited amounts of uppers now, usually with options for adding a BCG and CH.
Click to expand...

Actually looking for just an upper receiver, not a complete upper group. Looking for a decent A3 upper for a psuedo-SPR build (18" SS barrel in 5.56mm or .223 Wylde).

A complete upper group would be great, but PSA seems to be limiting themselves to mostly 16" barrelled complete uppers, and when BCM has 18" SPR uppers, the price is astronomical.
 
To clarify...

I want a polymer lower so I can build a .22lr AR-15.

I've wanted an AR for a while now, still can't pull the trigger on one though because of classes taking most of my funds.

I figured building a .22lr one out of a cheap lower would be the easiest route to get into the AR game!

*Too darn bad you can't get a stripped lower if you're under 21. Talk about ridiculous laws. :banghead:
 
I just picked up a PSA lower from my FFL. $120, $7 shipping, $25 FFL. Not as good as 5 months ago, but I have it in my hands.

Now I sit back and wait for a sale in the coming months. :)
 
For the most part AR lower receivers are still way overpriced. PSA is selling them for $120 when they used to be around $60. Not a bad price, but demand is high so price is high.

Anything more than $120 for a basic stripped lower is too much. I paid $115 for a Spikes Tactical lower and those are almost impossible to find.

A polymer lower should be perfect for a 22lr build. Keep in mind though you have to find a 22lr barrel and bolt. I believe CMMG might have them, not sure if they're in stock though.
 
Can any .22lr barrel be affixed to any AR15 upper?

As I understand it almost all uppers and lowers are compatible but I don't know much about barrel compatibility.

Also, I was thinking of the CMMG Stainless conversion. :cool:
 
I bought a PSA lower in early 2011 for about $60 out the door. I also bought gas for under $1.00/gallon 15 years ago.

So, what's your definition of 'gouging'.
 
The gouging was a month or two back. No the prices are a little elevated, but not terrible.
 
In 2010, you could buy the complete(including stock) polymer lowers for $100-120. I was still a dealer at that time and bought several from one source and even got free shipping @ $105 per lower.
Price gouging only is relevant to "needed items" like food, fuel, and such as far as I'm concerned.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
Which AR15 lower to buy?
2
Replies
31
Views
2K
Zerodefect
Z
M
  • Locked
AR-15 Lowers? Low $ or High $....
Replies
11
Views
6K
soul_rapier
S
S
  • Locked
Price Check, AR-15 Lower
Replies
5
Views
452
Phydeaux642
P
G
  • Locked
Stripped Lower Question
Replies
6
Views
506
primalmu
primalmu
3
  • Locked
Can I buy a lower receiver?
Replies
14
Views
3K
3pairs12
3
Back
Top