Tell me your thoughts on a couple lowers

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David Hoback said:
The M4E is a good lower. They are still high quality 7075 Forgings made by one of America’s Foundries. Aero just machines the lines & angles with CNC, to imitate the looks of a Billet. What I do like is the closed trigger guard.
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There are also a lot more enhancements on the Aero "enhanced" version such as a screw in threaded bolt catch roll pin, screw holding the rear takedown pin spring instead of relying on the buffer end plate, a tension set screw to adjust the fitment between the upper and lower receiver, a flared magwell, and a higher quality coating on the lower. Plus as you mentioned the closed trigger guard. Overall there is a lot less banging with a mallet to put these lowers together which is a great thing. I have seen more folks break off the trigger guard ears with a mallet on standard lowers than I have fingers or toes.

Ballistic Advantage enhanced lowers are made the same way (probably in the same facility, but I don't know) as well and are also a good option.

https://www.ballisticadvantage.com/ba-ar-15-enhanced-lower-receiver.html
 
edwardware said:
I would really like to hear specifics on this.
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I have had to use a mallet to hammer in the rear pin on 2 or 3 PSA lowers. I've also had the rear pin detent (I believe) incorrectly installed on 2 assembled lowers from PSA. This led to the rear pin just sliding out if you just tilted the rifle to the right. I actually have fired some rounds with my PSA AR-9 while holding the rear receiver pin in place, so the rifle wouldn't "shotgun" itself open from recoil!

John
 
Have had no problems with over 20 stripped lowers assembled. Only 1 was milled which I found it to be a bit trickier. That one was has a Colt 6945CK upper and a Rise Armament RA-535 trigger.

Anderson, Aero, Surplus Ammo & Arms, billet was Noreen. Mil spec is mil spec. Buy cheap, stack deep.
 
citizenconn said:
There are also a lot more enhancements on the Aero "enhanced" version such as a screw in threaded bolt catch roll pin, screw holding the rear takedown pin spring instead of relying on the buffer end plate, a tension set screw to adjust the fitment between the upper and lower receiver, a flared magwell, and a higher quality coating on the lower. Plus as you mentioned the closed trigger guard. Overall there is a lot less banging with a mallet to put these lowers together which is a great thing. I have seen more folks break off the trigger guard ears with a mallet on standard lowers than I have fingers or toes.

Ballistic Advantage enhanced lowers are made the same way (probably in the same facility, but I don't know) as well and are also a good option.

https://www.ballisticadvantage.com/ba-ar-15-enhanced-lower-receiver.html
Click to expand...

Yeah, those little things are “enhancments” are *cute. :) Same thing can be done to any lower. I’ve never found spring pins all that difficult to install.. and the last 10 AR’s I’ve assembled or built (maybe more:scrutiny:), have been with one eye & one arm! LOL:rofl: But, not bad little treats. But yeah, really easy to do these things one’s self.

Yes, the Ballistic Advantage Lower is the same forging, and CNC’d identically. I could track down where they are are being Forged & machined, but it’s not really that big a deal . Again, not bad for $90. Wouldn’t pay the $130+ when the first hit the scene though. NOPE!
 
As long as its in spec a lower is a lower.

What you'll get with a higher price is usually a milled lower instead of forged which typically will have a better appearance, and some features that make the build easier (eg some hard to work with pins are replaced with screws).

Outside of that though all the lower does is hold parts in place and it doesn't take much force. People 3d print AR lowers that hold up for a long time and 3d printed plastic is weaker than injection molded plastic which in turn is much weaker than aluminum.
 
The above is absolutely correct. However, precision parts fitment is part of if. Less expensive Lowers are typically a bit looser in pin & selector holes. A couple Thous. of an inch won’t make a difference for operation, but they do affect the feel & overall user impression. There is a reason we like things NOT to rattle. And typically finish is more even on the higher priced units.

Also mentioned, looks. I’ve said it before, those who claim looks don’t matter are flat out lying… maybe to themselves. We, being human beings, are visually discerning. Our eyes are a gift from The Father Above, highly developed and able to focus on fine details & color. The term “Minds Eye”, a figure of speech but truth. We imagine what is “pleasing” to us, and our sight knows what to look for. We enjoy aesthetically pleasing objects; be it cars, furniture, clothing & yes… FIREARMS! It’s WHY I choose 80% Billets for my builds. I could machine 80% MilSpec Lowes & save $50-$60. But I choose Billets with integrated Trigger Guard & flared magwell.

Of course we all have our own budgets to contend with. I understand that completely! Moreover, it’s typically a question of what we are WILLING to spend more money on. For instance, I am only WILLING to spend around $1000 on a scope. I have drawn a line in the sand & I stick to it. However, the Aluminum Chassis I use for my bench rifle cost upwards of $1300! And I WAS willing to spend that. So, we each have our choices. :D
 
Sypher.... said:
I have yet to build an AR, so I'm looking for opinions on a couple lowers I'm looking at getting. They are the Aero precision m5 and the Aero precision m4e1. The only reason I'm looking at these 2 particular lowers is I have been offered a decent deal for them.
The m4e1 will probably be my first build, with the m5 being a future build. Let's be honest, they'll both be future builds as I buy parts here and there.
Does the quality justify the price? What differentiates these from say an Anderson (finish, tolerance, etc...)?
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You can't go wrong with Areo Precision. The M5 is their 308 type pattern if you are wanting a 308 AR. I think they use proprietary uppers and handguards but I think the lowers are DPMS pattern I'm not sure exactly. Basically 308 AR type rifles are a crapshoot of compatibility. That's why it's usually better to buy a complete upper and lower or a whole rifle from the same company.
 
Speedo66 said:
When I first considered assembling an AR, AIM was selling Anderson's for under $40. I bought a few, there was a small problem of the hole for the grip screw being a little short. I shimmed the screw with two washers and the problem was solved.

The rest of the gun was an inexpensive PSA kit. I put it all together with common household tools and it worked perfectly first time.

I'm sure Anderson has solved that hole problem. I sold off the AR and the other lowers, just not an AR guy, but if I was going to do another one, I'd have no problem buying another Anderson. AIM is currently selling them for under $45. https://aimsurplus.com/products/anderson-manufacturing-am15-multi-cal-lower-receiver
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I understand about not being an AR guy. I've used them, and they're fun, but I haven't really felt a big need to own one. I had a deal come up on these lowers, and thought if I'm ever going to do one...I should probably jump on it. We'll see how it turns out.
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. Now I've got to figure out the rest of the "furniture" for the build. With all the choices out there, it sure makes narrowing things down a bit harder. I know if/when I have more questions, I can count on your suggestions.
 
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