Lower Receiver questions. - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

akmjolnir · 03-27-2008, 02:27 PM

This is my first AR so I'm not looking to spend uber-$$$$ on this rifle, however I am going to spend enough to have a good quality weapon. It will be for my m16a4 clone.

I figure it will be cheaper, and just as reliable, for me to put the lower together myself, so my question is...

What are some of the better quality lowers? I'd be willing to spend $125-150 on a stripped unit (ehh, maybe not thaaaaat much). I've heard good things about Mega and GTS and RRA. What about CMMG? I see they have some decent prices and options.

Also, because the lower would need to be sent to a FFL holder, is there a database that has FFL holders listed by state? NH perhaps???

thanks

rogerxd45 · 03-27-2008, 02:43 PM

dont worry about the lower as long as its forged. the money you save on the lower is better spent somewhere else on the rifle. you will be able to notice more of a difference on the upper and one some good glass. so spend less on the lower and spend more on the upper
i have a superior arms lower and i am very happy with it. it comes with a adjustment screw that adjusts the overtravel of the trigger. its nice but i wouldnt pay extra to get it. but since they are cheap ill build my next ar on one of them also.

but if your a brand whore then by all means get a brand name one but odds are you wont ever notice the difference unless there is a different finish on it but thats about it

rogerxd45 · 03-27-2008, 02:47 PM

oh and i got a 18" crome lined 1/8 twist CMMG upper and i am very happy with it. they arnt as main stream but they are great quality. my complete upper was $525

try to find a local dealer that carries them that way you wont have to pay shipping and the FFL transfer cost

Hooz · 03-27-2008, 03:09 PM

Essential Arms forged lowers (for $80) are all I'll ever buy.

T.J. · 03-27-2008, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerxd45

oh and i got a 18" crome lined 1/8 twist CMMG upper and i am very happy with it. they arnt as main stream but they are great quality. my complete upper was $525

try to find a local dealer that carries them that way you wont have to pay shipping and the FFL transfer cost

not sure that this will work for you or not but look for a local gun board they are normally pretty small and not widely advertised, if you have one register and start looking for FFL holders a lot of times you will find guys that do them for cheap then if you can start looking online for a good deal i found my Complete LMT lower with SopMod Stock for $325 which to me was a pretty good deal. I am not a brand whore by any means but am choosing to use exclusive LMT parts on my next build to try and keep a decent resell value should i need to sell it quick (which probably won't happen i seem to buy and buy and buy but hardly ever sell). virtually the only difference between my Lower and a Spikes Tactical Lower will be the LMT name and in all actuality the price will pretty close once you break down the Piece by piece retails.

the sopmod stocks are around $150 then the LPK was almost another 100. which would give me a total of $75 for my lower and that was shipped to boot then i had a buddy of mine that has an FFL transfer it to me for $1 (don't ask me why $1 maybe their is some BATFE requirement that i don't know about)

the deals are out there you just have to search high and low for them and be prepared to jump but still be Leary when they seem a little to good.

zipgun · 03-27-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akmjolnir

This is my first AR so I'm not looking to spend uber-$$$$ on this rifle, however I am going to spend enough to have a good quality weapon. It will be for my m16a4 clone.

I figure it will be cheaper, and just as reliable, for me to put the lower together myself, so my question is...

What are some of the better quality lowers? I'd be willing to spend $125-150 on a stripped unit (ehh, maybe not thaaaaat much). I've heard good things about Mega and GTS and RRA. What about CMMG? I see they have some decent prices and options.

Also, because the lower would need to be sent to a FFL holder, is there a database that has FFL holders listed by state? NH perhaps???

thanks

Stag, RRA, Mega, CMMG, Essential Arms, Superior, Doublestar, Anvil Arms and others of similar type are all pretty much the same quality. Go for the best deal you can find. You should be able to put together a lower and LPK for around $200.

To find an FFL the easiest way it to go to Auction Arms and/or GunBroker and click on the how to buy button. You can list your state, maybe even zip code and find a dealer near you. They often list their transfer fees as well.

**SVThuh** · 03-27-2008, 04:28 PM

I have built both a Mega and RRA lower. The MEGA is by far and away the nicer of the two. The finish, the machining, etc. Couldnt ask for a better lower and Im actually glad I passed up the LMT and COLT to get the MEGA.

akmjolnir · 03-27-2008, 07:54 PM

Thanks for the opinions fellas... good advice here.

I keep hearing the term "forged" and I'm not sure what it means.... I figured all lowers came from a mold and were machined. I take it I'm not even close on this one...?

RangerM9 · 03-27-2008, 08:35 PM

good info...thanks all.....my AR build may be on hold though.....got the bug for a bigger house......kinda trumps the AR.

titus_1133 · 03-27-2008, 10:09 PM

I too have caught the AR bug and this came up on the Centerfire website. AR Complete Lower<br>with M4 Buttstock<br>Part #ARCOMLOW-M4 - ARCOMLOW-M4 I am still technicaly a resident of the Great State of Kentucky and i can pick this up without shipping or transfer fees b/c i live close to the place.

My question is this, are there any serious problems with a Doublestar lower stock and receiver bad enough to keep me from investing in it?

03-27-2008, 02:27 PM	#1
akmjolnir XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 361	Lower Receiver questions. This is my first AR so I'm not looking to spend uber-$$$$ on this rifle, however I am going to spend enough to have a good quality weapon. It will be for my m16a4 clone. I figure it will be cheaper, and just as reliable, for me to put the lower together myself, so my question is... What are some of the better quality lowers? I'd be willing to spend $125-150 on a stripped unit (ehh, maybe not thaaaaat much). I've heard good things about Mega and GTS and RRA. What about CMMG? I see they have some decent prices and options. Also, because the lower would need to be sent to a FFL holder, is there a database that has FFL holders listed by state? NH perhaps??? thanks __________________ "The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain't distributed right." 1833- 2nd AABN USMC '02-'06 XD .40 SC M16A4 clone

03-27-2008, 03:09 PM	#4
Hooz XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hilliard, OH Posts: 1,987	Essential Arms forged lowers (for $80) are all I'll ever buy. __________________ XD-9 Tactical : XD-45 Tactical Member: IDPA, USPSA, ASSA, NRA, GOA

03-27-2008, 07:54 PM	#8
akmjolnir XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 361	Thanks for the opinions fellas... good advice here. I keep hearing the term "forged" and I'm not sure what it means.... I figured all lowers came from a mold and were machined. I take it I'm not even close on this one...? __________________ "The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain't distributed right." 1833- 2nd AABN USMC '02-'06 XD .40 SC M16A4 clone

03-27-2008, 08:35 PM	#9
RangerM9 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 143	good info...thanks all.....my AR build may be on hold though.....got the bug for a bigger house......kinda trumps the AR. __________________ My Rights, my guns.....you shall take neither!

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03-27-2008, 02:43 PM	#2
rogerxd45 XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: boise ID (its boy-see, not boy-z) Posts: 3,592	dont worry about the lower as long as its forged. the money you save on the lower is better spent somewhere else on the rifle. you will be able to notice more of a difference on the upper and one some good glass. so spend less on the lower and spend more on the upper i have a superior arms lower and i am very happy with it. it comes with a adjustment screw that adjusts the overtravel of the trigger. its nice but i wouldnt pay extra to get it. but since they are cheap ill build my next ar on one of them also. but if your a brand whore then by all means get a brand name one but odds are you wont ever notice the difference unless there is a different finish on it but thats about it

03-27-2008, 02:47 PM	#3
rogerxd45 XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: boise ID (its boy-see, not boy-z) Posts: 3,592	oh and i got a 18" crome lined 1/8 twist CMMG upper and i am very happy with it. they arnt as main stream but they are great quality. my complete upper was $525 try to find a local dealer that carries them that way you wont have to pay shipping and the FFL transfer cost

03-27-2008, 04:28 PM	#7
SVThuh XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,018	I have built both a Mega and RRA lower. The MEGA is by far and away the nicer of the two. The finish, the machining, etc. Couldnt ask for a better lower and Im actually glad I passed up the LMT and COLT to get the MEGA.

03-27-2008, 10:09 PM	#10
titus_1133 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Yerington, NV Posts: 203	I too have caught the AR bug and this came up on the Centerfire website. AR Complete Lower<br>with M4 Buttstock<br>Part #ARCOMLOW-M4 - ARCOMLOW-M4 I am still technicaly a resident of the Great State of Kentucky and i can pick this up without shipping or transfer fees b/c i live close to the place. My question is this, are there any serious problems with a Doublestar lower stock and receiver bad enough to keep me from investing in it?