Difference in AR lowers? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

**JhankG** · 06-30-2008, 05:55 PM

I am interested in buying a complete lower now just in case these rifles get banned in the future. I have read that a lower is a lower is a lower but wanted to know what price range I should really be looking for. Are there certain names that are considered better for the money than others? Can anyone suggest a good lower for a good price that I should look into? Thanks in advance!

**nsnate02** · 06-30-2008, 06:01 PM

For the budget minded Essential Arms lowers are hard to beat. You can usually find them for 90-110. Pretty much everything else is going to be in the 120-150 range with a few boutique builders. If I recall correctly, there are two or three actual makers and then it's a matter of who's name gets etched into them. Sabre Defense makes some really nice lowers IMO.

Tally XD · 06-30-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsnate02

For the budget minded Essential Arms lowers are hard to beat. You can usually find them for 90-110. Pretty much everything else is going to be in the 120-150 range with a few boutique builders. If I recall correctly, there are two or three actual makers and then it's a matter of who's name gets etched into them. Sabre Defense makes some really nice lowers IMO.

That price is not for a complete lower though. That would be a stripped lower reciever. A complete lower will run you almost twice or even more than this cost depending on the brand. A complete lower is a reciever, lower parts kit, buffer assembly, stock kit and magazine.

**nsnate02** · 06-30-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tally XD

That price is not for a complete lower though. That would be a stripped lower reciever. A complete lower will run you almost twice or even more than this cost depending on the brand. A complete lower is a reciever, lower parts kit, buffer assembly, stock kit and magazine.

Yeah, I left that out. Add $60 for a LPK and then whatever stock, buffer tube, etc. you go with. That can run anywhere from $50 on up almost to infinity! so $225 up complete. build it yourself and save a few bucks.

jlpskydive · 07-01-2008, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JhankG

I am interested in buying a complete lower now just in case these rifles get banned in the future. I have read that a lower is a lower is a lower but wanted to know what price range I should really be looking for. Are there certain names that are considered better for the money than others? Can anyone suggest a good lower for a good price that I should look into? Thanks in advance!

I see that you are in Greensboro so you are in LUCK go here T15 Forged Lower Receiver - AR-15 Lowers - Cardinal Armory LLC And buy one of the these lowers!! Tim is located in Mebane and one of the nicest people that you will ever meet and these lowers are some of the finest I have seen at ANY price. They have 2 set screws in them that I have never seen before and I'm seriously thinking of selling off my other lowers and replacing them with these. Mention the AR15.com price of 119 and he will honor it.

T.J. · 07-01-2008, 07:23 AM

most importantly when selecting your lower be sure to get a Forged receiver and not a cast receiver. that is where the real differences will lye

Essential Arms
Spikes
DPMS
STAG

are all going to be decent lower ranging in price from $90-$125 + shipping and FFL transfer fees

LMT
Saber Defense are going to be around $150 - $200

there are a few extra quality control measures with the higher priced lowers but you will likely never know the differences

get a good inexpensive lower and invest extra in the important parts like the bolt, BCG barrel these are the true heart of the rifle

also spend a few extra bucks and get a LPK with a Good Trigger i recommend getting an RRA 2 stage trigger

patathSS · 07-01-2008, 07:30 AM

If you are nervous about assembling your own lower, don't be. I assembled my very first one just using the assembly video on ARFCOM. It went really smooth and was easy to follow.

I went with an Anvil Arms stripped lower, RRA Parts kit and an RRA collapsible stock. I think all in all I spent about 230 for everything. The experience was well worth it.

ForTehNguyen · 07-01-2008, 08:04 AM

took me 3 hours to assemble a lower, being my first time doing it and not even having the correct tools and equipment. Give me proper tools and a second shot at it, I can do it in half the time easily

**mvician** · 07-01-2008, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.J.

most importantly when selecting your lower be sure to get a Forged receiver and not a cast receiver.

Do you know of any Mfg. still casting their lowers

T.J. · 07-01-2008, 08:27 AM

no but there are still some left out there.

06-30-2008, 05:55 PM	#1
JhankG XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,394	Difference in AR lowers? I am interested in buying a complete lower now just in case these rifles get banned in the future. I have read that a lower is a lower is a lower but wanted to know what price range I should really be looking for. Are there certain names that are considered better for the money than others? Can anyone suggest a good lower for a good price that I should look into? Thanks in advance! __________________ -SA XD 45c -SA Loaded 1911 SS -Ruger 10/22 -Mosin Nagant M44 -CMMG AR

06-30-2008, 06:01 PM	#2
nsnate02 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,076	For the budget minded Essential Arms lowers are hard to beat. You can usually find them for 90-110. Pretty much everything else is going to be in the 120-150 range with a few boutique builders. If I recall correctly, there are two or three actual makers and then it's a matter of who's name gets etched into them. Sabre Defense makes some really nice lowers IMO. __________________ "It is better to be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." *Abraham Lincoln*

07-01-2008, 08:04 AM	#8
ForTehNguyen XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 1,333	took me 3 hours to assemble a lower, being my first time doing it and not even having the correct tools and equipment. Give me proper tools and a second shot at it, I can do it in half the time easily __________________ XD9 Service Black XD9 Subcompact x 2 Kimber Tactical Custom II AR15 16" Midlength Lancaster AK47 Remington 870 12ga Express

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07-01-2008, 07:30 AM	#7
patathSS XDTalk Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 68	If you are nervous about assembling your own lower, don't be. I assembled my very first one just using the assembly video on ARFCOM. It went really smooth and was easy to follow. I went with an Anvil Arms stripped lower, RRA Parts kit and an RRA collapsible stock. I think all in all I spent about 230 for everything. The experience was well worth it.