I am going to get one in the near term. Stripped lower. To have. Because after October I can no have. DPMS and Essential and RockRiver are reputable names. Any others? Any brands to avoid?
I don't imaging local store will have any. So I may have to go the online route and get the transfer.
I know the ones from forged billets pretty much come from a short handful of places and then are branded by various shops. I'm not worried about service after the sale, I just want it to be in spec.
Oh, and I wouldn't be doing this if Maryland hadn't passed restrictions. So Thanks, O'Malley. This may be my last gun 'purchase,' ever.
Spikes Tactical has a decent rep.
ReplyDeleteAero Precision, I have 4 builds on them. They are spendy right now, Aero is charging more than some resellers.
ReplyDeletePalmetto State Armory has their lowers in stock on a regular basis. I have a couple laying around as spares. Good luck getting help if you have a problem, though. They are hard to get on the phone.
Joe Bob Outfitters has a few billet receivers in stock. I've ordered parts from them before with no problems. Haven't tried any of the receivers they have in stock right now. My local gun shop had one of the Mag Tactical lightweight lowers in stock. They do look good, and are light.
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/AR_15_Lower_Receivers_s/3021.htm
As long as you're getting forged (not cast) from someone that isn't Hesse/Vulcan/whatevertheyarethis week, you should be in good shape.
ReplyDeleteI've got two from Territorial Gunsmith (now retired), two from York Arms (woot), and one from Anvil Arms (now defunct/bankrupt/criminal charges) ... they all work just fine.
Other names I'd trust in a heartbeat: Spikes, Aero, Mega, Colt, Windham, Noveske (if you can find a "chainsaw"/blemished lower they're often a decent price), Daniel Defense... the list goes on and on.
Palmetto State.
ReplyDeleteMy only caution regarding PSA that people are recommending: they have a reputation for not always shipping in a prompt manner. And for being bad about answering phones.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I ordered a stripped upper and some parts from them which shipped quickly. So they haven't done wrong by me.
I ordered from them and they shipped a day early...a friend ordered from them and got his parts on time. Can't complain about them and he's pleased with the quality.
ReplyDeleteOne thing to recall -- if you have never heard of the company, and you don't have multiple trusted sources who vouch for them, stay away. Too many yahoos cranking out lowers to trust QA on an unknown quality.
ReplyDeleteWhat Geodkyt said.
ReplyDeleteThe other consideration in that department is resale if you ever decide to part with your FrankenAR. One from a known name brand, even if said name brand is just RRA or DPMS, will sell faster and fetch a better price than one from "Joe's Bait Shop and Part Time Type 07".
Tam's point is excellent, and yes stay with a reputable brand (cause you know sooner or later, you're gonna upgrade!); resale will be a LOT easier and a bigger help to the pocketbook!
ReplyDeleteSuperior Arms, if you can find one. I built one up and have no complaints.
ReplyDeleteMight as well start thinking about Uppers, Caliber, Stock Preferences, etc. Nothing says you have to assemble it right this minute.
ReplyDelete