View Full Version : Which Lower to choose?
I only get $100 bucks to spend. I'm thinking a spikes lower, but I'm not for sure.
Is it about the best for the money?
SomeOtherGuy
01-29-11, 21:23
Best value lower is probably the Aero Precision or any of the store brands made by them (such as Palmetto Armory and Surplus Ammo and Arms). These are often in the $70-75 range and I've seen them as cheap as $59.95 at AIM Surplus for the Surplus Ammo branded lowers. Aero Precision does excellent machining and finish work, although in my personal experience building two of them, the finish seems a little less tough than some other brands I've built.
I believe that Aero Precision is the current machining company for Spike's lowers, FWIW, so you are mostly paying for a name if you pay $100 for one. (In the past I believe Spike's lowers were machined by a different company.)
Nearly all forged lowers are basically the same apart from the name on the side, so if you want a particular name, it should be fine, and if you want the best value, you aren't going to lose anything going with an Aero Precision.
I've had Spike's lowers and they are good to go.You can get them at AIM for $80 with free shipping(when they have them in stock)
If it's worth anything I picked up two Spikes lowers a few weeks ago.
Hope that helps.
Good luck.
I sport an ST-15 and have no issues so far with the lower. What the other dude says has some ring of truth to it also imo.
Pick the one with the logo you like best. 95% of them all do the same thing.
Pick the one with the logo you like best. 95% of them all do the same thing.
are there any out there with NO logo? that would be the best.
I think everyone puts some sort of brand marking rollmark on their lowers, unless you finish an 80% lower and mark it yourself.
are there any out there with NO logo? that would be the best.
No.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1065/5159412159_0799f8dc01_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/5156788911_be43eea073_b.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1065/5159412159_0799f8dc01_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/5156788911_be43eea073_b.jpg[/QUOTE]
Very nice!
Grease Monkey
01-30-11, 13:30
Check out Palmetto State Armory's lowers. Last I checked they were on sale $69.95. I have 2 and they're very nice.
Rainer has LRB lowers for 99 bucks right now.
are there any out there with NO logo? that would be the best.
My favorite lowers are the Fulton Armory lowers. They don't have any cheesy logo's. They're simply stamped "FULTON ARMORY U.S. RIFLE". Nice & clean with no bling.
My favorite lowers are the Fulton Armory lowers. They don't have any cheesy logo's. They're simply stamped "FULTON ARMORY U.S. RIFLE". Nice & clean with no bling.
I haven't seen a Fulton... but I agree... I hate dopey cartoon characters or creatures on a lower Stag, Spikes, Bushmaster are 3 no-gos due to logos for me.
SWATcop556
01-30-11, 14:00
As long as the lower is in spec pick the logo you like best as there is no "best."
I prefer BCM, LMT, and Noveske.
SomeOtherGuy
01-30-11, 14:35
No logo on these, just words:
http://www.nodakspud.com/newstuff.htm
Forged AR15 lowers for $60:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=214009138
http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/214009000/214009138/pix228743402.jpg
They make the lowers for Spikes. You pay more for that spider thing on it.
For just a little more money, I would go with a stripped DD from Grant.
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=DD-22000
Just my opinion, good luck!!!!!
For just a little more money, I would go with a stripped DD from Grant.
I would recommend the Daniel Defense lower from Grant too (I got one from him) but it appears he is out of stock.
Cameron
Pick a rollmark. I'm happy with my LRB from Ranier, finish seemed a little roguh though compared to my Stag. Damn ironic that both come from behind the lines in Connecticut.
lethal dose
01-30-11, 16:10
DD is my lower of choice. With that said, DD is no longer offering stripped lowers from what I hear. I imagine that might change once they get caught up with their smartgunner orders.
I picked up a spikes lower for my most recent build and was disappointed that there was a ton of play in the trigger guard. I would try the Aero Precision for $20 less unless you like the Spikes logo.
I like the spikes. Just the spider I think is getting old on me.
I think I might try these guys out. It has a trigger adjustment for it. good price too. Not to bad of a Emblem on it. I guess you can do a Custom Serial number on it to. What do you guys think?
Link:AGP Arms. $89
http://www.agparms.com/product.php?productid=16151&cat=0&page=1&featured
http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt310/cvolin85/untitled-1.jpg
http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt310/cvolin85/untitled2.jpg
I haven't seen a Fulton... but I agree... I hate dopey cartoon characters or creatures on a lower Stag, Spikes, Bushmaster are 3 no-gos due to logos for me.
I've actually always liked the Stag rollmark. It seems rather dignified like the Colt Pony, instead of trying to be all bad ass like a hissing snake, spider, zombie or whatever.
It's also the same logo as Stag Beer which I grew up with.
lethal dose
01-31-11, 00:27
I'm not keen in the whole adjustable trigger thing. I like to throw in a good lpk and call it a day. Palmetto lowers are probably gonna be the greatest value right now.
Link:AGP Arms. $89
http://www.agparms.com/product.php?productid=16151&cat=0&page=1&featured
http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt310/cvolin85/untitled-1.jpg
Those are really clean looking, I like the American Flag on the front of the magwell. Custom serial is a nice touch too for those with "lucky" numbers :)
I've built a couple of lowers on CMMG stripped lowers and been very pleased with them. The finish on mine were very good and the logo is simple and understated.
Noveske sells an upper-lower combination where the two parts are hand-matched to each other - really beautiful stuff. Last set I bought (about 6 months ago) was $250. Now they're listed at $275 and never in stock anywhere. Just today I found a shop in Texas that has 30 coming next week. I've been waiting on those parts to finish an SBR build and I'll be pleased to give them the $285 they're asking.
http://www.pbase.com/hmac/image/129823079.jpg
PSA lowers have my interest, looking for feedback from those who have them as to how they have fared.
SWATcop556
01-31-11, 06:12
One thing that the DD does have over "standard" lowers is a flared mag well. It is subtle but very functional. I hope they offer their lowers again soon.
I've actually always liked the Stag rollmark. It seems rather dignified like the Colt Pony, instead of trying to be all bad ass like a hissing snake, spider, zombie or whatever.
+1 I have about six Stag lowers mixed in with Colts and LMTs. Some folks hate the logo but honestly I don't think it has an adverse effect on performance and that is what really matters isn't it?
Got this from ARFCOM, I don't know how accurate it is.
Lewis Machine & Tool
* LMT
* Lauer
* DS Arms
* PWA
* Eagle
* Armalite
* Knights Armament
* Barrett
Continental Machine Tool
* Stag
* Rock River Arms
* High Standard
* Noveske
* Century (New)
* Global Tactical
* CLE
* S&W
* MGI
* Wilson Tactical
* Grenadier Precision
* Colt
LAR Manufacturing
* LAR
* Bushmaster
* Ameetec
* DPMS
* CMMG
* Double Star
* Fulton Armory
* Spike's Tactical
JVP
* Double Star
* LRB
* Charles Daly
Mega Machine Shop
* Mega
* GSE
* Dalphon
* POF
* Alexander Arms
Olympic
* Olympic
* SGW
* Tromix
* Palmetto
* Dalphon
* Frankford
* Century (Old)
Sun Devil
* Sun Devil forged billet receivers
Superior
* Superior Arms
* Lauer (New)
-------------------------------------
The above list contains the machine companies that machine the raw forgings into usable receivers. Each individual company applies their own finishing standards.
eternal24k
01-31-11, 10:55
Nodak has clean lowers that are very nice
outrider627
01-31-11, 11:18
Got this from ARFCOM, I don't know how accurate it is.
-------------------------------------
The above list contains the machine companies that machine the raw forgings into usable receivers. Each individual company applies their own finishing standards.
That list is missing Aero Precision. They make lowers for Spikes Tactical and Armalite, besides their own marked lowers.
I got a Spike's lower and am very dissapointed with it. I was planning on filling the roll marks in but half of the spider isn't deep enough. On the other side of the magwell there are pits and nicks in it that happened before it was finished with whatever coating they use.
Its not that I want a perfect looking safe queen but when I buy something new, I expect it to look new. I will beat it up on my own. I e-mailed them and got no response back (its been over a year). When I tried calling them I was tranfered to someone who wasn't in. I left a message and still haven't heard anything.
Like others have said, go with the lower that has the roll mark that you like best. I wish I had gone with a Mega instead of this Spikes that I have now.
justin_247
01-31-11, 12:09
This is unfortunate. Have you tried posting on their forums over at TOS? They're pretty responsive...
Honestly, as far as the OP is concerned, just avoid any lowers from DPMS, M1S, Olympic, Hesse, Vulcan, Del-Ton, or the other kit companies, and then work your way up from there.
I got a Spike's lower and am very dissapointed with it. I was planning on filling the roll marks in but half of the spider isn't deep enough. On the other side of the magwell there are pits and nicks in it that happened before it was finished with whatever coating they use.
Its not that I want a perfect looking safe queen but when I buy something new, I expect it to look new. I will beat it up on my own. I e-mailed them and got no response back (its been over a year). When I tried calling them I was tranfered to someone who wasn't in. I left a message and still haven't heard anything.
Like others have said, go with the lower that has the roll mark that you like best. I wish I had gone with a Mega instead of this Spikes that I have now.
Pick a rollmark. I'm happy with my LRB from Ranier, finish seemed a little roguh though compared to my Stag. Damn ironic that both come from behind the lines in Connecticut.
Speaking of ironic and from behind "enemy" lines, I bought a S&W M&P-15 stripped lower just hours before Sen. Ted Kennedy died in August 2009. With all those years in the Senate and his countless gun grab attempts I felt extremely fortunate to still be able to buy a firearm manufactured in his home state of Massachusetts.
The M&P-15 is a beautifully finished lower with a great rollmark and can be found around $100-120. A little more than others but an extremely well made product.
One thing that the DD does have over "standard" lowers is a flared mag well. It is subtle but very functional. I hope they offer their lowers again soon.
The S&W magwell is flared nicely almost exactly like the Daniel Defense. Hopefully DD lowers will be available again but for now my DD upper looks and functions great on my M&P-15 lower.
I really like the LRB's, but picked up a Spike's recently in a group buy.
Got this from ARFCOM, I don't know how accurate it is.
*********
-------------------------------------
The above list contains the machine companies that machine the raw forgings into usable receivers. Each individual company applies their own finishing standards.
More importantly, each individual company applies their own quality control procedures. Obviously the better companies have higher standards and end up throwing a higher percentage of the finished lowers away and therefore the ones they do end up good enough to sell cost more. One shouldn't read that list with the idea that just because Noveske and Stag might use the same supplier (CMT - or did at one time) that the lower receiver that you buy from Stag will be as good as the one you buy from Noveske. It might be, but your odds are far better with the Noveske.
Additionally, many or most of those companies switch from supplier to supplier. I know that Noveske, since 2008 has used at least a few different companies on the list above.
.
This is unfortunate. Have you tried posting on their forums over at TOS?
Sorry for the mini-hijack, but what is TOS? :confused: I keep seeing it referenced, so I thought I would finally just ask.
Sorry for the mini-hijack, but what is TOS? :confused: I keep seeing it referenced, so I thought I would finally just ask.
AR15.com
Some pretty big d-bags over there sometimes, but one can find some useful info every now & again.
AR15.com
Some pretty big d-bags over there sometimes, but one can find some useful info every now & again.
OK, thanks. I've heard it called arfcom before. I will assume it stands for "that other site" or something along those lines. Kind of like "he who shall not be named" I use for that lawyer currently occupying the White House. ;)
Good luck if you do go to TOS. +10 on there a bunch a Pricks:haha:
Widners has the LRB lowers for 69 bucks.
http://wideners.com/itemview.cfm?dir=700|863
Good luck if you do go to TOS. +10 on there a bunch a Pricks:haha:
Been there. Wound up here for that reason.
Been there. Wound up here for that reason.
Me too Brother! Me too.
RogerinTPA
02-01-11, 21:19
One thing that the DD does have over "standard" lowers is a flared mag well. It is subtle but very functional. I hope they offer their lowers again soon.
I was lucky enough to snag one recently. The flared magwell is what snagged my interest, and it is a very nice machined lower. The trigger pull is not as smooth as my 6920s or LMT, which is the smoothest, but I do recommend them.
To the OP, for complete lowers, DD, LMT, or BCM will be just fine.
zombie killer
02-01-11, 21:27
If I'm lucky the Noveske FFL will be my next.
Gear scout article http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gears...out-exclusive/
thread https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=72364
If I'm lucky the Noveske FFL will be my next.
That would be cool but I'll bet it will be mid-to-late summer, probably later, before that lower is available to purchase separately and I need an upper/lower before then.
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