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Thread: Does anyone have any tips regarding Pre-Ban Lowers?

  1. #1
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    Does anyone have any tips regarding Pre-Ban Lowers?

    So, I'm moving to an AWB state. I know. It sucks. Anyway, I'm looking for a quick run down of things to look for / avoid when it comes to buying a Pre-Ban lower, as I've never had to deal with this BS before.

    Obviously, fewer companies manufactured lowers before '94. I'm thinking Colt, Bushmaster, Armalite, and Olympic might be the most common Pre-ban lowers available. Does the general rule of "a lower is a lower" still apply to Pre-Bans? What do I "not know that I don't know?"

    PS. If anyone has any current tips on a high quality piece available right now that would be much appreciated too.

  2. #2
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    The Colt pre-bans with the receiver blocks won't accept FA bolt carriers. Small pin versions are a lot more convenient than large pin since you don't need a conversion pin. I had one of each; others (AFAIK) were all small pin.

    The Armalite I still have (actually my son now has it) seems to be pretty decent, but could stand a premium LPK. It's not drop free with some PMags.

    ETA: Don't move.
    Last edited by shootist~; 08-30-11 at 23:53.

  3. #3
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    Just out of curiosity, if you buy a pre ban lower in ca what exactly do you get to do that you can't with a post ban lower? Don't need a bullet button?

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hawg_Leg View Post
    Just out of curiosity, if you buy a pre ban lower in ca what exactly do you get to do that you can't with a post ban lower? Don't need a bullet button?
    Pre-ban doesn't mean anything in Cali.

  5. #5
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    a0cake,

    I have a Colt preban that I bought new in '92. I used it to get familiar with before entering the Marines. From the military to college to cali it sat unused at my parents home. Work still gives me an ar and I live in a free state now. I have been thinking of selling it to fund a purchase for a family member.

    I dont want to violate any forum rules so PM me if interested and I can give your more info.

  6. #6
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    Two things about pre-bans:

    1) There were a lot of cast lowers on the market at that time.
    Know specifically who made what at what point in time.

    2) If someone knows you are buying a pre-ban because its pre-ban and you want it so you can have at least something in a prison state, they are most likely going to **** you up the ass dry and not even have the curtesy to look you in the back of the head while doing it.
    I've seen them go for upwards of $600 just for an empty used receiver in good shape. The rare NIB or like NIB that come up occasionally can hit close to a grand.
    You'll almost never see one under $300-$400 regardless of condition. Just for an old rifle receiver that isn't even rare in the sense that there are a jillion AR recievers out there currently, and they aren't really a collectable or otherwise any better than something the current age.

    This is not to say everyone is going to put the spurs to you, but don't expect to find anything even close to the range that a new manufacturer receiver will cost. At minimum I'd expect triple the cost over new, and that would probably be a good deal.

    Oh, and if a factor where you're going, if pre-ban mags can be had cheap where you are currently at grab a pile because you'll likely take a pounding on those too if you end up having to buy them in state.

    Though there are a lot of nice folks out in the free world who will do some decent and fair deals on them, so it's not like you're totally boned. Just the people from within the state selling to others in the state tend to try for an advantage.
    Last edited by GTifosi; 08-31-11 at 08:21.

  7. #7
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    Try this:

    Why don't you put out a post telling any member who has a pre-ban Colt or similar quality lower that you will replace their old lower with a brand-spanking new Colt, LMT, or BCM complete? If I had any that were eligible I'd do it for you.

  8. #8
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    Behind the lines in NY

    Preban lowers are nice to have, but hardly a necessity for owning AR's here. You can modify your current rifle(s) to meet the AWB provisions for less than the added cost of a preban lower. If you can share your current configuration(s) and the state where you're moving to, we can give you some more specific suggestions. Some of the modifications are pretty simple DIY projects.

    On the subject of preban lowers, you'll see them advertised for two or three times the value of a normal complete lower. Some of the sellers are simply trying to rip-off unsuspecting buyers. Personally, I can't justify the huge premiums, but would consider anything in the $350-$500 range as reasonable for a complete preban lower. The guys trying to get $900 for a stripped preban should be taken out back to the woodshed.

  9. #9
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    Thank you for all the replies thus far. To whoever suggested modifying the rifle to meet the AWB standards instead of getting a pre-ban lower: I have thought about this and ultimately decided that I have to suck it up and get a pre-ban lower and pre-ban mags. I don't mind pinning the buttstock in place as I always shoot with it fully extended as intended. I don't mind chopping off the bayonet lug, obviously. I DO mind not having a flash hider though. At some point the beast ceases to be an AR to me and turns into a neutered, watered down mutt of a rifle. Losing the FH is that point for me. Especially because I shoot at night under NVG's a lot. Thanks for the suggestion though.

  10. #10
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    Keep in mind, CA has different tules regarding preban rifles, most are banned by name. It would probably help if you state which state you're moving too(did I miss it?) as each state seems to have slightly different rules.

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