Your pick for the best AR Lower...

[JD31]

I am considering purchasing an AR. Most likely, I will start with just the lower and build from there. What would be your top three manufacturer recommendations, and should I go stripped or complete. (I have a go to person to help with assembly if need be.) I only have the money to go at this one time, and I want to get a good quality lower to start out. Price isn't the big factor, quality is, and I want to ensure that I get this right the first time around. Thanks....

 

[melensdad]

I own SNS, Bushmaster, Olympic Arms and Charles Daly. The Daly is the nicest and has the best single stage trigger of the bunch.

Here is a link to a review of my Daly lower: https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/long_guns/10978-cd-defense_ar15_lower_-review.html

 

[Don]

I like all 4 of my DSC (Doublestar) lowers. I've only built 2 of em up so far.

 

[RonPaulSupporter]

I see Spike's Tactical lowers get a lot of praise. I personally used RRA for my lower.

 

[ashylarry]

I have a DPMS and RRA that are together, and a superior arms that isnt put together yet. Cant complain about any of them at the moment.

 

[agentl074]

ArmaLite

 

[glockguy07]

LMT or Colt

 

[fpdshooter]

In my opinion, it really doesn't matter, as long as it is a well known name. There is only a few companies making lowers for the big name guys. So it comes down to what name or logo you want on the side.

Now internals are a different matter! Go LMT, CMT or Stag (same company), or Colt.

Pssst - I have an upper for sale in the classifieds if your interested.

 

[obijohn]

the last several builds i've done have been on stag lowers. personally, any reasonably well made, dimensionally correct lower works for me. it only has to keep all the parts in place, with consistent relationship to each other. as has been stated, there are only a few companies making lowers. stay with a name you recognize and you should be ok. the billet lowers are truly sexy looking, but don't add much for me. the upper parts, and their relationship are another matter.

 

[in812]

If your looking for the Cadillac of lowers POF !!!!! they are machined from a billet PC of 7075 and are a true work of art ! I've built several of them all the holes,locations,dimensions are to spec here lately I've seen a lot of other lowers that are not to spec some are just off a little and would work fine but I personally wouldn't own one

POF-USA Patriot Ordnance Factory, Inc.

 

[cosermann]

+1 fpdshooter! There are 3 levels of AR lowers: a.) junk - cast, and out of spec crap, b.) decent quality - most of the lowers machined from forgings, c.) top shelf - you'll know 'cause there hundreds of dollars for a lower.

Since you asked for the "best", that would be something from the third category. Pick any one of them. They're all the "best" if you believe the mfg. hype. Most folks, including the military, use something from the second category and they function just fine for thousands and thousands of rounds.

Here's the Lower Receiver FAQ from ar15.com to read.
AR15.COM :: Forums :: AR Lower Receiver FAQ (56k beware) MMS, CMT, LAR, LMT compared...

 

[NateIU10]

Forged-I like Spike's Tactical (I have one complete with CTR in the WTS section ). I also like CMMG, close second.

I've heard great things about the Gen III POF billet lowers. They look cool as hell, but I couldn't justify myself spending that kind of money on a lower.

 

[JD31]

Thanks to all who posted. The info. is just what I was after. I will check out the FAQs from the AR site as well.