[Jack19]

Any advice for an aspiring AR builder?

What's best?

[mark mcj]

With this question I believe you'll get the standards.
Bushmaster
Rock River
Dpms
Olyimpic
Armalite

Just stick with one that is based on mil. specs. and you should be fine.
I have one built on a Bushmaster and one from Rock River. No problems with either one.

[Badger Arms]

Make sure that the model you are buying is forged. Cast receivers just don't look right. If you buy the lower separate as you say you are, I'd buy a DPMS forged or Olympic Arms Forged. Bushmasters are great if you have a bushmaster kit. They have a deep purple color that doesn't match most uppers which are anodized and painted or just straight painted.

[444]

I have heard, and it may be BS, but I have heard that AR receivers are like most other things; there are a few manufacturers but many names on the sides of them. I just put two lowers together using Century Arms receivers. They are forged receivers; rumor has it that these are the same receivers as RRA and others.
The receivers look terrific to me. They match all my Bushmaster uppers perfectly. I intend to buy more of them. They were $79.

[Redlg155]

I've had good experiences with Rock River, although my last two have been Bushy lowers.

Stripped Bushy lowers can be rather costly compared to others and a bit scarce. So far I haven't seen any of the "plum" colored lowers, just the uppers. Bushys will be a bit better for resale value as well, but much of that is offset in the initial higher purchase price.

The forged Oly lowers are also nice, but don't buy sight unseen. I've worked with a couple that had extremely tight magwells, so it pays to check them first before purchasing.

Any of the major makers of ARs will do just fine for a first build. You just have to research around for the best prices. Take a peek at AR15.com for some prices and suppliers.

Good Shooting
RED

[curt]

I'd go with any of the following in no particular order: colt, bushmaster, rock river, armalite, dpms, eagle arms. Prebans would include EA and PWA but i don't figure your looking at that. I have no problem with cast lowers. I have a cast EA that i may someday apply gunkote to just for appearances.

I'd definately would stay away from Hesse. some of those really cheap lowers are hesse so it would pay to check. also i've heard that they've changed names to vulcan or something so if you run across that name run away!

I'd also stay away from olympic. I know that many people have used their recievers and had no problems. But i have also heard enough QC type problems to never want to save the $20 or so on them.

[Detritus]

the answer i've gotten from many many quaters, the owners of both gun shops i frequent, almost all the High Power service rifle competitors i've met or talked to, and on and on. is to go with Rock River Arms. around $300-350 gets you a high quality complete lower, with a two stage NM grade trigger installed.