Budget lowers

IMHO, while you may get some better performance from premium barrels, BCG's, gas blocks, etc - a lower is a lower. The only thing the more expensives ones sometimes do is make the process of assembly a little less hassle (usually by replacing some pins with threaded screws instead).

If you don't want those minor conveniences then almost any lower that's in spec is going to hold your parts in place. Heck people are 3d printing them now and even those usually run fine until the plastic cracks (which can actually take a good while).

I've had a bunch of both PSA and Anderson lowers. Picked up a bunch between $20-25 each when times were good.

I've had no issues with either.

When I'd buy a complete gun off gunbroker, I'd buy a couple lowers when they were on sale with free shipping to spread the cost of the transfer out. I could sell 1-2 of the 3-4 lowers to cover the fees/shipping for the one complete gun I wanted. It sometimes worked out where I ended up with a "free" lower.

They might not have the QoL improvements of a Aero, but hey, they were free and they work properly!

A friend of mine builds a good bit. He’s had a lot of good results with PSA stripped lowers, which is probably considered a budget lower.

Long as it’s dimensionally correct, I’d think it should be fine.

Next time I see either PSA or Anderson lowers around $30 again, I'm buying another 5 of them.

They're great trade fodder at worst, and a license to print money during the next election cycle if times are tight.

I've had good luck with Anderson Arms as well. Aim Surplus has their lowers available at $45. I may get one of their ghost lowers that doesn't have a logo for $50. https://aimsurplus.com/anderson-manufacturing-am15-ghost-lower-receiver-no-logo/

Most of my builds have been with Anderson or PSA lowers. I haven't had any issues with either.

I have built 4 or 5 rifles with Anderson lowers. Nothing at all wrong with them. You may get tighter fitment between the upper and lower or a cleaner aesthetic match by buying a matching billet upper and lower, and that is just fine if you like that sort of thing, but there is nothing that an expensive billet lower is going to do that an anderson won't, except for look fancy.

An Anderson "Poverty Pony" stripped lower and a PSA build kit is as classic a combo as peanut butter and chocolate!

I've had enough confidence in Anderson lowers that I registered three as SBRs.

Blkhrt13 said:

I got an Anderson lower for 60 plus tax. I don’t think that’s too bad.

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Primary Arms had Anderson lowers for $39 yesterday. They're $47 now. I passed. I probably should have grabbed a couple but I get hit with a $30 transfer fee on each one so I talked myself out of it.

I’ve used all three. Anderson lowers are GTG. For me it’s always been hit or miss with PSA especially the ‘ blem ’ stuff. It may have an undetectable cosmetic flaw or it might look like it’s been scrapped and recovered. But PSA’s customer service is great so returns are easy.
Like others have said, a lower is a lower. Spend the $ you save to get a better barrel.
None of the three lowers you mentioned have the rear takedown detent hole tapped. It’s an easy and worthwhile mod.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/ar-mod-takedown-pin-detent-spring-retainer.887734/

redcon1 said:

Primary Arms had Anderson lowers for $39 yesterday. They're $47 now. I passed. I probably should have grabbed a couple but I get hit with a $30 transfer fee on each one so I talked myself out of it.

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Heck, even at $47 that's great these days. My last Anderson cost me around $60.

redcon1 said:

Primary Arms had Anderson lowers for $39 yesterday. They're $47 now. I passed. I probably should have grabbed a couple but I get hit with a $30 transfer fee on each one so I talked myself out of it.

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Oof, my guy charges $20 per 5 items at a time.

kje54 said:

Heck, even at $47 that's great these days. My last Anderson cost me around $60.

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Maybe I should get one. I'm still tinkering with my first build and haven't even shot it yet but I do want to build a collapsible stock rifle at some point and maybe a 6.5 at some point and definitely a 7.62. I thought I would go with a Grey Ghost matched set for the thermofitment but $47 is a good price.

gotboostvr said:

Oof, my guy charges $20 per 5 items at a time.

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I might need to find a new guy. I can't blame them for the fee though. They have to sit there and go through all the paperwork and it usually takes about 30 minutes and they're good people to be friendly with.

redcon1 said:

I might need to find a new guy. I can't blame them for the fee though. They have to sit there and go through all the paperwork and it usually takes about 30 minutes and they're good people to be friendly with.

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It's more understandable if you're in one of the states with extra loops to jump through.

My state is about as lax as it gets as far as additional local regulations. My guys a kitchen table FFL and it's a little inconvenient to schedule a time to meet up with him as he has a normal full time job.

But he's right across the street from my In-Laws, which is pretty handy at least.

I have an Anderson and a PSA lower. They both went right together and the completed rifles shoot great.

Rural King in my area has “mustang” lowers

A pawn shop has some PSA in stock

look around at store front places

by the time you pay shipping and transfer yo may be ahead buying over the counter local

-kBob

Before this mess started I bought several Anderson lowers for 30 bucks a piece from Primary. Built 2 using PSA and magpul stuff with no issues. Watch their specials and you can build nice ARs. Stashed the rest of the lowers for later at that price...

Anderson, Aero, Stag. I have used all three lower brands and I can’t tell the difference between them when they’re all assembled.

If you’re not into the “car show bling” brand mentality at the local range, I say find the best price and build away.

Stay safe.

I haven't had any functional problems with Anderson lowers. My beef with them is cosmetic (mainly the "Poverty Pony" logo). They would be 100% better, build-wise, if they toned down the markings. But then, I'm kind of a perfectionist in these things. If the markings don't bother you, then these are a good value.

Back when times were good I bought 80% lowers by the box for $25 per paper weight. LOL