ar-15 lower receiver question

[hadmanysons]

Basic question, how are these "budget" ar-15 lower receiver's from Superior Arms, Aero Precision, Double Star and the like? Quality? Known issues? Just wondering if they we're mil-spec? Crap? Generic quality/price question?

 

[RP88]

I have a del-ton kit on a Double Star lower. I was told that the Double Star lowers might be off a bit on the mag grooves or whatever just enough to allow a bit of wiggle room that may cause problems with P-mags, but I've never had a problem with it using USGI-spec aluminum mags.

In 90% of all cases, the main differences on lowers are the finish color and the logo. My CMMG stripped lower that is waiting to mate with a backordered upper looks just as nice as my double star does.

 

[bragood]

I have a build from a superior arms that has no problem with usgi mags. I try every mag I can get a hold of and it works fine.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I'm very pleased with my superior arms lower.

I think ar lowers fall into 3 categories

at the bottom is the Vulcan, Blackthorn,Hesse garbage

at the opposite end are the expensive billet uppers, Sun Devil, Magpul

and in the center is everything else

 

[taliv]

what krochus said, but I'd add doublestar to the bottom list and larue and JP to the expensive billet list.

 

[nalioth]

but I'd add doublestar to the bottom list

Unless double star are cast out of slag, I wouldn't.

Hesse is the one that makes AR15 lowers that break easily (cuz they're cast from crap).

 

[Seattle206]

doublestar makes a good product. i have one of their lowers on my del-ton build. takes pmags and usg mags fine. the finish is nice and smooth. i would compare them to spikes tactical lowers, anvil arms, cmmg and all lowers in the $100-$120 range. probably all made by the from the same factory also.

 

[Trempel]

Have two Aero Precision lowers. No issues at all. The magazine well bevel could be a bit more generous, but all mags fit and drop free. This includes, USGI, C-Products teflon coated and PMags.

 

[Hoppy590]

a forged (and many cast) lowers are all in the same group unless its from a company renowned for its crap QC and design (hesse)

 

[Kentucky]

what krochus said, but I'd add doublestar to the bottom list and larue and JP to the expensive billet list.

Out of curiosity, why do you rank the Doublestar lowers with the Vulcan and Hesse stuff?

 

[taliv]

cause none of the ones i've used work. just personal experience. maybe that's a bit harsh. "none have been trouble-free" is probably a more accurate statement, but the former captures my feelings in a little higher fidelity.

maybe it's a coincidence, but they're still near the bottom of my list. not saying they're "as bad as vulcan and hesse" but more of a... lower middle class as compared to abject poverty

i've never (that i can remember) actually fired a vulcan/hesse, but i've seen them in gun stores occasionally. it's weird how cheap they look even from a distance.

dpms/rra/stag/etc/etc/etc/etc may not be my fav flavors, but i have to admit i've never had any problem with their lowers. (can't say the same for uppers)

 

[Kentucky]

Thanks for replying. The reason I asked was because I have picked up a couple of their stripped lowers in a trade recently, and I had one of them slotted assembled to go with a 16" LMT upper I just got. (If I can ever lay hands on some good LPK's). They seem to get pretty good reviews on M4carbine.net, so I was little surprised to hear of the trouble you have had with them. Was it a strength/integrity issue, dimensions issue, or a problem with the magwell? I cant really think of what else could be wrong with a stripped lower.

cause none of the ones i've used work. just personal experience. maybe that's a bit harsh. "none have been trouble-free" is probably a more accurate statement, but the former captures my feelings in a little higher fidelity.

maybe it's a coincidence, but they're still near the bottom of my list. not saying they're "as bad as vulcan and hesse" but more of a... lower middle class as compared to abject poverty

i've never (that i can remember) actually fired a vulcan/hesse, but i've seen them in gun stores occasionally. it's weird how cheap they look even from a distance.

dpms/rra/stag/etc/etc/etc/etc may not be my fav flavors, but i have to admit i've never had any problem with their lowers. (can't say the same for uppers)

 

[geewizz]

Lauer had there standard lower lcw15 going for $110 a few months back. Not the "superior". They have the serial numbers running into the lip were the mags enter. The standard ones don't do that. I would take one of those. I know a few retails that were pissed about the pricing. I know someone who ordered one and had it sent over to a shop and they tried to stick it to him with the fees to make up the difference.
The stag lowers that I have seen fit nice and snug. In fact better than some of the so called "high end" ones.
Saw a noveske stripped lower trying to be sold for over $400 last week