AR-15 lowers

[Defense Minister]

What is the big difference in the various AR lowers, and are the ones by Stag Arms worth a darn compared to the others? Thanks!

 

[longdayjake]

Many of the various manufacturers use the same company to make their lowers. 99% of them are as good as the next but I have seen little differences here and there. They should all work though.

 

[Nugilum]

Just avoid Hess/Vulcan lowers:

 

[nismofun]

Biggest difference in most is the rollmark.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Stag Arms is the retail name for CMT (Continental Machine Tool) which makes the lowers for something like half the AR manufacturers on the market. They are just fine. Basically, you want a lower made from a forging, which nearly all of the lowers made today are. Beyond that it's the rollmark, the finish, and the quality of the machining. Most places don't screw up the machining, and the finish is basically anodizing with or without a teflon top coat. IMHO the teflon is a plus for both looks and durability, but mil-spec doesn't include teflon and it is in no way a requirement.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

No real difference among most forged aluminum anodized lowers.

I own a few Stag lowers, they are just as good as any.

 

[For Freedom]

I'm sure a drop of loctite would fix it new.

 

[c5_nc]

Other than the Vulcans (junk) and Cavalry Arms (they are plastic vibration welded together, but have a decent rep) most other lowers roughly equal. That applies to current production, there were cast lowers made in the past. I have heard of "fit" problems more with Superior Arms (Pmags won't release with gravity) and casting issues, bulges etc with them. Most lowers are made (finished) by one of 4 companies now, the raw forging producer list may even be smaller.

 

[kwelz]

As is obvious from many of my posts I have no love for what I consider low and mid tier AR manufacturers. Bushmaster, RRA, DPMS, etc.

However stripper lowers are a bit different. With a few exception,one will serve you just as well as another. That being said, many companies do go the extra mile on their lowers. For instance a RRA or S&W lower will have a better finish (machining wise) than say a DPMS.

However this will also have no effect on actual performance.

And as mentioned above Avoid Hesse/Vulcan/etc

 

[atblis]

Well

Essential Arms is pretty decent. I have one. looks nice, all the holes are drilled straight and to the correct size.

Brownells has a store brand that's $97 (if you have a dealer account). Should be decent.

Spend your money on a good BCG (LMT, Colt, BCM), trigger, and barrel.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

For instance a RRA or S&W lower will have a better finish (machining wise) than say a DPMS

Where did you get this? DPMS is known as having one of the best factory teflon finishes of any lowers out there.

 

[tkcomer]

Ya might take a look at this: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=12&t=318113

 

[danprkr]

I'm sure a drop of loctite would fix it new.

Nah, that's going to take some JB Weld.

 

[bobotech]

Nah, that's going to take some JB Weld.

Nope.

Gonna take the holy trinity or trifecta:
Loctite, JB Weld, AND duct(k) tape.

 

[kwelz]

Where did you get this? DPMS is known as having one of the best factory teflon finishes of any lowers out there.

Notice I said machining wise. Look at a DPMS lower compared to a S&W or RRA. The DPMS will have a lot more flash and rough finished areas. It is especially noticeable at the front lugs, inside the trigger area, and where the web of your hand will rest with a standard grip.


None of this will have any impact on the functionality of the weapon. In fact I have built no less than 6 guns off of DMPS lowers and all have been fine. But some other companies do take a bit more time with their machining.

 

[AR-15 Rep]

Right now I have lowers with a good finish, and the areas mentioned above, all smooth. The magwells are edm wire cut, so they are tight, but we added a bevel at the bottom to fit the Poly mags. Sent a bunch out, not one problem. Haven't really announced them too much because we have been working on getting ammo. Now that we have that coming in, I can get back to the receivers and kits again.

 

[texas bulldog]

i had this same question when i first dipped a toe into the world of ARs. i'm still a relative noob, but i have built one AR now, and i know that stag will do ya just fine for a stripped lower. other than vulcan/hesse, they're all essentially the same. it's without a doubt the least important choice you have when building an AR. spend your discretionary dollars on the upper, not the stripped lower. that's where you'll find the greatest differences in features and quality of parts.

 

[kwelz]

Bulldog you are correct. Personally if I can find a nicer lower for a good price I will get one, but for the most part they are all pretty close. The Upper and LPK are what matter most.

 

[Defense Minister]

You guys have pretty much confirmed what I had already come to understand. I just always like to run these things by the national audience of THR.

I bought an M&P15T upper, and I'm just going to match it up with the best deal I can find on a forged lower. Thanks!