AR lower kits

[JohnnyK]

is there a difference in quality between the different lower kits available... they are all about the same price and are just springs and roll pins, trigger and grip... I'm about to start building my first lower and was curious... I know there is difference in different companies' complete ARs.... thanks, Johnny

 

[Hacker15E]

The main differences people report in LPKs generally has to do with the quality of the trigger pull.

So long as you stick with a main name brand, you'll probably be just fine. I went with a PSA LPK and was very happy with it -- including the trigger!

 

[Z-Michigan]

There is a difference in quality but it's fuzzy. A lot of it has to do with the fit of all the little pins, which results from accurate or inaccurate machining. I've had no problems with Armalite, G&R, and DoubleStar, and have had some fit problems with DPMS and DTI. Spike's has been mostly good but their mag release buttons seem slightly oversize and rough.

 

[Fishbed77]

I'll second the recommendation for the PSA lower parts kit. Mine went together easily, was very well finished, and includes what is probably the best standard AR trigger I've encounterd.

 

[JohnnyK]

I just checked out PSA lower kits... much cheaper than anywhere else... $44.95 on sale... not bad...

 

[AlexanderA]

I've built a few AR's, and I like to pick out individual small parts from the bins at gun shows. This approach costs a little more than buying "kits" of small parts, but you get to control the quality and the finish, etc., better. The non-kit parts are more likely to be original GI, or closely conform to GI specs on finish, etc. The kits are put together mainly on the basis of cost.

 

[Buck Kramer]

I went with the PSA lower kit also. Buffer tube, stock, buffer, and all the little stuff for 98 or 99.

 

[Hunterdad]

I'll second the recommendation for the PSA lower parts kit. Mine went together easily, was very well finished, and includes what is probably the best standard AR trigger I've encounterd.

Was it the classic kit you bought?

 

[LiquidTension]

I've only put one PSA kit together but it was good enough that I bought another one for another build. The trigger breaks at about 7ish pounds and doesn't have much creep.

 

[kfgk14]

Get a PSA, BCM, Colt, Spikes, G&R Tactical or DD and you'll be happy. Don't go with the other, cheaper brands (Bushmaster, Stag, DPMS) they're junk and you're wasting your money.

 

[Buck Kramer]

^^^ Care to elaborate on that "junk"....

 

[snakeman]

i like rock river arms the best myself

 

[Hacker15E]

Most of the "good" brands don't even make their own LPK in house.

I know PSA puts together parts from LW Schneider (http://lwschneider.com/) in their LPK, identifiable by the "S" mark on many of the parts. From reading various threads on the 'net, you can see that there are plenty of other LPKs from other brands that also use Schneider parts in theirs as well. I had two Colt's-marked parts in my PSA LPK purchased last summer.

This is a topic that is discussed a lot on the AR enthusiast boards, without any real solution as to which LPK is the highest quality for the lowest dollar.

 

[Frankl03]

I have used PSA lower parts kits in 1/2 doz rifles. Good price! Good fit!

Sometimes the moe lower parts kit on sale for around $55 which includes a MOE grip and Magpul enhanced trigger guard. Like it!

 

[Fishbed77]

Was it the classic kit you bought?

I used an MOE Lower Build Kit (included Magpul grip/stock/trigger guard), but I would think all the small parts (except the trigger guard) are the same as the classic kit.