Cheapest stripped lower receiver - AR-15?

[SicSemperTyrannis]

Hello ya'll! I'm new here to THR. Thanks in advance for taking time to help a newbie to the community. It looks like it is going to be a cold November, and I'm looking to insulate myself from it.

I have my eyes (and wallet) set on building an AR-15. Many of you seem knowledgeable about where to find the best deals on all things firearms. Where can I go to get the cheapest stripped AR-15 lower receiver? I am looking for one that is forged and hard anodize MIL-A-8625E, Type III. Other than those two requirements I am not picky, the receiver is supposed to be a great place to save money.

The cheapest I have found is a Superior Arms via AIM Surplus for $79.99. With shipping and local FFL transfer I am looking at almost $100, a great total cost of ownership (TCO). The only hitch is that it is currently out of stock, and I'll find out in a phone call tomorrow if they're anticipating more any time soon.

The next best price I have found is from Anvil Arms. $100 plus shipping and local FFL transfer fee. The upside with ordering from them is they offer free laser engraving can you say "Sic Semper Tyrannis" and "ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ"? I actually can't say the second one. How is it pronounced?

The complete (less lower) kit I am looking at will run me between $450 and $700 depending on bells and whistles. $800 TCO would be the upper limit of my budget, so I am sure you can appreciate the importance of shaving cost wherever I can and starting with the receiver.

Classic Arm Inc. based out of a North Carolina has a limited stock of AR-15 A2s built with surplus Colt parts by Century Arms on their receivers. The best part is the $600 price tag; that includes two 20rd. Thermold mags. I know this isn't an AR-15centric site, but do any of you happen to have experience with this rifle? I have heard some terrible things about Century, namely drunken monkey assembly of crappy surplus parts, and don't want to get burned.

Once again, thank you for any info you can supply me with in reference to finding a cheap, forged AR-15 receiver.

 

[railroader]

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_753/products_id/411534767
Doublestar lower, $99 shipped. Mark

 

[Armueller2001]

I got my DPMS at the local gun store for $109 total

 

[Picard]

Buy a lower for around $100, and then my advice would be to buy a rifle kit from Del-Ton, which would have an assembled upper (customized how you like it) and all the other parts necessary to assemble your lower. That's what I'm going to end up doing in a few weeks when I get around to ordering one.

 

[Holloman]

I bought a DTI lower new at a gun show locally to avoid additional FFL fee/shipping. It was $99+ taxes. I then bought the 20" DTI Chrome lined AR-15A2 kit, and trust me, if you are considering one, it is great considering the price. (About $550 shipped) I got it together in about an hour and took it to the range shortly after- damn accurate and tight. it is so much more fufilling in my opinion to have built at least some of your rifle yourself, and to have picked your own details. I would not get the fully assembled ones from classic just for that reason, although I may buy one in case the AWB makes a return. (to sell at a greatly multiplied price!) Good luck. The people at DTI are quick and friendly, so you shouldnt have trouble there.

 

[Brian Dale]

I actually can't say the second one [ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ]. How is it pronounced?

Something like Mo LONE La VEY.

Here's a link.

Enjoy assembling your AR, and welcome to The High Road.

 

[taliv]

essential arms http://essentialarms.com/ very recently raised their prices to a still reasonable $86. if you'd bought a couple months ago, it would have been in the low $70s. I've put together several guns for others on these lowers and never had a problem. I have two essential arms lowers myself.

 

[waterhouse]

While I don't normally care how my guns look, I haven't been real pleased with the finish on the Superior Arms lowers that have come through.

I've seen Anvil Arms, and they look great. Be advised that, based on the order I placed in February which still hasn't arrived, their lead time is currently very long.

I don't know what they normally sell for, but I'd check to see if Spike's Tactical is still running a sale on lowers. It might have ended last month.

 

[SicSemperTyrannis]

Thank you to everyone that replied!

I am going to end up purchasing the Doublestar lower from the link railroader posted.

I would have bought from Essential Arms, but they gouge their customers on shipping. $14 minimum for all orders? That's insane. I am two states away, the part weighs less than a pound, the part is less than the minimum insurance provided by any major shipping company. Shipping shouldn't be more than $10, tops. And even $10 is pushing it. The only way I could see myself ordering from Essential would be if I were to buy multiple receivers.

 

[SicSemperTyrannis]

Just spoke to Eric at AIM Surplus. They are supposed to receive a new shipment of Superior Arms receivers "any day now". Looks like I am going to hold out for that unbelievable price.

 

[Wopasaurus]

I have a doublestar Lower on mine. I love it, excellent fit and finish.


You can find them for $100±$5

 

[RonE]

Take a look at Ranger Sales http://www.rangersales.com/index.php?main_page=index

Although they don't sell stripped lower receivers they seem to have everything else. My nephew used them to make a supurb AR. Seemed to be the best bang for the buck too.

 

[briansmithwins]

Cheaper isn't always better: http://ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=383028

Make sure they have a good exchange/warrenty in case you get a lemon.

I just bought a NoDak lower: http://www.nodakspud.com/AR Lowers.htm Fit and finish is perfect. Assembled with no problems too. BSW

 

[SSN Vet]

Anvil Arms makes an EXCELLENT lower, with superb finish for $100.

 

[AR-15 Rep]

Keep in mind there are 4 major manufacturers of lower receivers. And then there is the rest??? here is the article from AR15.com
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=12&t=318113

 

[AR-15 Rep]

Just received a deal on stripped lowers. They are in stock and available to ship as soon as the paperwork is done. They can be found on www.ar15-kits.com

 

[Lloyd Smale]

i think the days of under 100 dollar lowers are over. If you check the ones marked at that price there all out of stock. Ive got a couple of the superior lowers and for the money they seem real nice.

 

[taliv]

not over yet. essential's are still $100.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I just completed a Del-Ton 20" kit on a Superior Arms stripped lower. No problems, no complaints. The over-travel take-up screw is a little odd, but everything else was fine.

 

[helz_mcfugly]

Heath at Wortham Firearms can get CMMG lowers for $125 972-564-1520

 

[Hoppy590]

Essential Arms @ 86$ whole sale.

i built my rifle on an EA and am totaly satisfied with it.

my local shop stocks Stag, EA, RRA and S&W. the shop owner took the last EA out of the case to save for himself