Good AR lowers?

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Steak

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Hi folks. Like much of the free people in this country, I am looking for an AR lower. I live in Cali, so my options are slim. A local store specializes in these, and have several brands available (order only right now, all stock sold out). I will have to put money down, and take delivery whenever they show up. The sooner the better.

They have Eagle Defender, Stag, LMT, RRA, and a few others, that are still california legal.

I was going to get a stag, knowing the name well, but I am now leaning towards an LMT (lewis machine tool co.). Looking at their site, I really like the look,and finish of their firearms. Anyone own an LMT built AR-15, and how do you grade the quality? They are a bit above-average priced, but not the MOST expensive. Any lower from them or others I should look at over others? Any Cali folks who could chime in?

I pay attention to AR's, but never with much detail. I own a Springfield M1A as my semi-auto battle rifle, and love it. I do not want to be shut out on AR's though, since I have always wanted one. Give me tips Cali people!

BTW, I will be going to Ammo Bros. in cerritos to buy my lower. I want to buy one complete lower, and one stripped receiver.

-Chris
 
LMT is excellent quality. Second only to Colt, really. There isn't a whole lot of difference as far as lowers go, but for bolt carrier groups, the only brands that are actually mil-spec are Colt, BCM, and LMT.

Uppers, your best bets are those 3 brands plus CMMG.

I'd classify LMT as a top AR manufacturer. Everything important, they do right.
 
RyanM nailed it. Aside from Hesse/Vulcan (avoid them like the plague) AR lowers are pretty much AR lowers. If you can get LMT bolt carrier groups and uppers buy them because you won't find better quality without spending far more money.
 
Hmmm, I guess my craftsmans eye doesn't leave me even when looking at online pictures. I work with my hands, and the LMT lowers just looked head and shoulders above the rest.

Thanks guys, I feel better walking in and spending the money on these parts, sight unseen.
 
Stag arms make a nice reasonably priced lower. I have one and might just pick up another. Since they are made in CT, there are quite a few of them around our club. I have neard a complaint about them, they even sell a left handed AR.
 
Pick what ever logo you like and go that route, as long as it's forged aluminum. I like the cross hairs with the overlapping "R's".

Rock River here.
 
I heard some good things about Spikes Tactical. Don't know much about the company, but apparently they make excellent products.
 
I have an LMT. They're not as nice as Stag. LMT makes critically in-spec ****, but their finish work leaves a lot to be desired. If you're looking to build a tactical tank for combat, get an LMT. If you want something that's nice, get a Stag.. i've been trying to get my hands on some Stags for the last three weeks, but the auction sites are too over priced and StagArms is 10 weeks backordered.

I heard some good things about Spikes Tactical.
Click to expand...

that's 'cause they rock

edit:
i should qualify my comment by adding that i've seen/operated a number of LMTs, and they all have poor finish machining. doesn't hurt function, but they're not show guns. I've seen a few Stags, and they've all been very nice- no flash left anywhere, good polish, flat shelf, rounded edges, etc. and they have a reputation for such.
 
Pick what ever logo you like and go that route, as long as it's forged aluminum. I like the cross hairs with the overlapping "R's".

Rock River here.
Click to expand...
+1. I have a CMMG lower that I will be building with a CMMG parts kit when my bonus comes in (anticipation sucks).
 
lmao unless something has changed in the past year there are only 3 major manufactures of AR-15 lowers
i get a kick outa watching folks go back and forth about stag is better than bushmaster.......colt is the top dog........lett me tell you the upper is where all the neat stuff happens....if you have "COLT" lower with a junky upper .....guess what you have a junky AR-15
now if you are wanting to bragg to your buddies about how much better your AR is than theres you most certainly want a colt or a smith&wesson MP but now if you want a top notch AR that will not put you in the poorhouse you want a DEL-TON i've posted this before but here i go again between my father and i we own 7 AR'S (we like them)dad 4 myself 3 highest grade colt h-bar lowest olympic h-bar guess what they both shoot great if you switch out with out lollking at the lower you would not know witch rifle you was shooting both group great yadda yadda yadda so my point being if you own a colt or a olympic/stag/bushmaster/DEL-TON(my personal favorite)/rock river there all great AR'S so get off your high horse if you own a colt it does not make you high and all mighty and better than everyone else
i can say this because i own colt and outher name brands as well
i bought my colt thinking boy i got the best of the best now ........it shot the SAME if i had it to do over again i'd have bought anouther del-ton and saved $600 but hindsight is 20/20
 
now if you are wanting to bragg to your buddies about how much better your AR is than theres you most certainly want a colt or a smith&wesson MP but now if you want a top notch AR that will not put you in the poorhouse you want a DEL-TON
Click to expand...
the quality of a lower is dependent upon who makes the lower. Stag and Colt are made by the same company. LMT makes their own, and a few others. I have no idea who makes del-ton, and haven't been able to find out. I considered getting del-ton's for a large buy, because of their price and availabilty.. but couldnt get any real information on them. i dont trust that. they might be good, they might not. i'd hate to go through the process of buying 15 lowers and getting them to the shop only find out i got a bad run and the pinholes are all off/out of spec and/or the finish sucks balls.

and there's at least 10 lower manufacturers that i can think of off the top of my head.. CMT, olympic, MEGA, bushmaster, Superior, LMT, grandier, Sun Devil, JVP, and LAR. Some of these guys pop a couple out every year, some make lowers for a dozen other manufacturers, some make good ****, some make not so good ****. the quality is usually mirrored by price, unfortunately.
 
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