Low-price AR-15 Lower Round-up

What's your favorite low-cost AR-15 lower?

  • Essential Arms

    Votes: 6 5.0%

  • Stag

    Votes: 64 53.3%

  • DMPS

    Votes: 33 27.5%

  • Superior

    Votes: 7 5.8%

  • Olympic

    Votes: 10 8.3%
  • Total voters
    120
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M

Mojo-jo-jo

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Ok, so I'm looking at an AR-15 build. I'm basically poor, so I won't be building a Bushmaster.

I need help deciding which lower. What's your favorite low-cost AR-15 lower?

If you have a favorite not on the list, please share.
If you are super enthusiastic about one on the list please say why.
If you have a particular horror story about one please share.

Thanks for the help!

Edit: In the poll "DMPS" should read "DPMS." Oops... :eek:
 
Last edited:
Stag is a quality brand. Mil Spec. Barrels are chrome lined. The only ones I have heard say they dont like em are the ones with $1800 entry level ARs

I have had experience building with three of your choices.
I would rate them as follows.

1. Stag
2. DPMS
3.Olympic (note:this is no way a recommendation for Olympic)

Olympic has always left something to be desired for me. Sometimes its fit or finish or customer service or.......If it were consistent I could find a way to work around them, so I choose to avoid them.
 
I shy away from oly, but other than that I'm not picky. A mil-spec lower is a mil-spec lower. BM, DPMS, RRA, Stag, they're all the same. Stags probably have the lowest price tag.

I have read that Superior Arms tend to have tight magwells. No experiance with them myself.
 
Add Double Star to your list of choices.

DS and Stag are close in price. You can get both delivered for $110

DPMS and RRA have a very, very slow time to deliver. 90-120 days from time of order.

I see nothing, not a single thing on a BM lower to justify their price.

here is the run down on manufacturers...
LMT = LMT, Lauer, DS Arms, PWA, Eagle, Knights Armament, Barrett

CMT = Stag, RRA, High Standard, Noveske(old), (new) Century, Global Tactical, CLE, S&W, MGI, Wilson Tactical, Grenadier Precision, Colt

LAR = LAR, Bushmaster, Noveske(new), Ameetech, DPMS, CMMG, Double Star, Fulton, Anvil Arms

JVP = Double Star, LRB

MMS = Mega, GSE, Dalphon, POF, Alexander Arms,

Olympic = Olympic, SGW, Tromix, Palmetto, Dalphon, Frankford, (old) Century

Sun Devil = Sun Devil forged billet receivers

Superior = Superior Arms
 
Stags probably have the lowest price tag.
Click to expand...

DS and Stag are close in price. You can get both delivered for $110
Click to expand...

Essential Arms forged lower receivers are $77

For the mathematically challenged out there, that means Stag lowers are 43% more expensive than Essential arms.
 
I just picked up a DPMS shipped for $100 total. Just as good of quality as anyother lower IMO. Wasn't worth the extra 50 bucks for the bushmaster. It did take a while for it to arrive though.
 
On Essentials page they do say in big large letters "Forged Receiver" but then in their back ground page they say they are investment cast.

So which are they forged or cast?
 
I live in St. Cloud Minnesota and I also own a DPMS AR-15. Very fine rifle if I don't say.


Love them to death!
 
I've had a couple Double Star's in the past and they have been very good to me. I've seen them as low as $100 shipped in the past.

I'm definitely interested to know about EA though. I thought they were all forged.
 
DS and Stag are close in price. You can get both delivered for $110

Aloharover, is that price for a stripped lower or complete? If I can get a complete Stag lower for $110 shipped, point me in that direction! :what:
 
Ameetec arms is a fine deal too. From the choices listed I would prefer a Stag other than their awful logo.
 
That stag price has to be stripped. I can get dealer prices onsome stuff, and I've never seen a complete one that cheap. Figure $60 bucks on top of that for a complete lower minus a stock.
 
Low price

Ok, I am not trying to trash any ones stuff, but I have had two E A receivers crack in the same place. So if you buy an Essential Arms receiver you can expect what? E A receivers are cast too, cast aluminum is weak.

Good prices? Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum, Military Specification

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Superior_Arms_S-15_AR15_.223_Receiver.html


other parts to complete.

http://www.model1sales.com/subcats.cfm?Category=01&sessionid=3938614526

you could do a lot worse, ask lots of questions before you buy. Good luck.
 
On Essentials page they do say in big large letters "Forged Receiver" but then in their back ground page they say they are investment cast.

So which are they forged or cast?
Click to expand...

I think Essential Arms used to use a cast process prior to the AWB. I'm pretty sure that they are forged now.
 
It's the upper that is critical on an AR. As long as all the holes are in the right place and the magazine well is in spec you can build a quality AR on anyone's lower.

I have an Essential Arms (first version, bought in 1982) lower that I used on a designated marksman's rifle I built with Colt parts. Outside of the color being much lighter then the current colors (fixed that with Gun Kote) it has been perfect.

Jeff
 
oakme2, where did the EA crack and what were you using them for? I'd be very interested to hear the story, as this is the first negative thing I've heard about them
 
What about Mega machine shop lowers? They belong on the list also.
 
[Stag]...doesnt seem any worse than any other brand's logo...
Click to expand...

Maybe not to you, but an AR is supposed to inspire feelings of coolness. A big funny looking euro-deer doesn't work for me. ;)

Give me a CMMG please.
 
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