Purchasing AR-15 Lower

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KAC1911

KAC1911

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Jan 18, 2010
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West Central FL
Thinking about building a AR-15. I realize to purchase a lower that you must have a FFL to have one shipped to you. If you don't have a friend with a FFL or aren't buying a used one from a private sale. Do most of you guys just go to a gun dealer and have him order the one you want? And is it still cheaper to build?
 
Thanks skidooman, I'm gonna check with a couple local dealers and see what they would charge if I decided to go the build route. Will check out that lower too.
 
I like building things, so let me throw that out there so you know I'm bias. Building is the BEST way you can go IMHO. You may get a mutt of parts, but it's your mutt, and as some people will tell you, mutts make the best companions a man can ask for.
 
Check pawn shops too. Lots of them have FFLs so they can pawn guns.

Most of the gun shops in my area want to charge $40 to do a transfer since they view selling a stripped lower as a lost sale. My local pawn shop will do a transfer for $10 since they view it as easy cash.

BSW
 
I found a brand new stripped S&W lower at our local gunshop in a small town. Paid top dollar a year ago before prices started to drop. Shop around. Saves shipping and FFL charges if you can find one at a local gun store. They're not difficult to build if you have mechanical apptitude. It's generally cheaper to build.
 
Another point is to talk to the FFL you're going to use before you buy: Some won't want to deal with you, some will refuse to accept a firearm from an individual, some don't like ARs and AKs.

Get the details straight beforehand to avoid costly confusion. BSW
 
Look at it this way. One reason a lot of dealers will do the transfer for you is that they can find out what you are getting, and tell you that they have one for $15 less, AND you wouldn't have to pay the transfer fee. Poke around your area in craigslist, local online classified ads, gun shows, and dealers. I have always found that they will undersell your online deal one way or another.
 
Thanks to everyone for all the great information. I've been using and working on my firearms since the 70's so I have the mechanical tallent and tools, getting the help from folks here is what helps tremendously. I've always wanted to build one(ar-15). I've allways enjoyed long range target shooting and chuck hunting, but living in FL not as easy to find places to shoot like that. So I still need to decide on barrel length, twist etc, but I'm sure when it get down to it I'll have more help here than a guys could ask for. Thanks again for all the help.

Kenny
 
I've found the one on the FFL's shelf run $150. Prices for new lowers of your choice can go as low as $55. I got mine from AGP during an introductory sale for $72. Spike's sells theirs for $89. Add shipping and fee, $125 when done.

What you get when you order is your choice of lower, roll mark, and any other options. My AGP came with an adjustable trigger set screw accessible behind the trigger, not under the grip, and had an American Flag CNC'd on the front of the mag well. AGP makes turbo parts for Japanese imports, has a great reputation with tuners, and makes things to a higher quality because of it. No forging platter marks, clean work, CNC'd markings instead of sloppy stamping, and extras for free.

Shop around on the net, forged lowers are almost a commodity, and you don't have to pay a hundred extra for a big name unless that's a premium you want. Otherwise, they all seem to be good to go right now.
 
There seems to be many lowers to choose from. I'm not into names as much as I like quality and what I like in something.

Tirod, is AGP the mfg ? I like the feature of the set screws, nice touch.

Also so many abreviations on all these gun sites need a book just to get by most.

Just found AGP website, very nice lower tirod!
 
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I tried to list a stripped lower on the Macon Craigslist site a couple of months ago and they wouldn't allow it.
 
Firearms and related doo-dads are no-no's on Craigslist.

KAC1911, stripped AR-15 lowers are pretty much all the same if they come from reputable manufacturers. Find one that has the finish color you want, a roll mark you like, and price you agree with. Then all you have to do is find a pawn or gun shop that will do an FFL transfer. It's that easy.
 
I got this NIB complete S&W lower for 278 from a local shop. That is about as much as I would have spent if I started out with a stripped lower and bought the rest of the parts seperately.


1263504317.jpg
 
Local shops around here do not carry lowers. Gun shows are usually slim pickings too. Only good way is to get a friendly FFL to do the transfer. Hope your situation is better.....
 
KAC1911, I bought a POF stripped lower a few months back. They're not cheap but they're REALLY well made with some desirable features (to me) such as ambidextrous integral bolt release, ambidextrous mag release and they're monolithic with a generous trigger guard.

p-415_gen3.jpg


p-415_gen3_2.jpg


:)
 
KAC1911,
You will have no problem building your AR. I have done 3 so far and am working on #4. It is very addictive:D The way I defray the cost is to let my friends try the 2 I built for myself, explain how "drunkenmonkeysimple" they are to build and before you know it they are letting me help them assemble their own ARs;)

I have bought lowers from Spikes Tactical http://www.spikestactical.com/z/ind...ducts_id=309&zenid=ebu7j1rkrlj1erj6og5215sco0

and Essential Arms http://essentialarms.com/LOWERSANDPARTS.HTML

In both instances, the process was the same: I "buy" the lower on line with a credit card from the manufacturer who then ships it to my designated FFL. I then go to the FFL, pay the transfer fee (but not sales tax unless the manufacturer is in the same state) fill out the paperwork and take the lower home. In my area its not hard to find an FFL that will do such transfers. Going rate is $ 15-20. The FFL might have to send a copy of his license to the manufacturer if they don't have it on file.

Building an AR yourself is great because your get to pick exactly what parts you want to use and can insure that each part is inspected, assembled, and tested correctly. Think "genetically engineered purebred" instead of "mutt" :cool:

Here are some pics of the first assembly I did. I Used an Essential Arms lower and a Bravo Company 16" carbine upper and auto bolt carrier group. The furniture and rear sight are Magpul.

I recommend spending some time at Ar15.com and M4carbine.net to get some great info on what are the most recommended components and best deals. Also, to get links to detailed assembly instructions and videos (very helpful!)

for most purposes all "in spec" lowers are fungible. I can recommend the above 2 from both personal experience and my research online. However, there are specialty lowers built to either aesthetic or specialized capability parameters that can give you just about any look or capability you could imagine and be quite pricey!
Have Fun!
 

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Thanks to all. I took the plunge and bought a complete gun from Spikes that had some upgrades to it. Easier for me to keep peace with the
ball & chain.LOL
 
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