A quick internet search says Anderson isn't the highest quality? I would probably be better off getting 1 or 2 high quality receivers than a bunch of low quality ones. I can't foresee ever needing more than 2 AR's. I am leaning towards a Spike 5.56 receiver and a Spike 9mm receiver.
I ordered an Anderson 5.56 stripped lower, Spike 5.56 stripped lower and Spike 9mm stripped lower from Sportsman's warehouse.
Far more than that I would say would be the quality of material being used as well as how clean and aligned all of the milling isThere are a few things beyond aesthetics that separate lowers.
SOLGW above, Anderson below.
View attachment 1115181
I own over 100 strippped lowers. All Anderson, Aero milspec, Aero M4E1, Spikes, PSA, and BKF. They are basically all the same thing except for my BKF lowers have the "M16 pocket cut," Spikes has the "low shelf" cut, and the others are "high shelf" lowers. Other than that, no point in throwing away extra money for roll marks.I am going to order some pistols from Sportsman's Warehouse before the new Oregon gun law goes into effect.
Can someone suggest which lowers to order?
https://www.sportsmans.com/search/?q=stripped+lower:relevance:inStockFlag:true
A quick internet search says Anderson isn't the highest quality? I would probably be better off getting 1 or 2 high quality receivers than a bunch of low quality ones. I can't foresee ever needing more than 2 AR's. I am leaning towards a Spike 5.56 receiver and a Spike 9mm receiver.
Far more than that I would say would be the quality of material being used
Good luck with that. I seen it countless times in the U.S., Canada, and other countries. They'll say it's grandfathered in now, and people will stock up before the deadline. Then in a year or two after a mass shooting, they'll outright will ban them all, and will tell you to destroy them or turn them into your police department. Mark my words.I am not a big AR fan so I think I am good with two 5.56 stripped lowers and a 9mm stripped lower. I am spending my money on high capacity magazines since they will be grandfathered in for ownership but I will no longer be able to buy/sell/import/ or transfer magazines.
The material will always be the same? You must be joking. Compare an aero with an ati lower. Maybe 20% of it shares the same material. I know you did not mention them but you said the material will always be the same which is simply not true. An ati seems like it is almost plastic. Also you left out the rest of my quote where I stated that mill alignment and finishing is just as important.You do realize that there are only a small few foundries that actually produce the raw forgings of AR receivers?
None of the firearm manufactures make their own raw receivers at all. And most receivers are made from 7075 aluminum. So the material will always be the same. What is different is the machining of the raw receivers and how tight tolerances are held. And even the Anderson receivers are machined to the proper specs.
Compare an aero with an ati lower. Maybe 20% of it shares the same material.
@Archibald Stanton is trying to bring up polymer AR15 lowers to support his argument, when we all are clearly comparing milspec lowers from various manufacturers.Um… this is nonsense. Quality of finish or machining notwithstanding, both Aero and ATI use 7075-T6 aluminum forgings in their lowers. 100% exact same alloy.
Compare an aero with an ati lower. Maybe 20% of it shares the same material.
And most receivers are made from 7075 aluminum
Also you left out the rest of my quote where I stated that mill alignment and finishing is just as important.
What is different is the machining of the raw receivers and how tight tolerances are held.
Almost all lowers that I find now are marked "Multi" for the caliber. This bothers me. If I'm going to build a 5.56 mm gun, I want it to be marked "5.56 mm." Is this too much to ask?
Being that an AR is modular, it doesn't make much sense to market the lower as a specific caliber when you can throw a .223/5.56, 300blk, 7.62x39, 22lr, 9mm, etc upper receiver on the same lower receiver. The lower is not caliber specific thus there's no reason to mark it as such. Also as @Varminterror pointed out, barrel are usually marked as well although the markings maybe covered by the handguard.Almost all lowers that I find now are marked "Multi" for the caliber. This bothers me. If I'm going to build a 5.56 mm gun, I want it to be marked "5.56 mm." Is this too much to ask?
This is another example of regulatory stupidity. "Multi" doesn't add any useful information. Why not just delete the caliber marking on lowers altogether?Most barrels are marked. Hence marking on the lower isn’t pertinent, but is a requirement by ATF.
It does add usefulness. It states that the receiver isn't tethered to any one caliber for record keeping purposes. It also denotes that the receiver is designed for multiple calibers. Don't think I've ever seen anyone make this big of a deal before.This is another example of regulatory stupidity. "Multi" doesn't add any useful information. Why not just delete the caliber marking on lowers altogether?
Well which one was most expensive?Rather than eating each other, consider the evidence:
View attachment 1115424
View attachment 1115419
View attachment 1115420
Anyone wanna put up money on which of these 3 is most expensive? How about if they’re over or under $50?
Each is 6-Series aluminum, each functions perfectly fine. I was assured by a much smarter member than me that AR parts interchange because of tight tolerances, not “thanks to” sloppy ones. It will either be within tolerances and work, or it will not.
Don't assume Anderson innards are cobb rough or that Aero machines them better than anyone. If you’re buying for speculation, buy in bulk. If you’re buying for want, buy what you want. Nearly all are machined to similar shape, perhaps below is an example of a variation less common these days.
View attachment 1115427
Number 1. That’s an RRA, middle is an Aero, lower an SOLGW. In this case the Aero X15 was the cheapest of that particular lot.Well which one was most expensive?