-
Having trouble using the site?
Post any issues in the thread below or reach out directly to support!
Contact support
What is your favorite stripped lower to use?
- Thread starter KCode
- Start date
I picked up some Wilson blemished lowers a year or so back on sale and they were great especially for the price.
Grey Ghost Precision otherwise.
Grey Ghost Precision otherwise.
The first three builds I did, 10-15 years ago were on spikes because they were all that were available to me at the time (Kalifornia), zero complaints then or since, no issues ever. I wish they didn't have their funky graphics on the lowers personally but functionally I haven't found an issue.
Mega or Rainier Arms (Mega)
Their usually only $110-$120 and fit so snug and have flawless finish.
Not that it matters really, but for a relatively small price they are my go-to.
I wanted a "good" one for my first SBR due to the stamp, and just stayed with them.
They have a tension screw also if you ever think youll wear one out (I've never put one in)
Mine are older, but from what I understand they are the same under Zev who bought them out.
Maybe not
Their usually only $110-$120 and fit so snug and have flawless finish.
Not that it matters really, but for a relatively small price they are my go-to.
I wanted a "good" one for my first SBR due to the stamp, and just stayed with them.
They have a tension screw also if you ever think youll wear one out (I've never put one in)
Mine are older, but from what I understand they are the same under Zev who bought them out.
Maybe not
Last edited:
I really like the ADM ambi mainly for the ambi bolt hold and funnel mag well.
My experience with ARs goes back to the 1980s, so I’m in a different stage of life with them than a lot of guys, but standard forged lowers work just fine for me as well.
I withhold opinions until I’ve spent a lot of time with something, so I also like the SiCo billet lowers, LaRue, anything quality that isn’t one of the 6061 lowers that wear out in the pin bosses and get sloppy.
My experience with ARs goes back to the 1980s, so I’m in a different stage of life with them than a lot of guys, but standard forged lowers work just fine for me as well.
I withhold opinions until I’ve spent a lot of time with something, so I also like the SiCo billet lowers, LaRue, anything quality that isn’t one of the 6061 lowers that wear out in the pin bosses and get sloppy.
Many out there that I’d pick in a second, have 4 Quentin Defense forged lowers, some 2A Arms, a few oddball ones, and have more Aero Precision lowers built up than anything else (7 right now), but if I had to grab just one that I thought would last forever, it’d be my SBR’d Seekins.
Have it built up as a PDW right now, but that thing’s a tank!
…probably my strongest lower, even though I had to machine a bit of the tip of curved mag well off to fit drum mags! LoL
Have it built up as a PDW right now, but that thing’s a tank!
…probably my strongest lower, even though I had to machine a bit of the tip of curved mag well off to fit drum mags! LoL
Aero and Spike's. Fantastic quality from both, but I give the upper hand to Aero as they have the rear tension screw to take up slop between the upper/lower for a nice tight fit. I'll probably only build off Aero from now on. Wouldn't hesitate with BCM if they ever sold stripped lowers, but I don't think they've ever sold stripped lowers.
Tony.
Tony.
Aero is what I'd consider a baseline standard for fit and finish, and it helps that they include some nice QOL features like the set-screws holding springs in place and the nylon set screw that acts like a receiver wedge (only needed it once)
After that it really depends on the goal for the rifle.
the one I used most recently is a Next Level Arms / Ascend Armory matched set, and they're great if you're building something with an eye for function and looks.
nextlevelarms.com
After that it really depends on the goal for the rifle.
the one I used most recently is a Next Level Arms / Ascend Armory matched set, and they're great if you're building something with an eye for function and looks.
Ascend Phoenix Billet Receiver Set - Next Level Arms
The Ascend Phoenix Billet Receiver set is based on Ascend Armory's original design, machined in house at Next Level Armament.
nextlevelarms.com
The original Megas are Tumwater marked. Anything after that is Zev and the anodizing doesn't match the original Mega uppers. The Expos are the closest I've seen so far.
I've used Aero, Anderson, PSA, LMT, and others.
As far as I'm concerned, a lower is a lower unless you're looking for some specific attributes like full ambidextrous. Which I found a complete LMT MARS-L from Rooftop Defense for that.
