2024 Updated List on Billet Receiver Set Manufacturers

[LRRPF52]

I noticed that some of my favorites have been bought up and are no longer available, so I thought it might be helpful to start a thread about the current companies making nice billet sets.

I’ll just start it off and update it as people chime in so it might be of help to newcomers and old hands alike.

ADM
Angstadt Arms
APF
ARJ Defense
Battle Arms Development
Blackout Defense
Bootleg
Bowden
Centurion
Christensen Arms
CMMG
CMT
Cobalt Kinetics
Dark Hour Defense
Fortis
Franklin Armory
Grey Ghost Precision
Hodge Defense Systems
JL
JP Enterprises
KAC
KE Arms
LanTac
LaRue Tactical
LMT
LWRC
Mega Machine
MSTN
Nemo
New Frontier Arms
Noveske Rifleworks
Odin Works
POF
Precision Firearms
PSA
PWS
Q
Quentin Defense
Radian Weapons
San Tan Tactical
Seekins Precision
Sharps Bros
Shield Arms
SilencerCo
SLR Rifleworks
SOLGW
Spike’s Tactical
UTG Pro
Viking Armament
Vltor
V Seven
Wilson Combat
WMD Guns
YHM
Zev

 

[LRRPF52]

What am I missing?

 

[Shoreglide]

That list includes some I was unaware of.

 

[346ci]

Quentin Defense

 

[JS8588]

Blackout Defense

 

[LRRPF52]

That list includes some I was unaware of.

Yeah, I didn’t realize how many billet receiver manufacturers there are until I started searching.

As I go down that list, I realize I have a rifle, receivers, or bolt carriers (Bootleg) from 14 of those companies.

 

[Ernest 5.56]

I suspect at some point in time ICON will start making them given the owners history.

About Us - Icon Defense

ABOUT US Welcome to Icon Defense, the company in the firearms industry that you'll definitely want to watch out for. Our founders, Mike Miller and Rick Olsen, are real industry veterans and innovators who have come together to create something truly special.Mike Miller is a firearms and...

www.icondefense.com

 

[Ernest 5.56]

These as well. It's the V7 house brand

https://darkhourdefense.com/shop/AR15-BILLET-RECEIVER-SET

 

[JS8588]

I suspect at some point in time ICON will start making them given the owners history.

About Us - Icon Defense

ABOUT US Welcome to Icon Defense, the company in the firearms industry that you'll definitely want to watch out for. Our founders, Mike Miller and Rick Olsen, are real industry veterans and innovators who have come together to create something truly special.Mike Miller is a firearms and...

www.icondefense.com

Yeah, they're slated to come out with a fully ambi lower shortly.

 

[LRRPF52]

Who is the company with the conical fitment barrel nut and EDM wire-cut seams, really nice receivers and handguards with tight fitment?

There’s also another company that recently tackled a wish list from JSCOC, saying that JSOC didn’t feel like other companies were listening to them and kept offering things to them that ignored what they were specifically asking for.

 

[Ernest 5.56]

There’s also another company that recently tackled a wish list from JSCOC, saying that JSOC didn’t feel like other companies were listening to them and kept offering things to them that ignored what they were specifically asking for.

This sounds like X2 development group but they don't sell receivers at the moment.

 

[Capri_Man]

I know you have zev on their, and that they own Mega, but they do produce two seperate branded items.

 

[ZA206]

I’d like a companion list of billet ambi lowers… so many nice lowers these days!

 

[LRRPF52]

I’d like a companion list of billet ambi lowers… so many nice lowers these days!

It really needs a spreadsheet with all the columns indicating material, features, special requirements for handguard interface, FA, weights, etc. That would be a funded project due to the complexity and time required, unless you built a bot crawler with algorithms to search all the relevant metrics and populate them into excel.

 

[MSTN]

San Tan Tactical just isn't the same quality since it was moved from Phoenix to Ft. Worth.

Sharps Bros. stuff is impressive:

https://sharpsbros.com/livewire-ar15/

SBUR04 - Billet Upper Receiver (AR15)

Exceptional Designs. Exceptional Craftsmanship.

sharpsbros.com

 

[drewthebrave]

San Tan Tactical just isn't the same quality since it was moved from Phoenix to Ft. Worth.

That's a bummer, I'm really impressed with the fitment on the sets I bought before the move. Glad I got them when I did...

 

[Shoreglide]

This gives me pause too. Been pondering a build using their receiver set.

 

[The ReverendMR]

I didn’t realize Triarc was still in business

 

[LRRPF52]

I didn’t realize Triarc was still in business

I checked their site and don’t see any billet receiver options anyway, so I removed it from the list. Thanks

 

[RichS]

Great list. I'm looking for a billet lower that's not $$$ to go with my Lantac straight-pull upper. I do like that some (if not most) of them have the threaded bolt catch and detent pin holes. Anyone know for sure which ones DO? I'm looking hard at Seekins, San Tan, and Spartan. Any to avoid?

 

[RichS]

San Tan Tactical just isn't the same quality since it was moved from Phoenix to Ft. Worth.

Sharps Bros. stuff is impressive:

https://sharpsbros.com/livewire-ar15/

SBUR04 - Billet Upper Receiver (AR15)

Exceptional Designs. Exceptional Craftsmanship.

sharpsbros.com

The livewire lowers are now forged. Still good to go?

 

[TheHorta]

Don’t get the infatuation with billet. Heavier and generally doesn’t do anything better, unless you plan on running it over with a CAT 5D.

And yea, I have various billets from Noveske and Seekins — just not seeing the allure.

 

[RichS]

Sometimes it's cool to have something different. There's nothing wrong with that.

 

[MSTN]

MSTN said:
San Tan Tactical just isn't the same quality since it was moved from Phoenix to Ft. Worth.

Sharps Bros. stuff is impressive:

https://sharpsbros.com/livewire-ar15/
https://sharpsbros.com/sbur04-billet-upper-receiver-ar15/

The livewire lowers are now forged. Still good to go?

Yes, indeed!!!

 

[RichS]

Thanks Wes. I was hoping you'd chime in. Any experience with CMT, New Frontier, or ADM? I know Seekins has a great rep, but their styling isn't really my thing. I def want something 7075 and anodized. I like the threaded bolt catch and takedown holes as well.

 

[maximusdecimusmeridius]

Vltor and lwrci have always been my go to options

Vltor for the uppers - they have the best uppers imo

Lwrci for the lowers best true ambi option on the market imo

 

[LRRPF52]

Don’t get the infatuation with billet. Heavier and generally doesn’t do anything better, unless you plan on running it over with a CAT 5D.

And yea, I have various billets from Noveske and Seekins — just not seeing the allure.

I think the biggest thing is features that just don’t exist on standard forged receiver sets, starting with funneled mag wells.

I’ve done all I could to funnel mag wells on forged lowers, but there’s a limit based on the mouth wall thickness obviously.

The other thing is being able to control fit and feel with the upper and lower with different aesthetics, hollowing out the brass deflector, incorporating ambi controls, and especially upper receiver-to-handguard blending. I really dislike the abrupt cut-off between the upper and most handguards.

 

[LRRPF52]

What’s that company that has lowers where you can change the magazine well with different funnels, higher mouths, things like that?

Not MGI with the modular mag well for different types of mags, but the billet one with the ability to change the mag well shape options.

 

[Pomyluy]

Add KE Arms to the list.

I think the biggest thing is features that just don’t exist on standard forged receiver sets, starting with funneled mag wells.

I’ve done all I could to funnel mag wells on forged lowers, but there’s a limit based on the mouth wall thickness obviously.

The other thing is being able to control fit and feel with the upper and lower with different aesthetics, hollowing out the brass deflector, incorporating ambi controls, and especially upper receiver-to-handguard blending. I really dislike the abrupt cut-off between the upper and most handguards.

How big of a funnel do you need? Griffin and Aero both offer forged lowers with funneled mag wells.

What’s that company that has lowers where you can change the magazine well with different funnels, higher mouths, things like that?

Not MGI with the modular mag well for different types of mags, but the billet one with the ability to change the mag well shape options.

Lancer? Doesn't seem to be available stripped any more.

 

[TheHorta]

Sometimes it's cool to have something different. There's nothing wrong with that.

Shut up, Rich! No one likes a know-it-all!

 

[RichS]

Shut up, Rich! No one likes a know-it-all!

[toes the line\]

 

[RichS]

Anywho,
Here's my shortlist of contenders...

San Tan
New Frontier (from what I understand they make a LOT for other sellers)
Mega/Zev
ADM UIC (I'd be looking at a blem model)
Seekins (their styling looks a little dated to me though)
Andro (which look a LOT like San Tan)
CMT
Silencerco

In the forged camp I'm also looking at
Sharps Livewire
Aero M4E1
Griffin Mk2

 

[JS8588]

What’s that company that has lowers where you can change the magazine well with different funnels, higher mouths, things like that?

Not MGI with the modular mag well for different types of mags, but the billet one with the ability to change the mag well shape options.

Lancer

 

[JS8588]

Add KE Arms to the list.

How big of a funnel do you need? Griffin and Aero both offer forged lowers with funneled mag wells.

Lancer? Doesn't seem to be available stripped any more.

999-000-2720-04 - Lancer Systems L15 Stripped Lower Receiver w/ Competition Magwell - AR15Discounts

Lancer Systems L15 Stripped Lower Receiver w/ Competition Magwell. The L15 lower receiver is machined from 7075-T6 aluminum and features a black anodized fi

ar15discounts.com

 

[Pomyluy]

999-000-2720-04 - Lancer Systems L15 Stripped Lower Receiver w/ Competition Magwell - AR15Discounts

Lancer Systems L15 Stripped Lower Receiver w/ Competition Magwell. The L15 lower receiver is machined from 7075-T6 aluminum and features a black anodized fi

ar15discounts.com

In stock nowhere and not on Lancer's site. Like I said, doesn't seem to be available stripped any more.

 

[JS8588]

In stock nowhere and not on Lancer's site. Like I said, doesn't seem to be available stripped any more.

They were in stock when I posted the link

 

[ZA206]

This one from Griffin is forged + full ambi for a GREAT price!

Griffin Armament

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Sometimes it's cool to have something different. There's nothing wrong with that.

Like a chick with a dick or a hipster. Real cool.

 

[ZA206]

Like a chick with a dick or a hipster. Real cool.

would you like a rainbow lower?

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

would you like a rainbow lower?

 

[ZA206]

View attachment 8378411

Hell yea!!

 

[RichS]

Any thoughts on New Frontier G4 vs JL Billet Skeletor?

 

[Schutzhund99]

UTG Pro has billet sets now even a full ambi

https://www.leapers.com/products-utgpro-flr002.html

 

[MSTN]

No experience with CMT, New Frontier, or ADM.

 

[RichS]

I went with the JL Billet. It’s really nice

 

[LRRPF52]

CMT is Cross Machine Tool, not to be confused with Continental Machine & Tool. Continental has been around for a long time as a huge defense contractor making precision-machined and forged parts for DoD and firearms manufacturers.

I just got some New Frontier Armory receivers in for the Six8, which have larger magazine well dimensions both forward and left-to-right to accommodate the Magpul Six8 PMAGs. They had a sale for billet lowers at some crazy price, $48 I think.

ADM are great for ambi and flared/funneled mag well.

 

[Ernest 5.56]

CMT is Cross Machine Tool, not to be confused with Continental Machine & Tool. Continental has been around for a long time as a huge defense contractor making precision-machined and forged parts for DoD and firearms manufacturers.

I just got some New Frontier Armory receivers in for the Six8, which have larger magazine well dimensions both forward and left-to-right to accommodate the Magpul Six8 PMAGs. They had a sale for billet lowers at some crazy price, $48 I think.

ADM are great for ambi and flared/funneled mag well.

What are you building with the Six8 receivers?

 

[Landon4]

Next level arms builds some nice lowers I had a large frame in 6.5 creedmoor, fit and finish was very clean.

 

[Bobby Ball]

Viking Armament in Grand junction, CO
I have two and I'm very happy with them

VA AR-15 Billet Upper and Lower receiver set - Viking Armament

Not only does this Receiver set look amazing, the overall functionality is unmatched. CNC Machined from aircraft grade billet aluminum The Magwell on our lower design is 80 percent larger, yet it uses 20 percent less material overall. This allows the shooter to conduct a reload under stress...

www.vikingarmament.com

 

[357Max]

Didn’t see this on your list. Best deal out there on large frame set IMO. Thermal forged upper with billet ambi lower. Fit & finish are excellent. Price is hard to believe.

https://bkingsfirearms.com/shop/ar1...pped-billet-receiver-set-w-ambi-bolt-release/

Their set fits so well I can hold it upside down with no pins.
Upper extension is .004 undersized.