AR lowers? Best ones for $200 or less?

[Almond27]

I've been toying around with the idea of an AR for a little over a half a year now and have finally decided I'm going to build one. I'm on a pretty tight budget so I'm looking for the best quality lower for around $200 or less to start with. Any suggestions are appreciated.

[poak]

I like the HK style bullet markings on the Spike's, but I've heard great things about Tactical Innovations lowers. They have an adjustable screw that helps to ensure a nice and tight fit between your upper and lower. I'm planning on buying one for my next build.

Maybe contact Hero-Gear and see what they've got in-stock.

[Guest TennFarmer]

I'd say to steer clear of anything not made from aluminum. There are composite ones that have been failing (Vulcan's). Stick with the forged aluminum lowers, then it's about looks. Hero's has got some nice'ns

[gtssilver]

I one from spikes a month or so ago. they are a great company to do business with. I had my lower done is all tan with an american flag etched on the mag well and they got it out really quick (in under a week!)

I originally called hero gear they told me it would be a while and from the way they talked they were not interested in ordering a custom lower the way I wanted so I got a buddy here in Chattanooga that has his FFL to place the order.

[BimmerFreak]

I one from spikes a month or so ago. they are a great company to do business with. I had my lower done is all tan with an american flag etched on the mag well and they got it out really quick (in under a week!)

I originally called hero gear they told me it would be a while and from the way they talked they were not interested in ordering a custom lower the way I wanted so I got a buddy here in Chattanooga that has his FFL to place the order.

I dont know who you talked to, hell it may have been me, but because of the piss-poor leadtime on Spikes lowers, we don't special order them.

If there is a special configuration you desire, the best way to get things done is call Spikes, order whatever you want, and have it shipped to your favorite FFL.

Dealers make nothing (maybe 25 bucks) when selling a Spikes lower, and we have found that dealing with pissed and impatient customers and their special order for Spikes just isnt worth it.

Regardless how patient and cool a customer sounds the day we agree to order said lower, I can tell you that they never seem to remain that way.

Dealers have no control on how long it will take for your item to arrive, so countless calls and emails to us wont speed things up.

That being said; We currently have around 100 lowers in stock, and another 700-1000 on order.

We have lowers in stock from:

Smith and Wesson

Spikes Tactical (color filled bullet markings)

Tactical Innovations

All are under 200 bucks and are of high quality.

[I_Like_Pie]

I one from spikes a month or so ago. they are a great company to do business with. I had my lower done is all tan with an american flag etched on the mag well and they got it out really quick (in under a week!).

I agree...the best way to get them custom/tricked out is to call them directly and go to gunbroker to find a local FFL who only deals with transfers. For $25 they don't get upset with the order because many don't actually sell products that compete with store stock.

That is only sound advice, however, for the people that know exactly what they need. many folks don't and are better served by hero gear.

Either way...it is sure is about the worst time to start building as everything is scarce, expensive, and uncertain. Wouldn't think it could be this way with the Armalite patent gone and everyone + their mother making lower receivers these days.

[strickj]

I do believe Skips has some in stock for under that price.Not sure what brand though

I went with a Spikes myself,and had Skip do the trans.

[Almond27]

Thanks for the replies guys, I may have to make a trip to hero gear next weekend and just pick one up. I am leaning towards Smith and Wesson but might strongly look at Spikes I've seen strickj's spikes lower before and it looked nice. Other than markings, do you think there is any difference in them at all? I mean in quality?

[poak]

Thanks for the replies guys, I may have to make a trip to hero gear next weekend and just pick one up. I am leaning towards Smith and Wesson but might strongly look at Spikes I've seen strickj's spikes lower before and it looked nice. Other than markings, do you think there is any difference in them at all? I mean in quality?

I'm sure somebody somewhere makes a real crap lower, but for the most part a lower is a lower (aside from some of the cast lowers that Olympic made, which I think they quit doing), splurge on the upper

[TripleDigitRide]

I'm far from an expert, but I'm very happy with my Spike Tactical lower.

[Wingshooter]

I picked up a Roggio Arsenal lower for pretty cheap (they can still be found in the $130 - $150 range). They are a very new company, and I have read good and bad reviews about them. I will be installing the lower parts this week. Anyone have any experience with them (good or bad)? I am very happy with the finish... just hope the fit is good.

Next, I plan to head over to Hero Gear and pick up a S&W lower .

Here is my Roggio lower and 30 round mag:

Edited March 23, 2009 by Batman

[gtssilver]

Dealers make nothing (maybe 25 bucks) when selling a Spikes lower, and we have found that dealing with pissed and impatient customers and their special order for Spikes just isnt worth it.

Regardless how patient and cool a customer sounds the day we agree to order said lower, I can tell you that they never seem to remain that way.

Dealers have no control on how long it will take for your item to arrive, so countless calls and emails to us wont speed things up.

That being said; We currently have around 100 lowers in stock, and another 700-1000 on order.

We have lowers in stock from:

Smith and Wesson

Spikes Tactical (color filled bullet markings)

Tactical Innovations

All are under 200 bucks and are of high quality.

You actually have them in stock!? I guess I was one of the pissed off impatient "customers" B/C after 3 months of calling and waiting (for a standard nothing special lower) for you to get spikes lowers I gave up and had a buddy order it (the way I wanted it)

I think I did talk you you once on the phone Joe. You were the only person from your store who did not give me the run around.

[BimmerFreak]

You actually have them in stock!? I guess I was one of the pissed off impatient "customers" B/C after 3 months of calling and waiting (for a standard nothing special lower) for you to get spikes lowers I gave up and had a buddy order it (the way I wanted it)

I think I did talk you you once on the phone Joe. You were the only person from your store who did not give me the run around.

I think the week of the election, we had around 100 assorted lowers in stock.

By the end that week we were out.

This is because we held our prices, unlike others.

We had an order in for 200 lowers with Spikes a few days after the election, were informed that the priced had jumped about 30 bucks a unit, and to expect them around Thanksgiving time.

After about 4 promises that "they would shipping next week" and a wait of at least 90 days, we have seen them trickle in 20 to 50 at a time.

It is what it is man. That is the exact reason why im not interested in taking special orders for anything from Spikes.

These are weird times my friend.

I can do my best to have as much of "the good stuff" on hand as possible, and can pretty much guarantee I have more of it than ANY dealer in TN, perhaps the SE.

If it's in stock, it will be fairly priced so come get it.

If it's not in stock, there is a good chance it may already be on order so be patient.

Either way, sounds like you got squared away.

[Guest The Cat]

I'm sure somebody somewhere makes a real crap lower, but for the most part a lower is a lower (aside from some of the cast lowers that Olympic made, which I think they quit doing), splurge on the upper

Yeah, Oly quit making cast lowers a good while ago because the cost of making forged ones dropped drastically. Cast lowers are SO 1988!

+1 on staying away from polymer/composite lowers.

Personally, I like any manufacturer that uses CMT's products. That'd be Stag (their house brand), S&W, and others. I've even seen their uppers on Bushmasters.

My carbine 'grew' from a Stag lower I bought at a show a year or two ago. Couldn't beat the price so I jumped on it. Got it home, was playing around with it after I added all the innards - fit and finish every bit as good as my Bushmaster.

Besides, the deer head on the side is bound to freak out the Fudds!

[exiton]

Essential Arms!

[Guest TennFarmer]

Essential Arms!

They have had them in stock both times I got thru to them. (getting thru is the challange). The last 2 i bought were $105 + $15 shipped (each)to my FFL. Took about a week to get them each time.