My experiences with different lowers

[DavidB]

For anyone interested I thought I would share my experiences with assembling different AR lowers. While I may say something negative about one mfg or another I want to say that everyone of them functioned perfectly (I might add that the one most commom problem I've seen with functionality is with gas block alignment on bull barrel uppers but that's another story).
Not in any particulat order
Bushmaster:
I've assembled eight of them. Only bad thing I've encountered is sometimes the holes for the roll pins seem to tight. If they don't drive in easily, I'll use a small round file. Color matches well with most uppers.
Eagle/Armalite:
Three of them. One of those had the hole drilled too short for the safety detent.
Rock River:
Three of those also. Same problem on all three, The hole for the pivot detent pin was too short. I lost several detents & springs trying before realizing this. Had to cut some length off the spring.
DPMS:
Four of these. No problems. Color match with some uppers were poor.
Colt:
Four of these. No problems but don't like the price (one Colt = two Rock Rivers) or the use of proprietary internal parts. Some of them have very grey colors.
Hess:
Nope, I'd like to try one but everyone is afraid to buy after hearing all the negative stories.

BATF disclaimer. These guns are not mine. I just helped their owners assemble them.

David

[BattleRifleG3]

Thanks a bunch for that info! I'm looking at building an AR and would like to use the DPMS stainless if possible, though they have stopped production, maybe temporarily, maybe not.

When you say the DPMS color didn't match all uppers, wouldn't that suggest that it was the upper that had the color variance? DPMS is currently my #1 choice since I've heard only good things about their rifles and lowers, and they have all looked superb in person.

[imanaknut]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing!

[BattleRifleG3]

During a call to FAC, the representative said she believed their DPMS aluminum lowers were cast, not forged. I had the impression that they were forged, and such info may drive me closer to an Olympic or Mega/Stinger arms lower. Anyone able to compare Olympic to DPMS to Stinger/Mega?

[Tony_Tromix]

DPMS makes both cast and forged lowers.

[Messiah Jones]

Good thread. I need a lower...

-Does it matter if it's forged or cast, or is that the uppers that you worry about that on?

-Where can I get the best bang for my buck online?

I have to go as cheap as possible without getting a piece of crap. I know, we all do.

[Epinephrine]

:jump: :jumping:

[shamayim]

Originally posted by Messiah Jones
Good thread. I need a lower...

-Does it matter if it's forged or cast, or is that the uppers that you worry about that on?

-Where can I get the best bang for my buck online?

I have to go as cheap as possible without getting a piece of crap. I know, we all do.

Cast lowers sometimes break, usually at the back end. Since the 2 companies that still make cast lowers, DPMS and Olympic, sell their forged lowers for only about $10 apiece more, why would you risk that to save $10?

Re DPMS, I have found the quality of their internal parts to be very spotty. They buy their internals from different suppliers, and may get a good batch one time and crap the next time. I bought a complete DPMS lower a couple of years ago, and when I took it out of the bubble wrap discovered that the buttstock was gouged, the bolt holdopen piece was totally out of spec, the mag release button, while funstional, was so wierdly shaped I couldn't stand the sight of it, and the disconnector was a cheap ass stamping. Hammer and trigger were fine. For what it cost to replace the crappy parts, I could have just about paid the difference for a Bushmaster.

I haunt the gun shows for used Colt GI parts. Rather have them in my piece than any of the new commercial stuff, with the possible exception of Bushie. You can "legalize" all the GI surp internal pieces, w/the exception of the selector, w/a Dremel tool.:)

[Jasoncookus]

Originally posted by BattleRifleG3
During a call to FAC, the representative said she believed their DPMS aluminum lowers were cast, not forged. I had the impression that they were forged, and such info may drive me closer to an Olympic or Mega/Stinger arms lower. Anyone able to compare Olympic to DPMS to Stinger/Mega?

Stinger and Mega are the same company, but the Mega has a knurled grip on the front of the mag well..

the quality is 99%/100 (most lowers, to me are in the 80%/100)

I own three, and did month of looking and toying around before finally buying and building based off personal experience with the different lowers on the market.

I wouldnt trade my mega for a colt any day. nope never.

-Jason

[Jasoncookus]

Oly's are only good if you pay for the higher priced *max hard models or similar... the rest, basically they have poor finishes and can be a pain in the ass to get the roll pins into

-Jason

[EOD]

I just got a Lauer Custom Works (LMT) lower, that's real nice. Everything went together fine, and this was my first. Check out Ameetec Arms, I'm ordering 3 of those. Excellent reviews so far

[Epinephrine]

I want to try out one of LMT's new Manolithic uppers that have the quick change barrels!

[Jasoncookus]

well.. lauer lowers are made specifically for the custom gun shop.. so buying a lower with their name on it, kinda seems like cheating because you arent having a qualified lauer employee work on it...

well.. at least thats how I feel.

-JAson

[thedaledoe]

anyone tried any of hte carbon fiber receivers?

[remy1492]

Mega Lowers come already assembled with lower parts for $50 and a $10 installation charge.

Great fitting lowers and great black finish.

I have Oly, DPMS, Bushy and Mega and the Mega are the best so far.