AR Pistol

Tatershooter

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Getting the itch to build an ar15 pistol. Are there any lowers that I need to stay away from or are they all ok? Is there a more preferred caliber?
 
The vast majority of all AR lowers are forged by a small handful of companies. So the brand name on the lower really doesn't matter. You can spend $40 or $150 on a stripped lower, and the only difference between the two may be the name stamped on the side.

When it comes to caliber, you have a lot of good options. Barrel length can play into it. If you don't mind a 10-11 inch barrel, a 5.56 is great. If you're planning to go shorter, a 300blk or 9mm may be more your speed.
 
The vast majority of all AR lowers are forged by a small handful of companies. So the brand name on the lower really doesn't matter. You can spend $40 or $150 on a stripped lower, and the only difference between the two may be the name stamped on the side.

When it comes to caliber, you have a lot of good options. Barrel length can play into it. If you don't mind a 10-11 inch barrel, a 5.56 is great. If you're planning to go shorter, a 300blk or 9mm may be more your speed.

I agree with this. The lower is either in spec or it isn't. Who makes it and how much you pay for it is just a matter of pride for many people. As well as what he said about the caliber, >10 5.56 is good, <10 PCC or 300blk.
 
I agree most basic forged lowers are fairly equal from a function standpoint.
But there are many high quality, billet, etc. that are not equal to an Anderson, for example. Different features, better finishes, tighter tolerances, etc.

Just because an Anderson is "in spec" doesn't make it equal to say, a JP or Noveske (not that anyone is saying it's equal).
Nothing to do with pride, it's a matter of quality, functionality, and performance. Just my opinion.
 
I agree most basic forged lowers are fairly equal from a function standpoint.
But there are many high quality, billet, etc. that are not equal to an Anderson, for example. Different features, better finishes, tighter tolerances, etc.

Just because an Anderson is "in spec" doesn't make it equal to say, a JP or Noveske (not that anyone is saying it's equal).
Nothing to do with pride, it's a matter of quality, functionality, and performance. Just my opinion.

A lower basically just holds parts. I am not really clear on how one would "functionally" be better or "perform" better. Do you mean it will last longer? Pin holes wont widen? The finish wont wear off?

I am not meaning to come across as combative, but its something that has kinda been on my mind. To me, lowers (as long as they are in spec) remind me of coffee mugs. A basic dollar store ceramic coffee cup will hold coffee just fine. And for years if not decades. An expensive coffee mug that is hand turned and painted by an artist does cost more and is "higher quality", but its function is to still just hold coffee.

Now with uppers, barrels, stuff like that that handles a great deal of sheering forces and stuff I can see there being a different story.
 
A lower basically just holds parts. I am not really clear on how one would "functionally" be better or "perform" better. Do you mean it will last longer? Pin holes wont widen? The finish wont wear off?

I am not meaning to come across as combative, but its something that has kinda been on my mind. To me, lowers (as long as they are in spec) remind me of coffee mugs. A basic dollar store ceramic coffee cup will hold coffee just fine. And for years if not decades. An expensive coffee mug that is hand turned and painted by an artist does cost more and is "higher quality", but its function is to still just hold coffee.

Now with uppers, barrels, stuff like that that handles a great deal of sheering forces and stuff I can see there being a different story.


If you think the serialized chassis of Ar15's are all the same and like coffee mugs, you are certainly entitled to your opinion.
 
If you think the serialized chassis of Ar15's are all the same and like coffee mugs, you are certainly entitled to your opinion.

Well, I was hoping you could provide a little bit of insight. I have never said they were the same.
 
Well, I was hoping you could provide a little bit of insight. I have never said they were the same.

You said they are "either in spec or not" and they "basically just hold parts" and "just like a coffee cup" and "Who makes it and how much you pay for it is just a matter of pride for many people." That's fine if you feel that way. I do not feel that way. It boggles my mind that anyone feels that way, actually.

Because it is not at all like a coffee cup. It's a vital serialized part that holds an assemblage of more important "parts" that make up a deadly weapon. So, it sounded like you wanted an argument a lot more than you wanted insight, to me anyway.

But, if its insight you want, lets take two popular and fairly inexpensive lowers readily available. The Anderson, and the Aero M4e1.

Here is an Anderson lower.
Anderson_Open_Trigger_Guard_StrippedS__64766.1479857592.jpg
Nothing special about it. Just a basic lower for a low price with quality control you would expect for the price point.


Here is the Aero M4E1 Lower

Aero-M4E1-Black-Stripped-Lft-s-o__87887.1512436996.jpg

apar600001c-m4e1-stripped-lower-receiver-3.jpg

Aero lower is better quality. We can tell this just by looking at it. And if you can't, I have had them both in my hands and the quality difference is completely apparent.
Cleaner and more complex machining.
Nicer design
Integrated trigger guard
Threaded bolt catch pin
Has tensioning screw for fit to upper (no roll pin)
Has a threaded detent pin hole
Has a flared magwell (this is huge for competition)

These are "functional" and "performance" upgrades.
 
Last edited:
You said they are "either in spec or not" and they "basically just hold parts" and "just like a coffee cup" and "Who makes it and how much you pay for it is just a matter of pride for many people." That's fine if you feel that way. I do not feel that way. It boggles my mind that anyone feels that way, actually.

Because it is not at all like a coffee cup. It's a vital serialized part that holds an assemblage of more important "parts" that make up a deadly weapon. So, it sounded like you wanted an argument a lot more than you wanted insight, to me anyway.

But, if its insight you want, lets take two popular and fairly inexpensive lowers readily available. The Anderson, and the Aero M4e1.

Here is an Anderson lower.
View attachment 69624
Nothing special about it. Just a basic lower for a low price with quality control you would expect for the price point.


Here is the Aero M4E1 Lower

View attachment 69625

View attachment 69626

Aero lower is better quality. We can tell this just by looking at it. And if you can't, I have had them both in my hands and the quality difference is completely apparent.
Cleaner and more complex machining.
Nicer design
Integrated trigger guard
Threaded bolt catch pin
Has tensioning screw for fit to upper (no roll pin)
Has a threaded detent pin hole
Has a flared magwell (this is huge for competition)

These are "functional" and "performance" upgrades.

I honestly wasn’t looking to argue. Just wanted insight, like you provided, on how one lower can out perform another. I never said one couldn’t be of higher or lower quality. It’s the performance of the two that I am questioning and curious about.

A lot of what you listed are enhancements, no doubt.


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I honestly wasn’t looking to argue. Just wanted insight, like you provided, on how one lower can out perform another. I never said one couldn’t be of higher or lower quality. It’s the performance of the two that I am questioning and curious about.

A lot of what you listed are enhancements, no doubt.

And please note, I never said they were just like coffee mugs. I said they reminded me of them because yes, you can buy super fancy coffee mugs with self stirring attachments and no spill lids, but they both still just hold coffee. If my analogy sits poorly with you I’m sorry. I am quite busy and responding hastily so I admit I’m probably not being as clear as I would like.

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Posting fail. Long story short, I’m still not convinced that a $400 lower is functionally superior to a quality $100. At some point you are paying for brand, aesthetics, and notoriety.


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Thanks guys for the info. I probably will start collecting a piece here and a piece there when each is on sale. I had thought about 9mm with a barrel less than 10" but have not ruled out the 300. There are some things that looks are important as well as functionability, but I want functionability/reliability first. For range shooting and should it be needed for protection I am not concerned so much with looks.
 
I know it has been a while since I started this thread, but I have decided to buy a PSA upper, and a lower kit, .556, and try my hand at finishing a 80% lower. If anyone has a jig they would rent to me since this is my only planned build, I will cover rent and freight both ways. Just PM me, thanks.
 
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