Hi everyone im looking at building a 9mm carbine pretty soon, and i just had a quick question. With all of these new dedicated 9mm lowers out there im wondering which would be better for reliability. I see the two major differences are the types of magazines they take. I see its either colt mags or glock. I really like the LW lower that takes glock mags so it can share with my side arm. So to my question for those of you that have tried both of these, is there one of them that feeds better than the other? I hope my question is clear enough and thanks for the help.
For the dedicated magwell 9mm lowers that take Glock mags…you can choose between DDLES, Olympic Arms or Lone Wolf. The Olympic has it’s own issues, but as I’ve never even handled one, I can’t comment on it. However, their history points me in the others direction. The Lone Wolf and DDLES are simular but have some subtle differances. The LW mag release is external, while the DDLES is internal. Can’t get screwed up from a knock or drop and looks a lot cleaner. The DDLES magwell is large enough to accommodate the Korean import mags in addition to the Glock factory ones. Not a big deal if you only use the Glocks, but why narrow yourself to one when you can have two? Both will need the bolt carrier machined to feed from the magazines, has to be done no matter which you get. Lastly, both put their product out very slowly. I’ve been to DDLES and the shop is very small. Not a ton of product, but they can control quality to the single item…not just batch or lots of product. I don’t think either are bad, just the DDLES has some featurers that I’d like if I was shopping for one. If you do get one, get the bolt/carrier at the same time. Just me, but I like everything to come from one source instead of bit and pieceing it together. If you do go DDLES, check out their handguards…very nice. These are all an answer to a magazine related problem. The Colt pattern mags work just as well if you spend the money and get quality magazines. It’s when you go cheap that bites you in the ass. Good luck either way, the 9mm is a helluva lot of fun!
Thanks a lot for all the info. I have not heard of the DDLES lower before and i will be looking into them. Again thanks this gives me some more to think about, but its for the better so cant complain.
In rereading your question, I see that you aren’t totally stuck with the Glock mag lowers. For dedicated magwell lowers that use the Colt pattern, look at Rock River Arms, CMMG, DDLESOlympic and Colt to an extent. The RRA, CMMG are full size magwell lowers that have been broached for a 9mm mag only. The DDLES’s magwell is sized totally for a 9mm mag. The Colt magblock is pinned in place. while not totally the same as the others, it will only allow the 9mm mag to go in. I have a RRA SBR built using RRA components and it works fine. Again, the vast majority of feed problems can be traced directly to the magazine. The Metalform mags give the most consistant good use from ALL the others on the market. Quality costs and as such, they are the most expensive. I have a dozen CProducts that, from trial and error, all function wonderfully in mine. I did send many back for exchange until I got the ones that do work. CP is out of buisness now, but their mags can still be bought, but may NOT feed reliably. Buyer beware!! Stick with the Metalform, expensive…but works like a champ.
With the issues you mentioned with some of the different colt mags, would you say that a 9mm carbine with glock mags would be a little more reliable?
The only thing you get with a Glock lower is the knowledge that the magazines work…and work well. Yeah, there’s the whole compatability thing with your pistol if you use a G17/19/26. Lot of engineering to get the Glock mags to work, I’m really not sure if you get anything more outta it. Folks are sure happy about them…I do like that companies are looking at other platforms in order to quality improve the 9mm AR.
Sounds good since I already have a Glock and some 33 round magazines. Thanks for all the information.
Really happy with DDLES.
I had them build the whole thing (upper, lower and bcg) so it could be fully tested prior to shipping… They even did the engravings (for the sbr)…
I love the look of the glock mag lower!
Wow, very nice.
Thats a good looking rifle you have there.
I would like to eventually SBR a DDLES lower to give my 7.5" 9mm a permanent host. They are a very clean looking set up.