I have just returned from Sacramento Black Rifle and viewed several stripped lowers that ran from $100 to $200. When I asked the young man behind the counter what explained the difference in price, he said “the quality of anodizing” Huh? What say you? What is your lower of choice to use in a milispec build?
There is a thread in the AR GD on this very subject.
As you will see, there are varying opinions on the subject…
http://creativepromotionalmarketing.com/showthread.php?t=114254
To the OP:
I get my Glocks from them using the Blue Label program. I’m pretty sure that is the area’s LE store of choice as well.
However, just because a kid works at a gun store doesn’t mean he knows what he’s doing. That was a pretty ignorant statement.
Anyway, stick with a known quality LR from a known entity. It may be a few bucks more, but you know everything will line up and fit the way it should.
Or, go to Newtown Firearms in Placerville. The gunsmith there is very knowledgable and AR friendly. He can help you out. You’ll know what I mean if you get there and look around.
I’ve had a great experience with my stripped PSA lower. Fits like a glove with my Rainier upper and was pretty cheap too.
I like Mega forged lowers (OEM for Riflegear and Rainier Arms). They specify the tolerances held to, and the anodizing is a deep black with teflon added (yes you can feel the difference). You can find them for under $110 nowadays.
If you just want something functional, get a blem BCM or PSA.
Pretty much any lower will work with the exception of a few junk companies…just check the one you want for flaws and if its g2g then buy it.
I’ve used two stripped armalite lowers and they were both fine, cheapest ones at the local shop i frequent.
sent from my overcompensation tool known as the galaxy note
My favorites are the Mega Machine made lowers and those made by Barnes Precision Machine. All are in spec and have really nice fit/finish.
This has also been my experience
DD and Noveske have the nicest magwell’s, and KAC and the AXTS ADAC are the nicest ambi’s going.
All of my lowers are Colt’s and LMT’s, but if I was buying a new lower today I would probably go with the AXTS which is really, really nice.
Aero Precision makes nice lowers.
Cant say enough about my Palmetto State Armory lower (or whole rifle for that matter)
I’ll pick up another whenever that $49 deal comes back around
If I didnt go KAC ambi id go Noveske.
LOL, well I guess he could be correct (as there are different types of anodizing), but my guess is that they are all the same in this regard.
To a certain degree, you are paying for a name. Do you want two “cock’s” attempting to beat a spider to death or do you want an Iron Cross??
If you want a TRUE TPD following lower, there is really only one choice and that is Colt. With that said, some of my fav lowers are:
DD
RA
Lancer
Lowers are not nearly as important as what is in them. 
C4
Definately the first option, that is Exactly i want on my rifle. :suicide:
I almost shit myself the first time I saw the “spider smushing cocks”. I don’t know who would ever agree to that design. Yes, I do know it is supposed to be a spider but damn, come on…
So where can one get a lancer lower?
Noveske, LaRue, and BCM are what I own. Three of them are Noveske, two are N4 and 1 in the Gen 2. LMT will probably be my next purchase.
Rainier arms used to, now they just sell the magazine extentions.
There is a difference in the finish from different manufacturers. Other than integrated ambi controls it’s the biggest difference I see between lowers. I don’t think the difference is worth $100.
Lowers from AP, PSA, SAA have a less robust finish than lowers from AXTS, Noveske, ArmaLite and Mega.
DOD shows different types/classes of mil-spec finish, the problem is finding the details on this.
Sacramento Black Rifle still exists?