Hi,
Have a friend who is buying his first receiver during this crazy time.
What are your suggestions.
This was mine.
MEGA ARMS AMBI BILLET LOWER
Please offer suggestions and the reasons to why. I’m tired of explaining to him the differences in quality etc.etc…
If buying my first lower today I’d base my decision on availability.
Which lowers can he get?
IF all lowers were available it would be(in no order)- DD, BCM, Colt, Noveske, LaRue, or KAC. Nothing else for me.
If he can find one…get it!
I put an Aero lower on backorder at Brownells. Had been meaning to build a rifle for my wife and figure I better get it done!
I have no personal experience with these lowers but have read only good things.
My wife also likes the engraving on their newer ones. Her name starts with an A and the new engraving is a big A on one side and a little A on the other. I figure if she likes it she’ll shoot it more!
KAC, or AXTS.
This. The chances of finding a reasonably priced lower right now are slim. The chances of finding a reasonably prices top shelf lower are even slimmer.
Yeah, what he said… But Mega is not bad if that is what is available. I have a Mega upper and lower that I will eventually build into, I’ll call it, a long term storage gun. The quality seems good.
I use primarily Noveske, but also have a BCM and LMT.
But if you can find the Noveske or DD, these are the most common of the quality lowers available in NORMAL times.
I’d add LMT too, but usually you have to buy these as complete lowers I think. The machining on the LMT is not as fine as the Noveske by a long shot, BUT is it still a very good lower because it is perfectly in spec (from what I can tell). All the holes are in the right place, the magwell is just right, and the LMT fits all my uppers. It is dimensionally correct, just not as slick as a noveske. I like everything to be interchangeable.
Right now availability is going to be the problem. You almost have to order a complete rifle to get all the pieces right now. I cannot find a quality complete BCG to save my life. Fortunately, for me it is for a backup to the backup to the backup, etc.
Just start hunting, I’m sure some of the manufacturers are ramping up.
OH, ONE LAST THING, getting a billet lower vs. a forged lower is a waste for a first rifle. Unless that is all you can get.
I use Noveske for my builds but at the moment whatever you can get
I have four Aero Precision lowers. Two on hand, two at my dealer waiting transfer. The two I have are spotless and have offered no issues in our builds. Visually they are every bit as good looking as my Daniel Defense lower.
I find it tough to justify spending money for a Mega billet lower. It really offers me nothing that PSA, AeroPrecision or BCM lowers offer at far less money. If it were me and I HAD to have a lower soon I would be getting in on the Tactical Machining pre-order at Brownells. Then, have fun finding the rest of the parts.
A lower is a lower. Unless your getting a really shitty one or a really nice one (Noveske gen 2) they are all the same. Especially in these times. Get it while you can. I’d even buy a bushmaster/dpms/stag lower right now if i could find one and take a hit to the ego from the roll mark. Though if i could pick i would not support or advertise for such companies.
I picked up a couple lrb lowers for cheap right after the terrible event.
For a “one and only” I’d suggest a forged lower, not a billet one.
Pick your favorite roll mark from a manufacturer that doesn’t have QC concerns and build away.
I just placed an order for 2 axts lowers, got word they are going to have some blemished lowers come in soon. PM if anyone wants some info.
I like JD Machine. Not many options out there right now, I would try to find a Forged vs Billet if possible.
Forged MEGA. The end.
If I could have one and only one lower it would be a Noveske, LMT, or Bravo Company.
A lower is a lower. Unless your getting a really shitty one or a really nice one (Noveske gen 2) they are all the same.
Anything except a polymer, at this point.
+1 here, stay away from the polymer lowers. Also, have some patience. I think this madness will pass. Nothing has been passed yet.