What would you consider to be a fair price for a locally purchased (tax & FFL fees included) Aero Precision made lower?
I’m on the fence and need to be shoved off one side or the other for a spare lower purchase.
Thanks,
Dave
In my opinion, for an Aero Precision I would say if it falls under $101, buy it. If not, I would pass, nothing against AP, just my opinion. I just bought a PSA lower (made by AP) for $100.97 including taxes and fee. How much is your FFL’s price?
$87 OTD.
Fare price for you or the dealer (trying to keep their lights on, pay their stupid high liability insurance or feed their family)?
C4
From what I have seen, Aero lowers sell for under $100 usually. FFL fees, at least in my crappy state vary wildly.
Just a frame of reference, but the FFL fee on a SAA lower was more than the lower at 4/5 gun stores in NJ lol
Grant,
For most levelheaded people I think they are one and the same. I don’t think a sensible person would expect you or any other dealer to sell things below cost. And no good reseller would mark-up an item to by an unreasonable amount.
I don’t know about this. I am constantly asked if I can sell something for below my cost. Had an M4C member ask for a package deal on the Colt 6940 and Aimpoint PRO (which we already sell on our website for $1640. I said we can work with you you, what did you have in mind. The guy wanted the 6940 for $87 dollars below my DISTRIBUTOR price and the Aimpoint for my cost. :rolleyes:
C4
How many receivers are you looking for? LRB sells their lowers for less than $60 each if you buy a 10 pack. Wideners sells LRBs for $70. They aren’t Aero Precision, but they are good lowers.
Surplus Ammo & Arms sells Aero Precision lowers for $80 before tax license and registration.
New Frontier sells an Aero Precision 3 pack for $210
Interesting phrasing, because I consider AP the lowest spec I’m mostly happy with. All the machining they do seems perfect, but they don’t flare the magwell much (none at the front) and usually leave a rough flash at the lower rear (covered by many grips, not by an A2 or Hogue though). I’ve also found the anodizing to be less tough than other brands of lowers I’ve used. I’m still happy with my AP lowers because of how little I paid for them, but I don’t consider them a premium lower. I haven’t handled or seen an LRB in person but what I’ve read suggests that it might be better than an AP.
What I meant by my comment is that JavalinaDave is specifically looking for an Aero Precision lower and did not mention any others.
I prefer the LRB over the Aero Precision for personal reasons which are unimportant.
I don’t feel any of the “premium” lowers of a standard configuration are any better in function or performance over the AP or LRB and cannot justify the added cost. I certainly would not buy a RRA, DPMS or Olympic Arms receiver when the AP & LRB is available at less cost.
These are my opinions based on my research and limited experience with ARs and I’m just trying to help out in my small way. For all I know, I’ve drifted out of my lane and directly into oncoming traffic!
No worries, I wasn’t attacking you or AP, just noting some minor drawbacks in an otherwise excellent value, and that LRB seemed to be comparable quality at apparently comparable price.
PSA (AP) stripped lower will supposedly be $49 over Labor Day…supposedly. We shall see.
There was another recent thread discussing PSA lowers which suggested that while PSA’s first batch was AP, their more recent batch seemed to be machined and finished by a different shop. IIRC both versions were considered excellent, they just weren’t necessarily the same.
Really, when lowers cost as much as (or less than) scope mounts, or about as much as 4-5 Pmags, it’s time to buy several without worrying too much.
Thanks, SOG. I didn’t feel your response was an attack and all is well. Just felt I needed to make a clarification.
Also, while I am comfortable with my opinions on this subject, my experience is still limited. I wanted to be clear about that as well
If there isn’t cotton candy and a ferris wheel, it isn’t a fair…
Anytime the word fair is used, somebody is about to get BF’d.
I’d go for it. Of course you can order any number of lower receivers online, but when you total up the shipping + FFL fees (a lot of places around me charge $45 although there is one shop that does it for $25) + the cost of the lower, it makes more sense to buy it at your gunshop.
I picked it up earlier today. I figured that by the time I paid to ship it and paid the transfer fee I’m in for at least $87. This way I walked in with cash and walked out with the receiver. Done deal and thanks for those who constructively chimed in.
FWIW at least two dealers local to me have them for $85, OTD.
I’m no expert, but I’m very pleased with the one I bought. I think anything this side of $100 is a very good deal.
Are AP lowers considered GTG?
I’ve assembled two of them and handled several more. Here’s my short take:
-all machining that’s done appears to be done very well
-hole sizes seem correct and all pins inserted with the proper force (moderate force for rollpins, drop-in fit (less than light finger pressure) for trigger/hammer pins)
-magwell fits all mags I’ve tried (GI, Pmags, Tangodown, Lancer L5, Lancer AWM, others)
-mating dimensions work with all uppers I’ve tried
-as I noted, AP lowers typically have magwell openings that have little flaring on the sides and no flaring or beveling at the front - most other brands of lowers have some flaring all around, somewhat greater than even the side flaring on the AP lowers
-AP lowers typically leave forging flash at the rear between the pistol grip mount and the buffer tube mount. If you use a MOE or Ergo grip this area is covered by the grip. If you use a GI or Hogue grip it isn’t covered and could be a source of irritation.
-the anodizing seems less tough than the anodizing on other receivers I’ve used, although still pretty good.
Thanks for your thorough reply. It seems that the finish may be in question then? And by that I mean, is the finish TYPE III anodizing? I have put some lowers together where the buffer detent hole was machined a little too far back causing the buffer to smack up against the detent. Not good, so that’s why I was asking about the quality of the AP lower.