I doing some research on my spare lower that just happens to be a pre-ban E.A. j-15, and can not believe what this old piece of history is worth, or at least what some people are paying for lowers just like mine. I have seen one claim of one being sold on ar15.com for $500 for a stripped lower with a broken ear, another case of another stripped j-15 being sold for $700, and it wasn’t even in as good of shape as mine. Another at an auction where the bidding started at $650… What gives? This is just a cast lower, nothing special…at least to me. I was planning to use it in a future build, Now I’m thinking about selling it…Should I?
If you truly get that much out of it I would dump it in a heartbeat.
I take it you dont live in an AWB state? Since it was made pre 94’, it is defacto legal in states where you have to delete the “evil” collapsible stock, pistol grip etc. That makes them more desirable to those interned in AWB areas.
No, I do not. So in other words, my lower would be sought after by residents of say California, NY, and other ban states.
The value is to those who live in ban states and have to neuter their weapons to comply with local laws.
Pre-ban lowers will allow you to bypass the shenanigans.
I’d sell it too if you think you can get that much. Thats a good chunk of ammo 
ETA IG put it best. Friggin Shenanigans.
Ok, so now I know why it would be worth what some have paid…now how do I go about selling it? I know there has to be some members on here that reside in one of those states, who would be potentially interested. If it was yours, what price do you think would be fair? I am not out to take anyone to the cleaners, but at the same time, I need the money.
I just missed out on one on ARFCOM for $400
That lower brings up a lot of bad memories. I used it for my 1st build around 1990. I got screwed so many times from my inexperience.
I asked my local gun store to order me an Eagle Arms lower. I assumed E.A. stood for Eagle Arms. Didn’t find out to later that it was Essential Arms & a casting. There were some problems with the lower. The main one was that the rifle would occasionally not pick up a round. My inexperienced guess at the time was that the mag release cutout was too low or the take down & pivot holes were out of spec (there was a huge gap between upper & lower).
I would sell it & buy a good lower from a known company. I would only use for a build if I lived in a ban state and then only for a fun gun.
I got screwed on other parts for that build. One that I still remember is the charging handle. A guy had one in the wrapper at a gun show. I asked if it was USGI & he said yes. He didn’t lie. Turned out to be a well used USGI that he had spray painted. Another guy sold me some misc parts for the barrel that were supposedly USGI too. However, the delta ring was plastic and the handguards were used & painted to look new. I learned the hard way on that build.
Sell it to someone who needs it.
Buy another lower and a case of ammo, or a good factory complete lower and call it a day.
I’ve found that a pair of testicles has allowed me to bypass horse shit laws.
I’d never build a cast lower to get the rifle I want.