I say “clone” because it will be more M4 inspired than a true clone. But with that said I’m stuck on what lower I want to run. It will be a rattle can job and I don’t want to tie up a lot of money in it, going for a budget build. It’s just going to have a BA M4 barrel which have decent accuracy but I will never shoot it past 100 yards.
I’m stuck on what lower. I’d like to limit the stripped lower to around $300-350. Here are the options I’ve been thinking…
I’m open to any suggestions here.
I built a few range/beaters on PSA, spikes and windham lowers. Have zero issies with either, 3 PSA’,s 2 spikes and 2 windhams.
I’ve read more about Windham Weaponry in the past month than ever. I don’t even know if I remember hearing about them before. What is the deal with them? Have they been around a long time?
Aero is my goto if I can’t get complete LMT lowers
I’m a roll mark snob. I can’t stand a big ugly roll mark like Aero, Spikes, PSA cannons etc. If it looks good or nostalgic I’m ok. So for that reason Aero is out of the question. Though I know their lowers and uppers are GREAT and I also know the difference in all lowers are basically just that, a roll mark.
From what I read WIndham is the original/founding owners of Bushmaster.
I’d buy an OEM 1 or 2 Colt rifle for $775 and then sell the upper for $650. You’d then have $650 and a factory complete Colt lower.
^^^This is a pretty good option, except I would keep the Colt upper as well.^^^
All you would need to have a functional M4 is a set of handguard, a trigger guard, and a stock.
https://www.armsunlimited.com/Colt-OEM-AR15-M4-556mm-Rifle-No-Furniture-p/le6920-oem1.htm
Anderson lowers are $49.
A $300 (stripped) lower sounds pricy for a “blaster”
As long as its in spec, the LPK are more important. I bought spikes and built out a lower and it seems to be in good shape.
PB
Of those shown, I’d take the Geissele. Probably 2nd would be…gulp…the PSA. PSA isn’t my go to. But I have built on multiple PSA lowers with zero problems.
I’ve assembled A couple using Geissele Stripped lowers, and they worked very well. When they were previously very accessible, my standard was Mega, and if I were to buy another today that’s what I would choose.
I see no reason to spend more than $150 For a stripped lower.
A stripped PSA lower with a good LPK from Sionics or SOLGW, BCM, FCD, etc would be fine.
I have used 2 stripped PSA lowers for builds - one had an out-of-spec bolt catch opening and one was OK.
Ruger lower, not a fan but it is functionally OK and the Anderson lower I used is fine but ugly.
The Sionics, LMT, Sabre, NoDak, and Centurion lowers I built on are uniformly good to go. I honestly don’t see a lot of reason to buy “cheap” stripped lowers.
Andy
I like the unbranded one.
I’m surprised at no Armalite Pegasus love
I like the Geissele myself although I don’t have one. Presently using LMT. My next is going to be an ADM4 ambi.
Have you seen the Aero M4A1 clone lowers? While not correct, they do have “Safe,Semi,Auto” markings and no A’s all over them.
From the picture they show it indeed has an A on it.