Ar or something else?

I'm not entirely opposed to building one but I've looked at a lot of different sites and it seems that a lot of the lowers and uppers are sold out. There's a handful of cheap and expensive ones out there what is the major differences with all of these lowers? What should I be looking for in order to build a quality firearm that will last?

 

Anderson has flooded the market with good quality forged lowers $50.

The the lower parts kit, some are better than others as far as fit, and trigger feel. I like cmmg for cost vs quality on lpks.

Then the upper, there are all kinds of barrels chrome lined nitride stainless and Chromoly.
They all have different pros and cons. I like nitride and stainless.

If you want accuracy free float it with nitride or stainless, long lasting and accurate if its known or advertised as an accurate barrel.

Anything now in days will last, generally speaking.
An AK was mentioned wich would outlast a similarly priced ar.


I would buy a complete upper after shipping ect, it's cheaper and comes headspaced.

Again i would suggest looking at JSE surplus they can build you what you want. I would look into a Wilson barreled upper in stainless.

 

What would be the major difference between a $55 stripped lower and a $200-300 stripped lower?

 

Nothing worth noting.... buy milspec and they're all the same.

 

An Anderson lower with a Palmetto State Armory build kit is about $150 cheaper than the options you listed and gets you a comparable firearm. Buy the tools and build your own, it's really easy and a great way to become familiar with the gun....

 

Probably forged vs billet.

Also it could be from who you are looking at lowers from and who's mark is on the lower (I.E. Larue, Noveske, Daniel Defence etc...)

 

I see the Anderson stripped lower on JSR for $55 Is that a decent lower or would it be worthwhile to spend a little more money?

 

Anderson is gtg. No need to spend more money unless you just want to say you have "xxxxx" brand.

 

This is spot on.

 

If I get a stripped lower I will also need to get obviously a trigger and if I buy a complete assembled upper what else do I need to complete the lower assembly? Would it be better to buy a complete lower?

 

A lower parts kit will have everything for the lower.

 

This is where I got my M&P from, he still has some of those at $600. I bought mine last summer (the original Sport) and got it shipped to my house and paid the FFL fee all for under $600, occasionally this place runs some really good deals. This is the Sport II, so it has the dust cover and forward assist which mine doesn't.

S&W M&P15 SPTII 556NATO 16" 30RD BLK - Firearms

The Rugers are listed at $577 but are currently sold out.

RUGER AR-556 556NATO 16.1" BLK 30RD - Firearms

 

This is a pretty dang good deal for an upper build kit. Only thing you'll need is a bolt carrier group. And they have free shipping over $99

Ar-15 AR 16" Complete Upper Kit 5.56 .223 Nitride Mid Length Socom Barrel ,15 Super Slim Keymod Handguard NO Bcg

 

That's a good deal but with the unmounted barrel the heads pacing needs checked. Kinda challenging for a novice AR gunsmith. Buy a complete assembled upper and everything else is cookie cutter easy.

 

Ya got a point there

 

You need a lower build kit, not just a lower parts kit. Basically a lower parts kit with a buttstock/tube/spring /buffer.
Could be better to buy a complete lower as it will save shipping numerous items and raise the cost.

 

JSE 16" WILSON ARMS 1X9 223 WYLDE MOLY WITH YHM 9638 4 RAIL FLOAT - Closeout Special

Good deal on this,
FYI Wilson arms (not combat)makes rock River arms barrels they have some of the more accurate barrels.

 

So this seems to be a pretty decent rifle especially when it's over $300 off msrp and the prices in stores. AP4 .223/5.56

There might also be a couple of Anderson lowers sitting around the house soon

 

ANDERSON MFG LOWER ASSEMBLED WITH 6 POS MILSPEC STOCK What do y'all think of this? I'm looking at that or a stripped lower for $99 (after FFL transfer)