AR Stripped Lower Quality???? DPMS, Del-Ton, PSA etc.

[canaan24]

ODTers,
This is one of my first forum post, as I have pondered this question for a while. So any assistance those of you with more knowledge than me please feel free to share.

When considering quality as it pertains to ARs, most of what I have seen in research, forums, magazines etc. is in terms of the comparisons dealing mainly with the quality of the completed Complete Upper Assemblies, (i.e. Barrells, BCGs, Upper Receiver (feed ramp etc), metals used, Stamped vs Hammer forged, twist rates, gas systems, lower parts, buffer springs etc). And these arguments make sense.

With all of that said, are their any quality concerns/comparisons when comparing the "Bare Bones" Stripped lowers of the brands mentioned in the thread title. I am talking about the metal lowers, not the composite ones.

Does it really matter as most of these lowers are mil-spec?
Is there that much of a significant difference in the metals/alloys of the lowers?

Or is it that basically that the stripped metal lower is equivalent to the standard 500 hp Engine, and you are just putting/pairing it in a Ferrari or El Camino? And the Quality of the AR item is in the parts assembled around the stripped lower/engine

P.S. Apologies to the Gear Heads, but that is the most basic analogy I could think of.

Thanks in advance.

 

[NWSharpshooter]

A lower is a lower is a lower is a lower. There is no difference in Milspec forged lowers, although certain brands will command more of a premium.

 

[RdKill]

It's ALL about the logo. I refuse to own an AR with a picture of an AR, a cat's head, a deer, or a zombie. Anything else is negotiable. Hell, I have 2 with chickens now thanks to the ODT lol

 

[Cobalt 60]

It's ALL about the logo. I refuse to own an AR with a picture of an AR, a cat's head, a deer, or a zombie. Anything else is negotiable. Hell, I have 2 with chickens now thanks to the ODT lol

I want a pic of a Zombie deer with a cat's head and chicken's wings.

 

[RdKill]

I want a pic of a Zombie deer with a cat's head and chicken's wings.

Talk to OS...could be the next gen ODT lower if you can work a taco in somehow

 

[Cobalt 60]

Talk to OS...could be the next gen ODT lower if you can work a taco in somehow

Forgot to mention eating a taco. While flipping ammo.

The real difference from my observation is that higher end lowers have nicer fit and finish. My Ft. Daniel lower mates up so nicely with the RRA upper that is on it now that I can push the pins out with my thumbs, but there is only the slightest amount of wiggle. My S&W is not nearly so easy to disassemble. Of course, if the upper is not well aligned, it won't matter how good the lower is.

The high end lowers might be made of higher quality material (I don't know - guessin) but unless you are a level 5 mall ninja super operator, there is little chance durability will be an issue.

 

[ForestGnome]

All standard lowered are made to the same specs with the same material. Most companies (even the $$$ brands) get their lowers, atleast the raw forgings, from the same few companies.

 

[RdKill]

My S&W is my easiest AR to take down out of 6. I have a couple, I can't even take down with a bullet...have to use a plastic punch and a hammer to tap the pins out they are so tight.

 

[offbeat404]

My S&W is my easiest AR to take down out of 6. I have a couple, I can't even take down with a bullet...have to use a plastic punch and a hammer to tap the pins out they are so tight.

that what she said

 

[Cobalt 60]

All standard lowered are made to the same specs with the same material. Most companies (even the $$$ brands) get their lowers, atleast the raw forgings, from the same few companies.

Billet lowers would be an exception. I don't think it makes much of a difference in performance, if any, but they sure do look nice!

If you are looking for functionality, I think any name brand is as good as another.