[Hot Sauce NARC]

i was wondering if i decided to go out (more likely the internet) and buy a lower to build up a rifle what calibers will work with the standard .223/5.56 lower, and my second question is: is the lower receiver the only part i have to get from an ffl dealer?

[junho806]

well obviously 5.56/.223 will work i think you can do 7.62 but not sure
and yes the lower receiver is the only piece that has to go through FFL transfer since it has serial number on it. everything else can be shipped right to your home

[Txhillbilly]

22lr
204 Ruger
223/5.56
7.62x39
9mm
6.5 grendel
300 Whisper-300 Fireball-300/221 (all the same thing)
I've worked all nite,thats all I can think of right now.

[Dillinger]

TXHillbilly has a good list, but you can also add .45 ACP to the list.

The AR-15 lower will not be able to handle .308 ( 7.62 x 51mm ) but it will handle the AK 7.62 x 39mm.

Yes, the lower is the only part that requires an FFL - which is one of the key reasons I feel this platform is so superior to everything else out there.

One lower, with multiple uppers, gives you applications for almost every need without having to buy complete, single use weapons.

JD

[Txhillbilly]

Thanks JD,I forgot about 45acp. I haven't seen any uppers in that cal. in a while. Oh yeah,I also thought up some more.
450 Bushmaster
458 SOCOM
and lets not leave out the
50 Beowolf
I think that is just about it for the run of the mill public offerings for the AR15 platform.

[Dick Manley]

Dont forget the 6.8 SPC, 5.45x39

-DM-

[Dillinger]

Oh, good addition Hillbilly. That .458 Socom & the .50 Beowulf are NASTY cartridges that would do a hell of a lot of damage at close range.

JD

[Hot Sauce NARC]

Hey thanks guys. very helpful. lets say i wanted to go with .243, how hard is it to find lowers that will accept that cartridge?

[slowryde45]

Originally Posted by Hot Sauce NARC

i was wondering if i decided to go out (more likely the internet) and buy a lower to build up a rifle what calibers will work with the standard .223/5.56 lower, and my second question is: is the lower receiver the only part i have to get from an ffl dealer?

Well since you asked...this is a list borrowed from another site (ar15.com)

Q: How many calibers can I get uppers that fit my .223 (AR-15) lower? What are they?
A: While the list is nearly endless with all the wildcats possible. Here are the some of the more common and more interesting uppers that are (or have been) produced for the standard AR-15 lower:


223/5.56 and based upon that case
6 x 45
7 x 40
357 Mag Rimless
300 Whisper / .300Fireball / 300-.221
6.5 x 40
.30 Coyote (30 x 45)
.17 Remington
.17 Mach IV
.20 Tactical
.19 Calhoun

5.7 FN (developed by Rhinland Arms - no word yet on who is going to mfg it)

.204 Ruger

6.8 SPC
30 HRT
338 Spectre
10 mm Mag
35/40
219 WASP-C
7.62 x 40

5.45x39
7.62 x 39
.338 x 39
6 PPC
6.5 Grendel / 6.5 AR / 6.5 PPC Improved
22 PPC
7 sCAR ....

30 Carbine
5.45x39 / .21 Ghengis

7 BR
6.5 BR
300 Sabre

8mm (belt fed upper)
.308 (again a belt fed upper - no longer available)

458 SOCOM
44 Mag
440 CorBon
44 AMP
.475 Tremor
50AE
499LW
50 Beowulf

.50 BMG (single shot)
.50 Blackpowder (1 made)

9mm
45ACP
32ACP
22 LR
17 HV
10mm
7.62x25
224 BoZ
7.62x24
9x23
.357 Sig
.357 Auto
40S&W

223 WSSM
243 WSSM

With thanks to Marty at Teppu-Jitsu for starting this list.

How many are still available and by who, is anyone's guess. Like they say...let your fingers (or mouse ) do the walking.

Slo

[slowryde45]

Originally Posted by Hot Sauce NARC

Hey thanks guys. very helpful. lets say i wanted to go with .243, how hard is it to find lowers that will accept that cartridge?

Try here....

DPMS

DPMS: AR-15 Rifles, Parts and Accessories.

Remington

Remington Model R-25™

Olympic Arms

Olympic Arms, Inc. - AR-15 Conversion Units

Probably others...but that's a start.

Slo