[Powersportgiant]

Guys,

I have 4 rifles currently, and I am selling all but one of them to build myself a really good rifle. I found a good deal on a Daniel Defense V5 upper ($835 OTD w/ 3 pmags) and need suggestions on lowers. From what I understand, any Mil Spec lower is going to be all about the same. Then Just need a lower parts kit to throw in it and a stock. This is my first build and I am looking to build one quality rifle. I am not trying to start any on going discussions on this, just looking for help from those on here that are very familiar. I appreciate it !

 

[okdonk]

Nice upper, cant go wrong with DD! Yes you need a milspec lower with a good lpk. The supply of lowers are getting low.. so they are hard to get. Go with the rollmark you like best otherwise PSA lower is good. I highly recommend PSA lpk with ALG combat trigger. Happy hunting & building

 

[AgentTikki]

Q started up a nice thread...
http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f20/pictures-lower-receivers-38440/

If you have some time, check out the roll marks and see which ones you like! Then try and track them down.

For the most part most forged lowers are going to be about the same. So long as they are milled within tolerance you aren't gonna see much of a difference.

Some forged lowers are going to have better fit and finish than others. Some others might have little differences such has flared mag-wells , tensioner bolts to remove upper and lower play, and amibidexerous controls.

If you are looking for a budget build, check out PSA and Aeroprecision.

Billet lowers have much cleaner lines, are usually a bit heavier (but not necessarily stronger). Some have the aforementioned extras all are more expensive than most forged counterparts.

Happy hunting! Don't forget to post pron!

 

[Quentin]

Excellent choice in an upper. You're correct that you can go with just about any stripped lower receiver, most are milspec and made of 7075-T6 alloy. I would suggest choosing one that you'll be proud of and has enhancements like a flared magazine well. BCM comes to mind and they sell slightly blemished complete lowers for around $300. Some people like billet lowers and if you're military you might like Quentin Defense (no relation!) military editions. I have the US Army edition and have a thread with more info.

As far as the LPK, there are many good choices. Sometimes you can find DD's kit for about $80.

 

[Powersportgiant]

Thanks guys, some good quality advice here. I am not prior service, but would like a good looking roll mark. Any suggestions on a place to get an stripped lower with a nice rollmark? Reasonably priced please. Also, from what I see, the price on the upper is a good price, am I right?

 

[okdonk]

Your upper is in a decent reasonable price. As long as its not past $900 or $1k . Try gunbroker.com & aimsurplus.com for Spike's lowers. Sorry i dont know where to look for other brands lowers as i only like Spike's lowers . Or u can even order straight from Spike's IF u dont mind waaaaaittttiiinnnng. They are backlogged with orders.

 

[Quentin]

My Daniel Defense upper is on a S&W lower which is a great physical fit and the finish matches almost perfectly. Sometimes you can find their stripped lowers for $100-130 and they come with a great rollmark plus flared magwell. I call that AR my Dan Wesson.

 

[Powersportgiant]

My Daniel Defense upper is on a S&W lower which is a great physical fit and the finish matches almost perfectly. Sometimes you can find their stripped lowers for $100-130 and they come with a great rollmark plus flared magwell. I call that AR my Dan Wesson.

Dan wesson, I like the way that rolls off the tounge ! Any suggestions on stocks? I know it's user preference, I just want something that is light and comfortable.

 

[Quentin]

I'm a fan of the Magpul CTR (and STR if you want a better cheek weld). Both are fairly light. Lots of great choices though.

 

[Powersportgiant]

I'm a fan of the Magpul CTR (and STR if you want a better cheek weld). Both are fairly light. Lots of great choices though.

Quentin,

Are you familiar with RGUNS complete lowers? Looks like a decent buy for a complete forged lower, in color of choice, w/ a Magpul CTR stock for $295 or $320 w/ a stainless steel trigger... any thoughts?

 

[Dillinger]

Well I can't speak for Quentin, but I am sure he will be along shortly.

RGuns has a like/HATE relationship with customers around the internet. We have never done direct business with them, so I can't say one way or the other.

On the surface the product itself (receivers) seem to be of the same or equal caliber/quality as the endless collection of others out there. They use an undisclosed aluminum, AL being common in receivers, but it doesn't appear to be named (7075 for example is listed on the sites' Delaware Machinery offerings). They list a ton of receivers with 8625 Mil-Spec coating, but that doesn't really tell me WHAT they are coating, so I am a bit curious.

They don't have a FAQ on their site, but their e-mail and phone number is clearly listed. With that, I would ask a few questions before placing an order (material, warranty, etc.)

As for around the internet I have read people that have had good customer service (with issues) and people who have had nightmares with real or imagined issues.

The products itself seems to work well with fit and finish (assembly) but seems to struggle with operation WHEN there are issues. Reports I have read range from really helpful to outright discourteous.

Now I subscribe to the theory that if you understand the platform, and you have a decent to good quality parts list, you should be able to make it work.

I don't personally see anything about RGuns that would have me shy away from ordering if the answers on material and warranty were satisfactory and if the price was right.

Good luck.

JD

 

[Powersportgiant]

Dillinger,

Greatly appreciate the feedback here. I may just spend a few more bucks and go with a Spike's lower. Whether I put in my own parts kit of order complete, seem that they cannot be beat.

 

[Dillinger]

Dillinger,

Greatly appreciate the feedback here. I may just spend a few more bucks and go with a Spike's lower. Whether I put in my own parts kit of order complete, seem that they cannot be beat.

No worries PSG. I don't think that you would encounter a problem with RGuns version to be honest. With the tolerances in modern machining/metal working, it would be more of a fluke to get a receiver component that was SO far out of spec as to cause significant issues.

Worst case the lower has holes that are slightly off or the mating with the upper doesn't quite match up? Neither is fatal, but both can be a pain in the rear to deal with. I suppose you could have an interior that was so far out of spec that the hammer would not have room to go all the way back, but that would be really easy to fix with a Dremel, honestly, and would be a world class EFF UP in production.

Spike's really has a good reputation and that is a company I have personal experience with, so I can't really say anything negative about the choice.

Either way I am betting you would be able to build a decent and reliable AR on any choice lower/upper. The number of troubleshooting hours might vary though and how can you put a price on time at the bench versus time shooting?

JD

 

[ktmboyz]

JD!!! Glad to see you blew the dust off the keyboard and on the forum for a few min. Hope life is treating you well.

 

[Powersportgiant]

JD, thank you for your input. I was looking for sound advice from people like yourself and Quentin. Decisions decisions ....

 

[okdonk]

JD, thank you for your input. I was looking for sound advice from people like yourself and Quentin. Decisions decisions ....

So sad i wasnt included. Just kidding. Have fun!

 

[Gatoragn]

JD, thank you for your input. I was looking for sound advice from people like yourself and Quentin. Decisions decisions ....

Palmetto State Armory sells excellent lowers at competitive prices. You can get their PSA crossed cannon roll mork, or for a little more coinage can get a variety of roll marks. Website says out of stock right low.

PSA has lower parts kits on sale right now with free shipping.


Zombie-Defense.com offers a cool roll mark, imo. YMMV

http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG...P=1339498346/**http://www.zombie-defense.com/

 

[Quentin]

JD!!! Glad to see you blew the dust off the keyboard and on the forum for a few min. Hope life is treating you well.

Yes, megadittos! Very glad to see you here, JD, and hope things are going well.


PSG, good advice from JD. I also don't have first hand experience with Rguns so would verify they use proper parts. I also would demand a mil spec diameter receiver extension of 7075 T6 alloy and I bet an H buffer would work well with your upper.

 

[Dillinger]

JD!!! Glad to see you blew the dust off the keyboard and on the forum for a few min. Hope life is treating you well.

Good to see you too. I still lurk, but I got an e-mail asking me to stop by and offer a few insights on the AR stuff, so here I am.

JD, thank you for your input. I was looking for sound advice from people like yourself and Quentin. Decisions decisions ....

No problem PSG. There are lots of good posters and a good collection of knowledge on this site. Just don't get caught up in the "newer, flashier, shiner' and approach this like you would any other reasonable purchase and I am sure you will be happy with it.

I would suggest building your lower though. It's a great experience and it will give you a real understanding of the inner workings, so then when people are talking about this product or that product you will be able to see the merit or BS from up on high.

Yes, megadittos! Very glad to see you here, JD, and hope things are going well.

Yes Quentin things are progressing and thanks for holding down the fort. Hope things are well in your realm as well.

JD

 

[Powersportgiant]

Got my spikes lower all together today, just waiting on my DD V5 lightweight, MBUS sights, a dozen pmags, and STR stock to arrive. Excited about this rifle ! Also went by the National Guard armory and got a box full of GI mags ! For free !