An AR-15 Stripped Lower Receiver

[Kevin]

A couple years ago, I won an AR15 at my gun club's Fall BBQ. It's fun, although I've only shot it a few times really. It's a standard BDMS Panther, pretty heavy trigger and nothing special really. Nice, but just an off the shelf AR.

I need to stay away from the computer I guess, because I started out looking to see how much a new trigger for my rifle would cost. Then I watched a few videos on how to assemble your own rifle. It honestly doesn't look very difficult, so I thought heck, I could do that. Then a few more you tube videos and I went out and bought a stripped lower receiver.

Aero Precision. They seemed to have good reviews. I had to get the Texas Star model...

The nice thing about assembling one, is I can spread the cost out over time and by next Spring, have a nice rifle to shoot. I'm sure I'll just by a complete upper with the barrel, to avoid having to install the barrel and buy a wrench just for the one time.

 

[Kevin]

And the thing I just don’t get is the serial number business. This part honestly doesn’t really cost that much. About a hundred dollars. A quality trigger might be twice as much. Or the upper part with barrel could be around 400.

But this part is the “gun.” On paper anyway. The store today was nice, a small mom and pop place. And they must have had 20 or 30 of these all boxed up ready to go.

 

[Mobuck]

You can buy barrels for $60 up to $600. How much better are the $600 barrels? Hard to say but I've shot several "economy" grade barrels that were as good as most shooters. I'd like to say one brand is "better" than all others but it just ain't so. ARP barrels are pretty good if you happen to want a caliber that ARP has available.
Upper receivers are $60 and up depending on ??? (I'm not really sure since there's little to differentiate one from another).
You already have the lower and generally speaking one is as good as another.
The lower parts are pretty generic but the trigger is the key to shooter satisfaction.

 

[Kevin]

Thanks Mobuck. I'll look into those barrels. I know I want a good trigger, but am kind of up in the air about everything else. If I like how this turns out, I might try another one next summer.

 

[Bobberfishin]

I had posted a question on another forum about purchasing a "lower". I received a number of responses, but one seemed to be unanimous.
Register it as a pistol lower when purchasing, because you can change to a rifle barrel & have no issues. But register it as a rifle lower, & changing to a pistol barrel & you'll need to file a lot of red tape. Short Barrel Rifle requires specific paperwork, while extending to a rifle length from pistol length is legal & allowed.

 

[RSIno1]

Wait until you discover it's nearly as easy to machine a $30 80% lower into a finished one with a drill press and router. https://www.80percentarms.com/
So far I have built several 223, 9mm, 458 Socom and even a couple in 308 (different lower). Prices are dropping fast since the threat of the left has subsided a little. I'm going to build my first AR pistol. Thought it was a dumb idea but some guy sold me a complete new upper complete with the BCG for $200. After I move to Nevada I may change it into an SBR and pay the tax.

 

[RoninPA]

I had posted a question on another forum about purchasing a "lower". I received a number of responses, but one seemed to be unanimous.
Register it as a pistol lower when purchasing, because you can change to a rifle barrel & have no issues. But register it as a rifle lower, & changing to a pistol barrel & you'll need to file a lot of red tape. Short Barrel Rifle requires specific paperwork, while extending to a rifle length from pistol length is legal & allowed.

I have to wonder about the responses to your question. By Federal law, a stripped AR lower, or a virgin AR lower receiver with EITHER a pistol brace OR a rifle butt stock attached is still an "Other" as described on the 4473. The "firearm" (the lower receiver) is NOTHING until it is finished with either a rifle upper receiver making it a rifle or a pistol upper receiver making it a pistol. Unless it is bought as a complete rifle or pistol, it doesn't get transferred as anything other than a "Other".

There are so many directions one can take with a virgin lower. One really needs to get a with a GOOD FFL who has a good working knowledge of the NFA (National Firearms Act). I say GOOD because many FFL's really don't understand (or try to understand) the complexities of things that can be done with an AR lower. That good FFL can answer the questions or get the information about what all can be done with a AR stripped lower or a complete AR (pistol or rifle) to convert it to something else. I wouldn't necessarily rely on advice, especially concerning AR's, from the internet. Use someone who has real world experience.

 

[Kevin]

Quoted for the truth:

I wouldn't necessarily rely on advice, especially concerning AR's, from the internet. Use someone who has real world experience.

I tried looking at several different AR15 forums. It’s a mixed bag for sure.

Luckily, I’m not interested in short barrel rifles or AR type pistols. This one is going to be a carbine length rifle...16 inch barrel with shoulder stock.

 

[wheelgun1958]

By Federal law, a stripped AR lower, or a virgin AR lower receiver with EITHER a pistol brace OR a rifle butt stock attached is still an "Other" as described on the 4473. The "firearm" (the lower receiver) is NOTHING until it is finished with either a rifle upper receiver making it a rifle or a pistol upper receiver making it a pistol. Unless it is bought as a complete rifle or pistol, it doesn't get transferred as anything other than a "Other".

Or is it?

https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/the-atfs-definition-of-an-ar-15-lower-as-a-firearm-is-in-serious-trouble/

 

[Mike J]

I put one together from a Palmetto State Armory kit about 7 years ago. It wasn't bad. I bought a blemished kit(assembled upper & a stripped blemished lower). When I got it there was a small scuff on the finish of the barrel. Neither I or the FFL that did the transfer for me could find anything wrong with the lower. I did change the trigger from stock after I had had it for a while. I bought PSA's EPT (enhanced polished trigger) & put it in. I can't say how it compares to the high end stuff but it made a big difference. I did however leave the hammer spring stock instead of using the lighter spring that came with the EPT. I did not want to increase the chance of a light strike.

I don't really need anything now but I think I like the idea of having a 9mm AR pistol that takes Glock mags. It is somewhat of a temptation.

 

[Mobuck]

Some states require that you state whether the lower will be used for a "pistol" or rifle BUT Federal law only states that a stripped lower be listed as "other" or neither long gun or handgun.Lots of things have changed since I let my FFL expire but theoretically, a lower is neither until a stock is mounted. At one time, regardless of how a lower was "registered" if a rifle/carbine buffer tube was mounted, it became a "rifle lower". This changed significantly with the introduction of "arm braces" and now is not really a consideration.
I've purposely bought several lowers stamped as "pistol" just for a CYA since I have multiple "pistol" uppers just sitting on the shelf.

 

[tunnug]

I've built several for myself and friends, one thing I do recommend is to buy an assembled upper. the most important thing is getting the correct headspace which is very difficult without expensive assembly tools and gauges, leave that part to those who do that a lot and do it properly.

 

[Mobuck]

"the most important thing is getting the correct headspace which is very difficult"

Maybe I've just been lucky. All the AR's I've assembled(I don't use the term "built" since I'm only assembling ready made parts)none have been out of spec on headspace(or not enough to be a problem). Brand X upper, brand Y bolt, and brand Z barrel has not been a problem. I buy uppers, BCG's, small parts, handguards, and often barrels when the price is right and then assemble the mixed parts into functional uppers. The bolt and barrel extension control the headspace while the upper mainly contains the moving parts and keeps the barrel aligned. Actually, the ONLY problems I've found with AR's have been related to poor workmanship on a couple of "factory made" uppers possibly assembled by folks doing "piece work" turning out as many assemblies as possible.