Higher Quality OLL's

[RECCE556]

You don't like the RRA 2 Stage Recce?

It's not that it's a bad trigger, but I've had and seen a few them of go down under moderate carbine class use. For the weekend/occasional shooter, it's probably just fine but with RRA's price increase, the $150 Geissele is a no-brainer upgrade.

[FlyingPen]

I've been thinking about getting a better trigger for my LMT but I'm thinking buying more ammo might be a better investment. The stock trigger doesn't seem that terrible to me.

[Eric_Oh]

It's not that it's a bad trigger, but I've had and seen a few them of go down under moderate carbine class use...

What do you mean by "go down"? Did a trigger component physically break or what?

[jamesob]

JP is high quality and pricey

[Ronco]

No one has mentioned Noveske yet... So I will.
Noveske N4 should be considered. Fit and finish is excellent.

[Sig357]

No one has mentioned Noveske yet... So I will.
Noveske N4 should be considered. Fit and finish is excellent.

I recently picked up a Noveske, it's finish is pretty good. I think I still like the finish of my Mega pistol lower better though.

[FlyingPen]

Yeah, the Noveske is nothing special. It used to be a CMT (Stag) lower then they switched to LAR after some QC problems from CMT.

AFAIK, the only ones who make their own lowers are Sun Devil, Mega, and POF. Please feel free to add more to this list. I think Noveske might make their own AR-10 lowers but I have no idea.

[Ronco]

I recently picked up a Noveske, it's finish is pretty good. I think I still like the finish of my Mega pistol lower better though.

Well, bring them both up north and lay them side by side and let me shoot both and then I'll see which one is better.


On the Mega lower, I hear you can tenderize meat with it as well.

[Sig357]

Well, bring them both up north and lay them side by side and let me shoot both and then I'll see which one is better.


On the Mega lower, I hear you can tenderize meat with it as well.

Haha I am not saying that one is better than the other as far a function goes. I just like the finish of the Mega, plus YES you can tenderize meat with it.

I have a Mega Pistol Lower and a Stag currently built up. They both function the same. The Noveske is not complete yet, but I am pretty sure it will function the same as the others I have.

Sure if I am ever up north with you can give them a shot.

[RECCE556]

What do you mean by "go down"? Did a trigger component physically break or what?

The two problems I've seen is that they either loose their first stage (which obviously changes the way the trigger feels) or they stop working all together. In the first instance, it's fixable but the problem will continue unless you get the trigger properly hardened. The second problem requires replacing parts. I've also heard of the sear/disco pin coming out but I've never actually seen that happen.

The Mega lowers I've seen have been very nice. As for Noveske, I had about four of them in my collection (all CMT manufactured ones). #1 was fine, #2 had a slightly off grip screw hole (a little filing on the grip got it working), #3 & #4 had the problem grip screw hole where it was way off (to the level where you'd need to fill and re-drill the lower). I never bought one of the LAR made Noveske's but knowing LAR, I'm sure they're all very good.

[Fjold]

Because of the lack of forging seam marks and correct radius on all the curved surfaces I like the SunDevil milled lowers

[aplinker]

First off, I'll just say that this is essentially a meaningless discussion, given the TINY differences in lowers out there (there are only 1/2 dozen major cutters and a few smaller shops out there). Additionally, the lower has comparatively very little operational effect on the overall accuracy/durability of the rifle.

There are essentially two "big" options: 1 of the many forged lowers cut by the different houses. Finish, logo and MINOR cutting differences are all you'll see here. Xenophobe has an excellent post on those.

The second "big option" are the billet lowers - POF and Sun Devil. POF are "fancy" with their Gen II and Gen III lowers. Gen II adds an integral triggerguard, Gen III has the trigger guard and adds an ambidextrous bolt release. Sun Devil's lower is like POF's Gen I. The problem with Sun Devil is they use softer aluminum - however on a lower this is not even an issue.

Just decide if the POF "upgrades" are what you want and, if not, then pick your favority logo/finish. I would suggest with some upper brands it's nice to match upper/lower (Noveske, Stag, etc), but it doesn't matter one bit as all parts are made to mix.

Because of the lack of forging seam marks and correct radius on all the curved surfaces I like the SunDevil milled lowers

[jacques]

UCLA, I read that thread by Xenophobe awhile ago. It was excellent. I thought I found it on Gunwiki, but I can not find it anywhere now. Do you know where it went?

[SigAlert]

This Might be it....

[supersonic]

Like a lot of the responses above, the lower really is the least of your worries as far as quality goes. Vulcan aside, they are all very similar. Some have more desirable finishes/logos than others, but at the end of the day, they will all do the same job the same way. I've run across a few with different "logos" on them that have been out-of-spec, but that's more the exception than the rule. As far as the more expensive "boutique" lowers (i.e. "billet") there won't be any difference in quality of performance. Some just like to spend money on higher-dollar items, that's all. Others (like me) like to keep the lower "matched" to the upper, as far as "logos" go. It just comes down to personal preference. If you are unlucky enough to get ahold of an "out-of-spec" lower, aside from the inconvenience (i.e. THE WAIT), all vendors/manufacturers that I know of will take care of the situation with little, if any, problem(s). Hope that helps 'ya.