How many lowers does one need?

[TacticalChihuahua]

Long story, but here it goes...

I am going to pick up a rifle tomorrow that I bought at the start of the frenzy because I knew they were going to become scarce. In the meantime I was able to find another lower and also found an upper that were much more desirable to me than the rifle I bought a few days earlier. At first, I was thinking of still keeping the lower from the initial AR I bought and selling off the upper etc. I know it's nice to have extra lowers but now I'm thinking of selling the complete rifle because of the high price they are demanding right now.

I already have a complete AR I bought a couple years ago and don't really need more than two AR's so what would be the point in hanging on to the lower from the third AR? In case one breaks?? Am I crazy to sell it with everything going on? Looking for opinions...

[Batman]

Back before 2000, I bought my first lower. A Bushmaster to be exact, and one that I later discovered to be on "the list" of evil rifles. I built it up in post-ban configuration, and when the ban came in, I registered it as a RAW. I paid $125 for the lower, which while not a lot of money, was still somewhat expensive considering I still had to buy everything else. I only bought the one.

Looking back, with hindsight being 20-20, I probably should've bought 3-4 of them. No bullet buttons, no featureless with ugly stocks, just a regular AR that could use 10+ round magazines with ease.

How many do you need? Or how many do you want? Worst case is you can always sell them later on.

[FX-05 Xiuhcoatl]

6, 2 for me and one for each of my children.

[223556]

As many as you can!

[geeknow]

Not more than 20, or so...

[Vlad 11]

Not more than 20, or so...

Sure would be nice to be sitting on 20 or so lowers right now, right?

Whether or not one needed them

[dieselpower]

keep all 3. You can set them up for different tasks. I'll buy a barrel off you if you have a M4profile or lightweight you don't need.

[Cato]

Who know what the future will bring? You might want to build a style of AR that you don't currently have: may an A2 or target AR. The lower is the hardest part of the rifle to get. You have to go through DROS, which most people don't enjoy doing or paying for. I, for one, feel a little violated with the whole DROS process.

It's a good souvenir too. I remember the days when we were all rushing to get lowers around 2003 (?) when we thought in 2 WEEKS a new list was coming out. It was ridiculous how much trouble we went through to get that strangle piece of aluminum.

[Springfield45]

6, 2 for me and one for each of my children.

This.

[mu9en]

I say keep it. It's a good investment...


The going rate for a stripped lower is $400.00 or at least that's what people are asking for. I saw a complete lower someone was asking $600.00. Another guy wanted $2,000.00 for a basic complete AR.

[Dbsc40]

After spending a mind-numbing amount of time on my computer watching the Cal-Guns marketplace trying to find someone, ANYONE that was selling an AR for a reasonable price that hadn't already been picked up by re-sellers so I could buy my first AR-15 after saving for months and months, I'd say sell it to someone that you know needs, appreciates and will deserve it.

[Glock31B]

For the price that they are going for, you have two completes. I would sell the third lower and buy ammo/parts/mags with it. But that's just me. You have back up LPK,BCG, or barrel for your current AR's? It's smart to do so.

[judgedrift]

6, 2 for me and one for each of my children.

This.

[Jet Setter]

It all depends. I would say as many as you actually want to build and use. I am sure there are many that purchase multiple sets just to have them. Some purchase to build then sell. I would be one of those that just buy to build and use. With current speculation on bans and the pricing hike - those that have many are in the "drivers seat."

[Oceanbob]

At this time I consider three things better than GOLD or SILVER:

1.Lowers

2. Ammo

3. High capacity magazines of any caliber and for any gun.

I cannot recommend you sell the lower at this time.

JMO