Comparing stripped AR lowers

[Joejitsu]

I was in turners today and saw a Palmetto state armory stripped lower for $99. Now, I don't know much at all about ARs but it seemed like a good place to start price wise for a first time build. What makes one looser better or more desireable than another? I thought they were all interchangeable and therefore almost identical?

Joe

[1lowluv]

(forged lowers)There isn't much difference besides finish quality and what roll mark you prefer.

(billet lowers) gonna be some difference between manufacturers, different looks and some have built in trigger guards.

$99 is a good price on a forged lower. They can be had for $59 from palmetto direct, but after all the transfer fees and hoops to jump through $99 is a better deal unless you are buying 5 or more at a time

[Quinc]

If the 99$ price includes FFL fee that is a good deal!

[xpbprox]

If the 99$ price includes FFL fee that is a good deal!

No, that would be unheard of especially at turners who usually has those lowers listed at $99

[LMTluvr]

Tomato (toe mah to) Vrs. Tomato ( to may to).
Roll mark. Standard design Vrs. Some of the custom designs.
Also noting in some cases lowers are finished in one spot, roll marked then shipped to the various manufacturers. You could have a stag lower and a colt lower both made in the same shop.
Palmetto puts out great stuff at great prices. They're uppers are well built as well at hard to beat prices.

[kcstott]

If it is a mill spec receiver the only difference in my opinion is price.

Yes some have a different shape/look but that doesn't do anything for me. At least not on an AR or AK series rifle. No if we are talking a double rifle then yes the looks are what it's about.

[wash]

I have one AR lower that came with a special trigger overtravel set screw.

It was nice until it loosened and went from barely any overtravel to negative overtravel as in my hammer could not release. That set screw was removed shortly after that.

Most gimics on lowers cause more problems than they solve. A very ordinary lower is just fine to me.

I do like integrated trigger guards and a set screw to retain the bolt hold open. Mag funnels are OK. I've heard some ambi controls are good but ambi mag releases don't really work for bullet button builds.

I like to see a nice machined radius behind the pistol grip instead of a forging mark but functionally that doesn't matter.

[bplvr]

another difference is the finish. the Rock River lowers look like they were sand blasted prior to anodize,
JD/old Kaiser tumble polished theirs before anodize. They are/were glass smooth.