Picked up 2 Spikes lowers from KGS for later...  Turns out later is now as both are built with 1 waiting on an upper/Trigger .  Was thinking of picking up a couple more later just to hold for future builds.  Anyone have any suggestions on shops and what stripped lowers they have, wanted to try something other that Spikes if possible.

Picked up 2 Spikes lowers from KGS for later...  Turns out later is now as both are built with 1 waiting on an upper/Trigger .  Was thinking of picking up a couple more later just to hold for future builds.  Anyone have any suggestions on shops and what stripped lowers they have, wanted to try something other that Spikes if possible.

check with prime sports, they have some cheaper ones, and a new matched upper/lower set that looks nice
xring and ogc should have a variety too

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Picked up 2 Spikes lowers from KGS for later...  Turns out later is now as both are built with 1 waiting on an upper/Trigger .  Was thinking of picking up a couple more later just to hold for future builds.  Anyone have any suggestions on shops and what stripped lowers they have, wanted to try something other that Spikes if possible.

Why not have some fun with an 80%

Just curious, but what makes spikes lowers so popular? Like why do people pay such a premium for them?

Just curious, but what makes spikes lowers so popular? Like why do people pay such a premium for them?

It's what KGS had that I heard of   Is $100.00/ea high?  Honestly if it is I just didn't know any better, they are nice though I like the Spider/Pirate on the side.

Why not have some fun with an 80%

Doesn't that require Machining?  I think I better work on mastering assembly first, which is questionable at best .

check with prime sports, they have some cheaper ones, and a new matched upper/lower set that looks nice
xring and ogc should have a variety too

Gonna stop by OGC when I'm in the neighborhood, thanks for the suggestions.

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Doesn't that require Machining?  I think I better work on mastering assembly first, which is questionable at best .

Www.kmconceptshawaii.com is having an AR lower building class Saturday May 7 at noon

Space is limited

Www.kmconceptshawaii.com is having an AR lower building class Saturday May 7 at noon

Space is limited

I attended the Youtube AR lower building class   Now I know how to assemble one and spent over $300.00 in tools from Midway USA (jk) that Potterfield guy is quite the salesman

this is the class I attended, had all the info I needed:

Doesn't that require Machining?  I think I better work on mastering assembly first, which is questionable at best .

If you can use a drill and a router you can do it, I did my first in about 2 hours. If you have a drill press you can do it in about 30 minutes

Just curious, but what makes spikes lowers so popular? Like why do people pay such a premium for them?

What makes you say that people are paying a premium for them?

At around $100-120 a lower, they are what I think are about right in terms of stripped lowers that are available locally.  Yeah, you see sales for stripped lowers online for much less, but then you have to add in shipping and FFL fees.  I've even considered buying a bunch (like 10 or more) the last time I saw a sale on stripped lowers for Aero and Andersen in the $50-60 range.

I haven't built a lower from a Spikes, but I've heard that they are good.  I think as long as you stay with known quality manufacturers, there's not much difference.  That is unless you are looking for something like a billet receiver or one of those with the trigger guard machined into the lower.  I have a Noveske billet lower that I paid a premium for, but Noveske stuff generally demands a premium. 

Interesting that the only lower I've actually had a problem with is one from Daniel Defense.  The hole for the grip bolt was off.  It would fit with the A2 stock grip that came with it, but it wouldn't fit with any of my many Tango Down grips or even A2 grips off of other guns (Colt, BCM, LMT, etc).  I eventually sent it back to DD for inspection and with the Tango Down grip that wouldn't fit.  They sent it back with both the hole in the lower and the grip filed (bubba'ed fix) slightly and they called it good, but the grip still didn't fit properly (it had some tilt).  Anyways, that sort of ruined it for me and I ended up selling that gun off to a friend for a good price. 

I had a small kine build party at speedtek's garage during the 2a gtg. I showed up with a stripped lower and all the parts to build. The usual attendees are always helpful.

What makes you say that people are paying a premium for them?

At around $100-120 a lower, they are what I think are about right in terms of stripped lowers that are available locally.  Yeah, you see sales for stripped lowers online for much less, but then you have to add in shipping and FFL fees.  I've even considered buying a bunch (like 10 or more) the last time I saw a sale on stripped lowers for Aero and Andersen in the $50-60 range.

I haven't built a lower from a Spikes, but I've heard that they are good.  I think as long as you stay with known quality manufacturers, there's not much difference.  That is unless you are looking for something like a billet receiver or one of those with the trigger guard machined into the lower.  I have a Noveske billet lower that I paid a premium for, but Noveske stuff generally demands a premium. 

maybe it's just me, but I've definitely seen Anderson and Aero lowers for way less than $100 locally, and these are at normal prices as in not marked down.

What makes you say that people are paying a premium for them?

Yeah, you see sales for stripped lowers online for much less, but then you have to add in shipping and FFL fees.

I guess for me Firearms are the 1 thing I'll pay a little more to buy local.  I actually bought those lowers from KGS because he FFL'ed (is that what it's called???)  an AK for me so figured 1 HPD trip and spend a little locally.  I feel if these guys fold up shop that'll suck for us long term.

this is the class I attended, had all the info I needed:

I saw that guy use a center punch and call it a roll pin...  no thanks , found this one most informative.

maybe it's just me, but I've definitely seen Anderson and Aero lowers for way less than $100 locally, and these are at normal prices as in not marked down.

Spikes seem to be popular, so maybe that drove up the cost. Also depends what pricing is available at distributors. A couple of good friends are gun dealers on the mainland (AK and AZ) and they have mentioned that the pricing can take swings either way. Sort of depends on whether or not they have cash on hand when deals come up.

I guess for me Firearms are the 1 thing I'll pay a little more to buy local.  I actually bought those lowers from KGS because he FFL'ed (is that what it's called???)  an AK for me so figured 1 HPD trip and spend a little locally.  I feel if these guys fold up shop that'll suck for us long term.

I hear ya and I'm generally the same way. Out of my many guns, only one came through an FFL and that was because none of the local shops could get exactly what I wanted. In general, I can usually get firearms they I want from local shops at prices that are competitive and at times better than available online. In any case, I've certainly spread the wealth across many of the local shops. That doesn't mean that I'm not often tempted by sales and ads that I see online. Haha

In the part that you quoted, I was just wondering if the poster that I was responding to was comparing pricing of the lowers available online to local.