I've been wanting an AR15 but I can't afford a complete one yet so I was told to purchase a lower receiver and slowly purchase everything and build it myself and that I'll end up happier with a gun I built along with possibly saving some money.


Where do I start? What should I look for? What is there to consider when buying a lower? Any help is greatly appreciated!

In my opinion, most lowers on the market now days are quality stuff. Unless you are looking for something specific (eg. different magwell, pictograph, etc...), just go and purchase the cheapest one from a local shop. They should run anywhere from $100 on up.

Check out this thread for a list of manufacturers: http://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=216.0

I'd pick up any from that list, except maybe the olympics. Not that I have anything against them, just don't have any info on their lowers.

Good luck finding a lower, and if you do, at a fair price. 

Some of the smarter 2A members stocked up back when and are sitting pretty now.

It may difficult finding one at this time. It is the piece of the AR puzzle that will be the hardest part to get a hold of if a ban of some sort is enacted. It is also the piece that needs to be registered. Due to that fear a buying spree has been on-going since before the election. I was at KGS yesterday and Daniel told me he sold his last one last week. I know that X-Ring has been ordering them maybe you can backorder one from them? Only problem is now you will have to pay a premium price for them since they are so hard to find. Actually, you may find that the higher priced lowers may still be found if you are willing to pay for one and you can find a store with one still available. My guess would be in the $200-$250 range.

Actually I am surprised that no one here is trying to sell an extra  lower they may have. Now would be a good time since there is probably an island wide shortage?

Actually I am surprised that no one here is trying to sell an extra  lower they may have. Now would be a good time since there is probably an island wide shortage?

I've got two stripped lowers sitting in my safe.  I had plans for the Noveske Chainsaw, but it's been put on hold or a while.  That and I already have a complete lower waiting for an upper.  So, my Aero Precision lower isn't doing anything. . .   

Seriously though, I'll eventually get around to building them.  Waiting for the LPKs that I want to be back in stock.  They aren't a priority right now though. 

It may difficult finding one at this time. It is the piece of the AR puzzle that will be the hardest part to get a hold of if a ban of some sort is enacted. It is also the piece that needs to be registered. Due to that fear a buying spree has been on-going since before the election. I was at KGS yesterday and Daniel told me he sold his last one last week. I know that X-Ring has been ordering them maybe you can backorder one from them? Only problem is now you will have to pay a premium price for them since they are so hard to find. Actually, you may find that the higher priced lowers may still be found if you are willing to pay for one and you can find a store with one still available. My guess would be in the $200-$250 range.

Actually I am surprised that no one here is trying to sell an extra  lower they may have. Now would be a good time since there is probably an island wide shortage?

This is the main reason why I've decide to buy a lower.



Thank you to everyone who replied!

Bought 2 lowers a while ago and only recently picked them up from the lgs. Been waiting for the lines to die down but it looks like that ain't happening anytime soon. Finally picked the 2 up and an ak id been wanting. Might as well since I have to wait in this stupid line.

Btw I'm bored and posting this while standing in line

Do we need to use a FFL to buy lowers online?

It's the Serialed part of the Rifle so yes.

Do we need to use a FFL to buy lowers online?

yup

Do we need to use a FFL to buy lowers online?

Depends how you mean buy.  I've called up Spike's to order lowers.  Now when it comes time to ship them, yep there needs to be an FFL.

Bottom line is YES you do need an FFL to buy lowers online.

There's no way around it.

No one will legally send you a lower. It has to go to an FFL

What about AK's? Are they flying off the shelves like the AR's? Same with AK lowers?

What about AK's? Are they flying off the shelves like the AR's? Same with AK lowers?

AK's, are also selling like hot cakes. 

It sounds like you're trying to buy a receiver under the radar.

That is illegal.

What you can do is buy a "80% lower" which is not a receiver.
http://aresarmor.com/store/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=TACMHL15&sid=2005n4gz8ca33y6t3l81abtfmpi2a071

It is a blank that needs to be machined to become a receiver.
http://aresarmor.com/store/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=TACMHAR5&sid=2005n4gz8ca33y6t3l81abtfmpi2a071

Bear in mind that you still need to register it if you ever make it a receiver and presuming the world and laws still exist stating such.

Not to sure what I said to make you think that but no, I'm not, I have no problems registering  a lower, I just didn't know if I needed to register the lower or upper. Same with buying either a lower or upper online, I didn't know if I needed a FFL. I have only one handgun and they all come in one piece.......

For everything else. Thank you and everyone.

..... I have only one handgun and they all come in one piece.......

I predict this is going to change soon. I see the major manufacturers building polymer handguns with metal frame inserts inside the polymer shell. The frame itself has the serial number and you have to look into the hole in the polymer shell to see the serial number on the frame. The frame holds the trigger group and other necessary safety and fire control items. That frame will be removable and capable of moving from one size polymer shell to another. So it will be possible to let's say buy one frame and then 2 or 3 different size polymer shells with slide and barrel. Sharing a common magazine is also possible with removable floorplate in order to extend the magazine as needed.

I think this would benefit the concealed carry folks the most. So they can carry a subcompact gun with an inside the pants holster during the week when they wear it 8+ hours a day for comfort. Then they can on the weekend or carry a compact version on days they can carry with an outside the pants holster. Or maybe practice with a full size version at the range. In this way they don't have to buy 2 or 3 guns.

Remember, you heard it here first. Taking off tinfoil hat. 

Its called a sig 250.

I predict this is going to change soon. I see the major manufacturers building polymer handguns with metal frame inserts inside the polymer shell. The frame itself has the serial number and you have to look into the hole in the polymer shell to see the serial number on the frame. The frame holds the trigger group and other necessary safety and fire control items. That frame will be removable and capable of moving from one size polymer shell to another. So it will be possible to let's say buy one frame and then 2 or 3 different size polymer shells with slide and barrel. Sharing a common magazine is also possible with removable floorplate in order to extend the magazine as needed.

I think this would benefit the concealed carry folks the most. So they can carry a subcompact gun with an inside the pants holster during the week when they wear it 8+ hours a day for comfort. Then they can on the weekend or carry a compact version on days they can carry with an outside the pants holster. Or maybe practice with a full size version at the range. In this way they don't have to buy 2 or 3 guns.

Remember, you heard it here first. Taking off tinfoil hat. 

Sig already does that. They sell it in a 2 piece kit you can buy. A small sub compact, and a large full size. You swap out the metal internals.

.