In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

ar 10/15 lower question

ff.hogueff.hogue Member Posts: 213 ✭✭✭
edited March 2009 in Ask the Experts
im looking into buying multiple lowers to throw into the safe so in the event that they become illegal in CA again i can have some that i can build later. What are the differences in the lowers? I want to purchase probably 4 lowers, and im wanting different calibers. I see that some say for 223, and some 308. Is there any difference? What are the different calibers i can build them into? thanks for the help.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • skyfishskyfish Member Posts: 1,068 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm no expert, but since I sold all mine for profit and needed money. I just purchased 2 lowers, AR-15. I am going to build a general purpuse rifle in 6.5 grendal, I can deer hunt with that. I think it is always wise to have 1(or more) 5.56 on hand. While I like the 14.5 barrell I don't care for the pinned flash dispenser. So both are compromises. I probably will go 16" with a mid-length handguard, not real popular now but if optics fail I like the expanded sight radius better. I'm not big into brands, I just want reliability and accuracy. I shot DPMS, Armalite, Bushmaster, and looked at some Superior's. So far no feed issues with P-mags, GI mags, or C-products curved 20rds.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NwcidNwcid Member Posts: 10,674 ✭
    edited November -1
    Yes there is a huge difference as the ".308" version is about 1/4 larger then the the ".223" version. They have to be larger to take the larger .308 length rounds.

    Between both lowers there is no less then about 50 calibers you can build them in and I would bet closer to 100.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • iwannausernameiwannausername Member Posts: 7,131
    edited November -1
    Don't forget the lowers by Olympic Arms that take Glock mags for a pistol caliber carbine....
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dfletcherdfletcher Member Posts: 8,179 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by ff.hogue
    im looking into buying multiple lowers to throw into the safe so in the event that they become illegal in CA again i can have some that i can build later. What are the differences in the lowers? I want to purchase probably 4 lowers, and im wanting different calibers. I see that some say for 223, and some 308. Is there any difference? What are the different calibers i can build them into? thanks for the help.



    Pretty much any AR 15 lower will do fine - S & W, Stag, RRA, High Standard and all sorts of lesser known makes available in CA since building them our own is the easiest way to get a complete AR. I've only heard that Hesse or Vulcan are not good, no experience with them.
    Some AR lowers have a parkerized type finish that resists scratching very well and can be touched up, others have a teflon type coating that once it's scratched it stays scratched. Stag is a good example of the parkerized finish.

    AR 10 lowers of course do not interchange with 5.56 uppers but can be used for 243, 260 & 7-08. With the AR 10 you'll have to decide between a lower that is compatible with an Armalite type upper or a DPMS type upper. Each uses different magazines. Fulton Armory and POF would be examples of lowers that use the DPMS type magazine.

    A decent AR 15 lower in CA should run you about $175.00 now, a decent AR 10 upper will be between $375.00 and $500.00. Personally I wouldn't pay much more than the above, I just grabbed two for $165.00 each.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.