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Posted: 4/10/2024 9:48:55 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Apple3_14159]
I've been maintaining this table for a bit but I figured it might be useful to others, since every other similar thread/resource that I've found is pretty outdated. Data is mostly pulled from advertising pictures and I've tried to link to the OEM site as much as possible. If I missed a company, got something wrong or a link is outdated, let me know and I'll try to update it.
I don't care for the tension screw so I've highlighted that and other miscellaneous "improvements" where possible. However, it doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad lower (for instance, SOLGW is reputed to have very good upper/lower fitment) and your opinion may vary.
There may also be minor differences around the shape of the A2 reinforcement area that you might want to check.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
ManufacturerTension screwLeft-side shelfUnshrouded selector journalNotes
ADMYesUnknownNoBillet
APCYesNoNo
Alex Pro FabNoNoNo
Allen ArmsUnknownUnknownUnknown
AndersonNoNoNo
Armory DynamicsYesYesYesThreaded bolt catch pin
Bad Attitude DeptNoNoNoCustom engraving available
Battle Arms DevelopmentYesNoYesThreaded bolt catch and rear takedown pins
Bexar ArmsNoNoNo
B. KingsNoNoYesThreaded bolt catch and rear takedown pins
Centurion ArmsYesNoNo
Civil Defense ArmoryYesYesYes
Dorchester Gun ShopYesNoNoExample images on Gunbroker
DSArmsUnknownYesUnknown
Expo Arms/Primary ArmsYesUnknownNo
GeisseleNoNoNo
Griffin Armament Mk1NoNoYes
Griffin Armament Mk2NoNoYesCustom forged ambi, integrated trigger guard
Intl Mil CoNoNoNo
KAKYesNoNoReddit thread showing FCG pocket
LantacYesNoNoSample pic in post #15 below and here
M&MNoYesYesRoll pin hole on both sides of front trigger guard ear. Gunbroker-only mfg seemingly
Matrix ArmsUnknownUnknownYes
MSP ArmoryNoNoNoDescription says low shelf but picture shows M16 cut
Orchid DefenseNoNoYesCouldn't find mfg website
RiflegearYesUnknownNo
River RainYesYesYes
SOLGWYesNoNo
Standard Issue ArmoryYesUnknownUnknownNo pictures on site but shown on YouTube
Standard ManufacturingNoNoNo
Strategic Precision DefenseNoNoNo
Thoroughbred ArmamentNoNoNo
ZRTSUnknownUnknownUnknownThreaded bolt catch pin


Bayou Gun Runner claims an M16 pocket but does not provide pictures on the website.

Example of a Colt full auto lower taken from this video
Attachment Attached File


Updated 4/29/2024
Link Posted: 4/11/2024 8:22:46 AM EDT
[#1]
Link Posted: 4/11/2024 10:33:23 AM EDT
[#2]
Add this to the list.

Standard Issue Armory

That is all.

AIRBORNE!!!!!
Link Posted: 4/11/2024 7:32:30 PM EDT
[#3]
And you can use the GhostGunner 3 to make your own:

Attachment Attached File


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Link Posted: 4/11/2024 8:06:26 PM EDT
[#4]
Link Posted: 4/12/2024 1:44:59 AM EDT
[#5]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By RCRTR:
Add this to the list.

Standard Issue Armory

That is all.

AIRBORNE!!!!!
View Quote

Added, thanks.
Link Posted: 4/12/2024 4:11:54 AM EDT
[Last Edit: DvlDog] [#6]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By HenryKnoxFineBooks:
And you can use the GhostGunner 3 to make your own:

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/180398/ggpocket_JPG-3185212.JPG

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/180398/FN_A4_JPG-3185216.JPG
View Quote



Will the ghost gunner do the markings as well?
Link Posted: 4/12/2024 6:41:22 AM EDT
[#7]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By HenryKnoxFineBooks:
And you can use the GhostGunner 3 to make your own:

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/180398/ggpocket_JPG-3185212.JPG

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/180398/FN_A4_JPG-3185216.JPG
View Quote
Very nice!
Link Posted: 4/12/2024 4:38:00 PM EDT
[#8]
Orchid Defense does not have worthless tension screws.  Uppers fit perfectly with no wobble whatsoever.  Perfect machining and anodizing.  Amazing.
The downside is that it's not true M16 cut.  

Below:  Orchid Defense lower with Colt upper.

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Link Posted: 4/12/2024 10:12:52 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Amish_Bill] [#9]
Griffin MKI (two different production runs) and MKII
Attachment Attached File
Link Posted: 4/12/2024 11:00:12 PM EDT
[#10]
Updated Orchid Defense and Griffin Armament Mk1/Mk2.
Link Posted: 4/12/2024 11:14:12 PM EDT
[Last Edit: j3_] [#11]
Older DS Arms lowers only had the trigger pocket cut length to the back and no cut was on the selector detent side.
Link Posted: 4/16/2024 9:46:11 PM EDT
[#12]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By DvlDog:



Will the ghost gunner do the markings as well?
View Quote

Current tech will not do the fonts used on .mil lowers.
Link Posted: 4/17/2024 10:09:52 AM EDT
[#13]
The Orchid and Griffin lowers pictured look to have the correct pocket size, but the right side profile is incorrect.  The top of the selector journal should be shrouded.  It should not leave the top of the selector exposed on the right side of the receiver.
Link Posted: 4/17/2024 10:42:09 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Apple3_14159] [#14]
Added columns for the extra shelf and unshrouded selector journal. Thanks.
Link Posted: 4/18/2024 10:16:14 PM EDT
[#15]
Lantac also manufactures M16 cut lower receivers.
Machining and anodizing is perfect.  Everything is in spec, but I don't like tension and bolt catch screws, which are provided with the receiver.

The picture below is of Lantac lower and Aero upper.  Particularly with this upper there's no up-down, side-side play, not even .001" movement, very unusual.  I've never seen anything like it.
Takedown pins slip fit.

Attachment Attached File


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Link Posted: 4/21/2024 9:38:36 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Apple3_14159] [#16]
Added Lantac but made a note that their website shows a non-M16 cut lower. The ad pictures look like renderings to me.
Link Posted: 4/22/2024 1:19:23 AM EDT
[#17]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Apple3_14159:
Added Lantac but made a note that their website shows a non-M16 cut lower. The ad pictures look like renderings to me.
View Quote

Lantac website doesn't show the pocket of the receiver, and does not specify whether it's M 16 cut.
Only one retailer shows excellent pics of the receiver including the M16 cut pocket.

https://www.gandrtactical.com/Lantac-SF15-Forged-Lower-Receiver_p_3611.html
Link Posted: 4/22/2024 1:44:46 AM EDT
[#18]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Richard257:

Lantac website doesn't show the pocket of the receiver, and does not specify whether it's M 16 cut.
Only one retailer shows excellent pics of the receiver including the M16 cut pocket.

https://www.gandrtactical.com/Lantac-SF15-Forged-Lower-Receiver_p_3611.html
View Quote

I was looking at how the thicker part of the wall extends to the safety selector rather than to the takedown pin area. I'll add the G&R link to the OP, thanks.
Link Posted: 4/23/2024 11:16:38 PM EDT
[#19]
Anybody manufacturing any M16A1 lowers?
Link Posted: 4/24/2024 3:14:33 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Apple3_14159] [#20]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By FlamingDragon:
Anybody manufacturing any M16A1 lowers?
View Quote

To the best of my knowledge, only Intl Mil Co out of everyone on this list makes true clone lowers, and you have to be patient to get one. Bad Attitude Dept. has a section for clone lowers but they're all A2 profile. They do sell unanodized tribute/clone lowers so you could get one and reprofile it, or buy an unanodized, unmarked one, reprofile it and then mark it as you please.

Or there's always the 80% route as posted above.
Link Posted: 4/24/2024 5:21:54 AM EDT
[#21]
Add adm to the list.
Link Posted: 4/24/2024 11:43:47 AM EDT
[#22]
Has anyone tried the Armory Dynamics lower? Any good?
Link Posted: 4/24/2024 4:32:30 PM EDT
[#23]
Expo is shrouded.
Link Posted: 4/26/2024 1:35:55 AM EDT
[#24]
Added ADM and updated Bad Attitude and Expo Arms.
Link Posted: Yesterday 10:48:42 PM EDT
[#25]
Added Civil Defense Armory and Dorchester Gun Shop.
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