User Panel
More 80% sources.
I am looking for 3 new projects. AR-47, another 308 and another 9mm. These guys look promising... The Buffalo Tactical $hit |
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A firearm is like a parachute, if you need one but don't have one, you'll probably never need one again.
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Originally Posted By AFCarbon15:
More 80% sources. I am looking for 3 new projects. AR-47, another 308 and another 9mm. These guys look promising... The Buffalo Tactical $hit View Quote I have the NFA lower that I bought from tactical shit. If you add to your cart and wait a few days they'll send you a 10% off coupon to complete the transaction! You'll have to have an account or start the transaction by putting in your email. They shipped quick too. |
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This may be redundant but I've done quite a few AR15's with the Tactical Machine lowers and always liked their product. Also have done several .308's on the Genesis receiver sets. I chose them because I'm hoping my Armalite uppers will work. I;ve also built a few compleete rifles and the fit and finish between their upper and lower is really nice. Their dimensions don't seem to match any drawings I can find but I use their tooling to get a starting point. I machine the fire control pocket form drawings, not from the tooling they sell. The Tactical Machine jig and tooling was really nice...the Genesis stuff took a little work.
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Originally Posted By steelcomp: This may be redundant but I've done quite a few AR15's with the Tactical Machine lowers and always liked their product. Also have done several .308's on the Genesis receiver sets. I chose them because I'm hoping my Armalite uppers will work. I;ve also built a few compleete rifles and the fit and finish between their upper and lower is really nice. Their dimensions don't seem to match any drawings I can find but I use their tooling to get a starting point. I machine the fire control pocket form drawings, not from the tooling they sell. The Tactical Machine jig and tooling was really nice...the Genesis stuff took a little work. View Quote You're trying to get Armalite AR-10B or AR-10A uppers to work on a DPMS pattern lower? |
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Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912
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Recently purchased and received a few 80% lowers from Thunder Tactical aka Discount Parts & More. I was skeptical but they were nice on the phone and I can confirm the rear pocket is milled and the receiver is marked safe/fire. Anodizing looks good and uniform but I haven't measured anything or milled it out yet. I used code laborday10 to get 10% off. Address and phone number are different than Daytona Tactical if anyone is curious.
https://thundertactical.com/collections/lowers/products/ar-15-80-lower-receiver?variant=12726011718 |
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Another one to add to the list:
DS Arms Material: 7075-T6 Aluminum Construction: Forged Rear Lug Cut: Yes Finish: Raw BATF Approval Letter Supplied: No? Comments: Manufactured by DS Arms (Arfcom Industry Partner), |
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Budget builder-DIY'er
AKA: Catholic Mechanic Garage hack |
Here's another:
AR Stoner (Midway USA's house brand) Material: 7075-T6 Aluminum Construction: Forged Rear Lug Cut: Yes Finish: Raw or Anodized Black BATF Approval Letter Supplied: No Comments: Edit: Received one today. One particular customer product review on Midway USA Pic below. It's a little different than what I've seen on other lowers but it's not that bad.described the SAFE/FIRE markings like this- "The safe/fire markings look like they were engraved free hand by a third grader with a medical condition that has their hand shaking uncontrollably, very poorly done." |
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Budget builder-DIY'er
AKA: Catholic Mechanic Garage hack |
Originally Posted By backbencher: Steel AR flats
Material: mild steel Construction: welded, brazed (super glue FAIL ) Rear Lug Cut: Yes Finish: Ships bare. User applies color case hardening, bluing, browning, parkerizing, tool dip, or various paints BATFE Tech Branch non-firearm determination letter: No. Comments: $25 per/$6 shipping as of 7 AUG 2014. Heavy. Strong. Not CMP legal w/out replacement of trigger guard. http://www.theflatspot.net/uploads/6/9/0/0/6900641/6057196.jpg ETA: Now $28 + shipping. And the DPMS style AR-10 lowers are out of stock: http://www.theflatspot.net/308-receiver-flat-dpms-style-like-ar-10.html View Quote Update to: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/653446_80__Lowers_Summary.html&page=1#i6565691 Manufacturer has added more material to allow easier drilling of the safety detent hole. Price now $29 + $8 shipping. Buffer tube hole needs tapping, or AR castle nut can be welded in place. The DPMS style .308" AR lower is back in stock for $33 + $8 shipping. |
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Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912
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Originally Posted By backbencher: Update to: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/653446_80__Lowers_Summary.html&page=1#i6565691 Manufacturer has added more material to allow easier drilling of the safety detent hole. Price now $29 + $8 shipping. Buffer tube hole needs tapping, or AR castle nut can be welded in place. The DPMS style .308" AR lower is back in stock for $33 + $8 shipping. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By backbencher: Originally Posted By backbencher: Steel AR flats Material: mild steel Construction: welded, brazed (super glue FAIL ) Rear Lug Cut: Yes Finish: Ships bare. User applies color case hardening, bluing, browning, parkerizing, tool dip, or various paints BATFE Tech Branch non-firearm determination letter: No. Comments: $25 per/$6 shipping as of 7 AUG 2014. Heavy. Strong. Not CMP legal w/out replacement of trigger guard. http://www.theflatspot.net/uploads/6/9/0/0/6900641/6057196.jpg ETA: Now $28 + shipping. And the DPMS style AR-10 lowers are out of stock: http://www.theflatspot.net/308-receiver-flat-dpms-style-like-ar-10.html Update to: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/653446_80__Lowers_Summary.html&page=1#i6565691 Manufacturer has added more material to allow easier drilling of the safety detent hole. Price now $29 + $8 shipping. Buffer tube hole needs tapping, or AR castle nut can be welded in place. The DPMS style .308" AR lower is back in stock for $33 + $8 shipping. I just ordered two of the safety detent upgrade pieces (they are available separately for those who want to upgrade their older kit for $1.50 each) Safety upgrade |
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Budget builder-DIY'er
AKA: Catholic Mechanic Garage hack |
Originally Posted By alpharomeofifteen: Thanks for that. I just ordered two of the safety detent upgrade pieces (they are available separately for those who want to upgrade their older kit for $1.50 each) Safety upgrade View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By alpharomeofifteen: Originally Posted By backbencher: Originally Posted By backbencher: Steel AR flats Material: mild steel Construction: welded, brazed (super glue FAIL ) Rear Lug Cut: Yes Finish: Ships bare. User applies color case hardening, bluing, browning, parkerizing, tool dip, or various paints BATFE Tech Branch non-firearm determination letter: No. Comments: $25 per/$6 shipping as of 7 AUG 2014. Heavy. Strong. Not CMP legal w/out replacement of trigger guard. http://www.theflatspot.net/uploads/6/9/0/0/6900641/6057196.jpg ETA: Now $28 + shipping. And the DPMS style AR-10 lowers are out of stock: http://www.theflatspot.net/308-receiver-flat-dpms-style-like-ar-10.html Update to: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/653446_80__Lowers_Summary.html&page=1#i6565691 Manufacturer has added more material to allow easier drilling of the safety detent hole. Price now $29 + $8 shipping. Buffer tube hole needs tapping, or AR castle nut can be welded in place. The DPMS style .308" AR lower is back in stock for $33 + $8 shipping. I just ordered two of the safety detent upgrade pieces (they are available separately for those who want to upgrade their older kit for $1.50 each) Safety upgrade How are these? I got one of their AK receivers and was impressed. I've been thinking about their AR ones and several others since then. |
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Originally Posted By K1rodeoboater:
How are these? I got one of their AK receivers and was impressed. I've been thinking about their AR ones and several others since then. View Quote I haven't put mine together yet. I will try to remember to take plenty of pics when I do. I've only seen a couple documented builds. Plenty of before and after pics out there. |
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A firearm is like a parachute, if you need one but don't have one, you'll probably never need one again.
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Originally Posted By K1rodeoboater: How are these? I got one of their AK receivers and was impressed. I've been thinking about their AR ones and several others since then. View Quote Heavy. Cheap. 6 holes have to be drilled, 2 taps are needed unless you make modifications. A couple of ARFCOM build threads are referenced on Page 1. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/648352_I_welded_together_a_steel_receiver_from_theflatspot_net__Update_6_11_Paint_Job_on_page_3.html http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/647105_Steel_AR_flats_from_the_Flat_Spot.html |
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Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912
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Originally Posted By backbencher:
Looks more like a single-shot receiver to me. (I'm not ordering one 'til NOLO wins, though.) The older style 80% w/ a solid magwell sure would make things easier if one had an ARES belt fed upper or a .50" BMG upper. Tap the buffer tube boss and you're in business. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By backbencher:
Originally Posted By PursuitSS:
Originally Posted By A_Friendly_Manatee: Much thanks to the OP for this thread. I've just started looking into 80% lowers, and this thread is a great resource.
I was browsing the manufacturers listed in the OP, and I noticed something unusual: http://moriartiarmaments.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=71_79&product_id=341 Not only does this 80%er have the trigger pocket milled out instead of the magwell, but it also seems to be milled out for machine gun parts (i.e. extended rear pocket, auto sear pin holes). What's up with that? THAT is a M-16 receiver, PERIOD! Looks more like a single-shot receiver to me. (I'm not ordering one 'til NOLO wins, though.) The older style 80% w/ a solid magwell sure would make things easier if one had an ARES belt fed upper or a .50" BMG upper. Tap the buffer tube boss and you're in business. |
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No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms
Thomas Jefferson If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so. - Thomas Jefferson |
"That pistol just kept saying, let go of my ears, you don't know what you're doing." -thehellbringer
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Bearcreekarsenal.com
If you sign up for their mailing list they run some crazy sales. |
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You should update Right To Bear Arms comments:
They also offer 80% with full engraving (name/location/model/caliber/serial) in addition to engraving safety pictogram markings. This is useful to be compliant with the new California law taking effect in 2018 or for anyone else planning to register their build as an SBR. |
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Someone should make a burnt orange AR lower...
Makes good protest to UT Austin and the anti gun policies they seem to think will solve all violence. |
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...believe in me, I'm with the High Command.
MO, USA
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Damn triple tap
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"When trading bullets it is better to give than to receive" ___________________
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell |
...believe in me, I'm with the High Command.
MO, USA
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"When trading bullets it is better to give than to receive" ___________________
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell |
...believe in me, I'm with the High Command.
MO, USA
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"When trading bullets it is better to give than to receive" ___________________
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell |
Since I can't find the thread on sig 320 builds, I'll just post THIS here.
Try to remember your names without looking them up: @backbencher @alfaromeofifteen At least I think you were both involved in that one. |
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A firearm is like a parachute, if you need one but don't have one, you'll probably never need one again.
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Yep. Thanks for remembering me. The question is are all the small bits available? Grip modules, mags, slides, & bbls are all available from SIG, and there's an aftermarket trigger. There are still some bits needed in the frame.
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I'm the lucky son-of-a-gun who married FW_wife.
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Originally Posted By alpharomeofifteen:
Another one to add to the list: DS Arms Material: 7075-T6 Aluminum Construction: Forged Rear Lug Cut: Yes Finish: Raw BATF Approval Letter Supplied: No? Comments: Manufactured by DS Arms (Arfcom Industry Partner), trigger finger rest cutouts on both sides, bullet pictograms for selector on both sides. My 2 cents: A very well made lower. Machining is excellent and the finger rest cutouts are rather unique. Priced at @$45 at the time of this post. http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j69/maximusscriptorius/80B4CE1E-1664-45CA-A6DA-66D840A7DEF2_zpsg84bg4sk.jpg http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j69/maximusscriptorius/BDC67131-C231-495D-BB80-211959B37A33_zpsgfoaa4yj.jpg http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j69/maximusscriptorius/89A1556B-0BEC-4BA2-9DCE-96399987F8BE_zpsnsrqewx8.jpg View Quote |
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...believe in me, I'm with the High Command.
MO, USA
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"When trading bullets it is better to give than to receive" _____________________
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell |
EP Armory has aluminum and plastic lowers. Their plastic blems are probably a good way to practice and get your technique down before you start cutting aluminum. In bulk, they get down to $12 something per lower. They also have a Glock mag aluminum 80%.
I've heard the Andersons do not have the LRBHO boss roll pin hole drilled. |
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Married the most eligible woman on ARFCOM. https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/That-Every-Man-Be-Armed-Free-AR-parts-Please-contribute-your-parts-Trash-Panda-vid-Pg-15-/5-2146304/
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Originally Posted By Al303:
I recently got a couple lowers from DSA. While they appear quality and milled nicely they do not have the pictured and advertised finger rest cutouts and are simply marked Safe/fire View Quote |
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Originally Posted By backbencher:
EP Armory has aluminum and plastic lowers. Their plastic blems are probably a good way to practice and get your technique down before you start cutting aluminum. In bulk, they get down to $12 something per lower. View Quote ETA: Ok, the buy 2-get-1 blem deal is $13.33 each. https://www.eparmory.com/BUY-2-GET-1-FREE-_p_396.html |
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...believe in me, I'm with the High Command.
MO, USA
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"When trading bullets it is better to give than to receive" _____________________
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell |
BTW, thank you for maintaining this thread. Someday I hope to have a Lego kit in the list.
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Married the most eligible woman on ARFCOM. https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/That-Every-Man-Be-Armed-Free-AR-parts-Please-contribute-your-parts-Trash-Panda-vid-Pg-15-/5-2146304/
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Originally Posted By motoguy: I was going to order from DSA, but when I put them in my cart there was no way to choose between pictograph and text. I wanted the text, not the pictograph. Since I couldn't tell which I was going to get, I ordered from Ceratac. View Quote There appears to be a difference in there finished lowers also between the pictures. |
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Originally Posted By j3_:
There pics appear to be a mix of old and new stock? I liked the old ones with the finger cutout but most of the new pics just show a standard forged lower. There appears to be a difference in there finished lowers also between the pictures. View Quote |
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Hi folks, does anyone sell an 80% forged lower that matches the style of the early FN M16A2 in this post by MauserMatt? The particular detail I’m looking at is the lack of the cylindrical “bulge” / reinforcement on the right side at the rear of the receiver were the hole is drilled from the back end for the takedown pin detent / spring. I’m still looking through the links in the OP, but so far, all of them show that reinforcement that characterizes a later lower. I’m guessing I may have to look at having someone mill off that detail for me. Thanks for any help you can offer!
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For 80% Arms lower, you have No for rear lug. All the ones I see they offer does have the rear takedown lug already cut out.
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What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women!
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Not saying I'm cheap, but anyone have suggestions on the best deal going on 5 or 10 packs of lowers?
Only looking for standard black anodized forged 7075. Markings or other "features" won't make or break the deal. @SailorJ maybe ? |
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A firearm is like a parachute, if you need one but don't have one, you'll probably never need one again.
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Originally Posted By AFCarbon15:
Not saying I'm cheap, but anyone have suggestions on the best deal going on 5 or 10 packs of lowers? Only looking for standard black anodized forged 7075. Markings or other "features" won't make or break the deal. @SailorJ maybe ? View Quote |
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Originally Posted By JASIRR: @AFCarbon15 I'm looking for the exact same thing, 10 pack. They are currently backordered but the best price I've been able to put together is ~$44 ea shipped using various Brownells codes. I'd like to get that closer to $375-$400 for a 10 pack. If I find anything Ill post up. View Quote |
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A firearm is like a parachute, if you need one but don't have one, you'll probably never need one again.
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Nice find, post your thoughts when you get them.
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I've used Matrix. They are really nice in my experience. I'd be happy using them again.
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I ordered a Cerro lower from RightToBear two weeks ago and was disappointed to discover that the design of the lower they are selling has changed. Their product listing states, "These RTB 80% Lowers now come with a tension screw hole drilled and threaded for a 1/4"x28 set screw (set screw sold separately)," but more has changed than that. The shape of the "collar" at the rear where the RE screws in is fatter and more rounded, the magwell fence has a sharper point at the bottom, and the raised area on the left side of the magwell (where the channel to clear the bump on the magazine is located) is narrower. None of this affects the function of the lower, but the appeal of these Cerro lowers, for me at least, was the ability to clone a military-issued lower, and these new lowers are no longer a visual match for the military version. Here are some comparison photos:
Old Cerro lower (Cerro keyhole was machined off when engraved): Attached File New lower (website states, "Cerro Forge (Key hole may or may not be machined off)" but I can't find any evidence that this lower had a keyhole): Attached File Comparison of rear of lower (old on left, new on right): Attached File Magwell comparison (new on top, old on bottom): Attached File New tension screw hole (I didn't want this feature but could have lived with it since it wouldn't be seen): Attached File RTB was very responsive and sent me a label to return the new lower, but I'm bummed that I won't be able to go to them for a clone lower anymore. They offer great service. |
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So it's an M-16A2 lower forging instead of an M4 lower forging?
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Married the most eligible woman on ARFCOM. https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/That-Every-Man-Be-Armed-Free-AR-parts-Please-contribute-your-parts-Trash-Panda-vid-Pg-15-/5-2146304/
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No, that’s what I thought at first, but the rear part of the lower doesn’t match the M16A2 design. You can see in this old post that the A2 “collar” tapers down to a horizontal line, not an angled one like this new lower. There seem to be some variations in that, but none like this new RTB lower. The A2 looks more like the M4 lower without the raised cyndrical bump for the take down pin spring / detent. I spent a lot of time staring at photos because I was going to see if I could have the older style Cerro lower modified to clone an A2 lower. All the M16A2 lowers I looked at also have the standard width vertical “channel” on the left side of the magwell. I don’t think the point on the A2 magwell fence is quite as sharp as this new lower’s either.
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I just ordered 2 skeletonized lowers from Thunder Tactical:
https://thundertactical.com/product/80-lower-skeleton-raw/ I also hope to get a couple of lowers from Iconic Industries. They've got some pretty good looking lowers: https://www.iconicindustriesinc.com/15-style- I think I'll grab a stealth & an instigator. I'll update when I've gotten to machining them. On a side note, I was in a local gun shop today, and the guy was selling Anderson AR-15 stripped lowers for $75 each... The last time I bought an Anderson lower, I spent $30. |
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I continue to run into challenges in my effort to find another source for Cerro 80% lowers like the ones the RTB used to sell, in my first photo that I posted above. I ordered one from JSE Surplus but really didn’t care for the way theirs were finished. The front face and lip of the magwell were ground down pretty drastically - it didn’t look like any military magwell that I’ve ever seen, which made it useless to me for cloning. I know I’m a bit picky, but after buying a couple of the good-looking Cerro lowers from RTB, which are no longer available, the Cerro lowers from other sources just aren’t the same. JSE checked their inventory for me and said that all of theirs are finished that way. They understood what I was concerned about and accepted the lower back for a refund.
The JSE Cerro lower is on the left, and the old style Cerro lower from RTB is on the right: Attached File Edit: I forgot to mention that the JSE lower also has a much smaller funnel / bevel milled around the inside of the magwell than the old RTB Cerro lowers have (along with most other factory lowers I’ve seen). A good example of the importance of who is finishing the lower vs. who made the original forging. RTB Cerro on top and JSE on the bottom: Attached File |
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I'm sorry to report that the Flat Spot is out of the AR flats business. They have sold the rights to the design on and the new owner of the TDP has not yet advertised new flats for sale yet.
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Married the most eligible woman on ARFCOM. https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/That-Every-Man-Be-Armed-Free-AR-parts-Please-contribute-your-parts-Trash-Panda-vid-Pg-15-/5-2146304/
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I’ve been thwarted again in my search for a “normal,” standard, MILSPEC-style 80% lower. I ordered a Anchor Harvey 80% Lower Receiver from Gorilla Machining and received it today. It’s described on their website as a “Anchor Harvey Raw 80 Percent Lower with Optional Safety Engraving,” which I took to mean that you had the option of selecting whether you wanted safety selector markings engraved on the lower, like Right to Bear offers. I couldn’t see any place to select the markings, but I figured you were supposed to write them in the order comments or something. Since I didn’t want any markings, I just ignored that, which maybe I should have looked into more closely, but “Optional” was the word that stood out to me. Sure enough, the lower showed up with “SAFE” and “FIRE” engraved on it, which was not what I wanted, since I’m planning to have it custom engraved:
Attached File However, when I turned it over, I discovered that it had a strange groove engraved in the left side of the receiver extension “collar.” I’ve never seen this on a lower before and have no idea what the purpose of it would be. It almost looks like it’s designed to provide clearance for the rods on a PDW stock or something, but since there’s no comparable groove on the other side, it would only have clearance on one side: Attached File Attached File The product image on their page is apparently just another generic photo, since it doesn’t show the selector markings or the groove cut in the side. It looks like I’m going to be returning another order, although I’m sending them a note to ask if they have any of these lowers without the markings or milled groove. It’s unfortunate, because this was the exact style of forging that I was looking for. It appears to match the ones used by LMT, BCM, some older Colts, and a few other brands, which are different from Cerro’s forging. |
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Maybe the groove to help you install the bolt catch pin which is why it's only on one side.
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Originally Posted By Trueweltall:
Maybe the groove to help you install the bolt catch pin which is why it's only on one side. View Quote |
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A firearm is like a parachute, if you need one but don't have one, you'll probably never need one again.
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Aha, that’s a great observation, thanks! I never would have thought of that, since it would require a really long punch. I have a set of long Grace roll pin punches that won’t even reach that far without the handle hitting that area of the receiver. I’ve always used one of those specialized half-cutaway punches to install that roll pin, so I never thought of that.
Gorilla sent me a return shipping label, so it will go back to them tomorrow. They said all of their Anchor Harvey 80% lowers are like that. |
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Originally Posted By PursuitSS:
@3ACR_Scout The proper tools for installing the roll pin, and they ARE long enough.... https://i.imgur.com/73Dghh0.jpg View Quote |
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