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Posted: 6/19/2006 6:20:01 PM EDT
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I have done the search and found a few threads about lowers with conflicting info. My local FFL has DPMS lowers in stock at $99.00. They charge $25.00 to handle orders needing an FFL. So if I order from BM or anyone else, it will cost me. I want to build an AR and I want the best quality without 20/20 regrets. I also found that many companies have lowers built by the same "forge"? but I am not sure of the difference in quality of forged or milled lowers or which company does which type or which type is really better. I do not want to start a flame--just some good ole personal and knowledgable suggestions. Thank you for your time! |
So let me present another side. I've owned two DPMS lowers. Because I foolishly didn't take a good close look at the first one, I discovered, when it was too late to do anything about it, that the recess in the front lugs was cut off center, so the upper tilted to the left by a noticable amount when mounted. Obviously, I gave the second one I bought several years later a good eyeballing. The front wall looked like it had been smoothed by a monkey, and the forging remains at the rear, over the handgrip site, was so big and sharp that you could gouge your hand on it. Bought it anyway, because I was planning to cut the thing to M16A1 dimensions, and smoothing the crappy areas was just an extra bit of work. So my advice on DPMS lowers is: look the piece over carefully. If it meets your visual requirements, and you like the price, fine; go for it. But for pete's sake don't mail order one, or put your money down w/o giving it a good eyeballing. 
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Absolutely. By saying that I personally haven't had issues I never meant to imply that DPMS hasn't produced some lemons. I know for a fact that they have, as have all of the other manufacturers from time to time...
I agree that this is good advice for any receiver/part bought in person, not just DPMS products...
Here is where I'll respectfully disagree with you. I would venture to guess that the majority of folks here who build more that a couple of rifles eventually order receivers and other parts sight-unseen -- if you want the best prices, it almost can't be avoided. The trick is only to order from reputable manufacturers/retailers who will stand behind the sale. I have built 6 ARs from Mega receivers, all ordered directly from the manufacturer sight-unseen. One of those was out-of-spec, and Mr. Carrico was a stand-up guy about it 100%. |
I'll certainly agree that every producer turns out a bummer piece every once in awhile, but DPMS seems to have a higher average than the majority, and that was the original question  Fortunately, I don't have to mail order lowers. There's a dealership right up the road from me that carries DPMS, Bushie, and Continental made lowers in stock, at prices that are right in the ball park with the mail order guys; so I can see what I'm getting before I put my bucks down. (That's what teed me off so badly about that first DPMS lower I bought. I DIDN'T CHECK IT OUT  )For people that do have to go the mail order route, though, I still think they're less likely to get a lemon w/almost any other brand than DPMS.
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Could you tell me where this dealer is please? Elvis |
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