ok, i'm probably gonna catch some s**t for this one, but here goes,,,,
obviously, i'm a Colt man, BUT, let me say this, since Colt Pre ban lowers and uppers are WAY TO HIGH, i'm buying up Bushmaster and other off brand stuff for my "re-building" projects.
(see them at www.geocities.com/coltm1991a1/)
example, i priced a colt lower last week, (forget the model #) it was $850.
bought last month an Essential Arms pre ban lower for $600.
am i going to pay extra $$$$ for the Colt name?
NO.
i can have just as much fun rebuilding / shooting someone else's lower.
i guess it's all in preference of what you want.
i have one each, Colt, Bushmaster, Eagle Arms and Essential Arms, all four have served me well.
secret, after purchasing a lower, i strip it down and install a Bushmaster complete lower kit. excellent quality with Bushy stuff.
colt, out.
i agree with ar15robert below