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Posted: 9/27/2016 6:19:49 PM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
Hi and hopefully I can get a little clarification on this. I am in the process of building another AR-15 and I was looking at a couple of AR15 Forged Stripped Lowers. I was actually looking at 2 Stripped lower brands. 1 was Anderson Manufacturing and the other was Mega Arms. The price difference was about $50 different. But then I was told that Anderson Manufactures its own Lowers and Mega sources them out (probably to Anderson). IMO the Anderson is just as good as the Mega. Is this true that there are about 4 or 5 manufacturers of AR15 lowers and that they make the AR lowers to other well known brands? Just curious if they do and if so who are the actual manufacturers and who do they make them for? IMO there is no reason to pay almost double in price for practically the same AR lower Any input good or bad or if you guys think I am nuts is OK. CJ I just want to stop you right there. Mega is the gold standard of a lower receiver and Anderson is the bottom of the totem pole. Mega makes their own lowers and do not source them out, especially not to Anderson. That being said, any lower that is "in spec" will work. When you pay more, you are paying for a few things. 1 is a brand name, usually more reputable brands cost more. 2 is the fit and finish (overall quality) - you will find that more expensive lowers, they are just flawless and as beautiful as you can get (Mega is held in HIGH regard in this aspect). Basically, any lower will work, you just have to decide what you are wiling to spend your money on for the application. |
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Posted: 9/27/2016 6:56:17 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
Any input good or bad or if you guys think I am nuts is OK. you're not nuts. I have assembled a complete lower assy on a stripped ANDERSON lower, parts went together with no issues or problems. it matted to my upper nicely, no looseness, between upper and lower. the color match the upper. I like it, as well as it doesn't have that HUGE and silly logo on it that takes up half the mag well, like the MEGA one. put the money you would have spent on a MEGA to something useful, like ammo 
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Posted: 9/27/2016 7:12:22 PM EDT
[#3]
The lowers are not identical, not even near. If you like Anderson, buy/build with it. The difference between a $50 vs a $150 lower is in fit/finish, as already pointed out.
If you get the chance, pick up a Noveske lower. Like a black gold brick. Mega charges more for their lowers because they put the time into them, machining and finishing. That being said, I have 3 builds on Anderson lowers, not a problem yet and I will buy more. Any in spec lower will work, again as pointed out. |
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Posted: 9/27/2016 8:21:14 PM EDT
[#4]
general rule of thumb:
If you see a metric fuck ton of the same kind/type of forged lower on the market they're probably the manufacturer. If you can't find a metric fuck ton of them out there then they're probably having someone else (I.E. one of the metric fuck ton companies) making them on a variance for them. If they're a billet lower then they're probably made in house unless it's a cookie cutter one you can find for sale by multiple vendors and looks identical to another one. Not always true since there are some boutique builders out there who do make their own but you can better believe they're going to be pretty damn spendy (think Barret, LWRC, and other big name/high rep but not as large a run type companies) |
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Posted: 9/27/2016 8:21:15 PM EDT
[#5]
Is the mega gator grip still a thing?
Edit: yep still thing. That ads to the value to the lower. |
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Posted: 9/27/2016 8:42:37 PM EDT
[#6]
I like Aero and Mega personally, only difference between the two in my opinion is the anodizing on the Mega has a bit more sheen than the Aero. Other than that the fit and quality is the same, there's just a $30 price difference.
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Posted: 9/27/2016 8:51:54 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I like Aero and Mega personally, only difference between the two in my opinion is the anodizing on the Mega has a bit more sheen than the Aero. Other than that the fit and quality is the same, there's just a $30 price difference. +1 on Aero. Very nice finish, imo. |
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Posted: 9/27/2016 9:13:00 PM EDT
[#8]
There are a limited number of sources for the forgings.
While I cannot say how many shops are finish machining lowers I think I can safely say their numbers are on the rise. There can certainly be significant differences in the finished product quality between shops. I got to inspect a weapon today that does not compare favorably to either DD or LaRue weapons I have looked over recently. |
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Posted: 9/27/2016 9:13:00 PM EDT
[#9]
I have only had two issues with Anderson lowers, first the screw for the grip needs to be a 3/4" as Anderson does not drill the grip hole all the way through as they should. They only other issue I had was one of my lowers had the hole for the bolt catch roll pin drilled too close to the receiver this caused me to have to modify my bolt catch a bit to make it work. I would have sent it back but already had it assembled, I just ground a bit of the bolt of the latch down and it was fine.
If this is going to be your go to gun I would go with mega, but if it's just another AR to you then Anderson is fine. |
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Posted: 9/27/2016 9:20:27 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have only had two issues with Anderson lowers, first the screw for the grip needs to be a 3/4" as Anderson does not drill the grip hole all the way through as they should. They only other issue I had was one of my lowers had the hole for the bolt catch roll pin drilled too close to the receiver this caused me to have to modify my bolt catch a bit to make it work. I would have sent it back but already had it assembled, I just ground a bit of the bolt of the latch down and it was fine. If this is going to be your go to gun I would go with mega, but if it's just another AR to you then Anderson is fine. I hear that alot with Anderson. I've had 5 now, all used a 1" grip screw fine. Picking another up Thursday, hoping it's the same. |
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Posted: 9/27/2016 9:40:28 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I hear that alot with Anderson. I've had 5 now, all used a 1" grip screw fine. Picking another up Thursday, hoping it's the same. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I have only had two issues with Anderson lowers, first the screw for the grip needs to be a 3/4" as Anderson does not drill the grip hole all the way through as they should. They only other issue I had was one of my lowers had the hole for the bolt catch roll pin drilled too close to the receiver this caused me to have to modify my bolt catch a bit to make it work. I would have sent it back but already had it assembled, I just ground a bit of the bolt of the latch down and it was fine. If this is going to be your go to gun I would go with mega, but if it's just another AR to you then Anderson is fine. I hear that alot with Anderson. I've had 5 now, all used a 1" grip screw fine. Picking another up Thursday, hoping it's the same. I thought I read that they fixed the grip screw thing but it was stupid that they let them out like that. I get changes that are better or at least have reasons they could be better(like threading the rear takedown spring hole so you can screw a cap in or a screw for the bolt release to make it easier to install). I don't understand what the advantage was to going shorter like they did. It was an easy fix though. I've read of more issues with them overall with parts being out of spec than most but generally speaking people are happy with their lowers. I have an extra one sitting around myself but haven't built anything on it. |
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Posted: 9/27/2016 9:55:23 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I thought I read that they fixed the grip screw thing but it was stupid that they let them out like that. I get changes that are better or at least have reasons they could be better(like threading the rear takedown spring hole so you can screw a cap in or a screw for the bolt release to make it easier to install). I don't understand what the advantage was to going shorter like they did. It was an easy fix though. I've read of more issues with them overall with parts being out of spec than most but generally speaking people are happy with their lowers. I have an extra one sitting around myself but haven't built anything on it. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have only had two issues with Anderson lowers, first the screw for the grip needs to be a 3/4" as Anderson does not drill the grip hole all the way through as they should. They only other issue I had was one of my lowers had the hole for the bolt catch roll pin drilled too close to the receiver this caused me to have to modify my bolt catch a bit to make it work. I would have sent it back but already had it assembled, I just ground a bit of the bolt of the latch down and it was fine. If this is going to be your go to gun I would go with mega, but if it's just another AR to you then Anderson is fine. I hear that alot with Anderson. I've had 5 now, all used a 1" grip screw fine. Picking another up Thursday, hoping it's the same. I thought I read that they fixed the grip screw thing but it was stupid that they let them out like that. I get changes that are better or at least have reasons they could be better(like threading the rear takedown spring hole so you can screw a cap in or a screw for the bolt release to make it easier to install). I don't understand what the advantage was to going shorter like they did. It was an easy fix though. I've read of more issues with them overall with parts being out of spec than most but generally speaking people are happy with their lowers. I have an extra one sitting around myself but haven't built anything on it. Pretty sure that the lowers with the grip screw issue are in the past.?? Locally, Anderson is most readily available and cheap $55 otd. Stag runs $115 and RRA about $150 when I see them. Lgs gets 20 stripped lowers in, there gone in about 3 days, if that. |
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Posted: 9/28/2016 4:07:44 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
. Lgs gets 20 stripped lowers in, there gone in about 3 days, if that. |
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Posted: 9/28/2016 5:50:59 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The political panic already going on in your area, I guess? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
. Lgs gets 20 stripped lowers in, there gone in about 3 days, if that. Yeah, unfortunately. |
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Posted: 9/28/2016 8:29:23 AM EDT
[#15]
Mega > Anderson
Having said that, I've built 3 ARs in the last few months, all on Anderson Mfg Lowers (with matching Anderson uppers, LPKs, CHs, and BCGs) However, having just won a Larue Tactical barrel (Thanks Mark and LT!), I'd love to find a Mega matched set to build up. In the mean time, while searching for in stock MEGA receivers, I've transitioned to Aero Precision lowers. |
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Posted: 9/28/2016 8:29:36 AM EDT
[#16]
I prefer Mega to the Anderson lowers. Better finish, better QC. I'm helping a new shooter fix his Anderson lower since they drilled the buffer retaining slot too close to the FCG pocket. It was an obvious issue that should've been caught at the factory. Another friend can't get his Anderson AR to group; their barrel isn't worth a damn.
If you're ever going to sell the rifle, a mega lower build will result in better resale value. If you plan on keeping it, the roll Mark doesn't matter. Generally a forged lower is a forged lower, but on a serialized part I tend to want it right the first time. |
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Posted: 9/28/2016 8:38:54 AM EDT
[#17]
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Posted: 9/28/2016 8:48:11 AM EDT
[#18]
you can get 2 Anderson for the price of the Mega
I built my first Anderson the other day, I wasn't overly impressed but I wasn't dissapointed either, I don't care for the logo but this one is just a parts gun and is going to be painted anyway you mentioned you were building "another rifle"? what are your others and why not just go with one of the same? |
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Posted: 9/28/2016 12:26:24 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
There are a limited number of sources for the forgings. While I cannot say how many shops are finish machining lowers I think I can safely say their numbers are on the rise. There can certainly be significant differences in the finished product quality between shops. I got to inspect a weapon today that does not compare favorably to either DD or LaRue weapons I have looked over recently. This +1. Very few companies have the equipment to make the raw 0% forgings. Lots of companies have the CNC machines to turn those forgings into an 80% or completed lower. Lots of companies have the CNC machines to turn a billet into an 80% or completed lower. Even if a company starts with the same forging or billet, there can be differences in how they machine and finish it. While even the cheapest lower on the market can make a 100% functional rifle as long as it is in spec... as others have said, to at least a certain extent you do get what you pay for in terms of fit/finish quality and service. Not absolute though. There are always some inexpensive players who go above and beyond and some expensive players who are not worth what they charge. We are lucky that we have a variety of options at varying price points. I can remember not that long ago when that was not the case. |
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