What brand lower should I SBR? - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What brand lower should I SBR?

Posted: 12/24/2019 12:26:25 PM EDT

Do you think Noveske is good enough to do a Form 1 on?

Which brand do you think is the best choice for longevity?

Posted: 12/24/2019 12:44:38 PM EDT

[#1]

As long as it isnt a cast lower any forged or billet will do you fine.

Forged = aero, PSA, spikes
Billet = Noveske
Either will last longer then your lifetime. Dont over think it

Posted: 12/24/2019 12:45:48 PM EDT

[#2]

Anderson. Since everyone here loves their poverty pony

Posted: 12/24/2019 1:00:09 PM EDT

[#3]

I did a psa

Posted: 12/24/2019 1:04:56 PM EDT

[#4]

I did a PSA too.

Used a BCM parts kit, then ran it for roughly 500 rounds. Everything ran and looked good afterwards, so I then decided it was SBR worthy.

I would guess that as long as its to spec (no issues when assembling with a good quality LPK, and it fits nicely on your uppers) you should be fine. I do like to put some test miles on mine too though.

Posted: 12/24/2019 1:26:54 PM EDT

[#5]

I guess there's two schools of thought:

Quality to last several lifetimes; or

Cheap because there's little resale value.

I suppose it depends on your long-term plans for NFA items.

Posted: 12/24/2019 2:23:47 PM EDT

[#6]

For longevity anything 7075, probably forged. Build it up as a pistol to make sure no issues, then send off built lower to Tar Heel for engraving. Once it’s back and no mistakes, do the eForm. You don’t need a brace to function check it as a pistol, just stick some pipe foam over the buffer tube.

Posted: 12/24/2019 2:59:09 PM EDT

[#7]

I'd say do it on a lower you like and you're really happy with. My first SBR was on a PSA lower, my most recent one was a KAC ambi lower, so I've done both ends of the spectrum.

Whatever you do though, assemble it and make sure all the holes are in the right spots and it passes a basic function test before committing a form to it.

Posted: 12/24/2019 3:11:48 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
I did a psa

View Quote

I did a poop flinging gremlin lower from PSA.

Posted: 12/24/2019 3:22:28 PM EDT

[#9]

Ive done 2 LMT defender 2000 lowers.

If I was going to do another it would be with a LMT MARS lower. I prefer the LMT ambi over the KAC ambi

Posted: 12/24/2019 4:03:31 PM EDT

[#10]

Colt: 3 (2 form 1/1 form 4)
LMT: 1 form 1
Temple: 1 form 1
Aero: 2 form 1
PSA: 1 form 1

I would say it doesnt really matter

Posted: 12/24/2019 6:07:25 PM EDT

[#11]

I SBR everything, but that's just me.

I've done $40 poverty ponies, PSA to $3-400 billets.

I prefer the cheaper lowers simply for the fact that they're gonna get beat up.

I think you should form 1 any quality lower from a reputable manufacturer and you will be good to go

Posted: 12/24/2019 7:48:00 PM EDT

[#12]

So much great info in this thread. Thanks to all posters.

Wish I could do them all but the funds aren't there. Maybe soon though.

Posted: 12/25/2019 3:23:23 PM EDT

[#13]

I’d say SBR one that you test first and be sure it drops free mags and works well. And other than that i wouldn’t do a novelty lower unless your sure your still going to like that same novelty in the future. Other than that most all the forged lowers are equal unless your looking for unique features like ambi.

Posted: 12/26/2019 10:57:37 PM EDT

[#14]

SBR all the things. If it’s within spec, Form 1 it...

Posted: 12/26/2019 11:57:29 PM EDT

[#15]

My opinion, Form 1 a lower you’re happy keeping around. If you don’t like something about it (like really hate a logo or design) don’t SBR it.

I have the following SBRed:

3 x Stag-15 forged MILSPEC lowers
1 x Aero M5 .308 lower
1 x JoeBob 9mm billet lowers

I keep doing Stag because I’ve been happy with the quality and they aren’t very expensive. At least when I bought mine.

Posted: 12/27/2019 12:07:46 AM EDT

[#16]

Attached File

Mines an EA lower (not mine in pic).

Posted: 12/27/2019 9:42:33 AM EDT

[#17]

Aside from making sure it’s within spec and good to go, I suggest choosing something that you’ll be happy with for a long time.

Posted: 12/27/2019 10:08:27 AM EDT

[#18]

Whichever one has the roll mark you like. Heck, I’ve SBRd one before for no other reason than the selector markings.

Zombie Defense
PSA
Spikes x2
Aero x2

Posted: 12/28/2019 1:32:54 AM EDT

[#19]

I vote LMT...great quality & reasonably priced.

Posted: 12/28/2019 10:39:05 AM EDT

[#20]

All three of mine are PSA lowers. I don't mind having their rollmark on there. My primary concern is that they're in spec and work reliably. three for three in that department so far.

Posted: 12/28/2019 10:49:33 AM EDT

[#21]

I've got a Bushmaster lower that I SBR'd around 1999 and carried on duty for 15 years.

Numerous high round count classes, tons of personal and Dept training... runs like a champ to this day but I replaced it with a BCM 11.5 a few years back

I've got a couple Colt, BCM and Noveske SBRs too....

As long as it's quality... the rest is vanity... in 1999 it was mostly Bushmaster or Colt

Posted: 12/28/2019 4:16:10 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
I vote LMT...great quality & reasonably priced.

View Quote

And nice, simple roll mark

Posted: 12/28/2019 4:22:02 PM EDT

[#23]

I have some arfcom and LT

Posted: 12/28/2019 4:34:00 PM EDT

[#24]

whatever you want, just make sure you use quality parts and do a function check on everything before putting paperwork on it

Posted: 12/28/2019 6:47:04 PM EDT

[#25]

MIne’s a Rock River Arms. It was back when AR15 liked them.

Posted: 12/28/2019 6:51:26 PM EDT

[#26]

Most of mine are spikes, my next is a PSA, as soon as I send it off to get engraved

As long as its in spec and not polymer, you’re over thinking it.

I know one is a honey badger, I can’t recall what others are.

Posted: 12/28/2019 6:55:35 PM EDT

[#27]

The cheapest forged lower you can purchase that's in spec, properly machined and anodized. Why? Because you will never be able to liquidate the lower as you will have to pay $200 to get it to a dealer and a buyer would have to put another $200 in to have it transferd to themselves. If you think the lower will have value on the open market and you could ever want or need to sell it, keeping off the NFA registration list makes it easier. You could delist but you won't be tempted to do that if the unit a is a $40 Anderson or $50 PSA lower.

Posted: 12/28/2019 6:58:17 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
The cheapest forged lower you can purchase that's in spec, properly machined and anodized. Why? Because you will never be able to liquidate the lower as you will have to pay $200 to get it to a dealer and a buyer would have to put another $200 in to have it transferd to themselves. If you think the lower will have value on the open market and you could ever want or need to sell it, keeping off the NFA registration list makes it easier. You could delist but you won't be tempted to do that if the unit a is a $40 Anderson or $50 PSA lower.

View Quote

16” barrel and it’s just another rifle

Or just sell the lower and notify the ATF to remove it.

You’re out your stamp, but you shouldn’t be selling sbr’s anyway.

Posted: 12/28/2019 9:00:35 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:

16” barrel and it’s just another rifle

Or just sell the lower and notify the ATF to remove it.

You’re out your stamp, but you shouldn’t be selling sbr’s anyway.

View Quote

That's my point...If you are going to jump through the hoops, just use a lower that you won't feel the need to sell. I've got several lowers that could fetch over $250 a piece and are regularly going for that much in a week or two here at ARF.com despite it being the salad days beacuase they are hard to find and in demand. If I needed to convert property to cash liquidity, they'd be an easy way for me to do so. If they were SBR'd, with my NFA info engraved as required, they drop in value and I am out a $200 stamp at the very least if I delist and sell. So, those won't be used for NFA stuff(unless the Hughes amendment is repealed) but I've got several other options stamped that would be considered plentiful on the regular market and won't bring much in the way of cash because of that.

Posted: 12/31/2019 3:49:30 PM EDT

[#30]

My first was a spikes, my next one is gonna be on DD MK18 upper. And I have 2 LMT lowers and one will be for this other sbr.

My two LMT, I picked up at tombstone tactical, they still have a few left. I had to wait because they where oos.

Posted: 1/1/2020 7:55:48 AM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:

but you shouldn’t be selling sbr’s anyway.

View Quote

Hell no! ^^THIS^^ My SBR lowers will never be sold.

Brad

Posted: 1/5/2020 6:13:19 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
Anderson. Since everyone here loves their poverty pony

View Quote

I did a poverty pony. May do another.

Posted: 1/5/2020 6:25:57 PM EDT

[#33]

Sent out a PSA M4A1 lower for engraving yesterday.

Posted: 1/5/2020 6:59:53 PM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:

I did a poverty pony. May do another.

View Quote

2-pack for under $70: https://www.kygunco.com/Product/View?ItemNo=143766

Or a single with three PMags for under $60: https://www.kygunco.com/Product/View?ItemNo=145544

Posted: 1/10/2020 9:59:24 PM EDT

[#35]

I have 1 Colt, 1 Aero, and 2 PSA on Form 1. It doesn't matter as long as everything fits and it works. Even poverty pony.

Posted: 1/10/2020 10:24:20 PM EDT

[#36]

I really like American Defense Manufacturing's UIC lowers. True ambi with bolt lock and release on right side. The seem a bit heavier than others, but it all i use now.

Posted: 1/10/2020 10:29:34 PM EDT

[#37]

SLR.

Posted: 1/19/2020 10:33:59 AM EDT

[#38]

If it isn't clear by now, you can SBR any lower you want as long as its in spec. "In spec" is the key and with that in mind, I highly suggest you build and test any lower you plan to SBR before sending in your $200 and paying to have it engraved.

As for which lower, I've personally owned and built a lot or them. Never liked their logo much but Mega made the best lowers hands down. As for what's available today, I personally think Aero makes the over all best lowers currently available. By best I mean best combination of price vs features vs machining quality. Something about those Aerospace guys from Washington... they just seem to know what they are doing when it comes to aluminum. I live 20 minutes away from Anderson and have built a couple of them for friends. While they have gotten better, I personally still wouldn't buy one. Just my opinion.

Posted: 1/19/2020 10:46:46 AM EDT

[#39]

Quote History

Quoted:
I guess there's two schools of thought:

Quality to last several lifetimes; or

Cheap because there's little resale value.

I suppose it depends on your long-term plans for NFA items.

View Quote

Meh, an in spec forged lower is an in spec forged lower.

Unless you have some data to show that Noveske lower is going to last longer than a PSA lower, that’s pretty much how it is.

Now, if you want additional features (ambi, integrated QD, etc), then obviously a more expensive lower is the choice.

Posted: 1/19/2020 10:55:06 AM EDT

[#40]

Mega if you can find one

Posted: 1/19/2020 7:03:15 PM EDT

[#41]

All of them.

Posted: 1/20/2020 5:05:38 AM EDT

[#42]

My next one!

Posted: 1/20/2020 8:45:38 AM EDT

[#43]

I went cheap because it was going to end up being $200 more in the end added to the cost of the receiver

Posted: 1/22/2020 3:58:25 PM EDT

[#44]

Life's short, go out and get what you like, then go out and do it again. I really like my Noveske SBRs. I'm not gonna lie, consecutive serial
numbers make me happy...

Posted: 1/24/2020 11:35:09 PM EDT

[#45]

Quote History

Quoted:
Ive done 2 LMT defender 2000 lowers.

If I was going to do another it would be with a LMT MARS lower. I prefer the LMT ambi over the KAC ambi

View Quote

LMT MARS-L

Posted: 1/29/2020 9:24:27 AM EDT

[#46]

Mega... stupid logo but man they put out the best quality forged lower especially for the money. I like them so much I made 3 of them SBRs

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What brand lower should I SBR?

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