[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Essential Arms lower question

Posted: 5/8/2011 1:21:16 PM EDT

I have a couple old ea lowers, they feel heavier than aluminum, and are gray in color. How can I verify these are steel lowers, and do they carry any premium over aluminum?

Thanks.

Posted: 5/8/2011 1:45:00 PM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
I have a couple old ea lowers, they feel heavier than aluminum, and are gray in color. How can I verify these are steel lowers, and do they carry any premium over aluminum?

Thanks.

If I recall correctly they cast aluminum lowers way back when. The new ones are forged, and very nice, I have 3

Posted: 5/8/2011 4:12:15 PM EDT

[#2]

DPMS got their start by buying tooling and such from EA in early '94 to build cast lowers. DPMS had a cast SS lower for quite a few years....not sure if EA had any part in that, but could be.

advntrjnky

Posted: 5/8/2011 6:17:30 PM EDT

[#3]

If your EA lower's markings are raised instead of stamped, it's an older cast lower receiver. CT residents buy those up since they are non-Colt pre-bans. I traded one to a dealer in CT for a pre-ban Colt lower, since he couldn't sell it there.

I don't think EA ever made steel lowers, but I could be wrong. The easiest way to verify is with a magnet. Even SS has a low level of carbon in it, so it will still be attracted to the metal, but not nearly as strongly as carbon steel.

Posted: 5/8/2011 9:21:42 PM EDT

[#4]

I cant believe I didnt think of that. certainly not steel. Wonder what I should do with these lowers.

Posted: 5/8/2011 9:37:04 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
I cant believe I didnt think of that. certainly not steel. Wonder what I should do with these lowers.

Putt them on the EE for $500 each. CT buyers will snap them up.

Posted: 5/8/2011 11:19:11 PM EDT

[#6]

Thanks very much all.

Posted: 5/9/2011 5:10:51 AM EDT

[#7]

$500 a piece?

I had no idea

Posted: 5/9/2011 5:29:51 PM EDT

[#8]

not all EA cast lowers are pre-'94 ban. they still sold some after the ban, and started selling some cast ones again in 2003 IIRC....shortly after selling again they switched to forged.

advntrjnky

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Essential Arms lower question

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Essential Arms lower question

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Essential Arms lower question