Quoted: Thanks for the help ya'll, made up my mind on a Complete RRA Lower w/ A2 stock. Will pick one up this coming spring break/Christmas break. (Unless I can find one locally)
Ben
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You're almost always better-off, price-wise, buying a stripped lower and assembling parts on it.
The assembly process is butt-simple. Toughest part is installing the detent pin for the front takedown pin and the roll pin for the bolt stop, and neither is really hard. Nothing beyond a screwdriver or Allen wrench, a roll pin punch and a hammer (or medium sized rock) needed in the way of tools.
I've heard good things about RRA, Mega, Ameetec and LMT lowers. Haven't used any of them to date. I've built a couple of Eagle Arms lowers lately (about $105-$110 out the door) and have had zero problems. Basically, any decent lower will work; find one at a decent price and check that there aren't any posts reporting terrible problems, and you'll be good to go. I've seen far more in the way of problems with cheap fire control groups than with lowers. I'm partial to Bushmaster lower parts sets (about $65) just because I've always had good results with them, and saving $4 or $7 hasn't been worth the potential hassle of bad triggers, hammers and disconnectors as I've seen with some cheap parts sets.
'A2 stock parts are dirt cheap, and installation is simplicity itself.
I'm guessing from the statements about Christmas and Spring breaks that you're in school? That means money is tight. Spend it where you have to, on a good lower and internal parts, do the assembly yourself, and you'll save some money to use towards an upper, bolt and barrel.
Edited to add: in a few weeks US GI magazines will be dirt cheap once again. Maybe even approaching the 100/$200 prices found back in the pre-AWB days. If post-ban police/military new in wrapper magazines can be found currently for $7/each, there's no way prices will go anywhere but down on 14 September, though a temporary buying frenzy might push prices up to $10 or so.
The thing to worry about is what will happen in the event of a Kerry victory. Parts aren't likely to be banned, but rifles/receivers may be further restricted in January if the socialists get control of Congress. So make buying a lower receiver your highest priority.