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Table of Contents
Upgrading the rifle with an AR Lower Receiver is good for making a custom build.
Why do we need an AR Lower Receiver?
Reliable Lower Receivers allow shooters to enhance the quality of their shooting experience.
Make: BROWNELLS
Model: BRN-180
Cartridge: 5.56 MM NATO
Style: Billet, Stripped
The BRN-180M Lower Receiver is specifically designed to be compatible with the BRN-180 Uppers, Mil-Spec lowers parts and triggers to present this line’s full potential.The BRN-180M proprietary-designed Lowers don’t fit standard AR-15 upper receivers.
These aluminum (7075 T-6) Lower Receivers with a hard-anodized finish don’t have the traditional-receiver extension threads but are equipped with a milled 1913 Picatinny rail section for stocks or braces attachment (as for the Sig Sauer MCX). They come with an integral oversized trigger guard, a unique threaded bolt catch pin, and a captive set screw for the takedown pin detent spring. A tiny Allen wrench is needed to install the rear takedown pin.
Video review
Pros
Made in the USA
Aesthetically Pleasing
Easy To Install
Operates With Many Guns
Well-crafted and a perfect complement to the BRN-180 upper
Nice side charging handle
The 1913 Picatinny rail on the rear allows mounting a super-light folding stock or arm brace
The threaded bolt release and takedown spring help make for an easy assembly/disassembly
Cons
Fitting Required: bad quality control trigger and takedown pins, both don’t line up: the first need drilling out to a bigger size on the lower, the second – require filling
The injection-molded buffer spring cap on the BRN-180 upper is a bit off dimension and it prevents the rear takedown pin from closing, having to be sanded the buffer to fit
Make: FIGHTLITE INDUSTRIES
Model: SCR
Cartridge: 5.56 MM NATO
The SCR Lower Receiver is a Complete Assembly, which comes with wood buttstock with four finishes of choice: Nutmag, Forest Camo, Walnut, and Pepper. The Lowers are compatible with standard AR-15-type upper receivers. The SCR Lowers consist of Bolt Catch, wood buttstock, Bolt Carrier, Strut & Dowel Pin.
The BRN-10 Aluminum (7075-T6) Lower Receiver allows building out a unique AR-10 clone, including the proprietary components, such as the takedown pins, magazine release, and safety selector. The buffer tube fits any standard AR-15/308 buffer tube and stock. The BRN-10 Lower Receiver is only compatible with the BRN-10 Upper Receiver, but not with other 308 pattern receivers.
Pros
Made in the USA
Compatible with standard AR-15 trigger parts
Durable anodized Matte Black finish
Aesthetically Pleasing
Easy To Install
Quality machining
Comes with all “special” retro parts to complete the 1950’s appearance
Tight fit with the BRN-10 upper receiver
All small parts fit well
No burrs, dings, or scratches
Cons
Limited Function
Doesn’t include the buffer retainer or spring
Bolt hold open, however, doesn’t work without an inserted mag
The safety selector is much more difficult to actuate than a standard AR-15 one
Make: BROWNELLS
Mode: BRN-180
Cartridge: 5.56 MM NATO
Style: Stripped
The Brownells BRN-180 Lower Receiver is a forged lower with all the right visual lines, integrates features of modern AR-15 lower, and feeds from USGI STANAG style mags. The aluminum (7075) forgings with the cosmetic ‘weld’ marks meet the standards of modern AR-15 lowers’ construction. The BRN-180 uses standard Mil-Spec AR-15 lower parts kits. The BRN-180 rear comes with a 1913 Picatinny rail section, instead of the unnecessary AR-15 buffer tube threads.
Video review
Pros
Made in the USA
Great update to the classic style: pays homage to the original AR-180 design
Nice fixed folding stock resembles the original AR-18/180 but stock
Easy to install all the lower parts
1913 Picatinny stock/brace mounting section allows to take advantage of the BRN-180 Upper Receivers ‘fire while folded’ design
The upper just goes together perfectly
The Armalite AR-180 with these great lower and upper receiver combos becomes a lightweight, reliable, and accurate rifle built
Cons
The trigger guard is a little too skinny, as Aluminum is not as strong as steel
The pivot pin holes aren’t in alignment: both the takedown and pivot pin holes have to be filled out to make the pins fit
Low-quality finish
Bad quality machining of the pistol grip area: visible how crooked and out of spec this area is
The CMMG roll pin for the bolt catch marred up rather bad
Gibbz upper doesn’t fit on it, Rainier needs to be hammered on and off
The Stripped Forged Lowers with the base for AR15 build is machined from Aluminum (7075-T6) to mil-spec dimensions and Black hard-coat anodized.
Video review
Pros
Made in the USA
High quality and components interchangeability
Very clean finish
Good anodization milled well
Tight holes of takedown pin, trigger pin, and safety selector
All parts fit snug
Barrel and buffer tube attached perfectly
Every other spring and detent hole is to specs
Cons
Uppers fit a little looser side to side on this lower than any of the other lower receivers
Impossible to get a magazine in far enough to align the mag catch hole with the mag catch slot: it looks like the magazine well is not squarely cut
Bolt catch roll pinhole is machined too large
Issues with threading
Time-wasting pivot pin installation: the spring and detent cannot be pressed deep enough into the channel to allow the pivot pin to be placed, have to cut ~ 1 mm off the spring to install the pin
These lower parts for AR rifles meet Military Specifications. The kit comes with a right-hand Semi-auto safety selector, but without fire control parts (Trigger, Hammer, Springs, Disconnector).The lower receiver consists of Bolt Catch (its Plunger, Roll Pin, and Spring); Magazine Catch (it’s Spring and Button); Pivot and Takedown pins; 2x Pivot/Takedown detents and their springs; Safety Detent, its Spring, Trigger Guard (Aluminum GI) and its Roll Pin; 2x Trigger/Hammer Pins.
Pros
Easy to install
Decent price
The quality well-machined mil-spec lower parts kit
Everything fits together very tightly and precisely
The safety selector is crisp and audible
Cons
Difficult to install the roller pin that holds the action/ bolt release without marring the lower left side finish (even applying masking tape)
The takedown and pivot springs are too large, they don’t fit
The finish could be better
The bolt catch doesn’t work: the tine, which the mag follower lifts, is short and rounded off, slipping behind the follower and not lifting, so the bolt would not hold open on an empty mag
The kit is crafted from high-quality steel. It consists of a Safety detent with Spring, Buffer Retainer with Spring, Mag Release Button with Spring, Buffer Retainer, Bolt Catch Plunger with Spring, Bolt Catch, Trigger Guard, Trigger Guard Roll Pin, Take, Roll Pin, Safety, Mag Release. The Fire control group and grip aren’t included.
Pros
Mil-Spec lower parts
Durable construction
The drop-in trigger is so easy to install that no hammering is needed
The springs all feel good
Mag release works as it should
Cons
California’s Proposition 65
Oversized roll pins
Out of spec safety, detents, springs, and bolt catch
Safety is hard to operate
Bolt catch pin is too thick
The fit is loose
The mag release assembly is almost rusty (brown colored)
Have to purchase separate items, not a complete kit
The bad-looking finish on the mag release
The takedowns pin is stiffer than expected (it’s hard to use it): needs punching them with a tool to break down
Every single part in this kit is oversized: the roller pin gets stuck in the bolt release
Magazine catch doesn’t fit
The trigger guard is held in place by a set screw: it looks like the retractable pin in the picture, but it’s not
The 3 models differ in price and completeness: the cheapest and the most expensive models consist of the same accessories, additionally to which the first one includes only Safety selector, the second one – Ambidextrous Selector, Disconnect with Spring, Hammer with Spring, Lock Washer, Pistol Grip with Screw, Trigger with Spring, Trigger Guard Assembly, and Trigger Guard Pivot Spring Pin.
The third model kit comes with such parts as A2 Grip, Bolt Catch with Plunger, Roll Pin, and Spring; Buffer Retainer with Pin and Spring; Detent Spring, Disconnector Spring, Grips Screw & Washer; Hammer with Spring; Magazine Catch with Spring; Magazine Release Button, Pivot Pin, Rear TakeDown Pin; Safety selector with Detent and Spring; Takedown Pin Detent, Trigger with Spring, Trigger Guard.
Video review
Pros
All components meet Mil-spec
The kits provide a tight reliable fit
High-quality steel
Reasonable cost
Excellent machining
Functions well
Smooth action
Very straightforward to install onto a lower
Grippiness, and lightness
Solid kit, everything goes in smooth
Clearly labeled: bubble pack with parts labels to help newbies
Trigger Breaking Point
The trigger feels less gritty
Comes with an Ambi-safety selector switch replacement
Cons
Polymer MAG release button
Missing the disconnect spring and receiver pivot pin
Uncomfortable grip angle: very basic, not ergo grip
These AR15 Lower Parts are DPMS patterns, helping to improve shooting skills. There are two models available, depending on the used gun model (AR-15 or AR-10) and cartridge (5.56x45mm NATO or .308 Winchester). The kit includes Buffer Retainer with Spring; Trigger Guard with Pin; Selector/Safety; Bolt Catch with Spring, Buffer (Plunger), and Roll Pin; Magazine catch with Aluminum Button; 2x Detent Spring; 2x Takedown Detent; Mag Catch with Buttstock Plunger Spring; Front Pivot Pin; Disconnector, AR15; Trigger AR15 with Spring; A2 Pistol Grip with Bolt, Lock Washer; Selector/Ejector Spring; Detent (Selector); Hammer/Trigger pin; Rear Takedown Pin; Disconnector Spring; Hammer AR15, Mil-Spec with J-Spring.
Pros
Great for personalization
Quality materials
Made in America
Cast or machined to Mil-Spec drawings, materials, and heat treat
Springs are a combination of 17-4 SST and various Mil-Spec steel wires
The AR15 Lower kit consists of some standard and proprietary enhanced parts, coming without such commonly-upgraded components as the trigger, disconnect, hammer, and grip. The LRPLT Lower Receiver is made in Taiwan.
Video review
Pros
Great fit, feel, and function
SI Trigger Springs deliver a consistent trigger pull (4.5 to 5.5 lbs) with the LRPLT fire control group
Flexibility to use your favorite equipment for the omitted parts
Looks neat
Well-made with a durable finish
A little nicer fit and finish than Mil-spec
The takedown pins make it easy to grab to take the AR
The SI AR Lower Receiver Pin Kit integratesTakedown and Pivot pins with their detents; pins for Hammer, Trigger, Buffer Retainer, and Bolt catch roll; Bolt catch plunger and Safety detent.
Video review
Pros
Sturdy Lower Receiver Pins meet industry standards
Among a wide range of AR Lower Receivers on the market, checking the completeness before ordering the kit is dull, but necessary, if you want to make your custom AR build.
Tags: #best ar 15 lower receiver / #best lower receiver / #best quality 80 lower receiver / #best 308 lower receiver / #best ar lower receiver for the money
Gunsmith, Hunter, Gentleman Adventurer. Life is too short to shoot mass-produced guns. A once-in-a-lifetime hunt deserves a one-of-a-kind gun. Read about me.
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