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Best Lower Receiver

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.

Best Pick

BROWNELLS STRIPPED LOWER RECEIVER

BROWNELLS STRIPPED LOWER RECEIVER

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The Forged Lower Receiver is the first-class Lower with snug-fitting. All parts are crafted under spec and assembled perfectly.

TOP 20 Best AR Lower Receiver For The Money

#1 BROWNELLS STRIPPED LOWER RECEIVER

BROWNELLS STRIPPED LOWER RECEIVER

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Specification

Make: AR .308, HECKLER & KOCH
Model: 417
Cartridge: 308 WINCHESTER, 7.62 MM NATO
Style: Stripped

The Lower Receiver is machined from original German HK417 forging, and anodized with a matte black, Type III.

Video review

Pros
  • The first-class forged lower

  • Everything fit snugly

  • Selector markings with color filled pictograms

  • Manufactured under spec and assembled perfectly

  • Solid built

Cons
  • The HK mags only hold 20 rounds but marked 30 that doesn’t match real capacity

#2 BROWNELLS – BRN-180M LOWER RECEIVER

BROWNELLS - BRN-180M LOWER RECEIVER

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Specification

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

#3 KE ARMS STRIPPED LOWER RECEIVERS POLYMER

KE ARMS STRIPPED LOWER RECEIVERS POLYMER

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Specification

Calibers: .223/5.56mm NATO, .300 Blackout, 6.5mm Grendel and 6.8mm SPC, not recommended for .458 SOCOM, .50 Beowulf or .50 BMG

The KP-15 lower receivers can be paired up with 9mm blowback systems with a minimum buffer weight of 5.4 oz (carbine).

Video review

Pros
  • Lifetime warranty

  • Great balance and sling attachment points

  • Handy and light

  • The fit with the lower and upper components is precise and easy

  • Sturdy all-in-one molded assembly

  • Put together very easily

Cons
  • The length of pull is a little shorter than expected

  • Some areas need a small screwdriver to get to and knock off

  • The alignment of the two halves is not perfect

  • The included pin is entirely too short and does not seem to be fully supported nor secure

  • It seems that the casting and molding unit was not cooled correctly causing the deformity in the trigger well and upper pin area

  • Have to file the space where the frontal pivot pin holds the upper receiver just to insert the front pivot pin

#4 FIGHTLITE INDUSTRIES – SCR LOWER RECEIVER

FIGHTLITE INDUSTRIES - SCR LOWER RECEIVER

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Specification

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.

Video review

Pros
  • Various finish colors of wood buttstock

  • Quality complete assembly

Cons
  • Not yet rated

#5 BROWNELLS – BRN-10 LOWER RECEIVER

BROWNELLS - BRN-10 LOWER RECEIVER

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Specification

Make: BROWNELLS
Model: BRN-10
Cartridge: 308 WINCHESTER
Style: Stripped

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

#6 BROWNELLS BRN-4 STRIPPED LOWER RECEIVER

BROWNELLS BRN-4 STRIPPED LOWER RECEIVER

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Video review

#7 KNIGHTS ARMAMENT – SR-15 LOWER RECEIVER STRIPPED

KNIGHTS ARMAMENT - SR-15 LOWER RECEIVER STRIPPED

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Video review

#8 BROWNELLS BRN-180 STRIPPED LOWER RECEIVER FORGED

BROWNELLS BRN-180 STRIPPED LOWER RECEIVER FORGED

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Specification

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

#9 17 DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING FORGED LOWER RECEIVER

17 DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING FORGED LOWER RECEIVER

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Specification

Make: AR-15
Cartridge: Multi
Style: Stripped

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

  • Multiple minor cosmetic issues

#10 JAMES MADISON TACTICAL – 308 80% LOWER RECEIVER W/JIG

JAMES MADISON TACTICAL - 308 80% LOWER RECEIVER W/JIG

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Video review

#11 SAN TAN TACTICAL LOWER RECEIVER

SAN TAN TACTICAL LOWER RECEIVER

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Video review

#12 BROWNELLS BLEMISHED LOWER RECEIVER

BROWNELLS BLEMISHED LOWER RECEIVER

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Video review

#13 Wilson Combat Lower Receiver Small Parts Kit

Wilson Combat Lower Receiver Small Parts Kit

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Specification

Gun Model: AR-15

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 trigger guard pin is too big

  • This kit doesn’t include a grip bolt

#14 CMC Triggers Complete Lower Receiver Parts Kit

CMC Triggers Complete Lower Receiver Parts Kit

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Specification

Gun Model: AR-15
Gun Type: Rifle

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

#15 CMMG Lower Reciever Parts Kit

CMMG Lower Reciever Parts Kit

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Specification

Caliber: Universal
Gun Model: AR-15
Gun Type: Rifle
Trigger Pin Size: Standard

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

  • Weak hammer spring

#16 Luth-AR Lower Receiver Parts Kit

Luth-AR Lower Receiver Parts Kit

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Specification

Gun Model: AR-15; AR-10
Cartridge: 5.56x45mm NATO; .308 Winchester

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

Cons
  • Not Yet Reviewed

#17 Strike Industries AR Enhanced Lower Receiver Parts

Strike Industries AR Enhanced Lower Receiver Parts

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Specification

Gun Model: AR-15

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

  • Value-for-money

  • Solid construction

  • Style is a bit more unique than most AR15 designs

Cons
  • Needs lock tight on hand for the safety

  • Out of spec parts

  • Wrong buffer tube detent spring

  • Parts are not Mil-Spec

  • The sloppy feeling switch lacks a nice click

  • Doesn’t come with a trigger guard

  • Pivot Pin Head is too big, hits Handrail

#18 Seekins Precision Lower Receiver Parts Kit

Seekins Precision Lower Receiver Parts Kit

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Specification

Cartridge: .223 Remington, 5.56x45mm NATO
Gun Model: AR-15

This SP ambidextrous kit includes the pins and springs for AR15 lower receivers.

Video review

Pros
  • Takedown pins operate much better/easier

  • A nice ergonomic safety switch that gives a precise “click”

  • Fits Anderson lower

  • High-quality finish

  • The safety selector throw is a perfect size

  • Moderately priced

  • Mag release button, and Takedown pins have a nice fit

  • Crisp snap opens and shuts

Cons
  • The takedown pins seemed a little loose

  • Sharp edges on safety and trigger guard

#19 DELTAC AR-15 Lower Receiver Spring Kits

DELTAC AR-15 Lower Receiver Spring Kits

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Specification

Length: 0.603in or 15.31mm
Diameter: 0.555in or 14.10mm

The AR-15 Lower Receiver Spring Kit consists of the Commonly-used ones, coming in handy to replace worn springs.

Video review

Pros
  • 130% denser than steel and 60% denser than lead

  • Must-have spare kit of springs for AR lowers

  • Strong Tension

Cons
  • Not black

#20 Strike Industries AR Lower Receiver Pin Kit

Strike Industries AR Lower Receiver Pin Kit

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Specification

Gun Model: AR-15

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

  • Durable Matte Black Finish

  • Feels quality

Cons
  • Not yet

Conclusion

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

Zack Buck

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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