If you came to this article, chances are you are searching for a good lower receiver for your AR15 build.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking to upgrade your rifle, build a new one, or just want to learn more, the point remains the same.
Through this article, we will dive deeper into the AR15 lower receivers topic, explore how to choose and what to look for, and of course, we will list a few best AR15 lower receivers you can use in your next build.
Click here to skip directly to a list of the best lower receivers.
Table of contents:
- Different types of receivers
- Complete vs stripped lower receivers
- Best Lower Receivers for your Rifle
- Best stripped lowers
- Best complete lowers
- What to Look for in an AR-15 Lower Receiver
- Final Words
Different types of receivers
Before buying a lower receiver for your rifle, consider which type of receiver you need.
The three main types of AR-15 lower receivers are forged, billet, and polymer.
Aluminum is the most commonly used material to build lower receivers as they are light and durable. Aluminum lower receivers can be forged or billet.
There are also forged steel receivers and they are the most durable. However, they are heavy and also the most expensive of all other types.
Also, you can’t find them so often like other types.
In addition to the materials used, there are different types of lowers receivers in terms of compatibility.
Some of them are made to accept pistol-caliber magazines while others are made for standard rifle calibers.
Forget lower receiver
Forged lower receivers are made by hammering a block of aluminum into shape.
This process creates a receiver that is strong, durable, and lightweight.
Forged lower receivers are often the most popular type of receiver gun enthusiasts buy for their AR15 build.
Billet lower receiver
These lower receivers are CNC-machined from a solid block of aluminum.
This process allows better customization and more intricate designs.
Also, billet lowers are more expensive but are more customizable and aesthetically pleasing to some shooters.
Polymer lower receivers
As the name suggests, they are made of polymer making the lower receivers lightweight and high-strength.
Compared to aluminum, these lowers are lighter, however, they’re not so durable and may not withstand intense use and harsh conditions.
Complete vs stripped lower receivers
If you’re working on your first build, you probably saw there are two types of lower receivers: stripped and complete.
You may ask yourself “What’s the difference and which one should I pick?”.
Let’s take a look and compare them.
Stripped lower receivers
When you hear about stripped lower receivers, you may conclude something is missing there.
In the case of stripped lowers, components required for assembling functional lower receivers are missing.
These parts include a trigger, buffer tube, buffer, and stock.
But why should you buy it if it’s missing so many parts already?
If you’re enjoying building your guns piece by piece and you’re already a gun enthusiast, then you should go with this option.
Stripped lower receiver pros:
- Greater customization: When you buy stripped lower receiver, you have the ability to choose each component and build a receiver as you like and prefer.
- Cheaper: Stripped lower receivers are often less expensive than complete lower receivers, making them a good option if you’re not willing to spend lots of money.
- A better understanding of your gun: Building a stripped lower receiver required a certain level of knowledge and understanding of the mechanical part of your rifle. It’s a great learning opportunity.
However, there are some cons to choosing stripped lower receiver:
- More work: Building a stripped lower receiver required a significant amount of time and effort, as each part must be fitted and installed correctly.
- Need more tools: Building a stripped lower receiver require essential tools like punches and wrenches.
- Technical knowledge: To build a stripped lower receiver, you need some technical knowledge and expertise which may not be easily available to all enthusiasts.
Complete lower receivers
On the contrary, we have complete lower receivers coming with the necessary components required to create a functional lower.
If you’re going to buy the complete lower receiver, everything you’ll need to create a fully functional rifle is the upper receiver.
Just attach the complete upper receiver to the complete lower receiver and your rifle is ready.
However, this option has its pros and cons too.
Pros of buying a complete lower receiver:
- Convenient: Complete lower receivers are a convenient option for those who don’t have the time, knowledge, or tools to build a stripped lower receiver.
- Time-saving: Since all of the components are pre-assembled, complete lower receivers save time and effort compared to building a stripped lower receiver.
- Guaranteed compatibility: All of the components in a complete lower receiver are designed to work together, removing the risk of compatibility issues.
Here are the cons:
- Less customization: Complete lower receivers come pre-assembled meaning you don’t have the same level of control over each individual part that you could have with a stripped lower receiver.
- More expensive: Complete lower receivers usually cost more due to convenience and pre-assembled components.
- Limited learning opportunities: Since it’s already assembled, you’ll have less opportunity to learn more about your firearm mechanism.
Read more:
Best Lower Receivers for your Rifle
Now let’s see a list of 6 lower receivers we prepared for you.
Best stripped lowers:
- Sharps Bros THE JACK AR-15
- Grey Ghost Precision Cornerstone AR-15 Forged Stripped Lower
- Next Level Armament NLX556 Elite AR-15 Forged Lower Receiver
Best complete lowers:
- Rainier Arms RUC AR-15 Complete Lower Receiver - No Stock
- Tactical Edge Arms MOD 0 AR-15 Complete Lower Receiver - No Stock
- Sharps Bros Overthrow AR-15 Complete Lower Receiver w/o Stock - Gen 2
Best stripped lowers
Sharps Bros THE JACK AR-15
Let’s start with Sharp Bros' lower receivers as they are known for their combination of quality and unique design.
The Jack Gen2 comes with a threaded bolt catch pin.
Besides that, it’s pretty lightweight (10.70 oz) and has improved styling which will make your build stand out from the crowd.
This makes your rifle lighter and more maneuverable.
Crafted from 7075-T6 aluminum, The Jack is machined from top to bottom with an oversized and integral trigger guard, beveled magazine flare, and a multi-caliber mark.
Price: $275.45
Buy here!
Grey Ghost Precision Cornerstone AR-15 Forged Stripped Lower
With its superior fit and finish, this stripped lower provides the perfect starting point for a reliable and robust AR build that will perform flawlessly in any situation.
It’s machined from forged 7075-T6 aluminum, made to last.
It also features a black hard anodized finish improving this receiver aesthetically while providing great corrosion and wear resistance.
Grey Ghost Precision stripped lower receiver is machined tighter than Mil-Spec tolerances ensuring this one fits perfectly with nearly all available AR parts kits and uppers.
Additionally, the Cornerstone features a nylon-tipped tensioning screw to ensure a solid fit between the upper and lower receivers maintaining the receiver in the long run.
Weighing at just 8oz, the Cornerstone is lightweight and easy to handle, making it ideal if you’re looking to create a more lightweight AR build.
Price: $104.88
Buy here!
Next Level Armament NLX556 Elite AR-15 Forged Lower Receiver
NLX556 is made of pure aluminum forgings (7075 T6). Like in the products above, this one too is lightweight and strong.
Because of the precision machining, NLX556 is relatively lightweight helping you save ounces while building your new AR15 rifle.
As for the price, you can use this stripped lower receiver to build your rifle if you’re going with a more affordable approach.
Also, if you pair this lower receiver with the NLX556 Elite Upper receiver you’re probably gonna have one of the lightest rifles on the market.
And you’ll still maintain strength and durability.
Pairing these two to make a lightweight rifle will help you improve accuracy and maneuverability.
If however, you won’t pair these two receivers, the NLX556 Elite stripped lower receiver is still compatible with nearly all AR parts kits and upper available.
Did we mention it has flared mag well? This will help you reload your rifle faster.
And it’s marked with pictogram safe and fire indicators for more safety.
Price: $110.00
Buy here!
Best complete lowers
Rainier Arms RUC AR-15 Complete Lower Receiver - No Stock
The RUC complete lower receiver is made of 7075 T6 aluminum.
It also features a black hard-coat anodized finish meaning you’ll get a durable lower receiver resistant to corrosion and wear.
The receiver comes with a Rainier Arms Modified trigger guard providing ample room if you’re using gloves.
Also, you have increased trigger guard support.
The lower receiver comes with an ALG Defense Quality Mil-Spec - QMS trigger, a popular choice among AR-15 enthusiasts due to its smooth pull and crisp break.
The Mil-Spec Buffer Tube has six positions for optimal customization of the rifle's length of pull.
B5 Systems Steel End Plate is a sleek addition to the lower receiver, providing a sturdy anchor point for the buffer tube.
The B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grip - Black is a comfortable and ergonomic grip that fits snugly in the hand for improved control and handling.
The lower receiver also comes with a Carbine H1 Buffer, which weighs in at 3.9oz, and a Carbine Buffer Spring for reliable cycling of the rifle.
The Rainier Arms Lower Parts Kit includes all necessary small parts for the lower receiver, ensuring compatibility with most aftermarket mil-spec upper receivers.
Finally, a Castle Nut is included to properly secure the buffer tube to the lower receiver.
However, this lower receiver doesn’t have stock, you’ll have to buy it separately.
Price: $300.00
Buy here!
Tactical Edge Arms MOD 0 AR-15 Complete Lower Receiver - No Stock
Another lower receiver is made of 7075 T6 aluminum. As you can conclude from the above, this is also one of the durable and strong receivers.
This, along with the Hard Coat Type III Anodized finish, ensures that the lower receiver is able to withstand the harsh conditions of tactical operations and will provide you with a long time of reliable service.
The buffer tube is a 6-position collapsible design with a QD end plate.
There’s also an enhanced Mil-Spec trigger so you’ll get a smooth trigger pull.
Overall, this is a high-quality complete lower receiver featuring quality materials and parts, which will surely serve you for a long period of time.
Price: $299.92
Buy here!
Sharps Bros Overthrow AR-15 Complete Lower Receiver w/o Stock - Gen 2
One of the key features of the Overthrow is its construction.
It's machined top to bottom from 7075-T6 aluminum, a peak-strength corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy.
It also has a hard coat anodize finish per MIL-A-8625, the anodizing model for most military and aerospace products.
In short, if you’re going with this one lower receiver, you’re sure to use it for a long time.
Another great feature is compatibility with mil-spec internal parts and all other aftermarket mil-spec upper receivers.
In short, Overthrow Lower comes with next specifics:
- Rainier Arms Lower Parts Kit
- Reptilia Corp AR-15/SR-25 CQG Pistol Grip
- ALG Defense QMS Trigger
- Mil-Spec Buffer Tube
Price: $319.99
Buy here!
What to Look for in an AR-15 Lower Receiver
Choosing any part of an AR-15 rifle can be complicated if you don’t know what you need at first. The same rule applies to lower receivers too.
Because of that, we made a short list of which factors to consider to choosing AR15 lowers.
Materials
When buying any AR15 parts, you should always consider the materials those parts are made of.
Choosing the right material will affect the rifle's durability, weight, cost, and everything else.
Compatibility
The receiver needs to be compatible with all the other parts of your build, including the upper receiver, bolt carrier group, and trigger.
Most lowers are built to meet mil-spec standards ensuring they are compatible with other parts meeting this standard.
Weight
Increased weight of your AR15 parts will result in a heavy rifle which as a result has less maneuverability.
A heavier lower receiver will affect the overall weight of your build, which can impact how you handle it and how quickly you can move with it.
Price
As always, you can find lower with different prices.
It all depends on how much money you’re willing to spend on your new build.
Also, being more expensive doesn’t automatically mean better quality.
Start with defining your budget, then look for well-known manufacturers on the market before making a final decision.
Final Words
We made a short list of AR15 lower receivers we currently consider the best.
However, which one you’ll choose depends on your goals, budget, and knowledge of AR15 mechanics.
If you’re willing to put in more work and learn more about AR15, go with stripped lower receivers.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something to build your AR15 rifle as soon as possible, go with the complete lower receiver as it in most cases will require just assembling it with a complete upper receiver.
Additional Reading
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