Which AR-15 Lower is Better - lots of brands

[NikatKimber]

An AR pistol is not an NFA weapon.

True. Last time I purchased an AR lower through an FFL, they didn't have the "other" option, and some receivers were considered "rifles" from the factory. What I don't know is if that is true now (if it ever was), or if all receivers can be transferred initially for use as a pistol.

 

[bettingpython]

Receivers transfer as an other firearm from an ffl. The second you place a rifle stock buffer tube on it it then becomes a rifle and cannot ever be a pistol unless you stamp it and make it a SBR, the second you place a pistol receiver tube on it it then becomes a pistol and can not be reconfigured as a rifle unless you nfa stamp it and make it a SBR rifle.

A title 2 firearm can be returned to it's previous title 1 configuration without notifying the NFA branch.

 

[dieseltech09]

The second you place a rifle stock buffer tube on it it then becomes a rifle and cannot ever be a pistol unless you stamp it and make it a SBR, the second you place a pistol receiver tube on it it then becomes a pistol and can not be reconfigured as a rifle unless you nfa stamp it and make it a SBR rifle. .

I disagree

http://www.atf.gov/regulations-rulings/rulings/atf-rulings/atf-ruling-2011-4.pdf

Therefore, so long as a parts kit or collection of parts is not used to make a firearm
regulated under the NFA (e.g., a short-barreled rifle or “any other weapon” as defined by
26 U.S.C. 5845(e)), no NFA firearm is made when the same parts are assembled or reassembled in a configuration not regulated under the NFA (e.g., a pistol, or a rifle with a
barrel of 16 inches or more in length). Merely assembling and disassembling such a rifle
does not result in the making of a new weapon; rather, it is the same rifle in a knockdown
condition (i.e., complete as to all component parts). Likewise, because it is the same
weapon when reconfigured as a pistol, no “weapon made from a rifle” subject to the NFA
has been made.

 

[bettingpython]

If you are interested in buying a premium brand lower, there is a sponsor that is selling Noveske Chainsaw lowers at a fair price.

There is a sponsor here selling non chainsaw Noveske lowers at a fair price.

 

[Norman]

Noveske if you want to be Gucci. If not Sierra 1 Gunworks in OKC has stripped lowers for about a C note. Or palmetto, spikes etc. Basically any in spec milspec lower.

 

[bettingpython]

I disagree

http://www.atf.gov/regulations-rulings/rulings/atf-rulings/atf-ruling-2011-4.pdf

I stand corrected, It has been a couple of years since I read the reg's so I was not current and quoted old information from memory.

Thanks for the clarification DT

 

[CAR-AR-M16]

Noveske if you want to be Gucci. If not Sierra 1 Gunworks in OKC has stripped lowers for about a C note. Or palmetto, spikes etc. Basically any in spec milspec lower.

Not trying to be nit-picky, but there is no such thing as a milspec semi-auto receiver. The term "milspec" is tossed around by many manufacturers, but the only companies that make true milspec lowers in accordance with the technical data package is Colt and FN (also H&R and GM Hydramatic during the VN era). A company called Balimoy also made replacement lower receivers for the military. Here are some pics of one:

Here is a pic of an old GM Hydramatic A1 (since converted to an A2) that was issued to one of my students recently:

 

[Norman]

That's not nit picky at all. You caught me, as I intended to put milspec in quotations marks. I do know the difference, have seen and shot select fire M4 style carbines. I just had a brain fart and left off the quotations.

 

[Dr_Mitch]

Buy any lower.

 

[langston302]

"MILSPEC" = catch phrase.