Featured F/F Readers choose: Frankengun Lower Receiver David Reeder May 6, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More We told you a couple weeks ago about our upcoming Frankengun Friday build — today it's time to pick a lower receiver. We've listed out some choices below. Explanations of each one are provided. Cast your vote, tell us what you think and we'll get it started. Manufacturers will appear in poll in random order, be sure to scroll all the way through. Take Our Poll In the next one we'll have you choose an upper receiver. Send us a PM with suggestions for those manufacturers — PMs only please. save comments on this post for lowers. Now vote. Cover photo by Pimp My Gun. Frankengun Lower Receiver Options 2A Armament Balios Lower Receiver 2A-Armament introduces the “BALIOS” billet upper and lower receiver sets. These sets have been precision 3-D Machined on Makino A51nx horizontals. By utilizing the 3-D machining process, 2A is able to step away from the standard blocky look found in other sets on the market. The BALIOS set has an aesthetically pleasing look that is augmented by the inspired texturing on the front of the magazine well. Both the upper and lower receivers are equally at home on a standard forged product from other vendors. The flared magazine well aids in rapid reloading, and the tapered transition under the charging handle prevents associated wear patterns from damaging the finish. Machined QD sockets give the shooter an optional point of attachment, and the relocated forward assist puts the controls in a more natural position. Features: 3-D Machined from U.S.A. Certified 7075-T6 plate aluminum Machine textured magazine well compliments popular accessories Integrated QD Sockets at rear of receiver Bolt release feature screw in pin (Included) Integrated and lightened trigger guard Integrated tensioning screw guaranties a tight fit (included) Bead blasted and hard coat anodized black (Type3 class2) Product of the great state of Idaho, MADE IN THE U.S.A. Weight: ( Lower 8.35oz ) Stripped SKU (2A-MCBL-1) Aero Precision GEN 2 AR15LR Our AR15 Gen 2 Stripped Lower Receiver is the perfect base for your custom AR15 build. Machined to mil-spec dimensions, our lowers work with standard AR15 components and ensure the highest quality with a correct component interface. Gen 2 Improvements Upper Tension Screw – Allows users to fine tune the fit of the upper and lower receiver through the use of a nylon tipped tensioning set screw inserted in the grip tang of the lower receiver. This provides a tight fit with any standard AR15 upper receiver. Increased Magwell Flare – Allows for easier insertion of magazines and provides a sleeker look. Includes: Stripped AR15 Lower Receiver, Gen 2 Nylon tipped tensioning set screw Brownells BRN016A1 Designed in conjunction with Nodak Spud, the BRN-16A1 Lower Receiver matches the features of the original M16A1 Receiver. Perfect for a “Retro” or reproduction build, these lowers precisely mirror the original profile. Features specific to the BRN-16A1 Lower Receiver are the proper M16A1 front takedown lug profile, and profile surrounding the receiver extension. Most forged lower receivers produced today feature “A2” profiles, which are incorrect for M16A1 reproduction builds. The lower starts off as a 7075 T6 aluminum forging, then is machined to mil-spec dimensions. Once machined, the lower is finished with a matte black hard anodized finish. This finish matches modern uppers found on the market today, as well as the Brownells M16A1 Upper Receiver sold separately. Standard AR-15 components will work perfectly with this lower. Simple, engraved markings on the lower include: Model: BRN-16A1 Cal: 5.56mm Mfg: Brownells Inc CMMG AR15 Lower Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum MILSPEC KE Arms KE-15 Big Button Assembly w/ Flared Mag-Well The KE-15 Billet Flared Mag-well Lower Receiver is precision machined in-house from hi-grade 7075 billet master plate to mil-spec standards making it compatible with most mil-spec M16/M4 uppers. Features a broached mag well and mil-spec 8625 type III, class 2 hard anodized. Included is the KE Arms Big Button Mag Release and assembly. Ready to be assembled with your choice of lower parts kit. Please make sure the business name of the FFL you are using is noted on your order and that we have all of your FFL’s info. Mega Arms GTR-3S Ambi • Comes with hardware for the integrated ambidextrous bolt catch. • If you want stand out from the rest of the crowd, this is the lower you need. • The Mega Billet Lower features a clean, new, custom look unlike any of our competitors. • Integrated trigger guard for added functionality, and strength. • Lower features a nylon tipped upper tensioning screw. • Magwell features an enlarged bottom flare and inner chamfer for easier magazine insertion. • Butt Stock attachment feature fortified for added strength in high power applications. • GTR-3S AMBI Matches standard forged upper receivers. Midwest Industries Inc. MI AR Forged Lower Machined from 7075-T6 forged aluminum, matte black hard-coat anodized Mil 8625 Type 3 Class 2, Marked CAL-MULTI, rear takedown pin detent hold threaded for a 4-40 set screw. Rifle Gear Liberator The RifleGear Liberator features a forged 7075-T6 aluminum construction, machined to MIL-SPEC requirements, hard anodized black finish and a upper tensioning screw. Features Machined from forged 7075-T6 aluminum. Black hard anodized with a surface hardness of 60 Rockwell. Machined per Mil-spec Requirements with critical tooling dimensions held within .001″ Includes tension screw to ensure a tight fit with any upper Features stylish front magwell texture for a secure grip Seekins Precision SP223 Gen2 Precision CNC machined from solid billet aluminum, the SP223 Billet Lower is the best AR lower receiver available. Far exceeding Mil-Spec requirements, the SP 223 has features not found on standard lowers such as the Seekins Precision Enhanced Bolt Catch, receiver tensioning screw, ambi-bolt stop assembly and an oversized trigger guard. These features combined with superior fit and finish make the SP223 the perfect foundation for any AR build. 7075-T6 Billet Aluminum AR15 Platform Ambidextrous bolt release Mil-Spec component compatible SP Enhanced bolt catch Upper tensioning set screw Bullet pictogram selector markings Type III Class 2 Hardcoat Anodized Finish Sharps Bros. Hellbreaker AR-15 Lower Receiver Hellbreaker’s distinctive appearance is inspired by the P-40 Warhawk, which was one of the United States’ most-produced fighter planes when World War II began. The “nose art” that became a popular military tradition was born from the practical need to identify friendly units, but eventually evolved to express a squadron’s individuality. Considering the vast majority of AR-15 lowers look the same, we thought it was time to improve upon the standard and create some visual diversity in the market. The fierce Hellbreaker lines are where looks meet performance: it takes painstaking detail work to machine each tooth point and eyebrow curve, but we never skimp on quality along the way. When you hold a Hellbreaker, we believe you’re holding one of the finest, most unique M4/AR-15 lower receivers in the world. Hellbreaker is offered through Spike’s Tactical, features include: An oversized and integral trigger guard A beveled magazine flare that helps you load as quickly and efficiently as possible Machined top to bottom from 7075-T6 aluminum, a peak-strength corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy A hard coat anodize finish per MIL-A-8625, the anodizing model for model for most military and aerospace products Full compatibility with all mil-spec internal parts Full compatibility with all other aftermarket mil-spec upper receivers Full compatibility with GI standard issue magazines as well as PMags Multi caliber mark SI – Falkor Defense 5.56/.223 Stripped Lower Receiver 7076-T6 Aluminum billet 8/32 bolt catch set screw Enlarged trigger guard SI Defense lower receivers are crafted from 7075-T6 aluminum billet and are ready for your next build. MADE IN MONTANA – USA Spike's Tactical Jack Spike's Tactical is proud to release The Jack lower. Through the articulate work of Sharps Bros we have developed the most detailed billet lower ever created. An oversized integral trigger guard A beveled magazine flare that helps you load as quickly and efficiently as possible Machined top to bottom from 7075-T6 aluminum, a peak-strength corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy A hard coat anodize finish per MIL-A-8625, the anodizing model for model for most military and aerospace products Full compatibility with all mil-spec internal parts Full compatibility with all other aftermarket mil-spec upper receivers Full compatibility with GI standard issue magazines as well as PMags Multi caliber mark Wilson Combat Lower Receiver TR-LOWER-BIL-G Designed by Bill Wilson and the Wilson Combat design team to be the base for the ultimate precision tactical AR-15 rifle, the BILLet-AR lower receiver is 100% machined in our Berryville, AR facility. The Wilson Combat BILLet-AR receiver was engineered from the ground up to address structural design weaknesses in standard USGI lower receivers and enhance overall tolerances. The BILLet-AR lower receiver has been enhanced with an oversize magazine well for quick reloads and an integral trigger guard for gloved use and added lower receiver strength. Our extensive experience as a premier custom builder of AR-15 rifles will ensure your satisfaction with this next generation precision tactical shooting platform. Oversize, EDM machined magwell for fast smooth reloading. Integral trigger guard. Precision threaded receiver and reamed pin holes. Hex Screw Bolt Catch retention. Good match with standard, GI style uppers or Wilson Combat BILLet-AR upper receivers. Hand prepped for a flawless surface finish. Finished in Black Armor Tuff. Yankee Hill Machine Billet Lower YHM is proud to offer our first Billet Lower Receiver. We originally designed a Billet lower that mimicked a standard (forged) lower receiver, but after seeing the prototype production we decided to go with a receiver that was more stylized, something that didn't look like every other AR-15 on the planet. It was this mindset that helped us arrive at the MODEL-57, and in turn this lower receiver. These lowers were designed, and are machined 100% in house from 7075-T6 aluminum (Billet) Features over sized magazine well chamfers for easier magazine changes Accepts All Generations of PMAG's Accepts Mil-Spec Upper receivers Built in oversized machined trigger guard Fits all standard parts (except for a trigger guard) Hardcoat Anodized matte black to Military Specifications or better This lower still fits, and functions with your standard upper receivers Explore RECOILweb:SIG Echo 3 Thermal: A Thermal Companion For NVG Users [REVIEW]Proctor's new DVD trailer is liveRedemption: SCCY CPX-3 PistolGemtech Integra NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. 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