AR Tiers - I stole the pic from Reddit
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Studentofthegun
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Wilson is made by Anderson. Which amuses me for some reason.
A Brand matters, the more Amazon takes over the world, the less and less a brand maters.
People shop on amazon based of Description, Availability, and Price
Less then 10 years ago, it was Description, Brand, Price Availability.
Studentofthegun
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This makes me wonder if there is a chart out there that shows who makes what. Not that would be interesting.
For example, I heard that Barnes Precision in Apex makes stuff for other people. Supposedly high end. Would love to know all those details.
For example, I heard that Barnes Precision in Apex makes stuff for other people. Supposedly high end. Would love to know all those details.
Its too fluid.
Heck, a smart small manufacture will send out a variance with a 5000 to 10,000 serial numbers to a forger. Based on schedule, cost and delivery dates you can get Brand A's AR-15 Lowers from the best costing forger within your given range. So a lower manufacture could be, yeah, it's all three.
The next question is who broached your magazine well? Then do the milling in-house.
Many different options, hell what's the difference between Aero Precision and UTG Pro making your handguards? Who has the shortest lead time...
Im interested to see this lower receiver manufacturers list get picked apart. I have no idea how accurate or if this is down to final machining or just raw forging/casting.
Lewis Machine & Tool
Continental Machine Tool
LAR Manufacturing
JVP
Mega Machine Shop
Olympic
Sun Devil
Superior
Aero Precision
Lewis Machine & Tool
- LMT
- Lauer
- DS Arms
- PWA
- Eagle
- Armalite
- Knights Armament
- Barrett
Continental Machine Tool
- Stag
- Rock River Arms
- High Standard
- Noveske
- Century (New)
- Global Tactical
- CLE
- S&W
- MGI
- Wilson Tactical
- Grenadier Precision
- Colt
LAR Manufacturing
- LAR
- Bushmaster
- Ameetec
- DPMS
- CMMG
- Double Star
- Fulton Armory
- Spike's Tactical
JVP
- Double Star
- LRB
- Charles Daly
Mega Machine Shop
- Mega
- GSE
- Dalphon
- POF
- Alexander Arms
Olympic
- Olympic
- SGW
- Tromix
- Palmetto
- Dalphon
- Frankford
- Century (Old)
Sun Devil
- Sun Devil forged billet receivers
- Lone Star Armory forged billet receivers
Superior
- Superior Arms
- Lauer (New)
Aero Precision
- Aero Precision
- Surplus Ammo and Arms
- Palmetto State Armory
Pretty sure POF does everything in house
I built a 16" PSA 2 years ago and had a Bushmaster lower and Colt upper with a 20" heavy barrel made for me during the famous "pre-ban, post-ban" era. Both are quite dependable and, if the SHTF, the Colt HBAR will be quite useful in the 200-300 yard range, the PSA when closer in. I've never shot an AR I didn't like. Met my first one at Ft. Jackson in 1970.
Years ago I put together a rifle with a complete NOS m16a4 upper with a Daniel Defense Bolt in a FN carrier, with a lower that I put in A geissle trigger and a good lower parts kit in, and then put on good furniture and such.
It is basically an "M16a4 MWS" clone.
The lower? A Roggio Arsenal I'd had for many years and never properly built after a Friend ditched it. 😆 🤣 😂
Its a great rifle, and easily my favorite "Normal" AR.
It is basically an "M16a4 MWS" clone.
The lower? A Roggio Arsenal I'd had for many years and never properly built after a Friend ditched it. 😆 🤣 😂
Its a great rifle, and easily my favorite "Normal" AR.
OP
concepthomes2
When do we start?
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Years ago I fully built an AR rifle using a pre assembled upper and preassembled lower, all from PSA.
When it was complete, I had a complete AR rifle from PSA.
When it was complete, I had a complete AR rifle from PSA.
KAC: https://www.governmentcontractswon.com/department/defense/knights_armament_co_054038138.asp?yr=20
LMT: https://www.governmentcontractswon.com/department/defense/lewis_machine_tool_co_054212261.asp?yr=20
HK: https://www.governmentcontractswon..../heckler_koch_defense_inc_134466999.asp?yr=20
Noveske: https://www.governmentcontractswon.com/department/defense/noveske_rifleworks_llc_164368792.asp?yr=20
This is just federal gov contracts. Most of the guys above, like Colt and others, are providing for law enforcement, agencies, and militaries all over the world.
lmtdefense.com
LMT: https://www.governmentcontractswon.com/department/defense/lewis_machine_tool_co_054212261.asp?yr=20
HK: https://www.governmentcontractswon..../heckler_koch_defense_inc_134466999.asp?yr=20
Noveske: https://www.governmentcontractswon.com/department/defense/noveske_rifleworks_llc_164368792.asp?yr=20
This is just federal gov contracts. Most of the guys above, like Colt and others, are providing for law enforcement, agencies, and militaries all over the world.
Contract Wins - LMT Defense
Explore LMT Defense's impressive contract wins. Trusted by global forces for top-tier firearms and tactical solutions.
lmtdefense.com
KAC: https://www.governmentcontractswon.com/department/defense/knights_armament_co_054038138.asp?yr=20
LMT: https://www.governmentcontractswon.com/department/defense/lewis_machine_tool_co_054212261.asp?yr=20
HK: https://www.governmentcontractswon..../heckler_koch_defense_inc_134466999.asp?yr=20
Noveske: https://www.governmentcontractswon.com/department/defense/noveske_rifleworks_llc_164368792.asp?yr=20
This is just federal gov contracts. Most of the guys above, like Colt and others, are providing for law enforcement, agencies, and militaries all over the world.
Contract Wins - LMT Defense
Explore LMT Defense's impressive contract wins. Trusted by global forces for top-tier firearms and tactical solutions.
Brownell's, like 75% of the makers on that list, don't make anything, they just license other companies to make things to their spec.
This is why it's taking forever for me to get an SR15 Ambi lower!
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I live in Apex so I’m a Barnes guy. I haven’t dragged them through the Desert, and they are a little heavier than some, but they work for me. Frankly I don’t give a crap what other people buy or favor. I also have a POF but haven’t worked it much. Seems fine, and is much lighter than the Barnes. I did receive an LMT stock to throw on my newest Barnes so maybe I‘m a snob now.
IrishCannon
Fight hard.
I just bought my first nice upper the other day...haven't dumped enough through my other stuff to know a difference. I'd still grab one of my AKs on a bad day.
If I'm feeling cute I may just role out with just my Glock, a handful of happy sticks and a fat lipper.
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If I'm feeling cute I may just role out with just my Glock, a handful of happy sticks and a fat lipper.
Sent from my moto g fast using Tapatalk
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You can get good or bad in any of them. If someone likes a certain brand, good for them. Just don’t knock someone else for what they like. I personally know of a Del-ton that has well over 20k rounds through it and it runs like a sewing machine. I personally prefer DD, HK, or LMT.
Ain’t you Mr Boutique? 😆
I thought mountain folk were practical. Can I come over and touch the LMT and HK sometime? 😳
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The best part about doing that is you are "assembling" it, as it is an incomplete arm so you do not end up paying that 10-11% excise tax on fully ready to run Firearms.
But really, I always get a laugh out of those charts since so much is made by so many and sold on such different price levels....
What does the name on the lower matter as long as it is made of good parts that fit a need or desire of the builder?
Just dont try and sell it at a premium later 😉
Ive talked to a person and seen the Wilson combat upper and lower set they finished out with Bear Creek parts. All throught. That was a bizarre combo.
Still though, I laugh anytime I look at the roll mark on the one mutt rifle mentioned before. That company had such a horriffic rep.... 🤣
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You certainly can. Hahaha
Heh I’ve read stories posted by guys who worked for various arms manufacturers who would read posts where people were crapping on brand x and would only ever run band z and not knowing brand z was 100% made by brand x and the only difference being the roll mark on the lower, the parts kit, barrel, bcg and everything else was exactly the same stuff.
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I'm with everyone that said "Aero". You can have prettier, or more expensive, but their stuff is upper tier for a middle of the road price. Aero, a quality trigger, and a good barrel will get you on par with almost anything from any other brand.
I have AR uppers & lowers from BCM, a Billet Mega Arms upper & lower (which are second to none in fit and finish but they are very expensive), CMMG, PSA and several other “mil-spec” brands and in my opinion you absolutely can not find a more feature packed upper & lower anywhere close to the same price as the Aero Gen 2 AR15, I can’t recommend them enough.
Mega also went under/got bought out years ago and the name is now owned by ZEV. Who do runs of receiver sets that are sold under that name but are identical to their own. Redacted is also owned by ZEV. ZEV is also the manufacturer of the 7075 wedge lock rails used by SOLGW.
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Clearly we should make a thread and chart of our own. Friendly discourse to move things around (with explanations)... thereby ending up with a perfect chart and informative thread.
Clearly.
Clearly.
My JP is better than any LWRC made... Just speakin facts... Chart is WRONG!
Chart is made by neckbeards that live in their parents basement.
Tim
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Am I the only one running the heck out of rifles that are a complete mashup of parts? I can only recall 2 ARs that I’ve owned that were “complete” when purchased.
DMR:
Barnes lower
Geisselle trigger
Odinworks barrel
Seekins handguard
PRS stock
????? BCG
Radian CH
???? LPK
SBR:
S&W lower
???? LPK
CMMG trigger
Aero upper receiver
BA Hanson barrel
SLR gas block
???? BCG
UBR stock
Why buy a factory rifle when you can slap your own together?
With ARs it is so much more the “Indian” than the “arrow””.
DMR:
Barnes lower
Geisselle trigger
Odinworks barrel
Seekins handguard
PRS stock
????? BCG
Radian CH
???? LPK
SBR:
S&W lower
???? LPK
CMMG trigger
Aero upper receiver
BA Hanson barrel
SLR gas block
???? BCG
UBR stock
Why buy a factory rifle when you can slap your own together?
With ARs it is so much more the “Indian” than the “arrow””.
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Nope, youre not the only one.
Aero lower, CBC upper
Aero lower, Sanders Armory upper
Aero lower, Aero upper with BA barrel, not bought complete
Aero lower, dirty bird upper
Sig lower, Sanders Armory upper
PSA lower, no upper yet.
Triggers are mostly ACT by ALG with a Geissele in the Grendel.
LPKs? Who knows...
All of my rifles except my JP are bastard children.... Scored the JP in a trade for one of my bastard child builds that shot lights out... The JP needed some gas block adjustments that the previous owner was not willing to do. You hit the nail on the head with having a bunch of good parts from all the brand parts to make a good rifle! Its like Lego's for adults!
I look forward to the day when my poverty pony is officially worn out so I can go get a nicer rifle. Then my friends won't make fun of me any more.... well at least for that. I'll still have the keltecs to ensure no one takes me seriously.
I have a during-ban LaRue upper on my 'target' AR in all it's heavy ass quad rail bayonet lug-less glory. Had no idea it was that high on the chart.
I have a during-ban LaRue upper on my 'target' AR in all it's heavy ass quad rail bayonet lug-less glory. Had no idea it was that high on the chart.
