This guide showcases the best AR-15 lowers available right now
In the world of AR-15s, you have a plethora of options as much as LEGO. You could opt for the classic MIL-SPEC design and end up with a pretty decent rifle. Alternatively, you could take a different route.
The AR-15 has been around for so long that it could have grandchildren, so it's not surprising that the lower has evolved. Nowadays, you have a multitude of options for unique, advanced, ambidextrous, or even just good-looking lowers. We've collected the best of the best for you.
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Lower Receivers 101
Most AR-15 builds are like LEGO parts with minor tolerance differences. You can build small AR-15 pistols for close-up applications or long-range rifles and everything in between.
The lower receiver is defined as the "firearm" under ATF law, and it's a serialized part that requires 4473 background check at the time of purchase or transfer. It contains the firearm's control group (trigger, hammer, safety, etc.) and the buffer tube or receiver extension.
When you purchase an AR-15 lower, even though it looks like it's just a gun part, you're buying a part that is defined as and treated as a "firearm." Therefore, it must be purchased like any other gun online and must go through an FFL.
If you want to buy a complete lower with the stock install, you can too.
Best AR-15 Lowers
Aero Precision M4E1 Flared Magwell Enhanced Lower
- Material: 7075 Aluminium
- Construction Type: Forged
- Weight: 8.61 ounces
Aero is a builder-friendly company, and the M4E1 reflects that with this billet lower receiver. They also integrate a number of great features not commonly found on MIL-SPEC AR 15 lowers including flared magwell for funneled magazine reloads, and tension screw to eliminate slop if there is any upper receiver wobble.
Aero Precision simplified two of the most frustrating parts of assembling a lower by using a threaded bolt catch roll pin and a threaded takedown pin detent recess. This makes installation so much simpler and prevents springs from flying across the room, and makes things so much quicker.
Pros and Cons
- Easy to build just like others
- Integrated magwell
- Affordable
PSA AR 15 Lower Basic MIL-SPEC Lower
- Material: 7075 Aluminium
- Construction Type: Forged
- Weight: 8.5 ounces
If you want a basic lower receiver at a good price point because they build everything in house to cut down the cost significantly, it's hard to beat Palmetto State Armory and their dozens of lower options.
They offer everything from your basic lower to clone-ready designs and some special editions including some Richardson and Harrington M4 or M16 retro receivers.
At their core, these are your standard 7075 forged aluminum lowers designed to allow you to build your rifle as you see fit. For around $60 + local FFL transfer fee & background check, you can get a basic receiver that's going to have zero problems being at the core of your rifle build. However, the price may increase as you begin to get more special editions.
Pros and Cons
- Functional
- Simple
- Affordable
- Does nothing new
Sons of Liberty Gun Works FCD Lower
- Material: 7075 Aluminium
- Construction Type: Billet
- Weight: 10.5 ounces
SOLGW teamed up with FCD to produce a modern lower receiver designed for the modern shooters. This lower is designed by FCD and produced under the quality control-obsessed SOLGW. While it's not cheap, it's extremely well-made, modern, and ambidextrous. It's perfect for a duty of defensive rifle build, and a lot of the features also work well for competition shooting.
This is a billet lower receiver, and like most billets, it features the clean lines and corners of a billet lower receiver as well as an integrated trigger guard. The trigger guard is huge and accommodates a gloved hand. That trigger guard is a Forward Controls design and is built to place more room in front of the trigger to help you rock the magazine into the magwell.
The ambi feature also include the bolt release without adding additional battery assist device to unclutter the space.
Pros and Cons
- Ambidextrous design
- Best QC in the Industry right now
- Tight tolerance machining
- Expensive
Seekins Precision SP223
- Material: 7075 Aluminium
- Construction Type: Billet
- Weight: 10.2 ounces
Seekins Precision is a company that's been around for a while and has always produced high-quality AR-15 parts and pieces. Their SP223 lower receiver is a billet design that's a bit more artistic than your standard lower receiver, featuring a curved magwell.
For users wanting ambi features, the SP223 also has an integrated trigger guard that's large and easy to use with gloves. The magazine well is flared for quick and easy reloads.
Pros and Cons
- Ambidextrous bolt release
- Integrated trigger guard
- Flared magwell (curved)
- More expensive
Radian A DAC AX556 Lower
- Material: 7075 Aluminium
- Construction Type: Billet
The Radian A-DAC 15 is a fully ambidextrous lower receiver for AR15-style firearms, machined from billet 7075-T6 aluminum. It includes the Talon Ambidextrous Safety Selector, left-side magazine release, and right-side bolt release.
The fit and finish of the A-DAC 15 are like works of art, and its engineering is flawless. The automatic adjustment of the receiver tensioner with its spring-loaded design reduces upper wobble. The ambi control positions are crucial for a left-handed shooter, and they are perfectly located, designed, and textured. The mag release and bolt release require just the right amount of activation force
This is a top notch lower receiver on the high end price range for anyone interested in building an high quality rifle.
Pros and Cons
- Very tight fitting & premium quality
- Bolt catch, large mag release paddle, take down pins & 45 degree safety lever pre installed
- Expensive
Spike Tactical
- Material: 7075 Aluminium
- Construction Type: Billet
- Weight: 8.6 ounces
Spikes Tactical is a Florida based AR15 manufacturer that has been in business for 20 years. They make good guns and sell them at fair prices. They always keep their promises. If you want to buy a full rifle or pistol, or if you just need a new part for your AR, think about choosing Spikes Tactical.
Their lower receiver does just as much as other receivers, but one thing that stands out from others is the amount of logo customizations they offer.
Pros and Cons
- Tight fitting (not all)
- Many different lower logo designs
- Affordable
Angstadt Arms 0940 Lower
- Material: 7075 Aluminum
- Construction Type: Billet
- Weight: 10 ounces
For anyone wanting to build a pistol caliber carbine in the AR-15 platform, The 0940 lower is a Glock magazine compatible lower receiver designed for 9mm, .40 S&W, and .357 SIG.
The 0940 lower is a billet design and is quite well made. It's a bit heavier than a standard lower, but that's to be expected with a PCC lower. The magazine release is large, easy to reach, and easy to use. It's also designed to work with a standard AR-15 parts kit, so you can customize your PCC as you see fit.
Pros and Cons
- Glock magazine compatible
- Flared magwell
- Integrated magazine release
- More expensive