The lower receiver or stripped lower is the actual firearm of the AR-15. That is the part that needs to go through an FFL and be transferred, background checked and all the freedom stifling mumbo jumbo.

You can buy an 80% lower receiver and not go through an FFL, finish the lower yourself and have an unregistered firearm. You cannot sell it or otherwise transfer it unless you jump through a few hoops. This is not legal advice but why go 80% and do all that work when you can buy a stripped lower for $50 or less?

A basic AR-15 stripped lower should run about $55 but you can spend more if you want something extra special like a Honey Badger, ghost gun, OAF, Reaper or a one off billet all flared and tatted up.

Like the upper receiver, the lower receiver can be forged or billet or even polymer. We do not recommend a receiver in any polymer as they just aren’t as strong as aluminum. Sure, they might be lighter with carbon fiber and such but bottom line is you don’t want your lower giving out if you happen fire a hot round or something worse.

The lower will need the basic LPK (lower parts kit) which can have up to 31 separate parts. You will need a few different tools if you plan on assembling it yourself. The lower receiver does not require any special tools so a few pin punches, pliers and a hammer is pretty much it. Be realty careful installing the trigger guard (some lower receivers have an integral trigger guard) because if you pound the trigger guard pin and you don’t support the tangs, you will probably break one off. No worries as there is a “special” hand grip with an integral trigger guard (Stark Grip) and no one will know you broke your lower when you did it yourself!

Some lower receivers now feature a short throw selector. Short throw meaning less than 90 degrees to switch from safe to fire (or tyranny to freedom).

Our LPK’s will come with a basic trigger group but you can upgrade to a drop-in or match trigger and spend hundreds of dollars. Again, it depends on what you want your AR-15 to do. The LPK usually includes the basic plastic handgrip but there again are many grip options. Softer rubber, storage inside the grip, colors and so on.

There are plenty of good LPK’s out there. We stock LPK’s from DPMS, Rock River, CMMG, Daniel Defense and SAA.

There are tons of special upgrades for lowers. Magpul has an extensive list and the most popular items are, The BAD Lever, short selector lever and trigger guards. YHM and others have special take down pins. We can even laser engrave the lower receiver but that will cost you!

Next Part 9 – The Stock