AR-15 BILLET LOWER RECEIVER Reviews & Ratings

I have purchased three of these receivers. One is built up on a shorter barrel 5.56 and the other is built in to a longer barreled 6.5 grendel. The third is waiting for another build. The 5.56 is built using CMMG lower parts and the 6.5 grendel is built using a mix of Aero Precision and Strike Industries lower parts. No issues with any parts fitment from any of these companies. I do recommend extended takedown pins because the receiver walls are thicker on these receivers. I've mated both my builds up to Aero Pecision uppers and it is evident that they do not match up. I estimate 1/32" of difference between the upper and lower receivers. Another oddity or benefit of these receivers is the magwells are internally tight. I can get lancer and GI magazines to fit and drop free just fine, normally the lancer mags wobble quite a bit in my Aero Precision lowers. On the 17 Design receivers, Magpul Gen2 and Gen3 PMAGS have to be vigorously tapped in to the magwell and yanked out.

I have bought several of these lowers in the last 30 days for both myself and to transfer to my customers. The finish is great, but had to slightly fit one (out of the 15) near the rear takedown pin to widen it slightly. When you have several of these lowers sitting on the bench you can see some slight differences in the finish depending on which run (or machine) they came off of. You can see their production markings as little dimples/dot impressions on the lug where the pistol grip attaches. Looks like the dots you would see on a domino. All in all, they work well, look great, and are functional. If youre an AR snob you probably wouldnt be buying this brand anyways, but if you just want a functional rifle and dont want to spend $250 (or more) on a lower because it has some name brand on it, these do just fine.

I purchased this stripped lower receiver for a new build. It arrived at my FFL right on time, wrapped in plastic, and secured in a plain white box. It's nicely finished, with no sharp edges, and everything looks as it should. I purchased a Strike Industries, Enhanced Lower Receiver Parts Kit to get all the basics. I used the SI Take Down/Pivot Pins, Bolt Catch, Magazine Catch, Selector Switch, Buffer Retainer Plunger, and all of the assorted springs and detents that go with them. All holes were snug fitting, but not so much as to interfere with pin/shaft installations. Everything installed exactly as expected. A Hiperfire, EDT Designated Marksman fire control group also installed without issue. I found the esthetics of the SI Enhanced parts to compliment those of the receiver. (IMHO) I see that other reviewers have had problems using polymer magazines with this receiver. Pictures supplied by one gentleman, show an empty polymer mag inserted into the lower, and the magazine follower sitting above the bolt catch. As the bolt catch was supposed to intercept the follower in order to hold the bolt open on an empty mag, it is evident that the mag is inserted too far into the mag well. I use C-Products, S/S Duramags, but I do have some poly, Black Dog .223/22LR conversion mags. They fit snugly into the mag well, (to my thinking, perhaps a little too snugly), and do snap into place, if inserted with moderate force. However, I was able nearly duplicate the pictured condition, when I slapped the mag into place, as during a "combat style" reload. (I say "nearly", because these conversion mags are not designed to hold the bolt open, due to the size, and location of the follower.) Upon inspection, I found that if the magazine is inserted forcefully enough, the notch on the body of the mag can slip past the magazine catch, allowing the mag to seat above the bolt catch. This may be a consequence of the snugness of the mag well. With the mag body being held so tightly to the wall of the mag well, the catch might not have sufficient movement to properly grab the notch. There was no problem with metal mags, which do not fit quite so snugly. It should also be noted that all magazines, when properly seated, dropped freely upon depressing the mag catch button. In conclusion, this is a beautifully crafted, machined billet receiver, at a price that just begs you to buy it. My one caveat, is that I would not use polymer magazines in it, as weapon reliability becomes compromised if a magazine can be over inserted. But then again, I personally would not use poly mags for defensive purposes. That's just my opinion, I know others who swear by them. Is the mag well a little too tight for polymer magazines? I'm thinking that is probably the case, but I seriously doubt, that in the 1950's, Mr. Stoner ever dreamed that "plastic" magazines would some day be used to feed his magnificent creation. Maybe the mag well dimensions need to be increased a few thousandths to take variations in magazine size into account. Anyway, that's a question for the engineers.....

The receiver looks nice. Actually nicer than most with its bevels and such. All parts fit very easily and it functions flawlessly. I only gave it 4 stars because theres sharp edges on the bottom of the receiver and on top of the trigger guard. They should revise their design and either bevel the edges our round them off.

Pros: ~Part is in spec and fits nicely with other mil-spec parts ~Stylish design ~Bolt release set screw is a very welcome feature Cons: ~Finish comes off easily on sharp edges ~Pistol grip hole is not beveled you might chew it up trying to start the ~ Nylon set screw is NOT included with receiver Overall I'm quite happy with this receiver, the pistol it's being built into is going to have home defense duty, but of course it'll take the occasional trip to the range. It seems very capable. The price at the time is a bit on the high end but that's the nature of these things.