What makes a makes a Wilson, Spikes, DD, etc better than say a PSA? I've only ever owned Rugers, S&W etc, so I really don't know.

QC plays a big part

I wouldn’t put spikes in that group

Rumor is Aero is the best bang for the buck

BIL is right; QC is a big part of why they cost more. The raw forgings might come from the same few places, but how they are finished afterwards makes all the difference in whether it'll behave as expected. On the minor end of QC mess-ups, you can have a safety that doesn't sit at exactly 90 degree intervals, or takedown and pivot pins that require a punch to move. On the major end, you can have an unsafe trigger group. 99.9% of the time they'll work great no matter who you get a lower from, but that .1% of tolerance stacking is a real headache to troubleshoot sometimes.

Beyond QC, you start to gain some features when you get above PSA-tier. Aero's M4E1 lower has a threaded bolt catch pin and integral trigger guard so you don't have to muck around with roll pins. You can start getting ambi parts like a bolt release, or you can pay the extra money for something like a LMT MARS-L that also acts as a bolt catch. They also have better ambi mag releases than you'll be able to add with aftermarket parts to a standard lower. They'll have a better, more durable finish than a PSA, and probably won't have any visible tool marks like an Anderson. You can also get some integrated QD sling sockets or folding stock mechanisms if you want to really pony up some money.

There's definitely an aspect of diminishing returns for AR15 lowers. Do you care about toolmarks under your pivot pin? Do you care whether you have to install two roll pins? Or do you just care if it goes bang?

FWIW, I love my M4E1 lowers. Very well featured and good QC for the money.

Aero makes Spike's lowers

To spikes spec

Nothing wrong with a spikes or even a psa lower. I haven’t seen one yet with a hole miss drilled. I’ve probably assembled more than the average person but at the end of the day if your looking for something that maintains resale I’d but colt/novorske/ mega/ larue etc.. and I’d buy complete rifles not parts kits. Because all parts kits no matter the stamp is still a parts kit.

I will never sell it. I'm looking for one to do an SBR. I'll own it forever, that's why I ask about quality.

Mil-Specs are quite loose favoring reliability over precision. Aero, Wilson, etc. can choose to slightly modify dimensions where they see fit for improvements (accuracy, reliability, tighter fit. etc.). Then there is the added benefit of QC.

I've got Aero, Anderson, DPMS, Rock River, and Sota Arms AR 15 lower's. I've never had any issues with any of them being out of spec, bad fitment, loose fitment, bad or off colored anodizing.
I had never heard of the Sota Arms brand, but a local laser engraver uses them for his engraving. I needed to buy another stripped lower, and wasn't going to pay inflated prices for a plain jane lower, so I bought one. Everything went smooth installing the parts kit & Rise 3lb trigger, and the spare upper I had in the safe fit right on it, and tight as a drum.

If you are gonna spend the $ to SBR it then Id buy a quality lower.

Someone on Reddit made this and its not terribly far off. Some of the mfg could easily slide up or down but seems directionally accurate. Ive owned at least 1 from each “level” and they’ve all gone bang with no issues. Radical Firearms isnt listed on there but they are the only AR Ive ever had issues with.

I have had good luck with Spikes and Aero. Never owned a poverty one other than S&W but I don't think it's an M&P15...it was an OEM stripped lower. I actually have a BCM at the moment and I have one that's not listed. I guess that's a bad sign.

That list has always been a joke.

It’s got opinion stamped all over it.


On another note an ar is not a precision rifle and should never be compared to one because it’s not..

This will be a beating topic if everyone quotes the picture in their reply.

I've probably assembled about a dozen or so stripped lowers. Most of them have been Andersons. I've also done a the plastic Tennessee arms, yhm, spikes, aero and a wilson combat set I once bought. Some thoughts.

Hardly notice the difference when assembling.
The Wilson Combat one did truly feel like the best of the bunch. But it was also a set so the mating was superb.
Ironically my yhm and spike lowers are not as universal, meaning there are some uppers that just don't fit will.
Honestly, plastic one not as bad as I thought. Fit is very tight.
Coating on Anderson is much worse than other mentioned, again the wilson combat feels like it had the most durable coating.

Nkt sure if the cost is worth it, per se. I'd probably be targeting something ike an Aero Precison if u want it to be a nicer keeper rifle.

Get what you like.