Just a question for the masses. What would you prefer to have. A Bushmaster complete lower (older) or a Rock River Arms complete lower?? Both have the same collapsable stocks. Thanks!!

Back in the day it was the ABCRs of AR15s. Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt or Rock River.

They were all good products back then. I think the Bushy will be a commercial buffer though.

quote:

Originally posted by cslinger:
Back in the day it was the ABCRs of AR15s. Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt or Rock River.

They were all good products back then. I think the Bushy will be a commercial buffer though.

As will the Rock River.

I would go with the Rock River.

Rock Rivah.

6 of one or half dozen of the other. Both do the job. Neither is anything fancy.

Close your eyes and point. Not much different other than the roll marks.

I own both, with the Bushmaster being somewhat older. I would tend towards the RRA, but the Bushmaster lower does have a snake engraved on it.

When it comes to lowers, it makes little differences. Choose your favorite rollmark. And then, if you're talking billett lowers, who makes the prettiest one to your eyes.

I haven't paid attention to the AR game for some time, now, but one thing about RRA is their buffer tube has always been of commercial dimensions. Don't know if they have changed, though. Just be aware of that.

Test and make sure that your magazines drop free (Plastic and Metal) and that your preferred upper properly fits the lower. With the upper on, do a functions check.

If both pass the above tests, do a visual inspection looking at threads, hole alignment and size (they should both be small hole) and overall condition. If you wanted to go rain man you could look up which aluminum was used to make each receiver, but in a blind taste test most folks can't tell the difference.

FYI you used to be able to visually spot a commercial receiver extension (Buffer Tube) by looking at the rear of the tube. If it was angled it was most likely a commercial tube. However, there is such a large number of tubes out there that might not be universally true. MAGPUL and VLTOR still has commercial spec stocks on their web site if you need to purchase one.

The reason I encourage you to do some checking is because back in 09 I had a RRA lower that would take BCM uppers, but not a RRA upper I had. I left the BCM upper on it and gave it away as a gift. I never went back to figure out if it was a lower or upper issue nor has it's current owner complained. YMMV.

If the Bushmaster is early enough to be pre-1994 federal AWB, I would go for that one. There are still a few states in your neck of the woods where those command a hefty premium, so if you ever decide to sell, it could be the better long-term value. Quality-wise I'd say the lowers themselves are equal pending the basic checks CD228 outlined and you can always upgrade the fire control parts and buffer to Mil-spec.