Looking for a Colt, KAC, DD, or LMT lower (preferably complete) that can be used in a pistol build and isn't outrageously priced. The outrageously priced part is the most difficult. Any suggestions?

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Colt, KAC, DD, or LMT

Champaign taste on a beer budget?

Define outrageously priced.

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Originally posted by RHINOWSO:

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Colt, KAC, DD, or LMT

Champaign taste on a beer budget?

Haha that's the truth. The Colt lowers they were offering awhile back would have been perfect, but of course those have dried up with no more in sight and the few that remain, well--might as well just buy a whole rifle at this point.

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Originally posted by Jelly:
Define outrageously priced.

$800 for a complete LMT MARS lower is ridiculous, but $350-400 for their basic complete Defender lower is very reasonable (only I don't think those can be used for a pistol).

Based on the info I can find, none of these manufacturers offer complete lowers that can used for a pistol. So I guess what I'm really asking is if anyone knows of any complete lowers from these guys that can be used, or if the only real recourse is to buy a stripped lower.

There is a Colt pistol lower for sale now on ARF, in the classifieds. It is one of the ones that Brownells was selling....

I'm confused. If its a lower it is neither a pistol nor a rifle. Its an other. so except for buying something with stuff you won't use (like a lower with a stock that you would have to ditch) the starting point can be in any configuration.

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Originally posted by hrcjon:
I'm confused. If its a lower it is neither a pistol nor a rifle. Its an other. so except for buying something with stuff you won't use (like a lower with a stock that you would have to ditch) the starting point can be in any configuration.

You are absolutely correct.
ATF answered that in this letter.

The problem is finding one of those brands as a stripped lower for a reasonable price. A lower is a rifle if it has a stock on it.



Looks like I am wrong on that last bit.

It doesn’t have to be stripped.
A complete lower that was sold as such was never a rifle.
No matter what buffer configuration it had when purchased.

I know that BCM was not on your list but I picked this one up a few weeks ago for a 300black pistol build. It might be in your price point ?

http://shop.bravocompanymfg.co...e-p/lrg-sba3-blk.htm

I had the same issue when I built my AR pistol. I ended up using an Anderson lower.

Colt lowers are a roll stamped product of a contract machine shop. Having assembled a few, for the money, I would buy BCM or other nicely done examples. Perhaps the Colt name on the receiver means more of a perceived quality or status. No disrespect intended, really nice lower receivers with some added features have been part of some very satisfying builds.

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Originally posted by TRshootem:
Colt lowers are a roll stamped product of a contract machine shop. Having assembled a few, for the money, I would buy BCM or other nicely done examples. Perhaps the Colt name on the receiver means more of a perceived quality or status. No disrespect intended, really nice lower receivers with some added features have been part of some very satisfying builds.

This.
Colt, DD, etc lowers are all sub'd out to machine shops and the ONLY difference is what name gets stamped on it when they're done. You can get a complete assembled lower for your pistol from PSA for $130 with arm brace. Hard to pass that up just for a brand name.
https://palmettostatearmory.co...ray-no-magazine.html

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Colt, DD, etc lowers are all sub'd out to machine shops and the ONLY difference is what name gets stamped on it when they're done.

I struggle with the concept that you would have access to information to be able to assert the above. Certainly some manufactures advertise the opposite (example: DD "makes nearly every component part it sells").
But even if it were true that work is subcontracted in this area one can have whatever level of quality and features the firm contracting for the work wants to pay for. Simple observation would show that there are lots of differences in stripped lowers that are not simply the roll mark, things like made from billet, reinforcement in certain areas, trigger guard style, magwell flares, finish, etc. And in the case of complete lowers (as was asked in the OP) there are many other components that can affect the quality and price in terms of the what's included. Just take a look at the range of quality available on buffer tubes, pistol grips, triggers, etc. etc.
There is a clear range of quality and features. And the difference is way more than the roll mark. IMO for sure KAK, DD and LMT are in the first tier. Others mentioned, maybe/maybe not.

I'd toss in another vote to check out BCM. I bought one of the Blem lowers from the classifieds here, and it's fantastic - a complete BCM lower and decent trigger in it to boot, for a good starting pricepoint. tossed on a complete DD upper I had and have a super sweet, $900 BCM/Daniel Defense rifle .

OP: I'm simply curious why you want one of the bigger name lowers?

Why not consider one from Aero Precision, for example? I'm not trying to rain on your parade or steer you away from the big name outfits if that's what your hearts really set on, but the Aero Precision receivers are very well made, with excellent finish and won't break the bank.

Being someone who is familiar with Colt, SIG receivers and intimately familiar with DD receivers, you're not getting anything special with them compared to Aero, for example.

If you're fixed on getting a big name complete pistol lower, be prepared to wait and/or pay out the wahzoo - primarily for the name. Peeking around quickly on gunbroker, I ran across a DD pistol lower with LawTac side folder brace for about $800.

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Originally posted by Vgex:
BCM Pistol Lower at G&R Tactical

This is the route I took with the upgraded SSA trigger. Matched it with an 11.5" BCM upper.

I'll repeat what I (and GrumpyBiker) said above you don't need to start with a pistol lower, any lower that has not been built is fine.
Stripped LMT lower is $129 on GB. Round numbers $200 more to make it a complete one. There are complete pistol DD for <$600. Colt rifle lower is $499 and you can get a brace for <$100 so about the same (but bet you can find the colt for less than that).
In any case none of those seem outrageous for what you are looking at.