American Tactical Omni Hybrid: Part polymer and part aluminum, the Omni Hybrid lower receiver offers the light weight of a synthetic polymer with the stability of billet aluminum. At the buffer tube, the polymer is reinforced with a zinc alloy block that accepts the buffer tube and stock assembly. This lower receiver can dramatically decrease the weight of your AR-platform rifle. It also features an interlock hammer and trigger pin retaining system so pins won’t walk loose with extended use. The Omni Hybrid lower receiver is also fully compatible with all mil-spec AR-15 magazines.
Black Rain Ordnance .308 Milled Lower Receiver: Have a .308 build in mind? Black Rain Ordnance (BRO) mills its lowers from a billet of 7075-T6 aluminum, and super-stable, tightly fitted upper and lower matched sets are available. The lowers accept DPMS-pattern components and magazines as well as PMAGs. The lowers have integral, enlarged triggerguards and pictogram selector markings for “safe,” “fire,” and three-round-burst firing positions. Several finishes and .223 models are available.
DRD Tactical CDR-15 Billet Lower: Machined from 7075-T6 billet aluminum, the CDR-15 lower features a flared magazine well that sucks in and spits out magazines with ease. The relief cuts on the outside of the receiver give an operator a comfortable ready position for the trigger finger when not on the trigger. The front edge of the magazine well is textured for shooters who like to grip this area, and a ridge on the outer edge allows an operator to brace their AR against a shooting support without affecting the magazine.
KE Arms Billet KE-15 Lower: The Billet Flared Mag Well KE-15 Lower from KE Arms is precision-machined from a billet of 7075-T6 aluminum with a flared and broached magazine well. It also includes an integral triggerguard as well as KE Arms’ Big Button magazine release, making it easier to dump a spent magazine while wearing gloves. This KE-15 Lower is compatible with most mil-spec AR upper receivers. It features a hardcoat anodized finish.
MAG Tactical Stripped Lowers: MAG Tactical crafts its lowers from a proprietary magnesium alloy, making them 35-percent lighter than aluminum lowers. They weigh just 5.8 ounces. The stripped lowers also have a proprietary coating to protect from corrosion. These lowers are available in black, OD, pink, Zombie Green, FDE, purple and crimson. Each lower features an integral triggerguard, a reinforced front pivot pin, and reinforced trigger and hammer pin axis points.
Mega Arms GTR-3H AMBI: Machined from a billet of 7075-T6 aluminum, the GTR-3H AMBI stripped lower is completely ambidextrous and comes with all of the hardware for the integrated ambidextrous bolt catch. The triggerguard is oversized for use with gloved hands, and the mag well is flared with an inner chamfer for easier reloading. Plus, the buttstock attachment is beefed up for added strength.
Seekins Precision SBA15 Lower: This 7075-T6 billet aluminum lower features an ambidextrous bolt release, a beveled mag well opening, an enlarged triggerguard and a magazine release area designed specifically for quick and easy access to the magazine release button. Other features include an upper receiver tensioning screw under the grip, a captive detent spring to retain the rear takedown pin and a screw-in dowel pin in lieu of standard roll pins.
Sharps Bros. The Jack: The Jack lower receiver from Sharps Bros. is made 7075-T6 aluminum with a skull machined into the front. Enhancements include an oversized integral triggerguard and a flared magazine well that helps an operator reload as quickly and efficiently as possible. The Jack is fully compatible with mil-spec internal parts, upper receivers and magazines as well as Magpul PMAGs. Sharps Bros. lower receiver are exclusively available through Spike’s Tactical.
Wilson Combat BILLet-AR Lower: The BILLet-AR lower receiver offers better structural design and strength than standard mil-spec lowers, and it features an oversized magazine well for quick reloads and an oversized, integral triggerguard for shooting with gloved hands. All of its pinholes are precision reamed. The lower is completely compatible with all mil-spec upper receivers and is finished in Armor-Tuff with black, Burnt Bronze, FDE, gray and OD green colors available. Complete matched receiver sets are also available.
Yankee Hill Machine Billet Lower: Yankee Hill Machine (YHM) uses this lower on its Model 57 rifle. These lowers are machined from 7075-T6 billet aluminum and feature enlarged triggerguards and flared magazine wells for faster magazine changes. Each billet lower drops and accepts magazines effortlessly while being compatible with all generations of PMAGs and mil-spec magazines. Serrations on the front of the mag well offer a sure grip. The lower will work with all mil-spec uppers and wears a black hardcoat anodized finish.
Some see stripped AR lower receivers as a blank canvas ready to be built into a rifle or carbine designed for a special purpose only limited to the builder’s imagination. The forged 7075-T6 aluminum lower receiver has been the benchmark since being adopted by the U.S. military in 1962. Though these receivers are plenty strong for a basic build and can get the job done, they all look nearly the same. Billet-crafted lowers completely changed AR builds by allowing manufacturers a level of creativity not previously seen and allowing users to create a rifle as unique as their personality. A perfect example is Sharps Bros., which machines cool-looking lowers that are pleasing to the eye while being highly functional.
With the introduction of new materials like polymer and magnesium, AR lowers have become much lighter, making the AR platform even more maneuverable and carry friendly. Here are a few stripped and ready AR lower receivers to consider when you are building your next rifle from scratch. Give your next rifle or carbine that personalized touch.
Scroll the gallery above for our roundup of elite lower receivers.
For more information on the lower receivers mentioned in the gallery, please visit the following websites:
