80 Ar 15 Lower Receiver Jig Set Reviews

Wouldn't it be nice if you could skip the transfer process of ownership a new lower and relieve some money by skipping FFL fees?

Information technology doesn't have to be a daydream–lxxx% lowers are real and gear up to go home with yous!

Some well-baked, new 80% lowers, set up for milling!

We're going to talk about what an 80% lowers is, why you want one, and, of course, the all-time lxxx% lowers for AR-15s, AR-10s, and AR-9s on the market, as well as jigs and other tools you lot demand to become started!

This is… non one of them, but it looks cool!

What'southward an lxxx% Lower?

Well, according to the letter of the ATF, a lower receiver is just legally a firearm if it'due south completed.

Technically, an 80% lower isn't so much a firearm as information technology is a paperweight or novelty. And since it's non a firearm, it can be delivered direct to you rather than to an FFL for you lot to deal with the toll and inconvenience of a transfer.

All y'all demand to know about what is considered an
80% lower is correct here.

Fortunately for you, it'due south super like shooting fish in a barrel for you to turn that paperweight into a completed lower receiver with tools you likely already own, like a drill and a router, over the course of a single day.

Of course, you also demand a jig to finish the job to make sure all the holes and such end up in exactly the correct places.

Top view!

But before you lot get started, know that finishing an lxxx% lower counts as manufacturing a firearm, so you tin can only legally practice it for personal use and you however have to be legally allowed to own the firearm.

On the other manus, you don't have to get a series number for the gun or register it in most places, with California existence a notable exception.

As always, check your state and local laws to make sure you're on the straight and narrow.

AR-fifteen Lowers

Allow's start with the virtually common blazon of 80% lower, AR-15 lowers.

Information technology's worth mentioning, that some of these models are tough to find given the current political environs surrounding eighty% lowers.

ane. eighty% Arms Type III Hard Anodized Billet AR-15 80% Receiver

This is another fantabulous fourscore% receiver, this fourth dimension from a company that specifically focuses on 80% builds.

It's made from 6061 billet aluminum, which isn't as strong equally 7075, merely allows for deeper milling cuts so machining doesn't take every bit long.

The machining that's already been done is extraordinarily clean and precise. It features more aggressive lines than more mil-spec lowers merely is nevertheless fully compatible with mil-spec parts.

It has a completed rear takedown lug pocket, an integrated trigger guard, and a pre-machined safety selector stops. "Safe" and "Semi" are pre-engraved. It as well has a flared mag well and allows for bolt take hold of installation with a regular punch rather than requiring a special tool.

This receiver works great with the 80% Arms Easy Jig, which we'll talk most beneath.

eighty% Arms Blazon III Hard Anodized Billet AR-15 fourscore% Receiver

Pros

• 6061 barracks aluminum
• Faster to machine
• Type 3 hard anodized black finish

Cons

• Not equally strong every bit 7075-T6 aluminum

In addition to the type III difficult anodized black end, this 80% lower receiver is besides available in several other finishes, including raw and apartment nighttime world cerakote, olive drab dark-green cerakote, and pinkish cerakote that perfectly matches Magpul's pinkish.

The price ranges from $lxxx to $120 depending on the finish, but blemished lowers are available for $20 to $xl less than the listing price. Non-blemished lowers are also eligible for bulk discounts. Y'all even can enjoy a lifetime warranty on these lowers.

lxxx% Arms has great products for the unabridged build process that yous know are compatible and designed to match one another, so they're great for making it easier to find coordinating parts, especially for beginners. And they even sell complete build kits to brand things even easier.

two. Anderson Manufacturing fourscore% Lower

Anderson Manufacturing is a huge name in AR parts then with this fourscore% lower, you tin rest like shooting fish in a barrel knowing y'all're buying from a reliable and experienced manufacturer

It'southward made from forged 7075-T6 aluminum, which is pretty much the strongest, well-nigh durable material yous tin can become a lower receiver fabricated out of, and at just around $60, it's very loftier quality relative to price.

Part of the reason for this is that it's so simple. This high performance lower has all of the features you'd expect in a standard 80% AR-15 lower without whatever extra, unnecessary bells and whistles.

Y'all'll demand to finish the fire control group milling, rear pocket, prophylactic selector hole, and trigger and hammer pins. The receiver has a pre-machined magazine well and a Cerro Forge keyhole marking on the lower right of the trigger guard.

Anderson Manufacturing 80% Lower

Pros

• Forged 7075-T6 aluminum
• American-made
• Mil-spec

7075 aluminum is very hard, which makes the receiver strong and durable, just it also means that y'all'll need to go slow while machining.

This mil-spec, American-made receiver is compatible with virtually all aftermarket AR-15 parts. Information technology's available in type Iii hard coat anodized black or with a raw cease. You can buy the receiver past itself or, with a raw cease, as role of a lower parts kit that includes tons of other Anderson odds and ends to help you complete your rifle.

This receiver doesn't come up with a jig and the one that Anderson makes doesn't take a cracking reputation, but you can grab ane of the ones that we recommend below.

3. James Madison Tactical Lower Gen two

The James Madison Tactical Lower Gen 2 is one of the best-reviewed polymer AR-15 lowers in general, including not just 80% lowers, but likewise stripped lowers and complete lowers. It'due south not uncommon to see this lower at 3-Gun and Precision AR competitions.

Basically, it'south just a really great lower.

Information technology's made out of a proprietary high-grade, reinforced polymer-fiber blend that makes it lightweight and far more than resistant to corrosion than metallic lowers.

This lower is thicker than many other lower receivers and is reinforced at weak points and areas that experience a lot of stress like the bolt release posts, the upper receiver interface points, and the mag well for extra durability.

It'southward more durable than most other polymer lowers, most rivaling aluminum ones.

James Madison Tactical Lower Gen 2

Pros

• High-grade, reinforced polymer-fiber blend
• Corrosion resistant
• Easy to piece of work with

Cons

• Pay attention to the society of machining steps

The mil-spec lower has a pre-machined rear pin pinhole, commodities release cavity, and buffer tube threads and is machined to fit just about whatever upper receiver or other AR-xv parts. Information technology as well has an integrated rounded trigger guard for improved ergonomics, even while wearing gloves.

Serrations along the front of the mag well provide a amend grip for your support hand.

Another advantage of polymer is that it'due south very affordable (almost $100) and like shooting fish in a barrel to work with. With that said, if y'all're used to working with aluminum, it'southward like shooting fish in a barrel to get a little too enthusiastic and drill too quickly, producing also much friction and resulting in accidentally melting the polymer.

Since the polymer is already colored and is inherently corrosion resistant, you don't have to deal with coating your completed receiver. It comes in black, OD light-green, and FDE.

The receiver comes with a 3-piece jig and instructions to help y'all get started, but y'all accept to provide the bodily tools for completion.

4. Polymer80 G150 AR-15 Lower Receiver

Polymer80 is another strong name in the polymer 80% lower game.

As the name suggests, Polymer80 creates polymer items for 80% builds, though they don't just produce eighty% AR-15 lower receivers. They as well produce 80% builds for AR-10s and Glocks of a diverseness of sizes. They're definitely the specialists in what they do and the value that they provide is hard to vanquish.

Their AR-15 lower is very lightweight at only 0.iii pounds. The composite solid core pattern makes it durable, though not as durable equally aluminum. It has a reinforced buffer tube housing, an integrated trigger baby-sit, and a stiffened mag well to assist keep it going strong.

Polymer80 G150 AR-15 Lower Receiver

Pros

• 0.three pounds
• Available in lots of colors
• Slap-up for novice builders

The lower is available in lots of colors, including FDE, OD greenish, greyness, purple, white, neon zombie green, pink, and black–so your AR can be as vibrant or as tactical as you similar.

Polymer80 lowers are made in the United States and backed by a lifetime warranty.

You can buy the G150 lower by itself or with the complete jig organisation, which includes everything you demand to complete your lower but the drill, including one of the highest-rated jigs out there.

Since everything is included all the same the kit is still cheap (only about $80), we especially recommend the kit for AR build novices or builders on a tight budget. As nosotros've covered, polymer is really like shooting fish in a barrel to piece of work with and this kit makes it even easier, so you lot can finish your lower in an afternoon.

Polymer80 also makes a universal jig set which is on our list of recommendations.

AR-9 & AR-10 Lowers

In that location aren't a lot of eighty% lowers on the market place for the AR-ix and AR-10 platforms, but 80% Arms makes fantabulous 80% lowers (and complete build kits) with the aforementioned outstanding quality as their AR-15 lowers for each.

five. fourscore% Arms 9mm AR-ix lxxx% Lower

Since information technology's as well made by 80% Artillery, information technology's probably not surprising that this 80% AR-9 lower is very similar to the fourscore% Arms AR-15 lower that nosotros discussed above.

This AR-ix lower comes with a threaded commodities catch pigsty, a threaded hole for adjusting upper receiver tension, a completed rear takedown lug pocket, engraved prophylactic marking, and an integrated trigger guard that'south very ergonomic, even in winter gloves.

It also accepts Glock 9mm magazines, has a pre-installed mag release, and has a flared, competition-style mag well to make reloading simple and quick.

It's compatible with mil-spec parts to permit for versatile customization and was precisely made in the The states by CNC machines from stiff, highly durable shipping-grade 6061 billet aluminum.

lxxx% Arms 9mm AR-9 80% Lower

Pros

• Pre-installed magazine release
• Flared, competition-style magazine well
• Accepts Glock 9mm magazines

Cons

• Works best with the AR15/AR9 Easy Jig

It tin be used with standard AR-15 lower parts kits and whatsoever AR-9 upper with the G-9 Hybrid bolt carrier group installed. This lower can exist bought raw for you lot to custom finish, or in a mil-spec Type Iii hardcoat anodized finish in either black or FDE.

Information technology works well with both of the jigs we recommend but probably works best with the 80% Artillery Easy Jig Gen 2.

half-dozen. eighty% Artillery Blackness Anodized Barracks 80% AR-x Lower

This DPMS Gen 1-style AR-x lower is another high-quality barracks aluminum 80% lower from eighty% Arms.

Information technology has an integrated trigger guard, broached magazine well, milled rear takedown lug, and engraved safety selector markings on both sides. The lower is machined to mil-spec standards and must go through multiple inspections earlier it's sent out, then y'all know this lower is high quality.

You'll need to finish the trigger slot, trigger pin, hammer pin, burn down control group, and condom selector.

80% Arms Black Anodized Billet 80% AR-x Lower

Pros

• Uniform with both DPMS and SR-25 Magazines
• DPMS Gen 1 pattern
• Bachelor in blazon III hard-anodized black, FDE cerakote, and raw finishes

Cons

• AR-10s aren't as standardized across aftermarket parts

Because the AR-10 platform wasn't standardized past the military the style the AR-15 was, it's, unfortunately, more difficult to mix and match AR-10 parts, specially uppers and lowers.

80% Arms uses the DPMS Gen 1 pattern, which is the nearly popular one. This means it'due south uniform with any upper that likewise uses the DPMS Gen one pattern, including DPMS, Aero Precision, CMMG, and Thunder Tactical. In addition, it's compatible with DPMS and SR-25 magazines.

You can also make things easier on yourself by simply going with a complete build kit.

This lower is bachelor in type III difficult-anodized black, FDE cerakote, and raw finishes.

Jigs

To complete your 80% lower, you demand a jig. Without ane, your lower stays a paperweight instead of becoming part of an actual firearm. And using the correct jig makes turning your 80% lower into a complete lower much faster and easier.

There's a lot of milling to do–and a jig makes information technology really easy.

As a general rule, it's best to go with a jig made by the same manufacturer, but if your lower'due south manufacturer doesn't make a jig or their jig doesn't have a skillful reputation, y'all can go with a universal jig.

These are a couple of our favorites.

5D Tactical Router Jig Pro Multiplatform 80% Jig

With this one universal, router-based jig, you tin complete AR-15, AR-ix, and AR-ten 80% lowers. It'southward pricier than most other jigs, especially older jigs, just its professional person-level quality is virtually unbeatable.

The 5D Tactical Router Jig's pins and guide cavities are designed to stop your router and bits from making contact with the jig, assuasive you lot to work more quickly and protecting your jig and bits from extra habiliment.

5DTactical Router Jig kit

Speaking of which, we recommend as well getting 5D Tactical'south Router Jig Pro Tool Kit to make the whole process faster and easier. Since the jig is router-based, if you also get the kit, the only other things you'll need to finish your lower are a drill and router.

With the jig and tool kit, you can finish your lower in less than half an 60 minutes and fifty-fifty as little as xv minutes or so. Of course, users new to completing eighty% lowers will probably take longer, but they'll yet go much faster than if they were using other jigs, which makes information technology great for beginners.

80% Arms Easy Jig Gen three Multi-Platform

This is another universal jig that can be used to finish AR-15, AR-10, and AR-9 lower receivers. And, similar the 5D Tactical jig, information technology just requires a router and drill — no drill printing!

It does, however, require a special end mill, which is included in 80% Arms' Piece of cake Jig Gen iii Tool Kit for convenience, but you tin also purchase simply the High-Speed End Mill on its own and selection up the residual of the drill bits elsewhere for cheaper.

The Easy Jig Gen 3 takes longer than the 5D Tactical jig, but information technology'due south also about $twoscore cheaper and information technology nevertheless takes much less time than most other jigs, especially older ones.

eighty% Artillery Like shooting fish in a barrel Jig Gen 3

You lot tin can save another $60 or so dollars by going with the AR-15 and AR-9 only version, assuming you won't need a jig that's compatible with the AR-10 platform.

You can save fifty-fifty more by going with the Easy Jig Gen 1, which is only uniform with the AR-15 and AR-10 platforms, merely you lot'll take to sacrifice some of the nice upgrades that Gen 2 made, like easily switching between platforms without disassembling the jig, faster machining, and a shop vac attachment that makes cleaning equally you get a breeze.

Polymer 80 G150 with jig kit

Departing Shots

These are our favorite fourscore% lowers and jigs, but which one's right for you just comes downward to personal preference.

We actually similar lower build kits that include both the lower and jig, similar the one from Polymer80, especially for beginners and the more other necessary pieces they include the meliorate. It just makes the procedure much easier and, after all, making things easier is a stiff advantage of lxxx% lowers in the starting time place, right?

Can't look to get started on these!

Lowers that are more than complete are also plainly easier to piece of work with and don't forget the function that material plays either.

Whatsoever of these lowers will do a great job, though, and then if y'all're more than experienced we encourage you lot to explore your dissimilar options and experiment a little.

Not sure what to exercise with the residual of your AR-15 build? Take a look at our Best Complete AR-fifteen Uppers for the other half of your receiver and our Best AR-15 Upgrades for all the residue. And if you have questions or other thoughts to share, let us know in the comments.

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Source: https://www.firearmreview.com/best-80-percent-lowers/

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