3 Aspects of Buying an Anderson Lower & Those Like Them

When you buy Anderson lower products, you need to know what you’re looking for. Here we examine just what it is that matters when you buy.

17:24 09 May 2024

There are simply oodles of reasons why buying an AR-15 is a good move, and when you do, it’s a very good idea to get familiar with all the different parts. Essentially, for those new to using an AR-15, there are two main sections to a weapon like this, the upper receiver and the lower, with Anderson lower products proving very popular. 

The lower part of an AR-15 is where you’ll see the gun’s serial number - something that is registered with the ATF. Believe it or not, you have to be in possession of a federal firearms licence before you can purchase a lower receiver - even though you couldn’t fire it without the top part. 

Aero Precision, Black Rain Ordnance and Spike’s Tactical are just some of the alternatives to Anderson products. They do vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so now we look at some of the main points to consider when buying yours. 

Factor #1 - Features & Dimensions

An Anderson Lower is at the economy end of the scale, but there are are more expensive brands that are customized with certain special features and/or dimensions. While this choice is good to have, it may means that some of the available custom options may not be compatible with the jig you have. 

If your jig alignment has tube housing, it will typically better fit with some of the more ‘out there’ receiver shapes, so do your research before taking the plunge.

Factor #2 - Suitability/Compatibility

Another major factor when buying an Anderson lower or products like them is compatibility - as they need to be suitable for certain AR components. As such, it’s necessary to painstakingly choice each element and ensure compatibility, or you’ll simply end up throwing good money down the drain. 

It’s quite common for modern gun owners to put their own rifles together, but this does involve having a certain requirements in terms of materials and specs, so it’s another major factor to account for. 

Factor #3 - Materials For Construction

When shopping for AR-15 lowers, they often come in different materials that are determined by the processes they went through. Generally speaking, the primary types are polymer, billet, and forged, with the latter two typically being constructed from aluminium.

The material you opt for will be guided by your budged, and your preference, as polymer is usually much less expensive, but you also have to trade off durability. 

The Anderson Lower is Great, But The Choice is Yours 

We’d like to be able to say to you that putting your own AR-15 is simple, but the reality is that it’s not. That said, if you read more articles like this one and add to your knowledge, there’s nothing stopping you from finding exactly what you need to comply with not only the law, but also with best practices. 

You have to remember also that certain states have varying laws on the subject, so be sure to cast an eye over the regulations for some guidance.