Anderson Manufacturing Stripped Lower Receivers - Any Good?

[Glenn B]

What is the consensus on the quality (or lack of it) relative to Anderson Manufacturing AM15 multi-caliber stripped lower receivers?

 

[satx78247]

What is the consensus on the quality (or lack of it) relative to Anderson Manufacturing AM15 multi-caliber stripped lower receivers?

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GlennB,

Back in December19 (which given this "virus MESS" seems like YEARS ago) I carefully looked at several different AR-15/M16 style uppers & lowers, including Anderson's lowers that were for sale at the monthly SATX gun show.

Truthfully, it seemed that Anderson lowers at about 40.oo OTD were NO DIFFERENT (other than markings) in apparent quality than the lowers that were selling at that booth at nearly 100.oo.
Further, I was told in an email from a GUNHUB member, who is "said to know about such things" that Anderson receivers are sold by other vendors, with NO changes but changing the vendor's name, at considerably higher prices.

yours, satx

 

[MTA]

The only lower I have ever had that had an issue was an Anderson. It had an out of spec take down pin hole. The damn take down pin fit in there like a hot dog down a hallway. I tried multiple pins as well.

They may look the same but just beware of stuff like that being a possibility.

 

[smittyb]

A forged lower is a forged lower is a forged lower.
There has been functional Lowers made out of polymer, sheet metal, wood, even legos. Seriously, not kidding.

 

[smittyb]

The only lower I have ever had that had an issue was an Anderson. It had an out of spec take down pin hole. The damn take down pin fit in there like a hot dog down a hallway. I tried multiple pins as well.

They may look the same but just beware of stuff like that being a possibility.

I’ve heard of similar issues with DPMS and Bushmaster As well.

 

[MTA]

I’ve heard of similar issues with DPMS and Bushmaster As well.

Could be but that hasnt been my experience with either. Only the povery pony has given me shit

 

[candcallen]

All lowers made on CNC machines are made from the same basic software on the same type of machine, and in many cases by the same manufacturer with different markings depending on the customer, as the patents are long since gone. The only reason you would find an out of spec part is due to worn tooling not caught due to the QC, size and quantity of batch testing.

All manufacturers have out of spec parts every now and then. The question how fast the catch them and how much time and effort is put in checking the rest. They are so cheap now with such tight margins many lower cost brands find it cheaper just to replace bad ones as a customer finds it than to take the time and expense to check the whole batch.

That's shitty way of doing it but again bad ones are rare. Blems are much more common than out of spec unserviceable ones.

 

[candcallen]

Almost forgot, yes Anderson are just fine mil spec lowers.

 

[brashears9567]

I own several and have had zero issues. I've had issues out of others, but not Anderson. I prefer closed trigger guard which are still around forty bucks each.


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[Geezer]

I'll admit that most of the stripped lowers that I've bought have come from Palmetto State Armory. But, the 2 Anderson lowers that I bought were just as good and the PSA. In other words, they held the trigger group in the correct position. Really, the lower just holds a few parts in the right place, that's all.

 

[Charlie]

I've got an Anderson lower on an AR pistol that works just fine.

 

[baboon]

Another $20.00 towards a lower and you don't have to ask.

 

[smittyb]

Another $20.00 towards a lower and you don't have to ask.

He doesn’t have to ask about an Anderson either.

 

[baboon]

He doesn’t have to ask about an Anderson either.

This is true.

 

[MacZC7]

The Anderson lower works fine on my AR15

 

[TreyG-20]

I've assembled several Anderson lowers. All of them have worked out fine for me. The only issue I have had was putting a fostech echo into one, but it was just from the thick finish in the lower. About a minute of sanding and it fit in just right.

 

[Sam7sf]

Just try it. As already mentioned: out of spec parts get pumped out. Unfortunately they aren’t caught. The most common thing I see on all lowers (almost all the forgings people get is from Anderson) is the hole location for the buffer detent.

why people get out of spec stuff is imo due to the bigger business you have the less qc you have to pump out finished goods. Example would be if I’m running a vmc (vertical machining center) say a haas vf series. In a smaller shop a guy has time to blow down each fixture and tool when a program cycle is done. From what I have seen...I fear many larger manufacturers push production so far an operator probably has no time to check each every other finished operation or every fourth, fifth, ect.

Anderson is the whore of the ar world...you get what you get. Imo the best affordable lowers with the best qc are from stag. Every company produces lemons. I just have yet to get something from them that is.

 

[satx78247]

I've got an Anderson lower on an AR pistol that works just fine.

Charlie,

I'm currently toying with assembling an AR pistol with the assorted "junk box"/leftover circa 1970 Colt's parts that I have "ratholed".

Please tell me about your pistol. - What length barrel??

yours, satx

 

[no2gates]

I bought one about 4 years ago (on sale for $35).
The takedown pin hole needed a little help from my dremel before it would fit perfectly.
That was about 1 minute of work and it works perfect.

 

[deemus]

The only lower I have ever had that had an issue was an Anderson. It had an out of spec take down pin hole. The damn take down pin fit in there like a hot dog down a hallway. I tried multiple pins as well.

They may look the same but just beware of stuff like that being a possibility.

Same here. I have built a few, and the only problems I have had were with an Anderson. They made it right in a couple of weeks, but I won't use another one. All lowers are NOT created equal.