Can I assemble an AR-15?

[vintage hunter]

Right, regardless of the name on the side there's only 8 companies that actually manufacture AR 15 lowers. The following list shows the makers and what brand name they are sold under. This list is a few years old now so there may be new makers that aren't shown.
Lewis Machine & Tool.............................................. ..................................................
LMT
Lauer
DS Arms
PWA
Eagle
Armalite
Knights Armament
Barrett
Continental Machine Tool.............................................. ...............................................
Stag
RRA
HS
Noveske
Century
Global Tactical
CLE
S&W
MGI
Wilson Tactical
Grenadier Precision
Colt
LAR Manufacturing..................................... .................................................. .............
LAR
Bushmaster
Ameetec
DPMS
CMMG
Double Star
Fulton Armory
Spikes Tactical
JVP............................................... .................................................. ..........................
Double Star
LBR
Mega Machine Shop.............................................. .................................................. ...
Mega
GSE
Dalphon
POF
Alexander Arms
Olympic........................................... .................................................. ......................
Olympic
SGW
TROMIX
Palmetto
Dalphon
Frankford
Sun Devil............................................. .................................................. ..................
Sun Devil
Superior.......................................... .................................................. ........................
Superior

[browningautorifle]

Just a couple to choose from...now he'll have nightmares.

[vintage hunter]

No nightmares that I recall but trying to decide on what caliber and configuration I wanted has caused me to talk to myself while going round in little circles on several occasions.

[browningautorifle]

No, that's normal.

[jmoore]

I don't mind the polymer receivers for lightweight builds, but the old "pre-Bushmaster" Carbon15s did have some pin hole location dramas. Mostly the FCG. Made for some scary situations. Had one for a while but somebody wanted it badly enough...

[browningautorifle]

I might use one for a .22 build. They also have uppers I've seen but I'd only use those for .22 for sure.

[Stevo]

Right, regardless of the name on the side there's only 8 companies that actually manufacture AR 15 lowers. The following list shows the makers and what brand name they are sold under. This list is a few years old now so there may be new makers that aren't shown.

......

That maybe valid for forged lowers, but when you count in billet lowers it's way more than eight manufacturers.

Heck, there's 4 that do billet lowers in Canada.

[vintage hunter]

Well, as I said the list is old and there's bound to be more players in the game now seeing as how a year ago supply could'nt come close to meeting demand for anything to do with AR's. Anyway I was just listing US makers, some of which turn out both types. There's one company making SS uppers and lowers so I'm told.
One new maker that seems to have boomed up recently is Aero Precision. From what I can find out they supply lowers with brand names of Aero Precision, Surplus Ammo & Arms and Palmetto State Armory which is just up the road from me.

[langss]

Haven't heard of any "bad" lowers lately.

I'm another one of those "drunk monkeys" that have managed to assemble an AR or 30. It's the little spring loaded plungers that give me the worst fits. Especially if I'm out of spares...

I do the assembly in a plastic bag ever since the first ones got away. Even with the little tool I have they still can get past you. Amazing how far they both can travel...LOL... With a plastic bag, they don't get far.

[jmoore]

One new maker that seems to have boomed up recently is Aero Precision. From what I can find out they supply lowers with brand names of Aero Precision, Surplus Ammo & Arms and Palmetto State Armory which is just up the road from me.

We bought a case lot (or two) of Palmetto State receivers a few years back. I ended up with a couple or so. They have been "no dramas" and are forged 7075 if those features are of concern.