Ar lowers and part kits. Mixing Brands?

[Fire Lord]

I have been wanting to build an AR. I was wondering, can one use a S&W lower with a DPMS part kit for instance? If so, are there any kits to stay away from? Thanks for looking!

 

[bobbittle]

As far as I know you're good to go.

I've got a PSA lower parts kit in my DPMS lower receiver.

 

[ROLEXrifleman]

As long as everything is mil spec it's all plug and play regardless of make or manufacturer.

Now asking who is good or who to stay away from.....


Everyone will have their .02! So take opinions on the Internet with a grain of salt.

 

[__Doc_]

IF they are the same spec its okay. I wouldnt mix DPMS with anything.

If you want a solid LPK that is mostly always available

I always go with these two first, if i cant find them, I'll wait until its instock.

DoubleStar
Daniel Defense

 

[3badkids]

Ive used a few dpms lpk's and they've all been good/ worked well
RRA lpk's are the one i look for first but have used about all except DD
In the 25 lowers I've built ive never had a bad one per say better than others
Yes

 

[JollyMon]

I concur with the post above. I really haven't had any issue with the dpms lpk's. The only issue I did have is with the safety selector on my latest build. With just modest force, I mean not that much, I was able to rotate from the "fire" to where , if I were rich, the full would be. It wouldn't fire in that position and could never tell why it was able to rotate. Tried different springs, detent, handles, combinations of the prior. I ended up just getting an aftermarket ambi-safety (which matches my other rifles, so I was going to buy it anyways) and that solved my problems. However, with my other builds never had this issue. Could just be the tolerances they have (or lack there of) with their manufacturing.

 

[karl77]

have a rockriver in a stag lower and a dpms in my noveske lower.

no issues in either

 

[Lock n Load]

For the $$ I would buy another LPK over DPMS. Functional, yes. Real stiff safety selectors, takedown pins etc... For $5- $10 more get a CMMG, RRA etc...

The last DPMS kit I used had real bad tool marks on the hammer and trigger surfaces, being a machinist it drove me mad so I had to polish the parts.... wasn't worth the savings time wise.

My

 

[Fire Lord]

Thanks for the responses. I picked up a CMMG Lower. I was curious if mixing parts was a no-no, in case of availability. I really appreciate INGO for the usual helpfulness I've seen here.

 

[sgreen3]

Most builds you see will be a mix of parts if its not a factory rifle. I just built my latest carbine with a S&W lower with PSA small parts kit, and Spikes Battle trigger. Ive used a couple of the DPMS parts kits and they functioned perfect, but as noted the selector switch was a little rough.

 

[dubsac]

Theres alot of people out there with Frankenstein builds aka mixing parts

 

[HICKMAN]

heh, my lower is about as mixed as it gets.

YMH lower
Geissele SSA trigger
parts kit from ARFCOM
Magpul grip and trigger guard

That's the great thing about AR's... like Lego's for grown ups!