80% Arms brand 80% AR 7075 lower receiver review
80% Arms 80% AR-15 lower receiver
Price - $110-150 (depending on color)
Material - 7075 billet aluminum
Finish - raw, bead blasted, anodized or Cerakoted
Color - raw, black, Cerakoted FDE
Rear pocket - not finished (the new version has the rear pocket complete)
Trigger guard - integrated
Engravings - Safe/Semi
Notable features - Flared magwell, safety selector stops, cut on the left side of the bolt catch pivot pin which allows easier removal of the roll pin
Works with the 80% Arms Universal Easy Jig - yes
Works with the Modulus Arms Jig - yes
The first 80% lower I completed was a 6061 billet receiver from 80% Arms and this is the 7075 billet receiver also from 80% Arms. I should point out that this was a special request lower I had custom made for me by 80% Arms. It's their pink anodized finish (no longer available, replaced by pink Cerakote) but done on their 7075 receiver, something that they don't normally offer. I also had a raw 7075 upper receiver from Tactical Machining sent to 80% Arms and anodized at the same time. This is what became the basis for the "Barbie Dream Rifle" which I have written about on the forum.
I like this design. It's stylish but not over the top like some billet receivers. It has a roomy integrated trigger guard and tapered/flared magwell. I'm told the pink finish is Type II and not Type III but seems durable enough. It will be a range queen so I'm not concerned. These lowers are also available in black, Cerakoted FDE, raw machined or bead blasted if you prefer to add your own finish to them. I much prefer a pre-finished lower but if you plan to coat to match other parts a raw finished receiver makes sense. The rear pocket area is not pre-machined in the lower I completed but is in the new version.
Fitment to the universal Easy Jig:
Good
Fitment to the Modulus Arms Jig:
Good
Ease of machining:
Being made of 7075 this lower was tough on my limited 8" Harbor Freight drill. I even tried to first drill out the 3/8" holes with a 1/4" drill bit to reduce the load when actually using the 3/8" bit and that almost made things worse. I have done lowers in polymer, A380 cast, 6061 billet, 7075 billet and 7075 forged. 6061 is a good bit more work than polymer and a little easier than 7075. I used cutting fluid when drilling out the 3/8" holes in the fire control group pocket and rear pocket but did not use any when milling them out with the router and 1/4" end mill.
Final thoughts:
I was very pleased with the way this lower turned just as I have been with all of the lowers done with the Easy Jig. I modified the process slightly and first milled out the trigger slot. This gives a cleaner finish to the final slot though it isn't really seen so you might want to decide if it's worth the extra effort. I also used a brass template guide on my router to eliminate the possibility of cutting into the edge of the Easy Jig template while milling. These changes are documented in this forum post.
Well, the first time I machined a lower from 80% Arms I bunged up the bolt catch pin hole and I did it again this time. Apparently my DIY tools are not adequate for the design of this lower. If I had realized that I would have used more care. Builders note, if you do bang up your pink anodized lower from 80% Arms there is a nail polish available made by Essie called "Eternal Optimist" that is a very good match. I got it at Rite Aid but it's available other places. It's about nine bucks a bottle so try to avoid needing it if you can. For finer detail it can be applied with a small artist's brush rather than the in-bottle brush for nails. Here's a picture of the touched up lower to show the color match. I think it's that ridge just to the right that is fouling me up.
At $120 this lower is in the low-mid price range for a 7075 anodized billet 80% receiver. If you have an original, non-universal Easy Jig, and don't want to modify it, than this is the lower you want to stick with. I would have no reservations in recommending this 80% receiver to someone looking to make their own AR receiver. But if you want to make the machining easier on yourself you can go with the same lower in 6061.
80% lower receiver comparison chart