thanks for the assists, bumping again.

I believe the "stealth" lowers are made by FN.  

I know this is not definitive evidence, but these are the only two "low shelf" lowers that PSA has carried.  If someone has other info I am missing about that, please correct me.  It would make sense to me that they sourced these from the same place.

Edit by PSA:  That is not correct.

the original ap's were low shelf too from what i have seen and also after careful evaluation the Stealths appear way too different from the SC/FN lowers.  the Stealth lowers, i beleive are done by whomever is doing the .308 lowers. Especially since they both are beginning with the PA prefixes.

Look the the stenciling on the .308 lower and look at this one...

http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx116/glenn120/fn-15_zpsc650909b.jpg

This pic is not mine, but one an ar15.com member took at shotshow of the new FN-15.  This stenciling looks almost the exact same as the stealth lower.

When I saw this FN lower marked VA and not Columbia SC, it made me sad.

the stealth has deeper stenciling, and even compared this image to the 308 the 308 has deeper as well.  i kinda see your point but to me its a bit of a stretch.

when i compare my stealth to my known FN SC lower, the SC is so much higher quality it isnt even funny. i simply cannot see them as being machined on the same machine much less program.

What differences did you see in quality?  I ask because I just ordered the stealth lower and I want to make sure I am getting a quality piece.  I really like the stealth because I am not a big fan of any logos on my stuff, but if it would have been made by FN would be a bonus

machining marks mostly, magwell interior of magwell machining is different, finish is even slightly different. The SC almost looks blued in some places, where the stealth is definately not.  The sc also has an adjustable screw for taking out slack in the upper / lower fitment, and the stealth did not if i remember correctly. alot of this is mentioned in the first post i believe.

You would  be correct.

I have heard GCO's side of the debate...why do you think it is made by FN?  Maybe this was a run of lowers to be used as a test bed for the FN-15...  Who knows, maybe FN has been using PSA this whole time making complete rifles to test and eval before they released their version... it's nice to dream isn't it?  Lets hope that last part is not true though, because alot of colt/BCM/DD/noveske fan boys will drop dead from a heart attack, lol

I'll try to post pics of both my lowers soon. let yall decide for yourself.

I would very much like to hear more about this.

I've been following this discussion carefully, and even posted in one or two of the threads on this subject.

I see noticeable differences in the forgings, markings, and machining of the Stealth lowers vs. the known FN lowers, which lead me to believe they are not made by the same company.  Not trying to be difficult, but I'm curious to hear why you believe otherwise.  Feel free to contact me offline, if you like.

So far all the physical evidence points to the Stealth lower NOT being FN when compared to the actual FN made SC lower, I have yet to see any actual evidence that proves it is, other than a few people saying so which means absolutely nothing. The forging, the machining, not to mention the stenciling is completely different; from the font used to the quality of marks... sloppier and deeper on the Stealth, clean on the FN.

Being low shelf means nothing, all Aero lowers are low shelf, there are other mfgs making low shelf lowers.

Hey Gamecock...

Since you have this lower, how does it compare to the other standard PSA lowers?  As long as the quality is on par with those, I will be happy regardless of who manufactured it.  

Now if they could just get some 14.7 premium carbine uppers in stock

tomorrow i will try to dig out my lw's stealth, sc, and ap's and even a nobo or YOU LIE and take pictures of them all for comparisons... I stress try because it will depend on the level of lazy ness i have and also the level of noise i am permitted to make with the wife having to sleep after working all night. :)

at this point, the Stealth Lower is a great buy. its on par, or better than an LW in my opinion.  To date.. my opinion here, the SC/FN lower is the best produced under PSA followed by AP, You LIe , NOBO, Stealth, and LWs.  

hope that helps.

PSA Lowers, all together now.

Starting on the left, we have the following, going down the column.  then the right column.  

Left Column :

PSA AP, First Run Lower.  It is a under 200 sn lower.
PSA LW, 042xxx serialed lower.  It happens to be a Gadsden lower.
PSA Special Edition - YOU LIE Lower.. In the 100's serial.

Right Column :
PSA SC Serialized FN Lower.  Under 100 serial...
PSA STEALTH lower.  PA Serialized prefix, again under 100 serial.
PSA Special Edition - NOBO Lower. Again, under under 100 serial.



Same basic shot.. closer :


Coseup of the left side column of lowers :


Close up of the right side column of lowers :


Top down of all 6 :


Top Down of Left side column from top, PSA AP first run, PSA LW Gadsden, and PSA YOU LIE:




Top down of right side column from top, SC/FN, Stealth, then NOBO.

another shot of same 3.



PSA SC Lower Top down view into trigger well :


Another top down from PSA SC Lower.


PSA SC and Stealth Lower Top Down view into trigger well :



PSA topdown stealth and NOBO:


PSA AP lower, and LW lower topdown :


PSA LW and YouLie Lower :


PSA AP and LW Gadsden :


Ok mag release side colums..

All 6 lowers :



Left Column first :

PSA AP first run.
PSA LW Gadsden mid 042xxx sn
PSA YouLie lower


Right Column now :

PSA SC/FN Lower .
PSA STEALTH Lower.
PSA NOBO Lower.
(forgive the smudges)



Some closeups now :

Right Column.
PSA SC/FN lower on top, then the PSA Stealth Lower.


Again same 2:


Ok, Bottom of mag wells.  

Left Column:
PSA AP First run
LW Gadsden
YOU LIE


All three Again, Left Column:



Ok and now the buffer tube section :
Same three again:



Right Column:
SC/FN Lower
Stealth Lower
NOBO Lower


All three again different angle:



Close up on SC AND Stealth:



Buffer tube side of these last three.. SC is far left, then stealth, then NOBO


Front of Mag Wells differences

SC on Left, Stealth on right.




Thats about all i have at this time. I can take more if needed, but i dont think there will be a need.  This hopefully puts to rest the debate, the FN/SC lower, and the Stealth to me, at least, are made from different manufacturers.


The camera unfortunately only can do so much.  Some of the images its hard to see the details in the roll marks. I can take more closer pictures, but i cant take them in groups like these.

Nice pics

Thanks man

Thanks for taking the time to shoot those pics.  I am having a hard time seeing any major differences between the machining of the SC and stealth.  It seems the coatings are different, but I guess its hard for me to see the quality of machining since I don't have them in my hand.  

I did notice this also..."These forged lowers are quality made by a mil-spec contractor using 7075-T6 aluminum and are marked "MULTI" to accommodate most builds.  Finish is Black Hardcoat Anodize per MIL-8625 Type 3 class 2."  The stealth and SC are the only two to have "made by a mil-spec contractor" in the description.  Now the SC does say made in Columbia by a MS contractor, so that's obvious who it is.  But what other mil-spec contractor could they have gotten this from?  I ask because I am not up to speed on who all falls under this classification.

there are tons of machining differences.  look at the magwells alone, the buffer tube places, the engraving, its allover.. not just the finish.


to be a mil-spec contractor could mean anything to that they make the lowers to the same spec that the military requires, or that they actually produce mil-spec for the military.

People are really getting worked up over their Stealth lowers not being FN.

apparentlly so.. origionally i thought they were too, until i actually took them out and compared one for one for one...

they may be one of any number of different manufactureres.. no telling

Has PSA ever made mention if they are going to have another SC lower run?

I hope they do. Maybe we should all contact CS and let them know we want more.

not that i know of.  





heh yea i agree.. they are great lowers. even the way the logos etched is different from the LW series...and well all the other series...

sticky?

in light of another post asking questions about the lowers i've bumped it again.

bump

Who is down for a 5 pack, variety pack, of PSA lowers?

Does anyone know when PSA 1st introduced the SC lower?  When it was originally offered?

I am also curious if they will be making another run on them.  I know FN is making their own AR now for Civi's, I wonder if PSA will be getting anymore.
I hope so, I would love to get 1.

I drove down to Columbia and bought 2 (the store limited everyone to 2) on 12/27/12 during the iniatial scare, I am going to check tonight to see which ones I actually have.

Thanks Gamecock, I wont hold the name against you, really appreciate the detailed info,

But I gotta say, Go Tigers!

Now THAT would be a neat idea. 5 pack, of their lowers, as a collector pack.  Do the gadsden, the moultrie, the SC, the stealth, and a choice of  standard LW or AP pictogram... that would be sweet, sell it for 325-350 and it would move.




the Sc lower was introduced to my knowledge in late september or early october. I am going off of memory on that though.  

if you bought 2 back in late 12 or early 13, theyre probably LW stamped..  your very welcome for the info. Lets hope we can get PSA to sticky the thread.

As for the Tigers.. its ok.. High Five!

and anything that makes the state better is good, as long as its not carolina vs clemson.  then its carolina all day long :)

thanks for the post. I had no idea there was so many different lowers floating around. hope you keep updating, with new lowers as they come out. how about a stickey for this thread.

Thanks man. Your welcome. i just hope this thread helps them and us in the long run.


A stickey would be WONDERFUL. :)

editing the thread now, to add their new lowers they announced yesterday.

At first you were sort of annoying with this but honestly its a valuable thread. PSA should probably just go ahead and sticky it, there's lots of good info here.

annoying or not, its for the good of all of us :)

Hey hey hey, can we get a sticky today?!?!

Threads can only be stickied at the time they are created by us.  Unless I am overlooking something, it would require a penguin.

if im not mistaken i think you can edit the threads first post, and sticky it there.

I checked that back in December.

The only options I see are to move, archive, lock or trash.

Damn I wish the NOBO12 lower was still available.

i was afraid of that.  the only other forums i've administrated was Vbulletin and that is how it would be done there.. i know that arfcom is not running vbulliten  and if it is its heavily modded.. wonder who we'd contact on afrcom to get some assistance on it?

every so often i see one pop up on gunbroker.. but it isnt as often now as it was durring the big crisis back in 13.

heres one if you wanna pay for it :

NOBO

Stickying :

heres how one guy says to do it here on arfcom



i'll keep looking for more information if that does not work.

thanks :)

WOOT! It worked! thanks for the Sticky!!

Glad to see your tenacity paid off, GCO.

Can you get me a discount on a lower?

thanks Panzer :) it sure did.

no unfortunately i cant even get discounts :(

but i did update the thread last night :)

I am debating the OIF and OEF lowers right now...they would simply be safe queens.  Then again, I could ask for same or sequential serials....and then again $200 goes towards an eotech or aimpoint.....grrrrr.

My bro and i pulled the trigger as soon as we saw them.  Its a collection thing.. weve got every lower they make and have to keep the collection whole.

That being said.... pull the trigger.  Do it. Its for a good cause too :)

Oh HELL no. No. No thanks.
Congrats on the thread sticky!