Looking to start building an AR here soon, and would like to start with a non black / non anodized lower that's just it's gray raw metal color or lightly polished. Any good sources on these? I'm new to this, haven't built an AR before but I do believe I want a non-forged one.
If you want a lower without and coating, then you'll need to buy an 80%'er. Which means you will need to buy the jig to finish it yourself. If you're new to AR's, then I suggest you don't go this route. Forged lowers are Mil-spec and will serve you just fine, after all our military's M4's are forged receivers. Or you can purchase a billet lower, but will be anodized unless again you buy an 80%'er. You can always cerakote an anodized lower. Does that help?
I believe the "raw, and non-anodized, gray metal" you're looking for is referred to as "white metal" or "in the white/in white" which basically means unfinished.