Help us test a polymer AR-15 Lower

from RATHERNOTSAY:
Quote:
I'm sorry but how much weight and price are we talking about here? Unless it weights SIGNIFICANTLY less and sells for around $25 what would be the purpose?

7.5 oz weight difference from a standard AR-15 lower, and $99 for a complete lower, so about $100 savings.

Like I said in the OP, the intent is more for a low cost, light weight plinker thats safe to shoot.

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Any versions available other than AR-15? I think $99 is a little steep for a plastic/composite lower. I would think 1/2 to 2/3's that price to be competitive with AL.

if available in .308 or caliber bigger than .223, I'd like to test one.

I was reading the Purple Poison or Plum Crazy, or whatever it is called comes complete with a plastic hammer & trigger too.

Hows that work out for ya?

rc

taliv said:

Rather not, there is plenty of receiver flex in aluminum ARs too. Doesn't really keep anyone from posting sub minute groups. But yeah I would certainly expect more flex from polymer.

Rcmodel carbon fiber is different. (as I know you know)

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The comparison is substantial between the 2 in reality. One is a wave of energy passing through and the other is complete distortion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEBMlfhlxYg

If all testing is done in house by the manufacturer consumers are not impressed. If you are confident in your product send some out to be run through the mill on real world applications.

Is this lower also going to use plastic fire control parts or standard steel parts?

I'm not sure where my preference is. I think I like steel better in AR's, but my FN PS90's plastic parts are holding up fine, as are my buds FS2000 parts.

NewFrontierArmory said:

The polymer FCG actually holds up very well, and thats where the mag dump / full auto tests show well to put a bunch of rounds through it faster than anyone in the market will.

You have to remember you're talking hi-tech polymer mixes and not the plastic that chinese toys are made out of.

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Glock polymer is among the strongest and flexing is still seen. It's durable yes but I would like to see the firing of a 5.56, .308, and 6.8spc

i agree with others. having it run through classes by a third party is the surest way of convincing naysayers and building confidence in your product. full auto mag dumps are fine, but if it starts failing during classes it's game over.

So, give us your ideas on some torture tests you'd like to see that would actually make sense and help you understand the strength of the product.

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I would like to see a few taken to a well known, high round count carbine course, and put through its paces.

Put a 458 Socom upper on it and shoot it, a lot. I had faith in the cav arms lowers after Tony Rumore of tromix reported that it held up just fine to heavy full auto use with a 50 AE upper. Put a 50 BMG upper on it and shoot it a bunch. Slow fire 50 BMG is a different kind of stress than high round count hard use. The latter is more important to me but subjecting the lower to the big 50 should get some attention. Maybe let someone put it through its paces with a season of 3 gun. Bonus points if they shoot He man with a big bore upper.

Basically I'd like to see tests that simulate how I actually use my guns.

I think any test becomes much more meaningful if the same thing is done to known commodity for a basis of comparison. Also to the extent there are independent testers and evaluaters.

A $99 complete lower would be of interest to me. It wouldn't replace my go to Novekse but would be nice for a light weight build. My preference would be that the FCG parts are replaceable with standard parts so it I want to change them I can.

Hit it with a baseball bat then shoot. Do this until it wont shoot. Drag behind truck until it breaks. Do anything and everything to it but just make sure you have a Colt AR right next to it taking the same abuse. If you can beat the Colt then you would have the market.

NewFrontierArmory said:

The FCG will be 100% replaceable with any mil spec LPK.

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That's a good idea.

I have a Plum Crazy lower I use now. Light weight, the polymer trigger an hammer work fine. I give 110 for the complete lower, 400 for complete upper, 100 for scope. It is a fun rifle to shoot an was more accurate than I expected. I use 50gr v-max I reload an shoot great. Come out with a light weight lower an I would buy it just to try it.

NewFrontierArmory said:

Stripped lowers for $49.00. .

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Now we're talking. I'd grab a a pair as soon as they pop up at my local show.


Guy's, the AL milspec models are only $85.
http://newfrontierarmory.com/catalo...=product_info&cPath=245_246&products_id=22563

The FCG will be 100% replaceable with any mil spec LPK.

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Before long, you could get yourself back up to to what a metal lower & FCG costs in the first place.

Oop's! I'm being a #2 again!

rc

So NFA sells Plum Crazy lowers, an you are trying to make a cheaper one ?