Help us test a polymer AR-15 Lower

[Baldman]

Thanks for the info Fred G.

 

[ns66]

I am looking to buy a superlight ar-15, around 5lb without mag, I am all for new technology and carbon fiber/polymer, I believe we human can/should advance technology in 30 years. I am very interested in Bushmaster SuperLight Carbine with Red Dot, but if your company can make similar ar-15 with good quality I would buy it

thanks for the effort and courage

 

[mastiffhound]

Put a .50 BMG upper on it and fire 500 rounds, if it will hold up to that I'm sold. Add some 32 degree weather and I'm first in line!

 

[Yellow Box]

Yellow Box, not to bee dim but what is it? It looks like a polymer lower but can you specify what type, etc? Thanks.

Yes its a carbon 15 but a newer version compared to the original. I think the originals were either made by another company when bushmaster bought them and had issues with them breaking. Cant remember too long ago.
I think ive had mine for at least 9 years maybe more.

But ive also seen an even newer version couple years ago too
My upper is also the same material. On the newer ones I saw they now have the cover and forward assist which mine is missing

 

[ns66]

in another thread some people mentioned carbon/polymer doesn't hold threads very well compared to aluminum, it sounds to be a valid concern, some tests about that will sure help.

 

[NewFrontierArmory]

The problem with the threads (at least what I've seen from selling thousands of them) is that people cross thread the buffer tube into the receiever on an angle, and then the bolt wacks the hell out of the buffer tube because its not in line and wipes it out the back of the receiver.

We should have these out on 25 January at the latest, and we might take pre-orders the week before, or at least pre-orders to the dealers we have lined up.

We have more videos being put out right now shooting a .50 BMG upper on them, and a 450 bushmaster for those that were worried about shooting the pesky 5.56 cartridge! ;-)

We have a solid MATCH rifle built out of this also for $599 retail with a hardscase, PMAG, and some MAGPUL and YHM extras. It weighs in at 6lbs, which is light, but we'll also be putting out something soon with a carbon fiber tube and a lightweight bbl to get us under 6lbs.

 

[ns66]

if people go with relatively uncertain carbon/polymer, they will expect a lot on the weight savings, otherwise why bother? there are way too many choices with top quality at 6lbs, for your potential buyers, i think a lightweight/pencil bbl total weight around 5lb will get much more attention, i think Bushmaster SuperLight Carbine with Red Dot gets it right (except unsure about the quality), hope you guys can get something out asap

 

[NewFrontierArmory]

I can put something out much lighter, but at the moment, I haven't been impressed with the polymer uppers, and I don't want to sacrifice in bbl quality either.

We're working on something to break down to the 5lb mark, it just won't be out at first.

 

[NewFrontierArmory]

Also, I think for $599 retail for a 6lb rifle with the quality of parts (match bbl, MAGPUL, YHM, etc) and a mag and hard case, I don't see what's out there to compete with at that price range.

 

[ns66]

i think most hard core ar-15 folks who really shoot a lot have aluminum ar-15 from top makers already and they are the most conservative and difficult to convert type, i doubt they are your best targeted buyers, only they may want heavy barrel. your best targeted buyers are new ar-15 users who are more open minded and who do not usually shoot a lot, light barrel will be perfect for them, lighter and cheaper, thicker barrel really only adds to the weight/cost and nothing else for them. your best advantages are price and weight, your price point is attractive, but S&W sport is cheap too, you need to add the weight advantage to win the battle, you need to bring everything out imho to counter your weak point which is your product is carbon and unproven. in my view the first product you bring out you need to get everything right get all the advantages out and make a splash to be successful.

anway just my 2c and hope to see your product soon

 

[ns66]

if you sell 6+lb you are competing with all the well established ar-15 makers out there, and your carbon advantage adds nothing to the battle. if you sell 5lb you automatically eliminated all but bushmaster, if your product is better quality than bush you win

 

[alemonkey]

To me the weight advantage is the main thing here. The complete polymer lower wins on price too, but I'm willing to pay more for a good aluminum lower for most of my builds. But, if I'm building a super lightweight lower, like for a kid, the polymer lower is a winner. I'm interested to see if there will be any dealers in Nebraska. If so I would pick one up for a .22 build.

 

[JShirley]

It would be great to see a heavier barrel SPR-type rifle (with maybe an 18-19" barrel) that weighs no more than typical M4-style AR carbines weigh now. 3-gun, here I come...

 

[ns66]

Bushmaster SuperLight Carbine with Red Dot is very attractive, at $600+ including a red dot, carbon 5.1lbs, it sells like hotcakes, all seems to be sold out online or local, the only question for me is the durability and some people think bushmaster is not as good as top makers, that's a data point for you to consider

 

[NewFrontierArmory]

We just put a third video up on our Youtube channel and the LW-15 facebook page (www.facebook.com/NFALW15)

Check it out!

 

[Baldman]

Keep the videos coming, I'm getting more and more intrigued. SO far cost seems to be very good based on the package put together and the product is showing durability.

 

[Fred_G]

I have to say, I like your testing. Some real world testing is good.

 

[NewFrontierArmory]

WWW.LW15.COM IS LIVE!!

The website is up for our new polymer lower! Our designer did an awesome job to get everything together. Please spend a few minutes and check it out. Any dealers that are intrested in carrying the products, fill out the dealer app on the website and we'll get you out a dealer packet via e-mail.

We're shooting for a release date of 25 January, with a possible pre-sell date one week out.

 

[Baldman]

If the posted pictures show the complete rifle configuration it looks great. How about adding some pictures of the $599 deal including the hard case when you get a chance. Now all I need to do is find the $.

 

[NewFrontierArmory]

We'll have some more out soon. Let me know if you have any questions about the specs.

Also, if you guys would like to see anything else done for our video's that we haven't yet, please let me know and I'll try to get it into the next range day.

 

[ns66]

total weight of your completed rifles?

hope you get a complete rifle with lw-15 lower and pencil barrel soon

 

[NewFrontierArmory]

Currently 6 lbs. It will be under 5 when we put them out with pencil bbls.

 

[mgregg85]

I'm interested in the polymer lowers but what really worries me is weakness where the buffer tube screws in to the receiver.

Rest the complete rifle between two supports with the receiver in the middle unsupported and then start hanging some weight on the center. Do it side by side with a metal lower receiver rifle to show us that it will hold up.

 

[NewFrontierArmory]

How much weight would you like to see hung from it?

 

[Fred_G]

How much weight would you like to see hung from it?

LOL, you have almost convinced me to rethink the polymar. I just don't need another lower right now.