Help us test a polymer AR-15 Lower

Status
Not open for further replies.
Maybe I am missing something but can't you get an AR lower for 90 bucks that is made of the standard materials, what advantages have been found to be offered from a polymer lower?
 
Got my lower(s) last week. Just some observations:
The take down pins seem to be oversized, since they're polymer I sanded them a little so they work a little smoother.
Every upper I've tried them with has been an incrediably tight fit. To the point I had to wack them to open them.
Click to expand...

The take down pins free up in little time on their own, as do the upper to lower fitment. Probably the first two or three times Shooting, and breaking down for cleaning is all it took for the pins to be able to be pushed out my normal methods, same with tilting the upper from the lower.

For those that don't know, these were initially offered in complete lowers only. Now they are offered as a stripped lower for about 45 bucks, at least from joeboboutfitters.com, also now with lower only plus parts kit installed (no buffer tube) for 65 bucks.
 
Well, now I've done an extreme heat test. Temperatures in the high 90's with extra humidity and 500 rds. The lower has about 800 rds of m193 ball thru it + it sat in the back of my stiffling hot jeep for 3 hours. No problems, no warpages. So far it looks like the best $99 I've spent.
 
taliv said:
The op sure sounded like it was meant to be offensive and derogatory despite claim to the contrary. It also seems pretty trollish.

Are there any polymer lowers on the market besides plum crazy?

I don't think many people have an issue with a high quality polymer. I certainly hope someone builds one.

Lot of strawmen myths too. A significant percent of adult gun owners believe an AR lower made from the same material as a glock will crack or melt or deform or shatter? Really?

Please.

If your target market is the hobby/bumpfire crowd then carry on with the mag dumps. If you want to convince the shooters in the crowd that your lower is higher quality than the other polymer lower then take some classes with it. You might find that manipulating the weapon is where most of the malfunctions show up. Not doing mag dumps.
Click to expand...
To add to this, anyone who took Chem 101 will remember that polymer doesn't melt, it crystallizes with extreme heat. So, in theory, if the lower deforms with crystallization, if it doesn't hinder the FCG, it'll sill run. In theory, remember.
 
I just ordered a New Frontier complete lower for $109 shipped.
I have a bushmaster "post ban" CAR HBAR upper I bought used for cheap...and a spare Colt BCG.
I also have an aluminum CAR stock and buffer tube. If I like the OEM New Frontier stock, I may sell my current CAR stock and tube, essentially making the New Frontier lower free!
Can't wait to give it a try...if it works out, I will have a complete AR carbine for about $375.
 
Tim,

The trigger seems like a stock trigger. It never was gritty. It seemed about the same as the stock bushmaster I had. Breaks at about 6.5lbs is what I'm guessing. I really haven't noticed the reset. Next time out I'll pay more attention.
As I said earlier best $99 I spent it a long time. The second lower I'm turning into a Three Gun competitor so there will be an after market trigger installed.
As far as chemistry goes...never really paid attention to any of it other than the parts were it made things go BOOM!
 
I ordered my New Frontier Gen II complete lower from joeboboutfitters on Wednesday last week, and it was at my rifle club FFL Saturday.
Did the NICS today and picked it up, went directly to range.
My Bushmaster "post ban" CAR upper installed easily. No problem at all with the push pins pushing right in.
The polymer Accu trigger LPK seemed great. Nice crisp trigger pull, nice reset.
I put 110rounds through this set up today. 50rds Federal XM855, 20rds PMC Bronze 55gn, 20rds PRVI M193, and 20rds Guatamalan M193.
Not a single problem. This lower is GTG.
There were two other AR shooters at the range. One was the typical gear snob.
He came over before the range went hot to ask what I was shooting. When I told him it was my first time trying out a polymer lower with my bushy upper, you could see his nose wrinkle in disgust..."I only buy Rock River, Daniel Defense or Colt...everything else is junk"
He was shooting a 20" A2 of some kind with a Trijicon ACOG, off sandbags. I was shooting A1 iron sights with a 16" HBAR barrel, offhand, elbows on bench.
Couldn't resist peeking at his target through my cheap spotting scope....HMMMM....same group as me....
 
I didn't read all the responses, so if this was already stated, please disregard. I think there's a 4th category of individual (where I fall). It's the who cares category. I don't mean any disrespect by that comment!!! My feeling is, just to save a little weight, and a few dollars, why would I put myself through the effort of building or buying one of these, when I'm perfectly happy with all the proven choices I have now. And you already stated that it's not meant to replace the battlefield version. You compared it to the Glock. but the Glock is a pretty proven weapon. If this new lower isn't up to the standard of the long hard abuse of it's big brothers, what's the real advantage of having one? The weight difference and slightly lower cost isn't worth the effort. to me. thanks.
 
Slightly lower cost?
$109 shipped is about the best deal going. In my case, that was the total cost, as my rifle club FFL is a membership benefit...no transfer fee or tax.
Looking back at what I paid for my upper, my complete New Frontier lowered AR cost about $350.
Given my experience today, I think I will be shooting this lower for a good long time.
 
Its a considerable savings in $ and weight, and as sold complete. Half of an AR for just over a hundred bucks sounded good enough to me to try one.

Seeing sometimes is beleiving. I'm thinking of a lightweight CAR upper for mine, that way I have a loaner AR as well as a .22 AR. Maybe it won't get shot 'as much' but it's going to get shot.
 
This is pretty funny. After all this, what we end up with is a PCF lower with a slightly different texture and reportedly a different and slightly cheaper plastic blend.

Oh well.
 
Here are a couple pics of my $350 polymer lowered AR:
DSC02203.jpg
DSC02204.jpg

I am not saying that I would choose this lower for my only AR, or that it is superior to forged aluminum, or ready for an extended tour in Afghanistan.
But for me, having another AR already with a forged lower and a Colt upper, and the second upper and bolt carrier group already...I went from one and a half AR's to two for a whopping $109. When I sell the aluminum CAR stock I already have, the New Generation lower will be largely free.
After shooting this set up, I would not think twice about using it for HD. It works.
Oh, and I must have missed where it is stated that it uses a cheaper plastic blend. All I have read is that it is a different and stronger blend.
 
That's exactly the kind of set up I envision for a 'spare' AR. Short range, lightweight no frills.
 
Amd, I have to call you out on a $350 ar. Best I can see is 350 with no BCG, shipping, or transfer fees.
 
Sure. They sell this lower with an A2 stock and buffer tube, or you can buy just the lower and put on whatever buffer tube and stock you want.
 
Has anyone done any testing with these to determine how much flex they have? As an Appleseed instructor I have noticed that the S&W MP22 which has a plastic receiver has some flex in it when using a tight loop/hasty sling. This flex does change the point of impact somewhat. Granted, most people aren't going to use these for competition shooting, particularly in high power matches but it is something to consider. BTW, I am not against polymer receivers, I have a couple Cav Arms lowers.
 
When I shot mine, I didn't sling up...I was more interested in function testing and learning the feel of the polymer trigger.
The fit of my upper to the polymer lower was pretty tight...no movement whatsoever. The polymer lower seems pretty stiff. I would think you would see more sling effect from a loose fitting upper/lower combo or a non free float barrel.
Next time I am at the range I will try it. This upper has an HBAR barrel. I have never seen any sling effect on groups with my forged lower, but then, I usually just use a hasty sling and don't really bear down hard on it.
 
I haven't gone through and read every single post on this thread so I am not up to speed on the conversation. Just putting in my 2 cents. But here is what I know of polymer lowers. My buddy has a Plum Crazy polymer lower with a Stag upper. I was skeptical about it at first. Shot it, liked it. The control's are are very smooth. I like that I can put the gun to "Safe" after the hammer has dropped. He has put about 1100 rounds through the gun , not a single problem. He sure spent a whole lot less for his polymer lower than I did on my mil spec lower and his gun is a lot lighter than mine. Would I put one on a patrol or combat rifle? No. Would I put one on a range/plink/hunting rifle? Yes.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
US Arms Polymer AR Lower
Replies
16
Views
1K
MistWolf
M
D
  • Locked
Review of two Polymer 80% lowers
Replies
6
Views
12K
justice06rr
J
S
  • Locked
Describe / name the PERFECT AR stripped lower
Replies
13
Views
1K
Tirod
T
M
  • Locked
Getting my first AR! need some help.
Replies
23
Views
1K
NWcityguy2
NWcityguy2
T
  • Locked
AR-15 Lowers
Replies
17
Views
1K
AR-15 Rep
A
Back
Top