Polymer AR 15

mrs102

I have been looking for reviews on polymer lowers and haven't found anything newer than 2013 on the internet or this forum. Many had issues with pins holes not lining up and some cases of fractured lowers. What's the latest on these, yeah or nay??

Mercury

With milled AR lowers being $49 or so, why would you even bother with plastic? Makes no sense.


Merc

shilowar

I had an older Bushmaster Carbon 15, back prior to Remington buying Bushmaster. It was a fantastic AR-15. It was a little over 4 lbs, it ran without the need for much lubrication. I took it through two LE rifle schools and didn't have a single hiccup while my classmates were having all sorts of failures do to heat and lubrication needs. I sold it during one of the panics and regret now, it was a great rifle. I can speak to the newer ones.

chiefr

quote:Originally posted by Mercury
With milled AR lowers being $49 or so, why would you even bother with plastic? Makes no sense.


Merc

Agree, but you get the ones who want to see how light in weight they can do a build. Polymer frames, bolts lighted by removing 1/2 the metal, and composite barrels, just begin the process.

The first generation of plastic lowers were failures because the entire threaded recoil mechanism attach point broke off.
The new generation lowers have reinforced metal at the attach point.

nononsense

mrs102,

quote:The new generation lowers have reinforced metal at the attach point

Tennessee Arms Company is proud to bring to the market our light-weight, incredibly strong, AR-15 style lower receiver.

Manufactured from a fiber-reinforced Nylon blend with extreme resiliency. Using our patent-pending technology, Marine-Grade Brass inserts are permanently molded into the receivers at the Grip Screw & Buffer Area. These metal threaded inserts increase durability without sacrificing weight savings of the composite bodies. Colors are injected throughout the receiver during molding thus eliminating the worry for a scratched or marred finish.The end result is a sturdy receiver that is light to carry without compromising functionality.

Sporting a redesigned bolt catch area, a re-positioned buffer retainer, and all the upgrades from previous models, this design is optimal. Enhancements are from customer-expressed opinions that we valued & then turned back into our product. Our receivers are constructed to accept any mil-spec Lower Parts Kit. With an unmatched versatility for parts, customers are pleased when the builds are completed.Tennessee Arms Company is unceasing in our efforts to improve our design for our customers' future builds.

ALL TN ARMS CO Products come with a lifetime guarantee. We stand behind our products 100%. We believe the finest way to show this is through impeccable customer service which includes a warranty that stands firm. We invented the hybrid lower receiver, and we work continuously to keep it second-to-none.

Nylon 6-6 Body
Marine Grade Brass inserts in Buffer Tower and Pistol Grip
Lifetime Warranty against Breakage or Failure
Available in Magpul Matching Colors
5.6 Ounces Stripped

Here's a more recent review:

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/01/foghorn/gun-review-mean-hybrid-ar-15/

http://meanarms.com/

Not inexpensive like most of the others with an MSRP of $1,200.00 but that may be the reason this one really works...

Best.

Warbirds

I have one of the older Bushmaster Carbon 15's.

Picked it up here on GB and I've been happy with it.

Mercury

Interesting. Do you have any receivers or guns for sale on GB? If not, WHY? [:)]


Merc


quote:Originally posted by nononsense
mrs102,

quote:The new generation lowers have reinforced metal at the attach point

Tennessee Arms Company is proud to bring to the market our light-weight, incredibly strong, AR-15 style lower receiver.

Manufactured from a fiber-reinforced Nylon blend with extreme resiliency. Using our patent-pending technology, Marine-Grade Brass inserts are permanently molded into the receivers at the Grip Screw & Buffer Area. These metal threaded inserts increase durability without sacrificing weight savings of the composite bodies. Colors are injected throughout the receiver during molding thus eliminating the worry for a scratched or marred finish.The end result is a sturdy receiver that is light to carry without compromising functionality.

Sporting a redesigned bolt catch area, a re-positioned buffer retainer, and all the upgrades from previous models, this design is optimal. Enhancements are from customer-expressed opinions that we valued & then turned back into our product. Our receivers are constructed to accept any mil-spec Lower Parts Kit. With an unmatched versatility for parts, customers are pleased when the builds are completed.Tennessee Arms Company is unceasing in our efforts to improve our design for our customers' future builds.

ALL TN ARMS CO Products come with a lifetime guarantee. We stand behind our products 100%. We believe the finest way to show this is through impeccable customer service which includes a warranty that stands firm. We invented the hybrid lower receiver, and we work continuously to keep it second-to-none.

Nylon 6-6 Body
Marine Grade Brass inserts in Buffer Tower and Pistol Grip
Lifetime Warranty against Breakage or Failure
Available in Magpul Matching Colors
5.6 Ounces Stripped

Here's a more recent review:

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/01/foghorn/gun-review-mean-hybrid-ar-15/

http://meanarms.com/

Not inexpensive like most of the others with an MSRP of $1,200.00 but that may be the reason this one really works...

Best.

mrs102

Thanks all for your input.

Mobuck

The last year my shop was open, I sold several "New Frontier" polymer lower AR's. A couple of them went to known "bullet hosers" and none of them had any problems at all. I still have one that has been used one 2 or 3 uppers and still good condition. The only consolation I made was replacing the plastic FCG with mil-spec to make the 22lr upper work properly.

Rosie

Thanks a lot.

buddyb

Maybe the newer ones have improved,but I know of 2 polymer lower rifles that broke when they were accidently dropped.

tsavo303

Pass. Aluminum is cheap and light enough. No advantage to polymer

Mobuck

From my perspective, 'POLYMER' 80% lowers appeared to be the cat's meow for those who didn't have anything but a drill press with which to finish an 80% lower. I followed this path when polymer lowers were cheap and have several that turned out quite well considering the primitive equipment. When aluminum 80% lower prices dropped to acceptable levels, I bought a 'jig' and found I'd been cheating myself struggling with the polymer lowers. I wouldn't waste my time gouging out a polymer lower using a drill press now.

The polymers haven't been 'bad' and produce safe, useable finished lowers but aren't as stiff as aluminum, tend to wear at the FCG pins, and often have voids within the areas supposed to be solid. I had to repair a couple of the polymers with J-B WELD where voids impinged on the edges of holes or cut-outs.

Turning out a 'finished' polymer using a good quality router jig takes less than 15 minutes. Turning out an aluminum 80% lower takes about 45 minutes if you work carefully.

yoshmyster

They still make them? I remember those plastic lowers went full auto? Or they made plastic 80% with plugs that you could just remove without tools. Also unless you're making the plastic in to a dedicated .22LR I'd worry that it'll break.