Hey fellas. I do not know much about ARs, but I have noticed that the ones with the carbon receivers are priced a good bit lower than a traditional AR. Why is this? Is this an inferior design?

Many folks think the Carbon15's are junk. I'm not impressed with them.

Nor are they highly sought or demanded.

AR 15 receivers Quality

Forged aluminum-#1
Milled aluminum-#2
Carbon-#3
Plastic-for tupperware and glocks!

I went through a pistol/carbine course taught by Bennie Cooley last summer in which one of the participants had a carbon AR. It sucks when the whole class is repeatedly waiting on one person with a gun that won't run.

Bushmaster + Carbon = Disaster

Not particularly accurate. The carbon fiber receiver does not provide adequate support for the barrel.

A friend of mine bought one a couple of years ago. It didn't include those strange spirals usually found in barrel. Bushie fixed it, but it took close to four months.

I don't own a carbon lower, so I'm only stating what I've read on the NET (so take it for what it's worth), but I've read that people have been using carbon lowers to mate with .22LR uppers. In that capacity, I think it's a good idea, but for a .223/5.56 weapon, I don't think the minimal cost savings on the lower would be worth it. That's MHO. -TomT

I have one and am satisfied with it. I bought it as a weight saving method and it works for that. Accuracy is acceptable for a battle rifle. Accuracy in my 20" bull barreled AR is much better, but it is much heavier!
I wouldn't buy one to save nickels, get a forged aluminum lower.