Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Polymer Lowers

I recently was given an upper receiver from my father. I am shopping around for a lower. Prices aren't bad, but stock IS! Even for "generic" brands. However, polymer lowers are readily available and inexpensive. I know when Glock came out people were skeptical at the thought of a "plastic" pistol, but we know how that has turned out. What are the prevailing opinions of polymer AR-15 lower receivers? Worth it? Durability? I won't be shooting magazine after magazine until the barrel melts down, just some target shooting and maybe some yotes. Should I wait for something else to become available? I would like to hear your thoughts, not just 'they suck, don't get one.' Tell me your experience with them.

Thanks,

Phil

I don't see a problem with them. They work on pistols like your said. The upper takes most of the action with the bolt sliding back and forth. The mainspring in the rear might put some pull off the rear of the receiver, but it shouldn't be a big problem. You can buy a complete lower assembly at a gun show for about $250 which is about what it would take to build one.

They're okay but the buffer tube threading is definitely the weakest point. The AR wasn't made to accommodate it.

Shop around. Try AIM surplus.

while not an AR, my AR180B has a polymer lower. I have sent a lot of rounds down range with this one, and have had no problems at all with it.

Don't buy a polymer lower.

Don't buy an inferior polymer lower with inferior polymer blends. New Fronteir is good stuff. They stand behind their stuff 110%. These are not the "plastic" lowers pf old... Buy with confidence.

I figured that would be a weak point. Didn't know it would be that bad. Go with milspec aluminum. On the polymar pistols there isn't as much pressure on the frame.

Also on the AR-180, it has a piston gas system taking the pressure, not direct blowback.

I would be hesitant

There is a very good reason smith & wesson puts a polymer lower on their M&P 15-22 in .22LR and an equally good reason the put an aluminum lower on their base model AR

So far, my hesitation has been justified, IMO. I'll just have to bite the bullet and buy the S & W lower and save a little longer for a parts kit, butt stock, pistol grip, and optic. Thanks all for the input guys!

Phil

The plum crazy lowers had a few that broke as well but not to worry, they did have a lifetime guarantee.

Until they went out of business.

I just don't understand the mentality of buying something cause it's cheaper. Buying things because they are better makes so much more sense.

Aim surplus usually has something cheaper, unless you're getting a deal on the smith.

Got a S & W stripped for $130, tax and transfer fee included. I didn't think it was a bad deal. Considering a "lesser" brand was 80, plus $20 shipping, plus a $20 transfer fee, I would have paid $120 anyway. So, I figured for $10 more, the Smith was well worth it.

Speaking of the lesser brands, I was recently told by a dealer that there are only about 4 manufacturers of AR lowers, and different producers put their stamps on one of those fours.

Sounds about right, but I don't consider a S&W lower better than the cheaper ones (excepting Deleware).

I'm sure it'll work, either way.

There are different companies that produce raw for forgings like Cardinal, Cerro, Diemaco, Martin Marrietta, Alcoa and several others around the world. Then companies like Colt machine those forgings in house to their specs and then anodize them.

Smaller companies may have someone like LMT or CMT do their work but probably more than 4 doing it. For most of us it doesn't make much difference but tolerances can stack and some like Rock River build high shelf lowers to preclude anyone using an RDIAS like Colt did with the block they used. Now they have a web built in.

Basiy, as long as its in spec and finished right it matters little who's name is on the side.

LMT buys their lowers from Knight, or more precisely Knight's seconds. Box triggers don't fit for [bleep] in LMT lowers cause the internal demensions aren't "milspec" whatever that [bleep] means. I'll take my chances with DPMS parts mostly, add a good barrel, and build it myself.

I keep seeing this trend. Try to find someone who has one. Check it out for yourself.

I have put together two polymer lowers from New Frontier. I have nearly 1k rounds through my NF polymer lower. Only issues are that the pin holes are tight, and take some work to get them in.

I'd buy another. I'd be just as likely to buy a blem Spikes on sale too.

H

I was told LMT makes their own and produces them for other companies. They do get the SOPMOD stocks from KAC. As for dpms, anyone can use whatever they want, even box triggers.

As a dealer for LMT, I spoke with them about PWA and Karl Lewis' ties. If you have something other than an arfcom link I'd love to see evidence otherwise.

Skivvy, I'll pass on plastic lowers.

i've shot thousands of rounds thru the plumcrazy lowers with out any problems . also had a american tactical omni polymer that worked well. the plumcrazy is polymer hammer but the omni has a regular parts kit in it. at 125.00 each they are both a great buy.