Would you buy a polymer AR lower receiver? - Page 2 - The Firearms Forum

aa1911 · 11-23-2012, 12:00 AM

believe me, I put a lot of stress on the lower receiver!

Alloy is plenty light enough for me and has worked this long, I'm not gonna stray from it.

The carbon 15 is hilarious to pick up at 3.9 lbs but an Aero precision/Mega arms lower is only $140 and less worry.

That being said, I know there are plastics out there that are extremely tough and could do the job but I want metal personally.

BulletArc47 · 11-28-2012, 12:53 AM

While I don't own a AR now; I do plan to build one, and I believe that alloy aluminium is durable while being light.

As for polymer lowers:I'm not all familiar with them at all considering I just learned of their existence, but I know I would triple check its reputation. Polymer, can either awesome, or the worst (I prefer metal myself), but I know it will last a very long time even if it's in pieces. (Its a form of plastic, so it will not oxidize or biodegrade well)

I guess I'm saying, make sure it will last with repeated use. Since it's not very expensive (Relatively speaking.) buy it and test it out.

GunHugger · 11-28-2012, 07:22 AM

I'm not against "progress" or finding new and better materials.

But...and there's always a but, I blame the BIC lighter for the way things have become. The BIC lighter mentality.

Make it cheap and people will buy it even if it won't last. The BIC works but it doesn't last long. The Zippo, change the flint and add some lighter fluid and it will last a very long time. The BIC is cheap and soon goes in the trash.

I want my guns to outlast me.

I have read a lot of posts on many forums where it is said these poly receivers are good to go because they have fired 3000 rounds or 300 rounds...whatever the amount so they just know it's just fine.

That proves nothing to me. When the US military starts issuing poly M16's I'll change my mind. The military (hopefully) would test them hard and would determine if they really are good to go. Until then, they are just plastic toys to me.

Snakedriver · 11-28-2012, 08:05 AM

Some folks may want an AR for a range gun to shoot a couple of hundred rounds per year from a bench. Nothing fancy, just some range fun. No rough handling or high stress situations involved. For this circumstance a polymer lower may be a cost effective solution to AR ownership and will probably work just fine. It can always be easily replaced if it breaks.

For myself, I prefer a more durable working firearm capable of doing the whole thing as the platform (M-16/M4) was intended. The extra $150 to get that level of performance is well worth it to me.

JTofGPD · 12-06-2012, 06:05 PM

So far, my lw-15 lower is doing well. As are my buddies- we ordered 24 of them... I plan on replacing it eventually with an aluminum lower and putting a 22lr or 9mm on the lw-15.

11-23-2012, 12:00 AM	#26
aa1911 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 3,113	Re: Would you buy a polymer AR lower receiver? believe me, I put a lot of stress on the lower receiver! Alloy is plenty light enough for me and has worked this long, I'm not gonna stray from it. The carbon 15 is hilarious to pick up at 3.9 lbs but an Aero precision/Mega arms lower is only $140 and less worry. That being said, I know there are plastics out there that are extremely tough and could do the job but I want metal personally. __________________ "Loud noises don't end gunfights.... well placed shots do."

11-28-2012, 12:53 AM	#27
BulletArc47 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 259	Re: Would you buy a polymer AR lower receiver? While I don't own a AR now; I do plan to build one, and I believe that alloy aluminium is durable while being light. As for polymer lowers:I'm not all familiar with them at all considering I just learned of their existence, but I know I would triple check its reputation. Polymer, can either awesome, or the worst (I prefer metal myself), but I know it will last a very long time even if it's in pieces. (Its a form of plastic, so it will not oxidize or biodegrade well) I guess I'm saying, make sure it will last with repeated use. Since it's not very expensive (Relatively speaking.) buy it and test it out. __________________ “Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples’ liberty’s teeth.” – George Washington If you are not free to choose wrongly and irresponsibly, you are not free at all. – Jacob Hornberger (1995) “Among the many misdeeds of British rule in India, history will look upon the act depriving a whole nation of arms as the blackest.” – Mahatma Mohandas K. Gandhi

11-28-2012, 07:22 AM	#28
GunHugger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SW PA Posts: 1,161	Re: Would you buy a polymer AR lower receiver? I'm not against "progress" or finding new and better materials. But...and there's always a but, I blame the BIC lighter for the way things have become. The BIC lighter mentality. Make it cheap and people will buy it even if it won't last. The BIC works but it doesn't last long. The Zippo, change the flint and add some lighter fluid and it will last a very long time. The BIC is cheap and soon goes in the trash. I want my guns to outlast me. I have read a lot of posts on many forums where it is said these poly receivers are good to go because they have fired 3000 rounds or 300 rounds...whatever the amount so they just know it's just fine. That proves nothing to me. When the US military starts issuing poly M16's I'll change my mind. The military (hopefully) would test them hard and would determine if they really are good to go. Until then, they are just plastic toys to me. __________________ . “There will be a revolution in this country!” “I don’t believe people should to be able to own guns.” ~Barack Obama "Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war let it begin here." ~Captain John Parker, to his Minute Men on Lexington Green, April 19, 1775.

11-28-2012, 08:05 AM	#29
Snakedriver Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SW. Florida Posts: 1,219	Re: Would you buy a polymer AR lower receiver? Some folks may want an AR for a range gun to shoot a couple of hundred rounds per year from a bench. Nothing fancy, just some range fun. No rough handling or high stress situations involved. For this circumstance a polymer lower may be a cost effective solution to AR ownership and will probably work just fine. It can always be easily replaced if it breaks. For myself, I prefer a more durable working firearm capable of doing the whole thing as the platform (M-16/M4) was intended. The extra $150 to get that level of performance is well worth it to me. __________________ Fear is a reaction..........Courage is a decision

12-06-2012, 06:05 PM	#30
JTofGPD V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Wyoming Posts: 72	Re: Would you buy a polymer AR lower receiver? So far, my lw-15 lower is doing well. As are my buddies- we ordered 24 of them... I plan on replacing it eventually with an aluminum lower and putting a 22lr or 9mm on the lw-15.