Polymer AR Lower Receiver, anyone?

[CampingJosh]

Has anyone used one of these? They used to be Plum Crazy Firearms, but recently changed their branding to PCF, Inc. Anyway, they offer a complete AR lower made of polymer. The upside is that you can get the complete lower for $119 (minimum advertised price, so maybe even better than that). The downside? Well, early adopters of new ideas always have some risk...

I handled one at a gun show this past weekend, and it felt OK to me, but I've never owned an AR yet. Has anyone else had a chance to try one of these? What did you think of it?

Polymer has worked well in handgun frames for decades now... is there something inherently different about rifles and carbines that I should worry about?

[CampingJosh]

Nobody knows anything about it?

[GunHugger]

I think they look like crap.

And you end up with a lower that is what it is, you can't change the stock.

Spend a little more.

Are you planning to build or buy a complete AR?

Either way check out BCM for quality parts, uppers or lowers and complete AR's. I don't own BCM but many people have a lot of good to say about their products and the way they stand behind them.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/

[CampingJosh]

Originally Posted by GunHugger

And you end up with a lower that is what it is, you can't change the stock.

Are you sure about this? The pistol grip is NOT a molded part of the receiver (I e-mailed them to confirm this, because that's how it looked to me, too), and the picture on their site sure makes it look like the buttstock is removable.

Again, I've not messed with them, so I don't know. I'm just curious.

[GunHugger]

I apologize Josh, I had a brain fart and for some reason the Cavalry Arms lower came to mind rather than what you were asking about.

This is what I was referring to;


I don't know much about Plum Crazy...but I don't care for the idea of a plastic lower.

Here's a few discussions about Plum Crazy Lowers that might help you better than I did;

School me on Plum Crazy Lowers
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.htm...=518998&light=

Plum Crazy Lower FAILURE
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.htm...=524131&light=

[CampingJosh]

Ah! Yeah, I didn't know about the Cavalry Arms... but that thing is U-G-L-Y! Even if it's the best-functioning AR in the world (which I doubt), I still wouldn't want it.

You're right about getting exactly what you purchase there; if you wanted to change anything, a slip over is your only option.

Thanks for the links on the Plum Crazy.

[redwing carson]

I visited the little shop in Parker,Az where they were putting together these rifles. The molding was being done in Lake Havasu, Az up the road. They do look a little wierd. I think anyone who buys a Glock would have no problem with these toys.

RC

[jlloyd73]

I didn't like them and went with a forged lower.

[Helix_FR]

I don't know about that. Some AR lowers already have problems with the hammer and trigger pin holes egging out, I can't imagine the poly lowers are resistant to that either. Kinda reminds me of a thread on another forum were the guy was so hard up to make his own lower he tried to make one out of laminated wood with a fiber glass overlay.

[Tony22-250]

Ill stick to my Nickel Teflon coated 7075 billet aluminum machined lower.

To each their own I suppose.

[CampingJosh]

Bump! I'm still considering this, so I'm still looking for people with experience.

[GunHugger]

Originally Posted by CampingJosh

Bump! I'm still considering this, so I'm still looking for people with experience.

Why?

Price? Weight? Other???

[6x6pinz]

Don't have a Plum Crazy polymer but do have a Sabre Defense polymer. Love the weight and feel but as I have less than 5K rounds through it I am not sure how it will hold up in the long run. To date there is no sign that it will not last as long as any other AR that I have. I don't care for the cheap look of the collapsible stocks and prefer a solid stock in look and feel. To each their own like many other mods.

[JLA]

Yuck! plaztik!

[CampingJosh]

Originally Posted by GunHugger

Why?

Price? Weight? Other???

Price is good. Weight is great. I like polymer-framed handguns (most of the time).

Part of it has to do with getting something that no one else around here has. A very good friend has a Colt. Another has a RRA and a DPMS. I want something different... so long as "different" doesn't just mean junk.

If I end up not liking it, I'll swap it out with another stripped lower. I'll probably switch the trigger group to a RRA two-stage at some point anyway, so it may just always be an "ongoing" build.

For the most part, I haven't ever really tinkered with any of my guns. I need to change that, and I think this is the perfect project to start that on.

[GunHugger]

Do you really want a hundred dollar complete AR lower?

You will get exactly what you pay for.

It's crazy...plum crazy...

That's a good name for them.

[CampingJosh]

Originally Posted by GunHugger

Do you really want a hundred dollar complete AR lower?

You will get exactly what you pay for.

Molding plastic costs almost nothing compared to forging aluminum. I mean, it's not even close.

The extra grip modules for the SIG P250 are only $45. That's less than they charge for a magazine for the same gun! If the polymer frame is strong enough to handle the pressures (and it's been proven for years on handgun rounds), then it's certainly the cost-effective way to build a firearm frame.

Does it work with an AR as well as it does on a Glock, H&K, or XD? I guess that's my real question.

[GunHugger]

Does it?

[GunHugger]

[CampingJosh]

Do you have a date on those? Are they recent? I'd definitely rather not get one if that is still an issue.

[6x6pinz]

Originally Posted by GunHugger

Just goes to show the AR is not an AK, you can not drive tent stakes with them. This is no doubt a result from being mishandled. I would be there are a few aluminum lowers out there with the exact same condition. Not really defending the polymer products but some will bash anything they don't like.

[GunHugger]

Originally Posted by 6x6pinz

Just goes to show the AR is not an AK, you can not drive tent stakes with them. This is no doubt a result from being mishandled. I would be there are a few aluminum lowers out there with the exact same condition. Not really defending the polymer products but some will bash anything they don't like.

I'm not bashing anything. I am showing why I think it's a bad choice.

Show me pictures of an non polymer AR lower with the same damages.

[GunHugger]

Originally Posted by CampingJosh

Do you have a date on those? Are they recent? I'd definitely rather not get one if that is still an issue.

So...you didn't follow and read the two links I provided for you in my second reply above?

I'm not going to reply more to this thread since now I'm being told I am just bashing something I didn't like. It is true, I don't like polymer receivers for the AR. If you want to try one please go ahead and do so, it sure won't effect me in any way. You asked for opinions on them and I gave mine, a few times.

Good luck with whatever you choose to buy Josh.

[CampingJosh]

Originally Posted by GunHugger

So...you didn't follow and read the two links I provided for you in my second reply above?

I read them when you first put them up, but I didn't pay attention to the dates on the threads. I'll do better next time.

I'm not going to reply more to this thread since now I'm being told I am just bashing something I didn't like. It is true, I don't like polymer receivers for the AR. If you want to try one please go ahead and do so, it sure won't effect me in any way. You asked for opinions on them and I gave mine, a few times.

Good luck with whatever you choose to buy Josh.

Yeah, I'm still not convinced either way.

I'm starting to think that it would be a much better idea for a second AR rather than a first. That way it's more like I'm testing it out than counting on it. Maybe in another few years these things will either have had a chance to prove themselves or improved in materials to be totally reliable.

I've read horror stories about every manufacturer, from Taurus and Keltec to SIG and H&K. But with all of those there is a wealth of evidence to let you know what to expect and which end of the spectrum each is on (and I've had good experiences with all four of those manufacturers).

There is enough unknown that it leaves a lot of risk in being an early adopter. It's still TBD if I'm willing to take that risk.

Thanks for your input, GH. I don't mind the "bashing," if that's even really what that was.

[InfiniteArms]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread.

CampingJosh did you ever purchase and try one of these lowers? What were your thoughts?