I read a post in here on polymer lowers and really wanted to know how strong these are compared to the forged aluminum ones.  I saw some with the stock and pistol grip permanently mounted on which looked lame.  I have a Bushmaster catalogue and saw the Carbon 15 lowers which look to have the options of replacing pistol grip and stock, but dont' know what stocks are actually available for those either.  What's out there that has the best durability and versatility in a lightweight build using aluminum upper.  

I saw some with the stock and pistol grip permanently mounted on which looked lame.

those are made by calvary arms, and are the best, great company

hesse makes em, run away

the other alternative is the bushmonster one, i like it too

I own a cav arms.

i bet you a new lower its strong enough to but stroke you 10 times in the head with no damage.

to the receiver....

The ergo on the lower is awesome.

Quoted: I read a post in here on polymer lowers and really wanted to know how strong these are compared to the forged aluminum ones.  I saw some with the stock and pistol grip permanently mounted on which looked lame.  I have a Bushmaster catalogue and saw the Carbon 15 lowers which look to have the options of replacing pistol grip and stock, but dont' know what stocks are actually available for those either.  What's out there that has the best durability and versatility in a lightweight build using aluminum upper.

CavArms makes great stock/reciever units, but they are fixed-stock only so if you want a telestock, you have to go with Hesse or Bushmaster.

The Hesse carbon lowers (a) aren't made by Hesse, and (b) are the only good product that they sell...

And of course, Bushmaster bought Pro-Ord and now makes the Carbon-15.

The last 2 use standard AR components, as they are merely polymer lowers....

Hesse, now Vulcan Arms', carbon-armide lower is the closest thing to a conventional lower.  Assembles the same way.  Last I checked, Bushy did not offer their lower in a stripped form.  Their newest() Carbon series I saw had an actual buffer tube threaded in...... so I"m guessing it is similar to the Vulcan lower now..... just a guess.

It would be nice if CavArms made a standard AR polymer lower....

Anyone know of ANY company or individual that has tried making an 80% polymer or carbon fiber lower ?

I've had several of the C-15's and they are great, now I want to expand my horizons and build a lightweight AR-15 myself. I know there are LOTs of companies that do the aluminum 80% lowers, but I've never seen (or even heard of) someone doing a polymer/carbon fiber lower build.

Can't seen any reason why it couldn't be done though ... just need a thermo-forming machine h.gif )

zeme
alaska

My "hesse" poly lower has survived just fine here.

I've heard they aren't made by Hesse (Vulcan) but haven't been able to figure out who's actually making them.