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Posted: 1/31/2013 7:06:03 PM EDT
| Took my newest build out today and sent some rounds down range. Met a friend who brought his neighbors AR because he thought I'd be interested in buying it(It's for sale). The damned thing had a plastic lower. I'll give him that fact that it was light as sin. But I've been around the block long enough to know how hard I am on my equipment. No way I could trust that plastic under any situation. I'd have to believe the military or law enforcement would be using these if these things were as trust worthy as the forged lower. What's the story on these? |
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The same was said about Glocks..
They are pretty new to the market. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qpnmi3XPP8 https://www.youtube.com/user/newfrontierarmory |
| only time will tell -- same was said about glocks and ploymer frame pistols -- i have shot several with 300 blackout and 458 set ups on them -- all seem to perform fine -- i have yet to see one that broke under regular performance (another words without taking them to the extreme to break them) -- even forged or billet can break if you use enough force on it --- myself i like forged better but would have no problems building ploymer |
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only time will tell -- same was said about glocks and ploymer frame pistols -- i have shot several with 300 blackout and 458 set ups on them -- all seem to perform fine -- i have yet to see one that broke under regular performance (another words without taking them to the extreme to break them) -- even forged or billet can break if you use enough force on it --- myself i like forged better but would have no problems building ploymer Doing a polymer right now. PlumCrazy lower with a polymer upper and pencil barrel. The upper looks fine to me and it weighs almost the same as the alloy version. It came with steel ejection port cover and forward assist assembly. Visually, there isnt much chance anyone can tell the difference between one version or the other. I cant see any reason to think it will not be just as durable, if not more so, than alloy. I shall find out. |
| The pics in this thread are pretty nasty though http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/601559_Noob_needs_guidance_on_new_AR_purchase.html&page=1#i5844776 |
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The pics in this thread are pretty nasty though http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/601559_Noob_needs_guidance_on_new_AR_purchase.html&page=1#i5844776 It is my understanding that the Plum Crazy lowers aren't that great, looking at the New Frontier Armory LW-15 tests done on YouTube they look much better and have a lifetime warranty. |
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While I'm all for making a lower in a rapid prototyping machine... I'm not convinced of their long term durability.
That said, the old Cav-15 lowers are quality, and you don't really see them breaking from use. But they are beefed up, and have integral stocks, which takes care of many of the problems that you see in that other thread. |
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The pics in this thread are pretty nasty though http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/601559_Noob_needs_guidance_on_new_AR_purchase.html&page=1#i5844776 It is my understanding that the Plum Crazy lowers aren't that great, looking at the New Frontier Armory LW-15 tests done on YouTube they look much better and have a lifetime warranty. im pretty sure new frontier bought out plum crazy and used their molds -- with that said new frontier seems to be much better product than plum crazy was -- maybe different blend of polymer or mix but yea plum crazy did seem to have some issues |
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While I'm all for making a lower in a rapid prototyping machine... I'm not convinced of their long term durability. That said, the old Cav-15 lowers are quality, and you don't really see them breaking from use. But they are beefed up, and have integral stocks, which takes care of many of the problems that you see in that other thread. The Cav-15s are being made again. GWACS Armory bought their equipment and is producing lowers now. ETA: and yes, the Cav-15 design is incredibly tough. The difference being it was designed from the ground up to be polymer, whereas the NFA lowers and their ilk simply replaced aluminum with polymer. |
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Took my newest build out today and sent some rounds down range. Met a friend who brought his neighbors AR because he thought I'd be interested in buying it(It's for sale). The damned thing had a plastic lower. I'll give him that fact that it was light as sin. But I've been around the block long enough to know how hard I am on my equipment. No way I could trust that plastic under any situation. I'd have to believe the military or law enforcement would be using these if these things were as trust worthy as the forged lower. What's the story on these? Who is the manufacturer of the lower? |
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While I'm all for making a lower in a rapid prototyping machine... I'm not convinced of their long term durability. That said, the old Cav-15 lowers are quality, and you don't really see them breaking from use. But they are beefed up, and have integral stocks, which takes care of many of the problems that you see in that other thread. The Cav-15s are being made again. GWACS Armory bought their equipment and is producing lowers now. ETA: and yes, the Cav-15 design is incredibly tough. The difference being it was designed from the ground up to be polymer, whereas the NFA lowers and their ilk simply replaced aluminum with polymer. Blog post about SinistralRifleman's Cav-15 getting run over. Durable stuff. I always put off buying a Cav-15 from Cavalry Arms and was disappointed when production ceased. When I learned the GWACS was making them and that Rainier Arms had them in stock, I ordered one. It is on its way to my FFL as we speak. 
The plan is to top it with a 14.5" lightweight midlength upper. I may even forgo BUIS and just run an Aimpoint Micro, or do the opposite and just run irons. |
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I picked up an Omni lower from PSA yesterday that I am going to use on my dedicated .22 AR only. I need to see how it holds up on that before moving to a 223. When you get your lower here's a tip. On the top of the lower there is a little flashing "moulded" into it (I'll take a picture when I get home). It makes for an extremely tight fit for the take down pin. Scrape it lightly with a razor knife or use some emory paper to knock it down. Don't take too much off, do a little at a time until everything fits snug . |
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The pics in this thread are pretty nasty though http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/601559_Noob_needs_guidance_on_new_AR_purchase.html&page=1#i5844776 It is my understanding that the Plum Crazy lowers aren't that great, looking at the New Frontier Armory LW-15 tests done on YouTube they look much better and have a lifetime warranty. They are literally the exact same thing. The differences are limited to verbose claims from New Frontier. |
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Quoted:
While I'm all for making a lower in a rapid prototyping machine... I'm not convinced of their long term durability. That said, the old Cav-15 lowers are quality, and you don't really see them breaking from use. But they are beefed up, and have integral stocks, which takes care of many of the problems that you see in that other thread. I agree. I liked the idea behind polymer lowers (light wieght) but had misgivings about the strength of the rear of the reciever where the buffer tube screwed in. I was not sure if I liked the appearance of the Cav Arms lowers but bought a used one a couple of years ago to try it. I liked it so much I bought another. They have both be perfect and run flawlessly. I don't know about the new ones but the older original Cav Arms polymer lowers are GREAT!!!! I have both of mine set up with thin light wieght barrels and they are a joy to carry and shoot. If I ever see another older one for sale at a reasonable price I will jump on it....<><....:) |
I was promised a stripped AP lower from a pre-paid group buy which has been put on hiatus while they fill all the higher priced orders that have come in since (no comment on #&@*$% money grubbing b4$+4rd$ in the industry  ) and in the meanwhile have acquired all of the rest of the build. My question is whether it would be a good idea to purchase an NFA (or other?) poly lower to both make it possible to assemble a shooter for light, temporary use as well as practice assembling a lower for the first time, then when the AP finally comes in, making a dedicated 22 rf out of the Glock-15 lower. No disrespect or maybe just a little) is intended for the whole poly-15 movement, but I want to go for durability with my ultimate AR build that will be a "keeper" and I would like to get something going right now as well, since I'm so far along and have committed so much into the project. Comments?
Froggie PS I've built 45s from bare frames and disassembled and rebuilt other semis and revolvers as well. I've also had a fair amount of experience with older (mostly single shot cartridge) rifles, so I have a fair amount of amateur gunsmithing experience, just no ARs. |
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