Is the Polymer Lower a Good Idea?
- Thread starter PendletonCowboy
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doggin coyotes
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: MistWolfDid you miss the part where polymer pistol frames have steel inserts at high stress and wear points and poly AR lowers currently do not?
Did you miss the part where I said I've got a PlumCrazy poly lower that's about 4 years old? Been carried a bunch, not babied and has had a whole lotta rounds of ammo shot through it? You miss the part where I said there is absolutely NO wear in the take down pin holes or the trigger pin holes?
You probably missed those parts because I never mentioned them. Consider it mentioned.
So far see no reason for any metal inserts at any of the holes. IF it becomes a problem, which I doubt it will in my lifetime, I'll consider I got my monies worth out of it, crush it in a press and buy another.
Did you miss the part where I said I've got a PlumCrazy poly lower that's about 4 years old? Been carried a bunch, not babied and has had a whole lotta rounds of ammo shot through it? You miss the part where I said there is absolutely NO wear in the take down pin holes or the trigger pin holes?
You probably missed those parts because I never mentioned them. Consider it mentioned.
So far see no reason for any metal inserts at any of the holes. IF it becomes a problem, which I doubt it will in my lifetime, I'll consider I got my monies worth out of it, crush it in a press and buy another.
OldTurtle
Moderator - Deceased
Quote
id you miss the part where polymer pistol frames have steel inserts at high stress and wear points and poly AR lowers currently do not?....Having considerable experience shooting poly frame handguns in competition, there is a major difference where they have the metal inserts imbedded due to the slide action and recoil stress points when compared to the 'stress' that is applied to the poly lowers on an AR...
While it may be necessary, in time, to replace the attachment pins where the lower and upper join, and some owners will replace the fire control group pins when upgrading the trigger group, both are more of a desired option than a necessity on the part of the owner...If left stock and not abused, they both should function as designed for quite awhile...
id you miss the part where polymer pistol frames have steel inserts at high stress and wear points and poly AR lowers currently do not?....Having considerable experience shooting poly frame handguns in competition, there is a major difference where they have the metal inserts imbedded due to the slide action and recoil stress points when compared to the 'stress' that is applied to the poly lowers on an AR...While it may be necessary, in time, to replace the attachment pins where the lower and upper join, and some owners will replace the fire control group pins when upgrading the trigger group, both are more of a desired option than a necessity on the part of the owner...If left stock and not abused, they both should function as designed for quite awhile...
The problem with the all poly AR lower is that the plastic threads for the receiver extension are very fragile.
I know about PC lowers still working after being used hard. I also know about PC lowers breaking and having the threads mashed when the RE was installed and poly uppers that have had their barrel nut threads destroyed beyond repair while installing the barrel.
The reason polymer pistol frames work and are relatively trouble free is that they incorporate steel inserts. Using polymer pistol frames with steel inserts as an example why polymer frames without steel insert should also work isn't a good comparison. The steel inserts make a big difference.
Do I expect people to read my post and figure poly receivers are a bad idea? No. People want the advantages of poly receivers. But if they want a consistently good poly lower, they should demand better than what is currently available so manufacturers will make the needed improvements. Don't settle for less than consistent quality just to get a poly receiver
I know about PC lowers still working after being used hard. I also know about PC lowers breaking and having the threads mashed when the RE was installed and poly uppers that have had their barrel nut threads destroyed beyond repair while installing the barrel.
The reason polymer pistol frames work and are relatively trouble free is that they incorporate steel inserts. Using polymer pistol frames with steel inserts as an example why polymer frames without steel insert should also work isn't a good comparison. The steel inserts make a big difference.
Do I expect people to read my post and figure poly receivers are a bad idea? No. People want the advantages of poly receivers. But if they want a consistently good poly lower, they should demand better than what is currently available so manufacturers will make the needed improvements. Don't settle for less than consistent quality just to get a poly receiver
Last edited:
doggin coyotes
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: MistWolf
and poly uppers that have had their barrel nut threads destroyed beyond repair while installing the barrel.
Who currently manufactures a poly upper? Got a link?
and poly uppers that have had their barrel nut threads destroyed beyond repair while installing the barrel.
Who currently manufactures a poly upper? Got a link?
bluealtered
New member
You guys are wasting your breath here. I would be suprised if the average person who buys a poly lower for hunting comes close to using 3000+ rounds in 10 years or more.
I have done so with the p.c. only because i go to the range weekly and may run a 100 or more rounds through when i take it.
So the person who payed a $100 for a poly lower to be used for hunting and as such will most likely last their hunting life time doesn't have a "quality" problem when they use it. blue
I have done so with the p.c. only because i go to the range weekly and may run a 100 or more rounds through when i take it.
So the person who payed a $100 for a poly lower to be used for hunting and as such will most likely last their hunting life time doesn't have a "quality" problem when they use it. blue
Sharps4570
New member
I appreciate eveyones thoughts on this subject. New to this forum and coyote hunting. I was all enthused about getting an ar to hunt yotes with....Then I started seeing what many of them weigh..empty.
Im 65, and where we hunt is STEEP! My deer rifle is a model 7 synthetic. It gets heavy enough. An eight, nine, or ten pound rifle is more than I want to carry.
I am considering the poly lower simply to save weight. Enclosing a picture to give an idea of the terrain..Much of it is ridgetop and brushy. [img:center]
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Im 65, and where we hunt is STEEP! My deer rifle is a model 7 synthetic. It gets heavy enough. An eight, nine, or ten pound rifle is more than I want to carry.
I am considering the poly lower simply to save weight. Enclosing a picture to give an idea of the terrain..Much of it is ridgetop and brushy. [img:center]
OldTurtle
Moderator - Deceased
This is one that I put together with the idea of seeing how inexpensive I could achieve a decent shooting AR....I bought a Plum Crazy (polymer) lower several years ago for $139, a bargain basement upper for $335, and installed a 2.8-10x scope that I picked up in a pawn shop for $50...total $524...I've since added another $30 Levang type muzzle brake and the whole thing weighs in at about 7.5#....
One thing about the polymer lowers is that the polymer trigger group seems a little stiff at first, but after 100-150 rounds, it smooths out really nice and is hard to tell the difference from the metal ones..
A couple of swipes with a couple of cans of Krylon paint and it doesn't look like the 'cheapie' it is...and hides better in brushy areas...
One thing about the polymer lowers is that the polymer trigger group seems a little stiff at first, but after 100-150 rounds, it smooths out really nice and is hard to tell the difference from the metal ones..
A couple of swipes with a couple of cans of Krylon paint and it doesn't look like the 'cheapie' it is...and hides better in brushy areas...
Sharps4570
New member
Thanks for posting the pics Old Turtle!..I saw a 16 inch Bushmaster upper in the local "Trading Times" for $375.
May give him a call tomorrow!
May give him a call tomorrow!
How do you like the lavang? any difference in blast?Originally Posted By: OldTurtleThis is one that I put together with the idea of seeing how inexpensive I could achieve a decent shooting AR....I bought a Plum Crazy (polymer) lower several years ago for $139, a bargain basement upper for $335, and installed a 2.8-10x scope that I picked up in a pawn shop for $50...total $524...I've since added another $30 Levang type muzzle brake and the whole thing weighs in at about 7.5#....
One thing about the polymer lowers is that the polymer trigger group seems a little stiff at first, but after 100-150 rounds, it smooths out really nice and is hard to tell the difference from the metal ones..
A couple of swipes with a couple of cans of Krylon paint and it doesn't look like the 'cheapie' it is...and hides better in brushy areas...
One thing about the polymer lowers is that the polymer trigger group seems a little stiff at first, but after 100-150 rounds, it smooths out really nice and is hard to tell the difference from the metal ones..
A couple of swipes with a couple of cans of Krylon paint and it doesn't look like the 'cheapie' it is...and hides better in brushy areas...
Jayhawk Dan
New member
Originally Posted By: Widow maker 223Built a similar gun bluealtered for a buddy. The NF lower fit tight on the red x. Peplaced the takdown pins. We used a 16" SS bull upper shoots amazing. But it doesnt cycle worth a crap with p mags. Tried a steel c products amd it runs like a top. I dot think the poly lowers are bad if you are on a budget. He has 550$ in the gun and it shoots well under moa.
Enjoying this thread and thought I'd toss in my 2 cents worth. I put a Plum Crazy lower on a 5.56 Red-X upper with a 20" ss bull barrel. I have about 2,000 rds (55 gr) through the rifle with absolutely no problems!! Well, the rifle won't shoot groups tighter than 1" at 300 meters, but I'm working on that. Well, I do have one other problem, and that is reloading the brass fast enough to keep up with my shooting habit!!
I'm waiting now for a New Frontier lower to put on another Red-X upper I'm building for a friend, so I'm interested in blue's problem with the tight fit of his Red-X upper. What specifically was the problem and has anyone else reported the same problem?
Jayhawk Dan
Enjoying this thread and thought I'd toss in my 2 cents worth. I put a Plum Crazy lower on a 5.56 Red-X upper with a 20" ss bull barrel. I have about 2,000 rds (55 gr) through the rifle with absolutely no problems!! Well, the rifle won't shoot groups tighter than 1" at 300 meters, but I'm working on that. Well, I do have one other problem, and that is reloading the brass fast enough to keep up with my shooting habit!!
I'm waiting now for a New Frontier lower to put on another Red-X upper I'm building for a friend, so I'm interested in blue's problem with the tight fit of his Red-X upper. What specifically was the problem and has anyone else reported the same problem?
Jayhawk Dan