anyone one ever heard of new frontier arms they make a composite lower that comes with a buttstock .... http://newfrontierarmory.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=91_1_134_135&products_id=312

 

 

i lied its actually a plum crazy lower

Keep in mind that receiver is made of composite. I'm not sure how that holds up, they're CLAIMING that it holds up well.....but I would suggest doing research yourself.

For some reason I can never warm up to the idea of a composite ar lower. But have no problem with it on my scar! Go figure...

lol shane may i ask why? im an ar virgin and i really think i want to build one myself

lol shane may i ask why? im an ar virgin and i really think i want to build one myself

Same reason why plenty of people prefer metal guns to plastic frame guns, they're just more comfortable with it. Honestly, I don't blame those people......I'm also pretty skeptical of their "Composite is not only stronger, but also cheaper" claims. There's a saying in the car world: "Cheap, fast, reliable. Pick two, because you can't achieve all three." I think that applies to most things, in some shape or form.

i have to agree that composite can be stronger then steel or aluminum (weight to strength wise) , if created properly but it deosnt seem that there are to many (reputable) reviews on it so i too am very skeptical.. and being a car guy i have to agree with you on that thanks for waking me up , momma always said u buy sh!t u get sh!t

I'm also pretty skeptical of their "Composite is not only stronger, but also cheaper" claims.

 

I know, I am still skeptical myself and have had experience with these products and have trusted my life to them but I am still here to tell you about it so I guess it can't be too bad. My experience was in aviation, 99% of the hang gliders I have flown were a combination of 6061 and 7075 stock, but there are a few that are composite and they fly well, are just as strong if not stronger but feel that they may have a shorter service life. Also take a look at the new Boeing 787, composite wings and it works,,,, so far.

 

Harry

Probably why it bothers me on some level is that it wasnt designed originally in that material. Since it wasnt designed in this material it gives me concerns in the areas of the butt stock interface and the front ears where it pins to an upper. The SCAR interfaces are designed around the fact that the lower is polymer and is designed in such a way that there is very little stress on it. As a matter of fact the stock interfaces with the upper on the SCAR and only has 1 pin holding the lower.

i have to agree that composite can be stronger then steel or aluminum (weight to strength wise)

I understand that may not be your personal point of view, but it's still an invalid defense for someone to use. Yes, composite may be strong for how much it weights, but it still may not be as strong as the forged aluminum. Pound your stock on the ground and pull the charging handle to clear the chamber, and see how well the threads hold up. Your rifle's functionality doesn't care at the end of the day how strong the material is compared to how much it weighs........it cares how strong it is, period. A forged aluminum lower doesn't weight enough that it's worth it to me to sacrifice strength.

I understand that may not be your personal point of view, but it's still an invalid defense for someone to use. Yes, composite may be strong for how much it weights, but it still may not be as strong as the forged aluminum. Pound your stock on the ground and pull the charging handle to clear the chamber, and see how well the threads hold up. Your rifle's functionality doesn't care at the end of the day how strong the material is compared to how much it weighs........it cares how strong it is, period. A forged aluminum lower doesn't weight enough that it's worth it to me to sacrifice strength.

 

i run a machine shop and i have seen some very strong threads made of plastic/composites but i completely agree with you if you cant trust it to be perfect every time then is it really worth it. Part of my problem is i dont know enough about the ar im reading everything i can about it and doing a lot of research to learn but i am still a virgin lol. So i truly appreciate your input.

I have no experience with plum crazy but I was going to buy one at one point. I read about then and got all good reviews. I did research on them. But for the money you save its not worth it to me. You can get a striped lower for $57 shipped right now from palmetto state. At that price I would rather have a metal receiver and spend a few extra bucks in total. Plus you can learn about your rifle more.

while I have no personal experience with this.. I have spoken to several people who have had NO issues with this.. I actually considered it for a build for my fiance.. since it is very light... never ended up going that route.. but when I looked into it.. no issues that I could find....

Lowers have been made from pine board and plastic cutting boards melted together so why not? lol

 

http://www.weaponeer.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8035&PN=1&TPN=3

For $20 more than that plastic lower and plastic FCG, you can have a quality forged lower and a metal lower parts kit.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/1560.php

http://palmettostatearmory.com/1633.php

The question becomes are any of these people exposing the poly lower to real hard use? Im not subjecting mine to it either BUT I know they have been and so I take some comfort in that. Im just not intersted in saving 20 or 30 bucks to have something I have any doubt in. And speaking of doubt, it just seems there is always some wacky issue with polymer recievers. The G36 has issues with sagging after sustained fire if they are layed on there side. I forget what the other platic fantastic rifle it was but it was getting gooey and melting when coming into contact with bug spray soldiers were using.

Dont forget that with the plumcrazy lower, not only is the lower plastic, but so is the fire control group, mag release, and take down pins as well

Lowers have been made from pine board and plastic cutting boards melted together so why not? lol

 

http://www.weaponeer.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8035&PN=1&TPN=3

 

thats awesome!!! lol

 

ill be sure to keep my ar out of bug spray period j/k thank yoiu guys so much for all the info and alowerlevel that makes alot of sense but can you replace those parts with metal? and where can i get the best bang for the buck lower at this point made of alum ?? is the palmetto state that good? just wondering like i have said i have no idea

The question becomes are any of these people exposing the poly lower to real hard use?

This is what I'm wondering. Just because it's strong enough to handle several mags at a slow pace while shooting a paper, great......can it handle being dropped and hit and any other kind of contact? Then again I don't think you can expect any AR to handle that

 

I keed, I keed. I'm about $75 away from finishing my AR build

 

Flame suit ON!!

thats awesome!!! lol

 

ill be sure to keep my ar out of bug spray period j/k thank yoiu guys so much for all the info and alowerlevel that makes alot of sense but can you replace those parts with metal? and where can i get the best bang for the buck lower at this point made of alum ?? is the palmetto state that good? just wondering like i have said i have no idea

Yeah Palmettos stuff is good to go. You could replace the plastic parts in the Plumcrazy lower but then you end up spending more than what you would if you just built an all metal one in the first place. Best bang for the buck for lowers right now are the stripped ones from Palmetto for $57ea shipped. Just remember you have to have it transfered through a dealer so that will be another $20-40 for the transfer, plus $15 for the NICS. If I had the extra cash Id probably order 4 or 5 of the lowers from Palmetto right now.

Yeah Palmettos stuff is good to go. You could replace the plastic parts in the Plumcrazy lower but then you end up spending more than what you would if you just built an all metal one in the first place. Best bang for the buck for lowers right now are the stripped ones from Palmetto for $57ea shipped. Just remember you have to have it transfered through a dealer so that will be another $20-40 for the transfer, plus $15 for the NICS. If I had the extra cash Id probably order 4 or 5 of the lowers from Palmetto right now.

 

o yea i did forget about that... wil they combine the transfers if you were to say by 3 lowers? and do you need a special jig to put the lower kit into the receiver? and im also confused where do you get the buffer tube from if you by a stripped lower?

nm that last question i just started looking at palmettos stuff and i see it in the kit are there other parts good too?

nm that last question i just started looking at palmettos stuff and i see it in the kit are there other parts good too?

 

I just used one of their MEO kits. Trigger wasn't "That" bad, parts seemed spec and settled in their lower well. The grip was a little tighter than I like but OK. Springs weren't brittle like I've found on DPMS and the trigger was certainly better than DPMS w/ less over travel.

o yea i did forget about that... wil they combine the transfers if you were to say by 3 lowers? and do you need a special jig to put the lower kit into the receiver? and im also confused where do you get the buffer tube from if you by a stripped lower?

Nope, nothing special to put the lower together. I assembled my first one in less than an hour using only my bare hands, a screwdriver, hammer and rollpin punch. And yea Palmettos LPK is fine, Ive got one in mine and a few of my freinds have also used them with no problems.

 

Heres a good video to watch on how to build the lower http://www.lifelibertyetc.com/Content/Video/LLE_AR15StrippedLower.wmv

And heres the step by step guide on ar15.com http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/226782_Assemble_your_own_LOWER__UPPER__FREE_FLOAT__TRIGGER__GAS_BLOCK___Step_by_step_instructions_.html

Woops, ran across this pic of a plum crazy lower. Seems it is not an isolated incident either....

 

 

Niiiiiiiice.

Yeah, no thanks! good find on the pic.

 

Now, would forged alum. do that?

 

I wonder hoe much it would cost to make an Carbon Fiber lower.

Well... Ive seen ar lowers after a kaboom hat didnt looke like that. I believe the Carbon 15 was a CF lower as well. I think these nay still be available through bushmaster.

I just used one of their MEO kits. Trigger wasn't "That" bad, parts seemed spec and settled in their lower well. The grip was a little tighter than I like but OK. Springs weren't brittle like I've found on DPMS and the trigger was certainly better than DPMS w/ less over travel.

 

damn!! definitely out of the question yea well i forgot to post i ended up buying two of the palmetto stripped lowers on the labor day special what a deal and im gonna take your advice and go for there kit too

thanks guys im sure ill be on here soon when i get them. im hoping next week