I don’t have a problem with the idea of a polymer lower rec. The SCAR L uses a poly lower along with the MagPul Masada. Since us mere mortals can’t get a Aluminum MagPul lower, it would be nice if they came out with a Poly lower utilizing their improved features.
What improved features are you referring to? I guess what I am asking is: how does a polymer lower “improve” the AR platform?
I once, I’m ashamed to admit, owned a Carbon-15 type 97S pistol.
I sold it after one trip to the range.
It was the biggest headache to try and shoot. It was very un ergonomic. I had at LEAST two common AR-15 malfunctions per magazine.
I was using the same ammunition as my buddies, but I was the only one with struck primers and no fires.
It would’ve been laughable if it wasn’t a major headache.
Dude, that goddamned thing burned me with a badness…
If I remember correctly it had a shortened bolt carrier group, a very weird buffer tube/spring, and was squirrelier than a football bat.
I hated that thing. I think it says a lot, when after one day at the range I sold it. I’ve had problematic weapons before (S&W Sigma, anyone?), but this thing took the cake.
I was referring to the Carbon 15 BM. They have a track record of being crap, and the one I handled did not impress me the slightest.
I have known they sucked, but I still got a chuckle when I went down to the local gunstore. Even though the panic buying was in full swing, there were a few used professional ord. carbon rifles and a bushmaster model in .22 sitting alone on the rack. Even the oly’s got picked up before them. I think one of them eventually sold, but they sure haven’t moved very fast in this enviroment.
It could incorporate their Masada style pistol grip with a UBR type stock. It could be made in OD, Forest Green, Coyote Brown or Black. You could add other features like a stippled mag well front, integral trigger guard and quick detachable sling swivel mounts. The combination rec./stock assy would be lighter, less expensive and of similar or better strength than a traditional lower. Plus it would be a MagPul and you know everyone would go crazy for it. The SCAR prototypes used Aluminum lowers similar to the FN FNC, no one had a problem with the production rifles using a poly lower. I, assume, FN made the changes for the same reasons I mentioned.
Neat idea, but it sounds like it would take away the modularity that make’s an AR such a great gun. Not everyone like the same setup and a polymer lower with an integrated stock and grip can limit a what a person wants in their gun.
Your reasoning is not very convincing to me. There are eleventy billion pistol grips and stocks available for the standard AR lower. You can spray paint them any color that you desire. An integral trigger guard is actually limiting - if you want to install a Redi-Mag you can’t do it with a lower that has an integral trigger guard.
It still seems like a complete novelty to me.
SoDak and Katar are right that it will limit modularity and the ability to customize your weapon. It was just an idea. Some may like it others may not. The main advantage would be a weight and cost reduction.