Here’s the deal, my son and I are putting together something on the cheap for him as his first ar. As of right now, we have a PSA upper. I know people usually scoff at the idea of a poly lower, but for the price, and what this ar will be used for, I’m somewhat entertaining the idea of a New Frontier lower. I’ve heard mixed reviews on them. Some say they are decent, while others say they have seen them fail where the buffer tube meets the receiver. Should I throw out the thought of this idea altogether and just go for a Spikes lower, or go for it, and buy some other parts with the extra cash? I appreciate your opinions.
I know a guy that broke a polymer lower. I dont know the brand. Broke where the receiver extension attaches. Not a guy that abuses his weapons either.
PSA has sale every so often on complete lowers for around 120 bucks. Or just buy a 50-60 stripped lower and a cheap LPK.
Negative. Cheap lower? Anderson…
I would never recommend a Poly lower based on the reviews and feedback I have seen and read about…especially when you can find a quality forged lower for $80-$90 from companies like Aero precision (which I have used with great success). As C-grunt stated, the stress point at the receiver extension and it’s obvious shortcomings would scare me enough to pass.
IMO using a polymer lower is deliberately setting yourself up for failure. Even on a purpose built plinker it doesn’t make sense to me. Spend the money for a forged lower.
I’ve had poly lowers from New Frontier. And I’m glad I sold them. I ran one in a 450BM and it was fine. The ones I’ve seen that have failed have done so at the receiver extension. That’s probably why Tennessee Arms sells theirs with a brass insert - not sure that actually fixes the problem.
For the $ you can get a complete PSA lower or a stripped Anderson lower. From my experience, polymer triggers are terrible. You owe it to your young shooter to have a good trigger.
The lower receiver is the “gun”. everything else is just parts.
Get a good “gun” and it will last a long time. You can add and subtract parts as you please down the road.
(And right now, a lower can be had for around $60)
My thoughts. Have seen too many of the poly lowers bite the dust, crack, break, or just plain be shit. There are other places you can save money and weight if that is what you are looking to do other than the lower. Also, the lower is going to be your kid’s here is a thought, with the current political climate why change giving him a turd that might break down the road when their is a ban and he is unable to replace it, or it is at a considerably higher cost. Buy a decent lower now and it is going to last a long time.
If you (in the general sense not specific) can’t find a stripped lower or good priced complete lower you are either out to lunch or trolling. There are lowers everywhere as well as every other imaginable part. I just pieced an upper/lower together for someone’s friend for 800.00 that is SOLID.
You sir bring up very excellent points. Looks like polymer is out. My son likes the Spikes lowers, so that’s what we’ll probably go with. We don’t live too far from Brownells, so we may go do some looking. Thanks for the help folks.
Aero Precision (a new forum sponsor) puts blem stripped lowers on sale periodically for $50 to $60. I have bought five of them and had no issues.
Science projects can be a lot of fun, but not when I am holding things that go 'splody right next to my head. I’m just weird that way.
Also, PSA has free shipping on AR lowers now through Sunday.
No tax, free shipping, pay an FFL and you’re good to go.
Im gonna take some of my wife’s old Tupperware, melt it down
and make an all polymer lower. Now that’s a science project
SeriousS.
these were on clearance on Brownell’s last week for $45…not sure if they still are.
They have a pretty good rep, but just my luck the one “non-blem” Aero lower I got has a slightly off rear takedown pin hole. Not getting any uppers off of this one without a hammer and punch (tried BCM, KAC, and other uppers on it)…
I have used Aero Precision for several builds. Cost me about $63.00 per, all in. My favorite lowers to build with. There is no good reason to buy junk, when quality parts can be had so cheaply. If you are watching your dollars, opt for a basic stock, grip etc, simple hand guards. Buy a quality upper, bcg, lower parts kit- the fun stuff can be added later. Get the guts right the first time. Enjoy!
When I can easily get stripped lowers from Anderson, Aero, or PSA blems for give or take $60, I see no reason to even waste time with poly lowers. Even if they were $120 I still wouldn’t go for one.
Man, first we have 80% jigs, next we’ll have Tupperware molds…
Agreed with everyone before. Not worth saving a few bucks to a poly lower when you can get forged lowers for the prices they are at now.
I’ve never owned one and have no plans to. I’ve heard the good ones might last as many as a thousand rounds. To me, that’s nowhere near good enough. I’d go Aero Precision or Anderson. Both can be found for not much more than a plastic lower would cost you.