DIY polymer lower

August 01, 2018, 09:41 PM

Dallas239

DIY polymer lower

Has anyone here used one of the DIY polymer AR15 kids like the Freedom15 ? Any thoughts about how durable they are? I just think it'd be cool to actually roll my own but I'm wondering if I'd wind up with a useful rifle or just a novelty.

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August 02, 2018, 07:34 PM

hrcjon

I have not, but I have done several in al. I don't see that the work involved is much different nor the tools and skill. So I can't see any reason to do a polymer one. I didn't have any trouble doing an al one the first time.

“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.”

August 02, 2018, 07:39 PM

arcwelder

The lower of an AR, sees very little stress in semiauto.

About the only way a lower wears out, is someone over-tightening something, or in auto, the trigger pack pin holes elongating.

You could probably make one out of rock candy.

Arc.
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August 03, 2018, 09:43 AM

myrottiety

Seems like a neat project for a one off. But with Anderson lowers in the $35-$45 range.

I'd just grab a cheapy there. At least its a forged aluminum lower.

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Remember - Training is not sparring. Sparring is not fighting. Fighting is not combat.

August 03, 2018, 10:36 AM

xl_target

At $339.99, the kit is kinda expensive unless you plan on making a whole bunch.
If you want a super lightweight lower, Joe Bob Outfitters sells a Carbon Fiber lower for $39.95. It weighs 3.65 oz.
New Frontier Armory LW-4 stripped lower

August 03, 2018, 08:23 PM

kimberkid

The only reason I can see doing one is for the fun of it ... Not even criminals would spend that much money on a receiver, then take hours to finish it!

If you really want something you'll find a way ...
... if you don't you'll find an excuse.

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August 03, 2018, 08:50 PM

hrcjon

Funny thought. I have a friend who is actually a machinist who has made numerous lowers from scratch (you know big blocks of al ==>to working lower). he decided as a project to see if he could make a working lower out of simple commercial pieces and shapes. you know blocks, squares, tubes, etc. No machining. Yup it looked like crap and there were a zillion fasteners, but it ran just fine. So some glued lego's might be workable.

“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.”

August 03, 2018, 10:27 PM

airsoft guy

I dunno if it's a kit, or just plans, but there's AR lowers that are just bolted together, like Erector sets. Disassemble it and it's just a collection of flat sheets with some holes, and a handful of bolts and nuts.

quote:
Originally posted by arcwelder76:

You could probably make one out of rock candy.

I could go for a Jolly Rancher AR.

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Originally posted by Will938:
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August 04, 2018, 01:28 AM

P220 Smudge

quote:
Originally posted by airsoft guy:
I could go for a Jolly Rancher AR.

You know, all it would take is a mold, a candy thermometer, a double-boiler, and a bunch of crushed Jolly Ranchers. You’d apparently have to get the candy to almost 300 degrees, so care in handling and a mold that will handle high temps.

I’ve seen videos of people making lowers with investment casting and molten beer cans, so I don’t see why a Jolly Rancher lower can’t happen.

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August 04, 2018, 06:21 AM

Black92LX

quote:
Originally posted by xl_target:
At $339.99, the kit is kinda expensive unless you plan on making a whole bunch.
If you want a super lightweight lower, Joe Bob Outfitters sells a Carbon Fiber lower for $39.95. It weighs 3.65 oz.
New Frontier Armory LW-4 stripped lower

That is not a Carbon Fiber lower.
It is a polymer lower with some carbon fiber reinforcements.

Nothing but a marketing ploy. Much like the super fast speedy fiber backed internet. Nonsense you still are limited to the speed of the copper wire running to your house.

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August 08, 2018, 08:59 AM

lyman

quote:
Originally posted by arcwelder76:
Someone should make one out of Lego Technic pieces.

that would be interesting,

I do recall seeing one somewhere that was made in the style of the brazed together M1 Carbine trigger housings,

basically just a bunch of plates stacked up and brazed together,

fugly, but worked

https://www.chesterfieldarmament.com/

August 08, 2018, 12:39 PM

Voshterkoff

I have always wanted to make one from a 2x6, CAV arms style integrated stock, press/glue in cut tube for bushings, rod stock for pins. Just to shut up anyone who is hysterical over the 3D printed lower.

August 09, 2018, 11:40 AM

Dallas239

Yeah, they are pretty expensive considering you can only make them for yourself. Maybe I'll invest in a 3D printer instead.

August 09, 2018, 03:13 PM

LDD

quote:
Originally posted by arcwelder76:
About the only way a lower wears out, is someone over-tightening something, or in auto, the trigger pack pin holes elongating.

The greatest point of stress for a lower is where the receiver extension threads into the receiver. I'd be very reluctant to pogo a stuck round out of an upper attached to a polymer lower.

I've seen some polymer lowers with metal reinforcement brackets embedded in that portion.

But at this point, with how cheap aluminum lowers are, it doesn't make a lot of sense unless you're doing it for the DIY value.