Polymer lower receivers

xandi · January 11, 2018, 10:22 PM

What’s the word on polymer lowers?
Good? Bad?
I have an fmk lower from around 2013?(only one I could find at the time) never have major issues with it but I traded to aluminum one when I found one lol
Just wondering what I should to with it

FrankenMauser · January 11, 2018, 10:36 PM

Recent discussions:
https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=591693

https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=584270

https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=580323

Summary of my personal opinion:
Aluminum is superior.
No more poly for me (80% or finished).

Don't want yours?
Sell it.

marine6680 · January 12, 2018, 03:23 AM

A poly lower would work well for a dedicated 22lr rig... So if you already have the lower, slap a 22lr upper on it.

stagpanther · January 12, 2018, 05:50 AM

The biggest appeal I see to polymer lowers is for those people seeking a way to make/own an AR while bypassing the necessity for FFL check. Otherwise doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

Ibmikey · January 12, 2018, 06:30 AM

I bought an Omni with the metal reinforced lower and aluminum upper just to see how it compared to my piles of aluminum rifles. It was abused at the range by a number of persons firing it until one day I printed it on paper at fifty yards and found the rifle would consistently shoot ragged one hole groups with an occasional flyer.
I have since given the rifle to a LE friend who has pumped untold rounds through it...would I buy another? Probably not.

TrueBlue711 · January 12, 2018, 10:26 AM

I have and use both metal and poly lowers on my ARs. I would agree that the metal ones are better, but I don't have any issues my my poly lowers.

If you plan on making another AR, I'd say why not use it. You never had issues with it before. Or maybe make it a gift to a friend who plans on making an AR. If you want to sell it, I don't think you'll get much for a used poly lower.

xandi · January 12, 2018, 11:04 AM

Thinking back, I believe I had some mag wabble issues that cased a round to hang up
Guess I can let it stay in the closet for now

doofus47 · January 12, 2018, 12:20 PM

bury it with a lpk kit, 4 mags and a spam can of bang nuggests for a rainy day.

January 11, 2018, 10:22 PM	#1
xandi Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2015 Location: ga Posts: 321	Polymer lower receivers What’s the word on polymer lowers? Good? Bad? I have an fmk lower from around 2013?(only one I could find at the time) never have major issues with it but I traded to aluminum one when I found one lol Just wondering what I should to with it

January 11, 2018, 10:36 PM	#2
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,426	Recent discussions: https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=591693 https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=584270 https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=580323 Summary of my personal opinion: Aluminum is superior. No more poly for me (80% or finished). Don't want yours? Sell it. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

January 12, 2018, 05:50 AM	#4
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,792	The biggest appeal I see to polymer lowers is for those people seeking a way to make/own an AR while bypassing the necessity for FFL check. Otherwise doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

January 12, 2018, 10:26 AM	#6
TrueBlue711 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2011 Posts: 489	I have and use both metal and poly lowers on my ARs. I would agree that the metal ones are better, but I don't have any issues my my poly lowers. If you plan on making another AR, I'd say why not use it. You never had issues with it before. Or maybe make it a gift to a friend who plans on making an AR. If you want to sell it, I don't think you'll get much for a used poly lower. Last edited by TrueBlue711; January 12, 2018 at 10:36 AM.

January 12, 2018, 12:20 PM	#8
doofus47 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: live in a in a house when i'm not in a tent Posts: 2,483	bury it with a lpk kit, 4 mags and a spam can of bang nuggests for a rainy day. __________________ I'm right about the metric system 3/4 of the time.

January 12, 2018, 03:23 AM	#3
marine6680 Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2012 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 4,594	A poly lower would work well for a dedicated 22lr rig... So if you already have the lower, slap a 22lr upper on it.

January 12, 2018, 06:30 AM	#5
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	I bought an Omni with the metal reinforced lower and aluminum upper just to see how it compared to my piles of aluminum rifles. It was abused at the range by a number of persons firing it until one day I printed it on paper at fifty yards and found the rifle would consistently shoot ragged one hole groups with an occasional flyer. I have since given the rifle to a LE friend who has pumped untold rounds through it...would I buy another? Probably not.

January 12, 2018, 11:04 AM	#7
xandi Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2015 Location: ga Posts: 321	Thinking back, I believe I had some mag wabble issues that cased a round to hang up Guess I can let it stay in the closet for now