polymer AR lower

[Mykneesbehurtin]

I got a deal on a 22lr conversion for an AR 15,so i was thinking of using a polymer lower since there is little shock from a 22 going to have my grandsons shoot it anyone have any experience with polymer lowers.

 

[Future Triker]

For a small caliber light use rifle (basic target shooting/plinking) a polymer should be fine. Just don't abuse it.

I'm not a fan of them myself, but my rifles get abused quite a bit & I'd probably break a poly lower within a month as hard as I am on em.

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

Wouldnt consider one for 5.56 or 223,used a anderson 80% machined for the one i'm building.

 

[Future Triker]

Wouldnt consider one for 5.56 or 223,used a anderson 80% machined for the one i'm building.

The lower doesn't receive much "force" from firing a 556/223 round in all honesty, several people I know have poly & carbon ar's and have no issues with them, but they're target rifle use. One of the "weak points" with them is where the buffer tube mounts. If you drop your rifle wrong, or use the stock as a blunt tool, it can easily crack the lower, if not break it completely.

My rifle gets more use as a tool than a rifle the majority of the time.

 

[Blueline]

One of my shooting friends built an FN 5.7 upper on a polymer lower. Completed the build just about two weeks ago. Today, was the first time that 5.7 got to the range. Ran flawlessly for about 50 rounds, then...a catastrophic failure! The lower broke completely into two pieces, separating right at the buffer tube mount.
The dealer will make it right, but there was no hard use here...just range firing.