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What is Polymer Lower? 🧐
It is a type of firearm receiver used in firearms that allow the shooter to customize their gun. They are lightweight and durable, making them ideal for recreational or competitive shooting. They also provide greater flexibility when customizing your firearm with features such as barrel length, magazine capacity, and aesthetic changes.
Features 💡
Polymer lowers are becoming increasingly popular among gun enthusiasts due to their lightweight, durability, and affordability. Here are some of the most notable features:
- 🔶 Lightweight: The most significant advantage is its weight. Compared to aluminum lowers it can weigh up to 50% less, making them ideal for long days at the range or in the field.
- 🔶 Customizable: These lowers can be customized with different colored stocks, grips, and accessories, allowing gun enthusiasts to personalize their firearms to their liking.
- 🔶 Easy to Clean: They require minimal maintenance and are easy to clean due to their nonporous surface. These parts do not require extensive or frequent oiling and can be cleaned with soap and water.
- 🔶 Accepts Standard Parts: Although lowers may have a different feel than aluminum lowers, they accept the same standard parts as aluminum, making upgrading and customizing your firearm easier.
Benefits 🔥
Polymer lowers have been increasingly popular in the gun industry because of their unique qualities and benefits. Here are some of the benefits:
- ❇️ Durability: Contrary to popular belief, such lowers are highly durable and can withstand extreme conditions, including high and low temperatures, without getting damaged. They do not corrode or rust like metal lowers, which makes them an attractive option for gun owners.
- ❇️ Affordability: These lowers are more affordable than metal lowers, making them an ideal option for those who want a good quality lower without breaking the bank.
- ❇️ Easy to Customize: They are easier to customize than metal lowers because they are more malleable, which allows for various engravings and designs to be created.
- ❇️ Noise reduction: Another benefit is reducing noise levels in the gun when shooting because the polymer materials are less likely to produce vibrations, unlike metal lowers.
- ❇️ Easy to maintain: Such lowers require minimal maintenance, unlike metal lowers that need constant lubrication and cleaning. They are also less prone to scratches or other surface damage, making maintenance even more straightforward.
Is it worth it? 🤔
⚡ The answer to this question is a resounding yes. Polymer lowers, also known as polymer receivers, have become increasingly popular with gun owners looking for lighter and more durable firearms
- 🔰 They offer the same durability and performance as aluminum lowers, but they are significantly lighter and can often cost less than their metal counterparts. But with so many options available, how do you know which one is best?
🔍 When considering such a lower, there are a few key factors to keep in mind.
- 📝 First and foremost is weight; since these lowers are made out of plastic or fiberglass-reinforced polymers, they are much lighter than their aluminum counterparts.
- 📝 Be sure to do your research and check compatibility before you buy.
- 📝 Once you have determined that it is right for your build, it’s time to evaluate the options.
Polymer Lower Reviews 🧾
1# KE Arms Stripped Lower Receivers
The KE Arms KP-15 stripped lower receiver is an innovative, injection-molded, monolithic polymer AR-15 style receiver that comes with integral components, including the buffer tube, pistol grip, trigger, and a 13-inch (LOP) buttstock. The receiver’s design is unique and lightweight, making it an affordable option for firearm enthusiasts. Using this product, our team found that this lower is compatible with all Mil-Spec fire control groups, cassette-style match triggers, standard carbine buffers, round springs, or the JP SCSS. The takedown and pivot pins have built-in detents that increase durability by eliminating spring and detent holes. Don’t wait for any longer – order and try it today!
2# KE Arms Complete Lower Receivers
The KE Arms KP-15 ambidextrous lower receiver is a top-quality product that comes with a lower parts kit, including a KE Arms SLT-1 trigger with sear link technology and an ambi selector. The receiver is designed with built-in detents for the takedown and pivot pins, which enhances durability by eliminating the need for spring and detent holes. The safety selector spring and detent have been thoughtfully designed to load from the top, and the selector is slid over them. Try it today!
3# KE Arms Complete Mil-Spec Lower Receivers
The KE Arms Complete Mil-Spec is a unique lower receiver for AR-15-style rifles. It is made from a 30% glass-filled nylon material that is injection molded, resulting in a monolithic polymer receiver. The KP-15 is compatible with all Mil-Spec fire control groups and cassette-style match triggers. It features built-in detents for the takedown and pivot pins, eliminating the need for spring and detent holes and increasing its durability. If you need a high-quality lower – the KE Arms Complete Mil-Spec Lower Receivers is right your choice!
4# Brownells BRN-7 Stripped Lower Receiver
The BRN-7 Stripped Lower Receiver is an exceptional option for AR-10-style rifles, as it is machined from an original HK417 forging sourced from Germany. After the machining process is complete, these receivers undergo a Type III anodizing process, resulting in a sleek matte black finish. In summary, the BRN-7 Stripped Lower Receiver is an excellent choice for those seeking a truly authentic AR-10-style rifle.
5# Brownells BRN-10 Lower Receiver
The BRN-10 Lower Receiver is now available for individual purchase, giving you the freedom to construct a unique AR-10 clone that suits your preferences. This receiver comes equipped with proprietary parts, including the magazine release, takedown pins, and safety selector. Crafted from 7075-T6 aluminum, it boasts impressive durability and strength. It features a matte black anodized finish for a sleek appearance. Try it today!
How to assemble a lower?🛠️
Assembling you’re lower is an enjoyable and rewarding process that can be completed with the right tools, knowledge, and safety precautions.
🚩 Before you begin assembling your lower, it’s important to understand which components are compatible with each other so that you can ensure a successful build.
- ➡️ The first step is ensuring all of the necessary components are present. To do this, you’ll need to acquire a complete lower parts kit (LPK).
- ➡️ Once you have all the parts in front of you it’s time to begin the process of assembling you’re lower. Start by inserting the takedown pins into their respective holes on the receiver.
- ➡️ Then install the magazine catch and bolt catch pin assemblies along with any included springs or roll pins.
- ➡️ Next, install the trigger guard assembly followed by installing the selector detent and spring.
- ➡️ Next up is installing the fire control group which includes your trigger, hammer, disconnector, hammer spring, and other necessary parts for your lower. Now you can insert a buffer tube into the rear of the lower and secure it with the included castle nut.
- ➡️ Once you have installed all of the parts, set aside your LPK as you will no longer need that until an eventual teardown or maintenance. With all of the parts in place, line up a buttstock of your choice (if desired) and install it onto the buffer tube.
FAQ 😎
Conclusion 🙂
Whether you’re searching for something lightweight and easy to carry or need an incredibly durable material that can withstand all types of weather conditions, there is a polymer lower out there perfect for your needs. We hope our reviews have been helpful in guiding you toward finding the product that fits both your budget and requirements. Good luck with your search for the best lower! 😊👍
Tags: #best polymer lower / #best polymer ar lower / #best polymer 80 lower / #best polymer ar 15 lower / #best 80 polymer lower
In recent years, the firearm industry has seen a surge in the popularity of polymer-framed pistols, yet the demand for polymer AR lowers seems to be lagging. It is unclear why consumers are reluctant to purchase polymer AR lowers despite their increasing preference for polymer pistols.
Polymer pistols were intentionally crafted to leverage the unique physical characteristics of polymer material. Conversely, the AR-15 was designed to utilize the mechanical strength and durability of aluminum. While polymer lowers possess notable toughness and resilience, they have inherent weaknesses in certain areas, such as the rear takedown pin and buffer tube. Additionally, the cost differential between polymer and forged aluminum lowers makes it difficult to justify purchasing a polymer lower over an aluminum one.
It’s important to understand that AR lowers and pistol frames are two distinct components, even though both may be composed of plastic. Therefore, it would be incorrect to equate the stress points and durability of these two components. For instance, a pistol frame is not subjected to the same forces as an AR15 lower, which has to support a buffer tube on a narrow threaded area. If pistol frames had to withstand such stresses, they would likely not be constructed from plastic. Consequently, there is no contradiction or inconsistency in preferring polymer frames for pistols while favoring aluminum lowers for AR15s.
As I venture into building my first AR, my friend who is assisting me has recommended a polymer lower due to its ease of milling. However, I have encountered differing opinions from other acquaintances, with some staunchly opposing polymer lowers, while others advocate for their use. As I delved into the research, it appears that the firearm community is divided on this issue. I am wondering if there is any concrete evidence that can definitively support or refute the use of a polymer lower.
Based on my personal experience, I can vouch for the quality of KE Arms Stripped Lower Receivers as they feature inserts in the stress points that enhance their durability. If you’re a first-time builder, I recommend going for this affordable lower.
However, I’m aware of the varying reports on the durability of polymer lowers when using 5.56 rounds, with some claiming to have fired 10,000 rounds without any issues, while others reported breakages before even making it to the range. Although I’m not overly attached to these lowers, I would prefer them to be as long-lasting as possible. I’m curious about which cartridge would place the least amount of stress on the buffer tube tower, which is typically where most of the breaks occur.
If you want to err on the side of caution, I’d recommend using 22lr rounds as they exert the least amount of stress on the buffer tube tower of a polymer lower. For a more practical option, you can use .223 or .300 Blackout rounds, but ensure that you don’t over-gas them, especially when shooting suppressed.
As someone new to building ARs, I have no experience with it yet. Although, I have shot an M16 in full auto. I’m considering using a polymer lower with an awesome trigger and upper since I’m not against polymer guns and my handguns are polymer too. I’m wondering about the pros and cons of different lowers and what are some recommendations for my build.
The pros and cons of each are pretty straightforward: polymer is lighter and cheaper, but aluminum is sturdier and more expensive. Another factor to consider is that some polymer lowers come with their own lower parts kit, which may not be compatible with other polymer lowers. With aluminum, there’s more flexibility in mixing and matching LPKs with lowers.
When I built my first polymer lower, I managed to do it for $197, using the cheapest components I could find. On the other hand, my first aluminum lower cost me around $260, and I also aimed for the most affordable parts I could get. While there are noticeable differences between the two, I would recommend starting with an aluminum lower if you’re new to the rifle. It’s best to start with something basic and gain a solid understanding of the AR15 before making any modifications.
In my experience, polymer lowers are lighter but more susceptible to damage, while aluminum lowers are heavier but more durable. I have milled out an 80% polymer lower and have fired around 1500 rounds with no issues so far. There are no signs of stress or any other problems, so I would say that it is a solid lower.