Polymer AR 15 Mold & Resin Lowers

[JohnyMac]

I ran across this site this morning. In short, you use a mold and polymer resin to build AR 15 lowers. No machining required.

Obviously you can not sell these molds unless you have a FFL manufacturing license but you can mold as many as you want for your own use.

If you are thinking what I am thinking and want to invest $50- each. PM me.

[Nemo]

There was a rumor once that I had purchased a jig and drills for a metal 80%.  I do not admit or deny that.  There was a concomitant rumor that it came with one of those 80 things. 

The more accurate rumor was that they were purchased separately because people liked different colored holy books ends.

Nemo

[CJS06]

This is interesting.  I have some genuine questions about the ability of this resin to stay in spec for components such as the trigger group, bolt catch, etc.  Also the basically delrin mold blocks have me curious. Does this resin not have an exothermic reaction with associated expansion and pressure increase? Is there a decent fiber content in the resin to add greatly to impact durabilty (bolt catch, RE threads)?  I need to look into this a bit more.  May be worth the $50 just to see what it is really about.

If done properly composite lowers should be just as reliable as any Alum version.  The problem to date has been the quality of the molding as an AR lower has some fairly complex areas to mold that are sensitive to remaining in spec.

I am definitely intrigued.

[JohnyMac]

Good comments CJS06. I had some questions too and sent them to AR15Mold. They responded in about three hours.

My questions circled around if a release agent was needed and how do you clean up the mold for repeated applications. I also asked if they would accept a USPS check rather than using a CC. There response was they would be more than happy to send UPS COD.

I also asked if they were going to come out with a AR10 mold. Their response was "yes."

They also told me in their response that they would love to talk with me via phone between 1-4 CST @ 832.982.2993 if anybody would like to call them rather than send them an email. Just let them know that JohnyMac sent ya' 

[CJS06]

JohnyMac

That is great.  I think I will give them a call in the next couple of days.  I am interested in hearing some info on their materials. I assume they have an MSDS that they can forward. 

An AR-10 lower would be REALLY intersting!

Chris

[thatGuy]

I am awaiting your report Mr.CS!

[CJS06]

I spoke to the guys at AR15Mold today. Very nice gentleman that was upfront with information related to the material. 

The resin they are using is a Vinylester based polymer.  He admitted that the resin was the most difficult part of the "formula". They have worked with a chemical company to select this particular resin because its low exothermic reaction (approx 150deg F) to help control distortion caused by heating/ contraction.  The base resin is meant to be used as a stand alone material but admitted that a number of people have been adding fiber fill. In addition some have been adding long fiber content in the form of fiberglass and kevlar in some high strength areas.  He even mentioned one molder putting carbon (pre-preg I assume) panels into the mold prior to resin introduction. 

Though he was very confident in the stand alone properties of the resin I would be inclined to add at least a 10% short fiber additive.  The pre-preg carbon plate would be an interesting insert around the trigger group pin area if there is enough thickness to that portion of the mold. Using a long fiber reinforcement  at the aft end of the receiver would really strengthen the naturally weak point in the design formed where the Receiver extension transition to the flat sides particularly at the rear take down pin.

The machined Delrin molds should have enough strength and durability to hold up to a decent number of moldings. It naturally has excellent release characteristics so should not be worn excessively during de-molding.

After talking with him I am definitely interested giving this a go to try and experiment with. I dont think I would have enough confidence in the resin as a stand alone to go with it , but with some fun experimentation I would expect these to turn out a serviceable receiver.

Here is a pic of a broken polymer AR lower that demonstrates the weak point in the design.  This is an area that needs to be given appropriate attention to reinforcement. The bolt catch area being the other are prone to high shock loads.


I hope this is helpful to everyone.
Chris

[Nemo]

Just so everyone knows, I do not and will not own a glock or any polymer based firearm that costs me more than $100 in fully operational condition.  I just do not like plastic guns.

In the final analysis, it comes down to--  God made Man, Sam Colt made him equal, John Moses Browning made that perfection, Gaston Glock turned perfection to plastic fantastic junk

Nemo 

[thatGuy]

I'm interested to see how it turns out for you CS!

[CJS06]

I'm interested to see how it turns out for you CS!

This will be a fun project to play with.....never going to replace my KAC or Warsport but it will be interesting to see just what needs to go into making one of these into a viable backup.

[thatGuy]

I've always thought it would be nice to have something that was easy to play with when I thought I wanted flared mag wells and stuff... cheaper than a vltor

[JohnyMac]

Ok ladies and germs here is my proposal.

This proposal is based on eight ( participants. If less want to participate the $50- charge may change.

I will buy one (1) mold and polymer for $360.00 + shipping. I will use the polymer that comes with the mold kit. Folks who want to play send me $50. each. $50 x 8 = $400.00

Based on when I receive your $50- I will send the mold to the first person on the list after 2 weeks of me playing with it.

That person will buy their own resin and coloring agent from the company: $120- plus shipping plus color agent. I will then send the mold to you and you will have it for 2 weeks to play with.

At the end of the two weeks I will give you an address to where to send it to next (The second person on the list). Once that person receives it I will send $20- back to you. Etc, etc etc until we get through the list.

In reality you are spending only $30- for the mold not $50- plus the money for the resin and coloring agent. Me returning $20- of the initial investment is just an incentive to play nice 

So for about a $160- investment you get 5 poly lowers or $35- each. 

If you want to play please PM me. If we don't get 8 folks I will let you know what the revised up front fee will be. I am one (1) so we really only need seven (7) players.