Note: This isn't meant to be a review, just an observation.
I'm surprised a thread hasn't already been created discussing these products. They've only been on the market for about two years. For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, here's the short version: they're based in Arizona and manufacture AR lowers made of composite material. Even fire control elements like the hammer are made of polymer, but not all of them.
When it comes to these you fall into one of two groups: you love or hate them.
There have been many positive reviews posted on other forums and Youtube demonstrating the lower as it functions with a variety of uppers. Some are leisurely plinking trips, others are half-descent torture tests (no I'm not one of them). Those who love them have nothing bad to say about a complete lower that only cost them $150.
But those who hate them really hate them. The biggest and most consistent complaint is that the lower is in fact composite and not metal. They completely ignore the fact that Eugene Stoner's original concept, the one they cling to so lovingly, was denounced by nearly everyone in the military and commercial shooting establishment as a cheap toy (plastic parts on a soldier's rifle?! YOU'RE INSANE!). That was fifty years ago. Twenty years ago the name Glock was synonymous with cheap plastic, a handgun that could blow up in your face. Worst of all, it was capable of sneaking past metal detectors at airports. (plastic frames on automatic pistols?! YOU'RE INSANER!)
Now, the M16 and the Glock are hailed as masterpieces of firearms technology.
So why not a polymer lower?
I can only speculate how they would hold up under combat conditions, but if Aimpoints and Eotechs (electronic devices) can withstand tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, isn't it reasonable to assume we can make a polymer lower that could be just as tough? We're the best gun-makers in the world! Some people worry that it wouldn't hold up to the stress of serious shooting. What stress? It's a 5.56 for crying out loud!
Now what I'd love to see is a torture test like the one the guys at Daniel Defense put their M4 through. That, in my opinion, would settle the matter once and for all.
I guess I'm just surprised to see so much venom towards a company from a state we all respect.
Anyone want to weigh in on this?
