Advice Please AR Lower

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Originally Posted by MarkCO

The polymer lowers that have the integral buttstock, like the old Cav Arms and now GWACS, are okay. They may have some flash to trim and can be pretty tight, but they are durable. The ones that accept a standard buffer tube...they crack and break way too frequently. I don't recall the name, but there is a new one that molds the threads for the buffer tube instead of machining them, that one might pass muster, but I have not played with it at all. For a dedicated .22 they might be okay, maybe even a range toy, but they are just not long term durable.

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Funny you mention that Mark, last weekend I had a gent come up with a poly lower(New Frontier) and he could not get it apart to clean it. Keep in mind he had only about 300 rounds through it.
I pulled the buffer tube so I could get it apart and the buffer retainer hole had fractured, allowing the buffer to come forward unrestrained and lock up the rifle.
No fix possible, new lower was the fix.
Keep the poly lowers for a dedicated 22.

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Originally Posted by MarkCO

Lowers are much easier to put together at home than uppers.

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I suppose it depends on the person. Seems people out there are always losing springs and detents, breaking trigger guard ears off of the lower, and scratching and dinging things trying to install roll pins and such. Plus, there are more parts and pieces to put the lower together than to assemble an upper.

To each their own.

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Originally Posted by 3beansalad

I dont want to high-jack the thread and I will yield to the experts above, but would like know what's the drawback to a polymer lower if properly assembled? I have two Aero lowers, and a NFA lower. I've had no problems with either brand.

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I own several poly lowers, but I think the general fear is that the polymer will never be as strong and tough as most metals. I have never had a problem with mine, but if I needed a rifle to save my life, I'd rather spend the extra $20-30 for some peace of mind that my lower won't break under harsh conditions.