Plastic AR Upper? Better than I thought...

[Jason_2111]

So a while ago, I saw a sale on these pop up...

https://www.opticsplanet.com/advanced-technology-international-ati-ati-omni-hybrid-ar15-stripped-polymer-uppe.html

(I didn't buy mine here... I can't remember where I got it from, but it was on sale)


I'd never seen such a thing, so for 30 bucks I bought one just to see the novelty of it.
Turns out, it's a much better quality than I expected. The plastic isn't like a Glock frame plastic, it's some kind of carbon reinforced polymer that is super rigid. The metal inserts are aluminum in 2 of the 3 stress points on an upper... but that's where they have a serious design flaw.
On the inside, the metal reinforcement in the foreword end does not extend to the bolt cam pin slot. This slot is a high-friction point where the cam pin is going to ride... and that part is bare plastic. I'm going to build it out with a 10" 5.56 barrel for my pistol... but even thought the weight is great, it really doesn't seem like something that is going to be highly durable. It'd make a great upper for a dedicated 22LR though.

YMMV... just sharing a neat conversation piece.

[morrcarr67]

So a while ago, I saw a sale on these pop up...

https://www.opticsplanet.com/advanced-technology-international-ati-ati-omni-hybrid-ar15-stripped-polymer-uppe.html

(I didn't buy mine here... I can't remember where I got it from, but it was on sale)


I'd never seen such a thing, so for 30 bucks I bought one just to see the novelty of it.
Turns out, it's a much better quality than I expected. The plastic isn't like a Glock frame plastic, it's some kind of carbon reinforced polymer that is super rigid. The metal inserts are aluminum in 2 of the 3 stress points on an upper... but that's where they have a serious design flaw.
On the inside, the metal reinforcement in the foreword end does not extend to the bolt cam pin slot. This slot is a high-friction point where the cam pin is going to ride... and that part is bare plastic. I'm going to build it out with a 10" 5.56 barrel for my pistol... but even thought the weight is great, it really doesn't seem like something that is going to be highly durable. It'd make a great upper for a dedicated 22LR though.

YMMV... just sharing a neat conversation piece.

That's kind of what I was think too. Waiting to see your build and review after it's built.

[morrcarr67]

Just saw this. Keep in mind that was posted by ATI.

[Uncivil Engineer]

The sig mcx upper has replacement cam paths because of wear. Seems like a major oversight.

[tabascoz28]

If you want it Keltec light, get a Keltec, at least they have a good warranty. A plastic pic rail may not be good for accuracy. But it could make an ok ultra light.

[naz]

[hermosabeach]

Like many on the forum, I have had friends who had a KB

One I’m thinking of was an AR that KB’d while shooting Malaysian surplus Ammo.


The upper was trashed
Trigger was trashed.
Barrel was retired too

The upper held all the crap in place.

No pieces entered my friends head


So I’ll do a Hard Pass on anything that needs to hold pressure during a KB.

[hermosabeach]

And yes
- there are millions of AR 15s
- billions of rounds fired

So KB’s are rare but do occur.

As I’ve seen stripped milspec uppers for the same price as the plastic one..

Interesting- sure

Just not for me

[Jason_2111]

Just saw this. Keep in mind that was posted by ATI.

Fairly impressive... except a quick glance at the inside cam slot on a YouTube video is not going to show much. I'd want to grab my loupe and take a close look for fractures and whatnot.

Still... I haven't decided whether to go 22LR dedicated or 5.56... I've got lots of uppers, none are dedicated 22LR... and since MP-22's are overpriced and rare these days, I just might build it out as one rather than the original plan. I should have bought 2.

I'll come back and post up a review thread in a few months after I run it through its paces. The sale is over, and the retail price for this is not any better than discount stripped metal uppers.

I'm not too worried about the plastic rail being poor at holding zero because like I said, it's really a lot more rigid than you'd think.

[naz]

So I’ll do a Hard Pass on anything that needs to hold pressure during a KB.

Same! An aero stripped metal lower is like $45. Just spend the extra $15 since this is safety related