aluminum or polymer 80%?

[1badjack68]

I know I've seen this up before but I can't find it.
Witch is better, and why ?
Is one better for pistol builds than rifles, and vise versa?

[Jimmy310]

Aluminum will always be better than polymer.



/thread

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=666064

[1badjack68]

Thanks for the link

[valley82]

Aluminum is the material that the lower was designed with and unless the lower is redesigned and reinforced to be as strong using polymer, polymer lowers will only be a gimmick or toy when compared to aluminum of the same thickness.

[kcstott]

aluminum, Titanium, or steel but never tupperware

[1badjack68]

^^^ now that's funny

[kcstott]

^^^ now that's funny

Well tongue in cheek yes but all three do exist as 100%'ers. although I'd like to see a Titanium one in 80% just to see some guy with a router try to finish it.

$400 worth of end mills later and he might have it done. With as cheep as the TM's are going for just buy a forged TM 80% lower anodized and be done.

[john67elco]

Poly for bury/metal detectors if stripped

[phantomfinisher]

Aluminum is the material that the lower was designed with and unless the lower is redesigned and reinforced to be as strong using polymer, polymer lowers will only be a gimmick or toy when compared to aluminum of the same thickness.

Yes this is true but that is, with respect, an unfair statement. The right questions would be, how is it built? What polymer is it made from? how is the lower designed, if made from polymer, to be able to reliably function as such.

I am coming from a biased position, yes, as I own Polyemr80 but I also am coming from a VERY informed position on the matter.

More so than aluminium lowers, not ALL polymer lowers are the same, or even close to the same.

There are things I could do to an aluminum lower that would brake even my lower, and there are things that my lower could take that an aluminum would fail completely (taking a hammer to the mag-well, for instance).

So yes, of the same thickness and design when we are talking about a part designed to be made out of aluminum will do better than polymer, but redesign the AR lower with the full intent of making out of polymer and get the right polymer for the job... I dare say you have a polymer lower that is every-bit as good as aluminum, easier to finish and lighter to carry.

My 2 cents anyway.

[kcstott]

Poly for bury/metal detectors if stripped

Incorrect. Under federal law poly manufactures are required to blend in a highlighting agent that will outline the shape of the weapon in airport detection equipment. typically barium sulfate

read up on the undetectable firearm law.

Yes this is true but that is, with respect, an unfair statement. The right questions would be, how is it built? What polymer is it made from? how is the lower designed, if made from polymer, to be able to reliably function as such.

I am coming from a biased position, yes, as I own Polyemr80 but I also am coming from a VERY informed position on the matter.

More so than aluminium lowers, not ALL polymer lowers are the same, or even close to the same.

There are things I could do to an aluminum lower that would brake even my lower, and there are things that my lower could take that an aluminum would fail completely (taking a hammer to the mag-well, for instance).

So yes, of the same thickness and design when we are talking about a part designed to be made out of aluminum will do better than polymer, but redesign the AR lower with the full intent of making out of polymer and get the right polymer for the job... I dare say you have a polymer lower that is every-bit as good as aluminum, easier to finish and lighter to carry.

My 2 cents anyway.

Never having paid any real attention to the whole polymer thing I just took a look at your site and noticed that your lower say to be made from polycarbonate is that correct?? as in lexan? as in the same stuff safety glasses and cockpit windows are made from. as in the same stuff that is you get any harsh chemical next to it will break down, the same stuff that is very sensitive to heat and will deform with a hair dryer or letting your lower sit in the sun.

I hope that is a typo and your web lacky don't now the difference.

Glass reinforced nylon and carbon fiber reinforced nylon are the standards in polymer frames.

[Pauliedad]

I'm just a guy with some guns and some tools. Not a pro unless you need a house built or some sarcastic smack down applied to a vendor. If I had to build one last lower to be the only way I could defend my family from the zombie hordes or shoot dinner, I would go aluminum.
That said, I have machined a Tupperware 80, own a couple others and shoot them too.
For the range and general fun they work and have no more issues than the aluminum ones I have.
Occasionally I'll put the plastic cheapo on a decent upper and see if there's any difference in the groups. Nope. Just have to make sure I'm comparing similar triggers.

[valley82]

Yes this is true but that is, with respect, an unfair statement. The right questions would be, how is it built? What polymer is it made from? how is the lower designed, if made from polymer, to be able to reliably function as such.

I am coming from a biased position, yes, as I own Polyemr80 but I also am coming from a VERY informed position on the matter.

More so than aluminium lowers, not ALL polymer lowers are the same, or even close to the same.

There are things I could do to an aluminum lower that would brake even my lower, and there are things that my lower could take that an aluminum would fail completely (taking a hammer to the mag-well, for instance).

So yes, of the same thickness and design when we are talking about a part designed to be made out of aluminum will do better than polymer, but redesign the AR lower with the full intent of making out of polymer and get the right polymer for the job... I dare say you have a polymer lower that is every-bit as good as aluminum, easier to finish and lighter to carry.

My 2 cents anyway.

Ummm....sounds like we agree...

Only thing I would say is that with the proper tooling aluminum cuts like butter.

[Nathan Krynn]

Do any polymer lowers have determination letters of their own that state they are not firearms?

[Ag_Surfer]

Parkay

I'd like to see a Titanium 80% also

Ummm....sounds like we agree...

Only thing I would say is that with the proper tooling aluminum cuts like butter.

Titanium cuts like butter with the right surface speed and the right cutting tools

[Nathan Krynn]

We have made magnesium lowers and 10/22's before. We never sold them though.

Side note the clips were fun to play with.