What caliber would you add to a AR-15 stable.

[FargoZ71]

From what I saw when I was helping a buddy source some parts for an AR build in this economy, 300blk was much easier to find barrels for. If you need a lower, check out GWACS Cav-15. I have one because it was a good deal. Waiting on a daniel defense upper for it. Thing seems rock solid for being polymer. I bet it is stronger than aluminum. I see it as the "Glock" of ARs. Only downside is the A1 fixed stock, but I don't think it's bad at all and typically run my stocks one click from all the way in. The best part is that they are shipping and producing now and they are readily available. $300 for a complete lower.

 

Id never buy a composite lower. I've seen them broken too often on Arfcom to purchase one. I picked up my stripped lower for 170 with taxes out the door of my local GS, no imperfections, forged 7075 aluminum. Will I spend more than 300 on the lower? Yep, but most of that will be for a match 2 stage trigger group. If I went with a mil spec trigger in a LPK.. I could 170 (lower), LPK(55-70), M4 stock & buffer tube (60) and sit at the 300 mark. But, Im looking at the ACS-L Magpul stock, if I dont get that it will be another RRA stock, I like the light weight slanted cheek weld you get with the 45' angle. ACS-L(100)+ Lower (170)+ LPK with 2stage match & hogue grip (200) + Buffer tube assembly with spring and buffer & a sling attach receiver plate (65) = 535 $ for the lower I'm in the process of building.. however, I havn't bought the stock and buffer tube as I may be able to find a package deal on it, but the lower will need nothing changed to get it to my standards.

[sputnik360]

Poly isn't my first choice, I have 3 Alum lowers floating around my safe (only 1 upper ). However after doing some research, the CAV15 is not to be confused with the flimsy plastic POS from frontier arms and similar. The CAV is rock solid. You use PMAGs without worrying right? Well these are stronger. There is an article about a guy who had one ran over while in the case at a competition. His online name is sinistralrifleman, but I can't for the life of me find the article with the pictures right now. Case on top of it was a standard AR. Bent the buffer tube pretty bad and screwed up the rear of the lower. The poly lower was perfectly fine and was shot the rest of the day. The poly is "softer" than aluminum, I can scratch it with a knife. But the way the buffer is designed, it actually clears dirt and debris unlike standard tubes.

 

I wouldn't pick it if I knew I was going to war since I haven't shot it yet, but I have heard good things. I'm throwing a DD light weight upper with a 14.5" barrel on it. Should be about as light as you can build and AR. The CAV15 is supposed to be close to a full pound lighter than a standard built lower.

 

I assume you are talking about the RRA operator stock? That's one of my favorites and is on my rifle. Great stock. I think my next one might be a B5 sopmod though. Same idea but a little stronger.

[FargoZ71]

Poly isn't my first choice, I have 3 Alum lowers floating around my safe (only 1 upper ). However after doing some research, the CAV15 is not to be confused with the flimsy plastic POS from frontier arms and similar. The CAV is rock solid. You use PMAGs without worrying right? Well these are stronger. There is an article about a guy who had one ran over while in the case at a competition. His online name is sinistralrifleman, but I can't for the life of me find the article with the pictures right now. Case on top of it was a standard AR. Bent the buffer tube pretty bad and screwed up the rear of the lower. The poly lower was perfectly fine and was shot the rest of the day. The poly is "softer" than aluminum, I can scratch it with a knife. But the way the buffer is designed, it actually clears dirt and debris unlike standard tubes.

 

I wouldn't pick it if I knew I was going to war since I haven't shot it yet, but I have heard good things. I'm throwing a DD light weight upper with a 14.5" barrel on it. Should be about as light as you can build and AR. The CAV15 is supposed to be close to a full pound lighter than a standard built lower.

 

I assume you are talking about the RRA operator stock? That's one of my favorites and is on my rifle. Great stock. I think my next one might be a B5 sopmod though. Same idea but a little stronger.

 

Yea im talking the RRA Operator's stock, it came on my EO2, love it. I do trust Pmags, I like the poly Lancer L5's more, but both are ridiculously strong. Interesting on the Poly lower, but i'm gonna stay old fashioned with the 7075t6 aluminum. I like the idea of it, I just need more proof it's strong enough before buying one.

[sputnik360]

I agree on the testing part, which is why I got one. I figured if I through one of the best/most reliable uppers on the market on top, it should point out the weaknesses of the lower. As soon as ammo returns to normal, I'm gonna shoot the piss out of it.

[Badguybuster]

I dunno what you "should" get but i can tell you to stay away from the 50 beowulf's. i built one with every recoil reducing add on i could find and it was still brutal to shoot for more than a couple mags

[FargoZ71]

I dunno what you "should" get but i can tell you to stay away from the 50 beowulf's. i built one with every recoil reducing add on i could find and it was still brutal to shoot for more than a couple mags

 

Ah yea I suspected that, and ammo i'm sure is much higher then the rest.. falls into the same category at the 458 socom to me.

 

Surprised it kicked like a mule out of a AR platform though, what did you try to slow down the recoil impulse? Try heavier buffers? Tune down the gas system on it?

[BlackZ71Silverado]

From what I saw when I was helping a buddy source some parts for an AR build in this economy, 300blk was much easier to find barrels for. If you need a lower, check out GWACS Cav-15. I have one because it was a good deal. Waiting on a daniel defense upper for it. Thing seems rock solid for being polymer. I bet it is stronger than aluminum. I see it as the "Glock" of ARs. Only downside is the A1 fixed stock, but I don't think it's bad at all and typically run my stocks one click from all the way in. The best part is that they are shipping and producing now and they are readily available. $300 for a complete lower.

 

We had an officer show up to qualify with a Crapmaster (Bushmaster) Carbon 15, the composite model. It lasted for about 1000rds. of the course before it failed. It cracked right below the delta ring AND along the rear of the reveiver above the pistol grip.

 

The lower mentioned above is fine if you are looking for a cheap lower to keep weight down and are going to be doing nothing but shooting targets or maybe hunting a little. I would not run the caliber mentioned and expect that lower to hold up well.

It would not be my choice for a duty weapon that is going to be abused and heavily used.

You are very limited as to your functional sling options, stuck wit hthe fixed stock with absolutely no adjustability. Limited and stuck with the USGI flat trigger guard, no room to shoot if you would be wearing gloves. You are also stuck with the pistol grip that it comes with, no way to change it to a more comfortable one.

 

Polymer pistols are one thing, a rifle is an entire different animal. For the prices of their complete rifles, that come without a magazine, you could have yourself a higher end mid-level AR or M4.

Do yourself a favor and save money for a proven quality lower. You will be glad you did.

[sputnik360]

We had an officer show up to qualify with a Crapmaster (Bushmaster) Carbon 15, the composite model. It lasted for about 1000rds. of the course before it failed. It cracked right below the delta ring AND along the rear of the reveiver above the pistol grip.

 

The lower mentioned above is fine if you are looking for a cheap lower to keep weight down and are going to be doing nothing but shooting targets or maybe hunting a little. I would not run the caliber mentioned and expect that lower to hold up well.

It would not be my choice for a duty weapon that is going to be abused and heavily used.

You are very limited as to your functional sling options, stuck wit hthe fixed stock with absolutely no adjustability. Limited and stuck with the USGI flat trigger guard, no room to shoot if you would be wearing gloves. You are also stuck with the pistol grip that it comes with, no way to change it to a more comfortable one.

 

Polymer pistols are one thing, a rifle is an entire different animal. For the prices of their complete rifles, that come without a magazine, you could have yourself a higher end mid-level AR or M4.

Do yourself a favor and save money for a proven quality lower. You will be glad you did.

 

 

I have several proven quality lowers. Money isn't an issue for me with guns, I have a spending problem with my hobbies In case you missed it earlier, I have a Bravo Company(in my opinion BCM and DD are 2 of the best rifles money can buy. I'd love to try a KAC too sometime) as my main rifle. This lower is to test. I hate when people judge things they haven't used, so I'm going to use it and beat up on it a bit. I've read every review I can find on the CAV-15s and I have yet to see one that failed under normal operating conditions. I've seen one go kaboom from a 5.56 loaded with pistol powder (I bet an aluminum lower would have injured the user more) and I've seen one that had a manufacturing defect from the factory. Other than that I have yet to see any example of failure with a CAV-15. Do not lump all polymer lowers into one bucket, because the different brands vary greatly. I will give you that the fixed stock and pistol grip do have their shortcomings. Especially since I like my stock a little shorter. But this one actually feels pretty good. The pistol grip feels just like the magpul I have on my BCM. I'd rather it have a winter cut trigger guard, however I have yet to have a problem running an AR with a flat trigger guard wearing gloves. Maybe I'm weird, but I see the winter trigger guards as a solution without a problem. I might just have small fingers, who knows. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say this polymer lower will most likely outperform my aluminum lowers and last longer while weighing less. Once ammo prices drop down I'm gonna through a couple thousand rounds through it.

[FargoZ71]

I have several proven quality lowers. Money isn't an issue for me with guns, I have a spending problem with my hobbies In case you missed it earlier, I have a Bravo Company(in my opinion BCM and DD are 2 of the best rifles money can buy. I'd love to try a KAC too sometime) as my main rifle. This lower is to test. I hate when people judge things they haven't used, so I'm going to use it and beat up on it a bit. I've read every review I can find on the CAV-15s and I have yet to see one that failed under normal operating conditions. I've seen one go kaboom from a 5.56 loaded with pistol powder (I bet an aluminum lower would have injured the user more) and I've seen one that had a manufacturing defect from the factory. Other than that I have yet to see any example of failure with a CAV-15. Do not lump all polymer lowers into one bucket, because the different brands vary greatly. I will give you that the fixed stock and pistol grip do have their shortcomings. Especially since I like my stock a little shorter. But this one actually feels pretty good. The pistol grip feels just like the magpul I have on my BCM. I'd rather it have a winter cut trigger guard, however I have yet to have a problem running an AR with a flat trigger guard wearing gloves. Maybe I'm weird, but I see the winter trigger guards as a solution without a problem. I might just have small fingers, who knows. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say this polymer lower will most likely outperform my aluminum lowers and last longer while weighing less. Once ammo prices drop down I'm gonna through a couple thousand rounds through it.

 

 

Hard to say it will outlast your aluminum lowers.. as there are some floating around from the 1960's.. but I get your testing it.. my opinion.. beat on it a little, put some rounds through when ammo becomes available and PLEASE.. write us a review of the product in your own words.. would be nice to shave 1/2 a lbs or more off of a LW carbine with a .223 wylde chamber for sure.