Alternative Lower Materials > Rifles, Uppers, Lowers, Barrels, and more

Posted: 12/14/2002 5:24:29 PM EDT

Has anybody here actually handled or built up a rifle that uses a non-aluminum lower? I am seeing them advertised more and more (JoeKen Firearms, etc.) but have yet to hear any testimonials. If you have, I'd like to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly.
-Hobbit

Posted: 12/14/2002 5:29:32 PM EDT

[#1]

Cav Arms makes a great one out of polymer. Hesse made a bad one before they went belly up. Pro Ord makes an AR like rifle that can be great if you are lucky, or can be a prepetual headache.

Posted: 12/14/2002 5:44:36 PM EDT

[#2]

I love my Cav Arms. It' bright yellow and has a sticker that says "DeWalt" on the side. Nice and light. The pistol grip takes little getting used to as it's a bit different, but not that much.

I would highly recommend picking one up. They're inexpensive as well.

[img]photos.ar15.com/ImageGallery/IG_LoadImage.asp?iImageUnq=411[/img]

Posted: 12/15/2002 4:03:15 AM EDT

[#3]

Is that a pre-ban or post-ban DeWalt sticker? Nice touch.
Anyone else?
-Hobbit

Posted: 12/15/2002 4:37:53 AM EDT

[#4]

Carbon Fiber has been used extensively as a substitute to metal. I think it is a good material and would not be surprised to see further use in lowers. It makes them lighter as well.
When did Hesse go belly up?

Posted: 12/15/2002 4:57:40 AM EDT

[#5]

>GLOCKshooter
12/14/2002 9:29:32 PM

Cav Arms makes a great one out of polymer. Hesse made a bad one before they went belly up. <<<

Glock,

I have a Hesse Kevlar lower and know a few other folks that have them. How were they bad? How long did you have yours before it went "bad"? Do you have a URL on this, or was it from personal experience?

I have not heard of one single failure of a Hesse Kevlar lower. Some here have said it was the ONLY thing that Hesse nade that was a quality product, because they did not actually make them. It was the easiest lower to build that I have ever assembled.

Bob

Edited to ad: That Cavarms "Dewalt" is very nice!

Posted: 12/15/2002 7:15:35 AM EDT

[#6]

Who made the Kevlar lowers for Hesse?

Posted: 12/15/2002 7:48:15 AM EDT

[#7]

I'd like to know that myself as I built one too. It was probably one of the best builds I've ever done & would do it again.

Posted: 12/15/2002 1:04:44 PM EDT

[#8]

No, I did not buy one because of the negative feeback from others I read when I was first considering trying to build an AR pistol, which has to come in under 50oz. As I do not have personal experience with it and you do, I will defer. Am I incorrect that Hesse went out of business also?

Posted: 12/15/2002 1:31:25 PM EDT

[#9]

Glockshooter,

I have heard the rumors as well. Shortly after the rumors started floating around I went to their website and they were selling off "excess" equipment. However, since I have not needed another lower, I haven't contacted them. I have a friend that has a few of the uppers for sale that are Kevlar. I haven't made that jump yet. Obviously there is more stress on the upper than the lower and I'm not comfortable with that just yet. [:)]

Bob

Posted: 12/16/2002 6:46:44 AM EDT

[#10]

Olympic makes a lower out of titanium and DPMS sell a stainless steel lower as well.

Posted: 12/16/2002 3:46:20 PM EDT

[#11]

I wouldn't be surprised if FN or Colt went that route. After all, H&K and others have.

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