AR Sponsor
Posted: 2/4/2012 10:59:19 AM EDT
|
Hey guys,
Just got my new polymer lower in yesterday from New frontier Armory. I was hesitant about ordering it but seeing the torture test they have done, I figured I give it a try. Once i got it home, I tried to install my RRA 20" upper on it. The front pin fit fine but the rear block that the rear pin goes through wouldnt fit. I measured it and was about .022" smaller that the width of the block on the upper. Emailed New Frontier (they sent me a response in 5 minutes)about shaving .010" off each side inside the receiver to allow the block to fit in and they said there would be no problem. So I filed and try to fit it and kept doing till it fit nice and snug. I actually like that concept because I know I will get the upper to fit the lower as tight or as loose as I want it and not have to depend on another manufacturer to tell me it will fit when it is too loose or something. Anyways, put the upper and lower together and shot the hell outta it. Shot 240 rounds out of it in a about a hour. Never had a problem. The bolt catch was a little sticky but work itself out rather quickly. Beings its polymer, there will need to be a break-in. I highly recommend this lower receiver. It comes complete with a 6 position stock, complete LPK installed, grip, mag release and bolt catch. Everything is installed when ya get it for $99.00 I am waiting for my JSE upper kit for it and will be good to go!! 
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj158/HauntedWinter/SANY0477.jpg |
| It is a nice looking lower for being polymer. I am building this rifle for a friend of mine who is on a very tight budget. I hope this might help others in the same situation. Just because someone might not have enough money doesnt mean they cant have a good semi-auto when the SHTF. |
|
Quoted:
It is a nice looking lower for being polymer. I am building this rifle for a friend of mine who is on a very tight budget. I hope this might help others in the same situation. Just because someone might not have enough money doesnt mean they cant have a good semi-auto when the SHTF. If you peruse the Plum Crazy threads you'll see that you're fighting a losing battle by defending a plastic lower here. While I know nothing about the New Frontier lower you have there I do own a PC lower and it's been fine for my purposes (dedicated .22) it; was cheap, lightweight and has a nice trigger. Having said that, I would not equate the polymer to Aluminum, and as cheap as PSA or Surplus Ammo & Arms lowers are now it is harder to justify polymer now, then it was a few yrs ago. I hope your buddy enjoys it and it gives him years of trouble free service. If this is intended as 'SHTF' weapon perhaps he can upgrade the lower eventually and use this as a nice lightweight plinker. Or maybe not, I doubt looters will care about the materials in his rifle, if it comes to that. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
It is a nice looking lower for being polymer. I am building this rifle for a friend of mine who is on a very tight budget. I hope this might help others in the same situation. Just because someone might not have enough money doesnt mean they cant have a good semi-auto when the SHTF. If you peruse the Plum Crazy threads you'll see that you're fighting a losing battle by defending a plastic lower here. While I know nothing about the New Frontier lower you have there I do own a PC lower and it's been fine for my purposes (dedicated .22) it; was cheap, lightweight and has a nice trigger. Having said that, I would not equate the polymer to Aluminum, and as cheap as PSA or Surplus Ammo & Arms lowers are now it is harder to justify polymer now, then it was a few yrs ago. I hope your buddy enjoys it and it gives him years of trouble free service. If this is intended as 'SHTF' weapon perhaps he can upgrade the lower eventually and use this as a nice lightweight plinker. Or maybe not, I doubt looters will care about the materials in his rifle, if it comes to that. +1
I also have a PC lower. I have it mounted under a Spikes ST-22 dedicated .22L upper for my daughter. Functions without a hiccup, but I'm still hesitant about putting it under any of the 5.56 uppers. I wonder how a 9mm setup would run? The PC lowers are great for kids as they're about a full pound lighter (assembled) than the standard aluminum lower. Daughter just loves hers. |
Ok....I have discovered a issue with the safety selector. In a normal working lower, the selector can be put into "Safe" only when the hammer is locked down on the disconnect. If the hammer is released, the selector will NOT go into "Safe". The problem I found with this New frontier lower is you CAN put the selector in safe mode when the hammer is released. If you put the safety ON while the hammer is released, the hammer will NOT go back down and you will not be able to charge the bolt. Even trying to do so may very well break the disconnector inside and possibly cause a chain fire. I contacted NFA and they acknowledged the problem and said they do NOT plan on fixing the existing lowers unless there is a actual problem. Once they get the retrofit kits in, all the lowers they sell from that point on will have them. To hell with that. One thing I am thankful for is that this lower will accept mil-spec LPK's which is what I am putting in it. I am not waiting for something to go wrong. 
|
|
I would say New Frontier Armory is having Plum Crazy make their polymer lowers. While looking at the images on their website, and comparing it to the Plum Crazy lower I have in my lap for the buggy gun, they are identical. The price is less for the NFA compared to the PC models.
The buggy gun is the PC lower with the buttstock and pistol grip changed to the Magpul MOE gear. For the upper, it is the Del-ton receiver and dissipator barrel, chucked into the lathe and turned it down from 0.920" to 0.700, from the chamber taper to the gas block, reducing its weight by 9oz. |
|
Quoted:
Ok....I have discovered a issue with the safety selector. In a normal working lower, the selector can be put into "Safe" only when the hammer is locked down on the disconnect. If the hammer is released, the selector will NOT go into "Safe". The problem I found with this New frontier lower is you CAN put the selector in safe mode when the hammer is released. If you put the safety ON while the hammer is released, the hammer will NOT go back down and you will not be able to charge the bolt. Even trying to do so may very well break the disconnector inside and possibly cause a chain fire. I contacted NFA and they acknowledged the problem and said they do NOT plan on fixing the existing lowers unless there is a actual problem. Once they get the retrofit kits in, all the lowers they sell from that point on will have them. To hell with that. One thing I am thankful for is that this lower will accept mil-spec LPK's which is what I am putting in it. I am not waiting for something to go wrong. I have a PCF lower, and the safety does the same thing (can be set to safe without re-setting hammer.) I didn't notice any charging problems when I was using the lower with a regular .223 upper, but when using a dedicated .22 blowback upper, I notice some resistance when resetting hammer when safety is engaged. |
|
I noticed this too but my shotgun has the same deal so my load and fire procedure is the same with either if i store them with safety on and no tension on any springs just flip to fire before charging kind of ensures you wont accidentally chamber a round if you drop it or something,
It is an annoying feature in both cases anyone have a fix? |
|
Took my new New Frontier Armory poly lower receiver out today for the first time and it shot great!
At this point I don't have any reservations about the durability of the polymer receiver. Also the trigger is very nice, no take up and a clean break. The reason I bought the NFA was to build an inexpensive and lightweight AR. I installed a DPMS slick side/flat top upper with a thin barrel, and carbon fiber free float tube. With no mag or sights/optics this setup weighs ~5.5lbs. It turned out to be a well balanced and accurate rifle for about $500. If I have any complaints as time goes on I'll be sure to post back about them. |
AR Sponsor