What's black, aluminum, plastic, and is worth its weight in silver?

[BrassPie]

There were polymer lowers already made.
Several years ago some company was out there making plastic lowers.
As I understand it they messed up with the serial numbers and were forced to exit the business.

I cannot remember the name of the company.

It was a pity because I planned to get an AR in the colors of my last unit: Black and gold/yellow.

[Emptymag]

There were polymer lowers already made.
Several years ago some company was out there making plastic lowers.
As I understand it they messed up with the serial numbers and were forced to exit the business.

I cannot remember the name of the company.

It was a pity because I planned to get an AR in the colors of my last unit: Black and gold/yellow.

Yes, Cavalry Arms is who originally manufactured the CAV-15.

GWACS Armory took over and continued with the CAV-15 MKII.

GWACS Armory announced that they were ceasing production because the molds were wearing out and they were not going to continue manufacturing them.

KE Arms set out to buy the rights and "re-create" the lowers with a few upgrades based on customer feedback over the years.
One of the guys who developed this newest version was with the prior manufacturer. (or both manufacturers)

I have two carbines built using the GWACS Armory CAV-15 MKII lowers.
If you're OK with not being able to change the grip, it's a great lower - shaves a full pound off a standard "M4" style lower/stock.

These new ones from KE Arms have an improved/flared magwell, a better pistol grip angle similar to a Magpul MOE, and some other tweaks to the design.

The whole WWSD concept and finished product is a whole other thread by itself.
I'm really happy that those guys made it a reality.

[General Geoff]

There were polymer lowers already made.
Several years ago some company was out there making plastic lowers.
As I understand it they messed up with the serial numbers and were forced to exit the business.

Cav Arms and then GWACS Armory, as mentioned by EmptyMag. Then KE Arms decided to throw their hat into the ring because GWACS didn't have the funding and/or inclination to purchase all new molds and tooling to do a new run of lowers based on the old CAV-15 mold.

KE Arms' KP-15 is a ground-up re-engineering of the monolithic polymer idea.
A good, informative and somewhat lengthy video on the history of the monolithic polymer AR lower receiver, up to and including the KP-15 lower as used in the WWSD2020 complete rifle:

[glocknurse]

That looks awesome. I really want one but I need another AR like I need another hole in the head.

[General Geoff]

Picked up an NcStar 26" carbine soft case and she fits like a glove along with nine magazines (six 30 rounders, three 20s).

[joelad]

My clone of the WWSD 2020 rifle.

KE Arms lower and 45 degree safety, and a Schmid Tool nickle FCG. Aero slick side upper. Faxon 16" Gunner pencil barrel, and 13" MLOK rail ( I could not find a 15" in stock at the time of the build). Tool Craft polished nickle BCG, It's slicker than owl snot. And a Breek Arms charging handle.

It all makes for a handy little carbine. My apologies for the crappy pic.

WWSD clone.jpg

[borekfk]

I'm amazed those things finally came out. I was starting to think they were on Duke Nukem Forever-levels of vaporware.

[General Geoff]

I actually like your slick side upper better, the machined-off forward assist looks a bit sloppy to me.

[General Geoff]

I'm amazed those things finally came out. I was starting to think they were on Duke Nukem Forever-levels of vaporware.

The project was ambitious to begin with, COVID-related supply chain issues made it basically impossible to build the rifle in any quantity with the original parts list. KE Arms went so far as to ramp up their own in-house carbon fiber hand guard production to finally get the rifles built and into customer hands.

[joelad]

I agree on the sloppy look of the KE upper.

I built mine on the cheap (kinda). I didn't want to pay the price they were asking.