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Interesting this is built on an AR-15 lower receiver, with the detachable magazine being a battery. I'd think it would be a lot easier and cheaper to build one

Interesting this is built on an AR-15 lower receiver, with the detachable magazine being a battery. I'd think it would be a lot easier and cheaper to build one of these from the ground up instead of using a real not-electric firearm

thatguy0900 4y ago
If the government is investing in you they might have a lot of surplus gear you can use for a reduced cost. And it's attractive to tell police forces that they don't have to train marksmanship on a entirely new platform for your device.
hyperhopper 4y ago
I mean, you can get 6packs of lower receivers as a civilian for like what amounts to 30 bucks each. They are not expensive.
AlgorithmicTime 4y ago
Why? AR lowers are ludicrously cheap and common. You're going to need a generally "rifle-like" form factor for ease of use, so why not go with the most common design, and save money on things like pistol grips, buttstocks, etc? And the manual of arms is known to everyone who'll be using it.
tyingq 4y ago
I imagine it's deliberate appeal to the demographic.
everforward 4y ago
AR-15 lowers are pretty cheap. Seems like ~$60 on the cheap end at consumer (non-wholesale) prices. That's without a buffer spring and stuff, but I don't think this thing even uses/needs those. There are some advantages to it, though. The article calls out accessories being interchangeable. The company doesn't have to make/sell different stocks and what not, people can just buy their existing favorites for the AR-15. The ergonomics are probably more familiar (e.g. adjusting the length of the stock, where the safety is, etc). You could also theoretically use the same lower for both this and an actual AR-15, although I doubt the utility of that. Most police departments probably have enough cash to just buy both.
sleepybrett 4y ago
Someone who doesn't understand economies of scale. You know how many ar-15 lowers are made every damn day in this country? They are cheaper than a dozen eggs at this point.

thatguy0900 4y ago

If the government is investing in you they might have a lot of surplus gear you can use for a reduced cost. And it's attractive to tell police forces that they don't have to train marksmanship on a entirely new platform for your device.

hyperhopper 4y ago

I mean, you can get 6packs of lower receivers as a civilian for like what amounts to 30 bucks each. They are not expensive.

AlgorithmicTime 4y ago

Why? AR lowers are ludicrously cheap and common. You're going to need a generally "rifle-like" form factor for ease of use, so why not go with the most common design, and save money on things like pistol grips, buttstocks, etc? And the manual of arms is known to everyone who'll be using it.

tyingq 4y ago

I imagine it's deliberate appeal to the demographic.

everforward 4y ago

AR-15 lowers are pretty cheap. Seems like ~$60 on the cheap end at consumer (non-wholesale) prices. That's without a buffer spring and stuff, but I don't think this thing even uses/needs those. There are some advantages to it, though. The article calls out accessories being interchangeable. The company doesn't have to make/sell different stocks and what not, people can just buy their existing favorites for the AR-15. The ergonomics are probably more familiar (e.g. adjusting the length of the stock, where the safety is, etc). You could also theoretically use the same lower for both this and an actual AR-15, although I doubt the utility of that. Most police departments probably have enough cash to just buy both.

sleepybrett 4y ago

Someone who doesn't understand economies of scale. You know how many ar-15 lowers are made every damn day in this country? They are cheaper than a dozen eggs at this point.