An All-Polymer AR-15 from Wraithworks — SHOT Show 2024

Closeup view of the Warp-15's upper and lower receivers. The gun is pointed to the right. — Wraithworks’ WARP15 is all-polymer and surprisingly good.

We’ve been shooting pistols with polymer frames for decades, but AR-15s with polymer lowers, for no apparent reason, remain suspect as low-quality.

Well, this WARP15 rifle from Wraithworks sports a polymer lower and a polymer upper and it seems to work just fine. They feel they’re pursuing the spirit of Eugene Stoner’s ideals. Its value will probably surprise you.

KE Arms Licensed Lower

The lower is branded as Wraithworks, but it’s KE Arms’s design and is a proven unit. The flared magwell is a nice touch, and the integrated grip is an upgrade over mil-spec. Since it’s all one piece, this lower is exceptionally rigid.

The upper and handguard are two pieces split longways.

Clamshell Polymer Upper

Unlike any other rifle, the upper receiver is all polymer and it goes together like a clamshell. The upper is divisible, left and right, down its length with several screws.

You’ll notice the reinforcing ribs around the bolt carrier group. There is a 7075 aluminum trunnion inserted which holds the chamber and barrel in the receiver.

Ambidextrous Controls, Cool Stocks

The WARP15 comes standard with ambidextrous safety levers. Also, it has a full-length, uninterrupted Picatinny rail on top and M-LOK slots all around the handguard.

The buttstock includes QD attachment points and an M-LOK slot at the back. Furthermore, the stock includes a spacious compartment in the butt plate.

It’s got M-LOK and an uninterrupted full-length pic rail.

Its 16″ barrel is capped with a brake, which is helpful since it’s only 5 lbs.

Performance at the range

Wraithworks had the WARP15 at the range for media to sample this week. I shot 5 rounds at 20 yards and was surprised at how good it felt — how rigid it felt.

So I shot ten more rounds at a coyote-sized target at a hundred yards. It was raining, I was standing shooting off-hand, and the rifle was only fitted with a red dot, but I nailed that target with all ten rounds, which surprised me.

Although it weighs just about 5 lbs, the included muzzle brake seems effective.

The cost to produce this gun is significantly lower than others with metal receivers and handguards. Wraithworks will have the WARP15 ready to ship this Spring for around $500. We’ll have a full review for you soon.

Specs

Caliber: .223 Wylde
Barrel: 16″, 1:8 twist, 4150 steel
Weight (unloaded): 5.05lb
Length: 34.8″
State Compliant: Not Compliant in CA, CT, HI, MD, MA, NJ, NY, VT, DC