I have a CAV 15A aluminum lower. Never tried one of their regular lowers... didn't make sense for me. If you're going to have a fixed stock.... why not run the rifle buffer?
Osceola County is at the core of the Space Coast. With the end of the Space Shuttle the area has a good many highly skilled, motivated unemployed folks in residence which Colt is no doubt well aware. I'd be surprised if they couldn't teach Colt a thing or two about engineering, technology, productivity and quality. An infusion of new blood may do the ol'e horse a lot of good.