cast "alloy" AR lowers?

[rugersol]

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/receiver-amp-action-parts/receivers/lower-receivers/ar15-lightweight-lower-receiver-prod55523.aspx



FWIW, I'd probly prefer one of these, to polymer! ... that said, $220 ... vs. what should otherwise be 'bout $90 fer a forged lower ... seems a skosh high!

Anyone know anyone who's put together a gun with one of these?!

[FJ540]

Forcefed had one that was an 80% that someone cast. Looked porous as all get out and I told him to return it if he could. I don't know what happened with that, but he might pop in here and tell us.

I agree, that's one step above a poly, and not a very big one at that.

[forcefed]

Actually just put together one of these MAG lowers for a buddy. They are actually quite nice lowers.

The sand cast one that I had, like FJ said isn't much better of quality over the poly ones. But I wouldn't be afraid to use one of these MAG ones.

I think the MSRP of those used to be $250 so, $220 is a "good" price.

[rugersol]

Actually just put together one of these MAG lowers for a buddy. They are actually quite nice lowers.

The sand cast one that I had, like FJ said isn't much better of quality over the poly ones. But I wouldn't be afraid to use one of these MAG ones.

I think the MSRP of those used to be $250 so, $220 is a "good" price.

Thanks, FF!

So ... these were 'sposed to be $250 ... vs. like $90 fer most any other forged lower ... before December?!

That would seem to suggest they're somehow "better" ... would it not?!

I see where they're sayin' they're "uber-lightweight" ... made of a "special alloy" ... and their "manufacturing costs are low" (as ya'd expect, with cast vs. forged?!)

Ya happen to know what else might justify the 100%+ increase over a forged lower?!

... or do ya expect these to get below $90, once things cool off?!

Thanks, again!

[Consummate]

Is that thing Krylon'd?

[FJ540]

I'm willing to bet these aren't magnesium or they'd say that. Which leaves zamac in the uber light weight alloy of limited disclosure and beautifully castable category. Unlike some around here, zamac isn't a bad material at all in my book, but it's a cost effective solution which doesn't justify the price here.

I think I'm gonna email them and ask what the melt point is - since we have to be compliant to our 800F laws.

The dies look rough though. Notice the rings around the selector and rear pin holes. I don't buy that those are for reinforcement.

[BBVEGA]

I'm willing to bet these aren't magnesium or they'd say that. Which leaves zamac in the uber light weight alloy of limited disclosure and beautifully castable category. Unlike some around here, zamac isn't a bad material at all in my book, but it's a cost effective solution which doesn't justify the price here.

I think I'm gonna email them and ask what the melt point is - since we have to be compliant to our 800F laws.

The dies look rough though. Notice the rings around the selector and rear pin holes. I don't buy that those are for reinforcement.

Zamac is what Hotwheels cars are made of.

[forcefed]

The dies look rough though. Notice the rings around the selector and rear pin holes. I don't buy that those are for reinforcement.

The one we assembled last weekend was a lot nice than that. Not sure if the pictures is a prototype one that they just snapped a picture of for Brownells or what.

Thanks, FF!

So ... these were 'sposed to be $250 ... vs. like $90 fer most any other forged lower ... before December?!

That would seem to suggest they're somehow "better" ... would it not?!

I see where they're sayin' they're "uber-lightweight" ... made of a "special alloy" ... and their "manufacturing costs are low" (as ya'd expect, with cast vs. forged?!)

Ya happen to know what else might justify the 100%+ increase over a forged lower?!

... or do ya expect these to get below $90, once things cool off?!

Thanks, again!

Correct. I personally don't think they are worth as much as they are asking. They are really light compared to a forged one though.

Might have to go get one of the Boberg ones that use 1400000 tools to make

[FJ540]

Zamac is also what industrial pillow blocks are made of. Now tell me a shaft spinning a big ass fan doesn't take more abuse than a AR lower...

I was kinda hard on my hotwheels too - they never broke a chassis.

[forcefed]

A shaft spinning a big ass fan doesn't take more abuse than a AR lower

[rugersol]

... sorry ... got that off an older article on guns.com ... here's the Brownell's pic ...

[FJ540]

A shaft spinning a big ass fan doesn't take more abuse than a AR lower

Bill's South is closed because of a blower shaft failure.

[forcefed]

... sorry ... got that off an older article on guns.com ... here's the Brownell's pic ...

That's the one. It has the cutouts where the pistol grip goes. ^^ that must be the "gen 4" one or something.

[FJ540]

Am I the only one who think's it's fugly?

The reinforced pin holes makes it look like it's got zits.

[Lights]

Yep them are diecast lowers. Not sand casts. I can see an ejector pin boss on it. They come out of an diecast injection mold.They should be pretty good. Not all diacastings are zinc. There is a big selection of aluminum that is used for diecastings. I used to make diecast molds before I got into plastic injection molds.

Mark