Prototype Ar-15 project starting to take shape

This is one of the prototype receivers that is starting to take shape. Received at best as 70 to 75 percent receiver compared to others I've done so still have lots of filing and the expected fire control group issues. The magwell needed file work which was fairly simple. There were a few more things that are trivial but you can see it shaping up. The bolt catch is done just like the original as far as I can tell from photos. All marks are stamped not cnc engraving. I like the way stamping looks compared to machine engraving, it just looks better to me. This is not an exact copy for there are differences in the Armalite stamp and positions of the rest of the stamping compared to the originals. Still looks way close look and ultra retro to me. What a great project! Work but way fun. I put some green chalk into the stamping so its easy to see the markings. Now I need some carbon fiber coated furniture and a FSB to complete this project so it will be few months. I hope you enjoy the post .

Looking good so far from what I know

That's the same route I planned to take eventually. Looks like you've got a head start.

Did you start with a 0% forging?

yes 0% forging is needed or the magwell will become paper thin. I am thinking about running another batch through the machinist if this project goes as planned. I ve got some others interested as well. I just want a few more partial milled receivers to play with. One project seems to bring another one into view. Its a sickness I love to feed.

That BHO is not going to work its too close to the side of the upper because the pivot hole is too far outboard.

Nope it will work fine you have to deepen the bolt slot and then drill the hole in the catch to match the proper distance. Works fine

Upon second inspection it does appear that BHO has been welded on. How are you retaining the pivot pin?

Das ist ser gut!

I like it!!!!!

Oh Damn! I,m EXTREMLY jealous. If Nodak doesnt come up with a lower for me, i,ll never finish my project.

pivot pin will be held by a roll pin after it is anodized. Once anodized I will tap it into the slot machined at .077 with a pin at .078 or .079. Hopefully this will work.

That's going to be really cool when you're finished. It will go nicely with a NDS-32 Upper, NDS handguards with some of John Thomas' handy work, and one of the prototype FSB's. Now if we can find someone who will reproduce a 25-rd prototype magazine. That would be the cat's meow.

I'm really interested in repro 25rd mags too. I would even use them in modern guns. Maybe we can approach ASC or CProducts about the project, but dedicated support would have to proceed that investment.

Does anyone remember reading in The Great Rifle Controversy about the Army limiting the magazine capacity to 20rds, since only submachineguns are type-classified to use magazines with a higher capacity than 20rds?

John Thomas has article on RBR.com on how he made his
25 rnd mags. It doesn't look to tough,,,, but then neither does golf

It should. The originals worked the same way. The pin went through the catch, and then the assembly was tapped down into the slot. Only difference, they likely used special connex style pins for easier removal. Any spring pin should work just as well.

I have to admit I have not thought long about the mag. I plan on taking a 20rd mag and hammer some here and there and fill weld were needed. In my mind a my have oversimplified it but we shall see.

So I worked out the mag issue to find there is no real issue. The prototype mag catch will just fit fine in the regular modern mag groove. Thats right regular mags should work fine. I admit I have not tested this for sure but it looks good. I thought I would have to push in the dimple below the mag catch groove on the mag but it fits very nice the way it was machined. Looks like one less thing to worry about. I just need to get some carbon fiber work from somewhere or learn to do it myself.

Take a mag apart and shim the inside under the bulge and it can then be pressed in with a c-clamp or such, if you press it flush it'll work, the bottom of the catch can be relieved like the originals. I pressed some DPMS mags flat so I could use them in the AR10 insead of waffles.

DPMS Mags

Did you cut the mag catch shorter like the originals?

Yes the mag catch is just like the original. I also discovered that if you file the course of the the mag well dent into the receiver mag will it only requires a few thousands until it drops free. This could mean that no real mods will be needed for the mags. I will keep you informed. I plan to get the machinist to make another run so if anyone is interested let me know. They require more work than a regular 80 percent receiver but its not to bad. Its been so much fun I think I want to try another.

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