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AR Sponsor: bravocompany
Posted: 10/21/2006 5:56:39 PM EDT
need two, which would you choose... remember.. OLL

best in terms of quality, build, weight, and LOOKS/FINISH
Link Posted: 10/21/2006 6:21:26 PM EDT
[#1]

Quoted:
need two, which would you choose... remember.. OLL

best in terms of quality, build, weight, and LOOKS/FINISH


Bushmaster and Mega... Infact my next build after the SunDevil will be a Mega lower. The Mega lower has a "gator grip" if you like the hold your magwell to shoot.

Nathan
Link Posted: 10/21/2006 6:23:36 PM EDT
[#2]
awesome. anyone else ?
Link Posted: 10/21/2006 6:27:43 PM EDT
[#3]

Quoted:
awesome. anyone else ?


Have you concidered a SunDevil? It's made from Billet Aluminum which is stronger. I have been informed that I was wrong, I stand corrected.



Here is mine:





Regards,
Nathan
Link Posted: 10/21/2006 6:29:07 PM EDT
[#4]
And for the Bushmaster...



Nathan
Link Posted: 10/21/2006 6:29:40 PM EDT
[#5]
MEGA, ALL THE WAY!

Link Posted: 10/21/2006 6:33:47 PM EDT
[#6]

Quoted:
MEGA, ALL THE WAY!



I'm taking the "Get all three" Method, maybe even more. The Mega lower would make an awesome SBR Pistol caliber build, except for in Kalipornia anyways.

Nathan
Link Posted: 10/21/2006 6:40:09 PM EDT
[#7]
1would you guys say they all have the same type of finish (matte????)

2which are darker blacks ?

3why not FULTON ? <-- OLL ?

4why not carbon fiber material ?
Link Posted: 10/21/2006 6:50:16 PM EDT
[#8]
you did not list it as an option but i like STAG and CMMG lowers.
Link Posted: 10/21/2006 7:05:28 PM EDT
[#9]
i like the darker black anodized lowers and a good clean feel n finish to it..

so far im on Mega, Fulton, and Stag... do these all fit the category ?



Link Posted: 10/21/2006 7:16:44 PM EDT
[#10]
Stay away from the carbon fiber lowers. Lots of problems. Bushie makes nice. Lowers. Next for me is a Sun divil billet. Also look at CMMG. One of the nicest fished lowers out there. If you want one that is matt black thats the one. But all there are Good lowers.
Link Posted: 10/21/2006 7:18:16 PM EDT
[#11]
I just picked Mega.  I have read nothing but good things about them, except for one report the magwell was a bit tight, but that was only one post on some obscure webforum (not here).  I hear they are top notch in fit and have a nice dark finish.

x156
Link Posted: 10/21/2006 7:19:53 PM EDT
[#12]

Quoted:
i like the darker black anodized lowers and a good clean feel n finish to it..

so far im on Mega, Fulton, and Stag... do these all fit the category ?





Mega and Stag, yes. Fulton, I dunno. But Mega is Different from the Stag, you pay more for the Mega because of the "Gator Grip" and what I would say is slightly better quality.

Nathan
Link Posted: 10/21/2006 7:42:07 PM EDT
[#13]

Quoted:
Have you concidered a SunDevil? It's made from Billet Aluminum which is stronger.

Regards,
Nathan




False

Link Posted: 10/21/2006 7:43:48 PM EDT
[#14]
Bushmaster or MEGA all the way for me

bushy for the re-sell value, fininsh, and logo, MEGA for the logo and gatorization
Link Posted: 10/21/2006 7:51:15 PM EDT
[#15]

Quoted:

Quoted:
MEGA, ALL THE WAY!



I'm taking the "Get all three" Method, maybe even more. The Mega lower would make an awesome SBR Pistol caliber build, except for in Kalipornia anyways.

Nathan


I used a Mega lower on my M16A4gery, beautiful reciever.
Link Posted: 10/21/2006 8:15:08 PM EDT
[#16]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Have you concidered a SunDevil? It's made from Billet Aluminum which is stronger.

Regards,
Nathan




False



I thought Billet Aluminum was stronger than most "Mil-Spec" Aluminum receivers? Like CMT/Stag for Example?

Nathan
Link Posted: 10/21/2006 8:25:25 PM EDT
[#17]
First check and see what kind of lowers are allowed in ca. Check out the hometown thread. Need to get nearest location of a good firarms shop in your area and see what the laws are. And which lowers you are allowed to own. What parts you can and can not have folding stocks fixed mag etc.
Link Posted: 10/21/2006 10:58:33 PM EDT
[#18]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Quoted:
Have you concidered a SunDevil? It's made from Billet Aluminum which is stronger.

Regards,
Nathan




False



I thought Billet Aluminum was stronger than most "Mil-Spec" Aluminum receivers? Like CMT/Stag for Example?

Nathan


No.
Link Posted: 10/21/2006 11:29:10 PM EDT
[#19]
What is OLL?
Link Posted: 10/21/2006 11:48:27 PM EDT
[#20]

Quoted:
What is OLL?

Off List Lower.  It's a California thing.  

In broad terms, an off list lower is one that is not on California's list of AR15 (and AK) receivers that have been specifically banned by make and model.  Off list lowers are legal to purchase and own in California, but only if configured properly so as not to violate California's features-based AWB.  California has a somewhat complicated maze of AWB laws.  Check the California hometown forum if you want more information.

ETA - Fulton makes fine quality lowers, although they tend to be a bit more expensive than others.  They have no logo at all, just text.  
Link Posted: 10/22/2006 12:04:24 AM EDT
[#21]
ok guys i have it down to a MEGA, FULTON and STAG lower

i believe the FULTON is anodized and hte Mega and Stag are parkerized..

so which is better build, feel, finish ?
Link Posted: 10/22/2006 12:08:58 AM EDT
[#22]

Quoted:
ok guys i have it down to a MEGA, FULTON and STAG lower

i believe the FULTON is anodized and hte Mega and Stag are parkerized..

so which is better build, feel, finish ?

All three are anodized.  As I noted in your other thread, virtually all receivers are aluminum, and anodizing is for aluminum.  Parkerizing is for steel.

ETA - All three are fine receivers.  Get the one that is cheapest, most available, or looks nicest to you.  You won't go wrong with any of them.
Link Posted: 10/22/2006 12:55:25 AM EDT
[#23]

Quoted:
Have you concidered a SunDevil? It's made from Billet Aluminum which is stronger.

Pound for pound, forged aluminum is stronger than billet.

<edit>
As for which lower to get, honestly, I try to avoid everything DPMS. Not that their lowers have anything wrong with them...it's just like ASA...I don't support brands that I've had MULITPLE (damn near consistant!) problems with. There are just too many other brands you can buy...

If you want something cool, wait for that new Magpul lower to come out. Has some pretty cool features like a built in enhanced trigger guard, flared magwell, finger shelf and a mag release guard for ambi-mag releases and a forward grip area (in front of the mag well). I would have preferred it to be a forged lower but billet is good enough. Plus it has a cool logo.

Outside of that, here are some brands that I've bought or installed on that I liked: LAR (w/o the grizzly), LMT, Lauer, Double Star (LAR manuf. ones, had issues with JVP manuf. units), DSA, Ameetech and Fulton. I believe all of those are OLL.
Link Posted: 10/22/2006 1:42:38 AM EDT
[#24]
Here's another billet vs. forged thread if you're interested...

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=12&t=300172
Link Posted: 10/22/2006 5:17:33 AM EDT
[#25]
They are all the same. Some are prettier than others, but it ain't jewelry. They are all the same.
Link Posted: 10/22/2006 6:58:59 AM EDT
[#26]
Heres the OLL LIST for CA.
The California OFF-List Guide

AR-15 Series Weapons

ALEXANDER ARMS*
.50 BEOWOLF
6.5 GRENDEL

AMEETEC ARMS
WM-15

AMERICAN SPIRIT ARMS
ASA-10

ARES DEFENSE SYSTEMS, INC.*
ARES-16

BARRETT*
M468

BUSHMASTER
CARBON 15
J-15
BAR-10

CAVALRY ARMS
MKII

CENTURY ARMS*
C-15

CMMG
MOD4-SA

COLT*
CAR-A3 H-BAR ELITE
CARBINE

COMPASS LAKE ENGINEERING
MR-15

DALPHON

DANIEL DEFENSE
DD-15

DOUBLESTAR
STAR-15

DPMS
SINGLE SHOT
LR-308
A-15

DSARMS
ZM4

ESSENTIAL ARMS
J-15-F

FRANKFORD ARSENAL
XM-177
FAR-15

FULTON ARMORY
FAR-15

GLOBAL TACTICAL
GT-AR15

GRENADIER PRECISION
M4 A3
M4 COMMANDO
M4 SOC

GUNSMOKE ENTERPRISES
M-15 MATCH

HESSE ARMS
HAR-25

HIGH STANDARD
HSA-15

JP ENTERPRISES, INC.*
JP-15
CTR-02

LAR MANUFACTURING
GRIZZLY-15

LAUER CUSTOM WEAPONRY
LCW-15

LEITNER-WISE*

LEWIS MACHINE AND TOOL*
DEFENDER 2000

LRB INDUSTRIES, LLC
M15SA

MEGA MACHINE SHOP
GATOR

MGI

NOVESKE
N4

PATRIOT ORDINANCE FACTORY
P-415
P-416

RATWORX
M-7

ROCK RIVER ARMS
LAR-15

SABRE DEFENSE
X16/15A3
XR-15

SMITH AND WESSON*
M&P-15
M&P-15T

SOCOM MANUFACTURING
DIAMOND
BLACK DIAMOND

SPECIAL WEAPONS
AR47

SPIKE’S TACTICAL
ST15

STINGER ARMS

STAG ARMS
STAG-15
STAG-6.8

SUN DEVIL
SD15

SUPERIOR ARMS
S-15

TITUSVILLE ARMORY
TA-15

TROY INDUSTRIES INC.*
CQB-SPC

VULCAN ARMS
V-15
CAL1

WILSON TACTICAL LLC.
WT-15

ZM WEAPONS*
LR300

Link Posted: 10/22/2006 7:05:08 AM EDT
[#27]

Quoted:

Quoted:
awesome. anyone else ?


Have you concidered a SunDevil? It's made from Billet Aluminum which is stronger.

www.rainierarms.com/img/shop/product/24d1fcf9d0a703185098f30b47009064.jpg

Here is mine:

i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/AmericanSniper/Update1pic3.jpg

i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/AmericanSniper/Update1pic1.jpg

Regards,
Nathan


VERY VICE

I was Told FORGE is the strongest

Billet is stronger than CAST
Link Posted: 10/22/2006 7:17:37 AM EDT
[#28]
Go for the Mega's, they are really nice.

Boy I am glad I am in the Gunshine state where we dont have to pay attention to lists...
Link Posted: 10/22/2006 9:34:19 AM EDT
[#29]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Quoted:
awesome. anyone else ?


Have you concidered a SunDevil? It's made from Billet Aluminum which is stronger.

www.rainierarms.com/img/shop/product/24d1fcf9d0a703185098f30b47009064.jpg

Here is mine:

i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/AmericanSniper/Update1pic3.jpg

i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/AmericanSniper/Update1pic1.jpg

Regards,
Nathan


VERY VICE

I was Told FORGE is the strongest

Billet is stronger than CAST


I got the Billet because I thought it was stronger . The Sun Sevil is built beefier though, which is cool.

Nathan

ETA: I guess billet construction is better in the "Cosmetic looks" department.
Link Posted: 10/22/2006 12:23:43 PM EDT
[#30]
Typically, a billet part will be easier to machine precisely but a forged part can be just as accurate. A billet will usually have a better cosmetic appearance as well.

The Sun Devil is a nice lower!

eta,

With billet, a manufacturer does not rely on the forging to define the final shape. Thus Sun Devil can have a receiver profile different from any of the forged lowers out there that all look the same. Billet is plenty strong for the lower as is Sun Devil's use of 6061.
Link Posted: 10/22/2006 1:02:34 PM EDT
[#31]
There are issues with the magwell grip. If your gun ever kabooms....well it would be a bad place to have your hand.
Link Posted: 10/22/2006 1:28:26 PM EDT
[#32]
If the gun kabooms it wouldn't be too fun to have my nose to the charging handle either, but that's how I shoot. There are alot of things that can go wrong in life; sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.
Link Posted: 10/22/2006 1:41:34 PM EDT
[#33]

Quoted:
If the gun kabooms it wouldn't be too fun to have my nose to the charging handle either, but that's how I shoot. There are alot of things that can go wrong in life; sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.


+1

Nathan
Link Posted: 10/22/2006 3:16:23 PM EDT
[#34]
A bunch of BS myths and incorrect statements is what the milled AR lower has brought to the community.

There is no reason to own a milled AR lower other than appearance if you are comparing a milled and a forged at the same price.


A milled AR lower is:

1.  Weaker (wheither this is significant is irrelavent) the facts are milled parts are weaker than forged.

2.  Non standard

3.  Usually $10 more when it should be $20 less when compared to a forging




Link Posted: 10/22/2006 4:20:58 PM EDT
[#35]

Quoted:
A bunch of BS myths and incorrect statements is what the milled AR lower has brought to the community.

There is no reason to own a milled AR lower other than appearance if you are comparing a milled and a forged at the same price.

I disagree. Look at the Magpul design; flared mag well, finger shelf, provision for integrated ambi mag catch, integral trigger guard, etc. None of these are possible using standard AR15 forgings.


A milled AR lower is:

1.  Weaker (wheither this is significant is irrelavent) the facts are milled parts are weaker than forged.

Forged parts are also milled (machined). If you mean to say forged parts are stronger than machined bar stock or billet, the answer is usually but not always.

2.  Non standard

Non standard compared to what? "Billet" receivers obviously use the same critical dimensions regards to function.

3.  Usually $10 more when it should be $20 less when compared to a forging

No. There is less machine time on a forging translating to lower cost. Typically a manufacturer will have to absorb the cost of the forging but AR15 forgings are plentiful and cheap due to military contracts.




Link Posted: 10/22/2006 4:52:40 PM EDT
[#36]

Quoted:

Quoted:
A bunch of BS myths and incorrect statements is what the milled AR lower has brought to the community.

There is no reason to own a milled AR lower other than appearance if you are comparing a milled and a forged at the same price.

I disagree. Look at the Magpul design; flared mag well, finger shelf, provision for integrated ambi mag catch, integral trigger guard, etc. None of these are possible using standard AR15 forgings.

All these features are questionable in there functionality except for the ambi mag catch.  And looking at the Magpul lower thread, I see they use the ambi style mag catch that Bushmaster and other companies sell for forged lowers.


A milled AR lower is:

1.  Weaker (wheither this is significant is irrelavent) the facts are milled parts are weaker than forged.

Forged parts are also milled (machined). If you mean to say forged parts are stronger than machined bar stock or billet, the answer is usually but not always.

I know this.  But they are not completely machined and there is much less exposed end grain in the metal.  Forged parts are always stronger than milled.  Its not usually, its always.

2.  Non standard

Non standard compared to what? "Billet" receivers obviously use the same critical dimensions regards to function.

Non standard compared to a 7075T6 forged, heat treated, milspec lower.

3.  Usually $10 more when it should be $20 less when compared to a forging

No. There is less machine time on a forging translating to lower cost. Typically a manufacturer will have to absorb the cost of the forging but AR15 forgings are plentiful and cheap due to military contracts.

I already know this again, but for what you are getting you should be paying less, not more.




Link Posted: 10/22/2006 6:00:00 PM EDT
[#37]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Quoted:
A bunch of BS myths and incorrect statements is what the milled AR lower has brought to the community.

There is no reason to own a milled AR lower other than appearance if you are comparing a milled and a forged at the same price.

Quoted:
I disagree. Look at the Magpul design; flared mag well, finger shelf, provision for integrated ambi mag catch, integral trigger guard, etc. None of these are possible using standard AR15 forgings.


Quoted:
All these features are questionable in there functionality except for the ambi mag catch.  And looking at the Magpul lower thread, I see they use the ambi style mag catch that Bushmaster and other companies sell for forged lowers.


Quoted:
Whether they are questionable to you is irrelevent. The FACT is, they are not possible on a commonly available AR15 lower receiver forging.



Quoted:
A milled AR lower is:

1.  Weaker (wheither this is significant is irrelavent) the facts are milled parts are weaker than forged.

Quoted:
Forged parts are also milled (machined). If you mean to say forged parts are stronger than machined bar stock or billet, the answer is usually but not always.


Quoted:
I know this.  But they are not completely machined and there is much less exposed end grain in the metal.  Forged parts are always stronger than milled.  Its not usually, its always.


Quoted:
Again, wrong. Forgings, by their nature, are anisotropic, that is their mechanical properities are directional; as a result, strength and impact properities suffer in the transverse and axial directions (assuming a longitudinal grain structure). A billet or casting, before the secondary process, is basically neutral (isotropic) regarding its mechanical properties. Thus a forged part is designed for a specific, directional load. If it receives stress outside its design parameters, it can, in effect, be weaker than a cast part.


Quoted:
2.  Non standard

Quoted:
Non standard compared to what? "Billet" receivers obviously use the same critical dimensions regards to function.


Quoted:
Non standard compared to a 7075T6 forged, heat treated, milspec lower.


Quoted:
Ridiculous. No currently produced lower you can buy today is "mil-spec". A billet lower can certainly be machined from 7075 heat treated to T6 specification. POF does exactly that, completely compatible with all COTS parts.


Quoted:
3.  Usually $10 more when it should be $20 less when compared to a forging

Quoted:
No. There is less machine time on a forging translating to lower cost. Typically a manufacturer will have to absorb the cost of the forging but AR15 forgings are plentiful and cheap due to military contracts.


Quoted:
I already know this again, but for what you are getting you should be paying less, not more.


Quoted:
You are getting a product that requires more machine time, presents a better surface and cosmetic finish, and is dimensionally superior to many machined forgings. For some, that's worth the extra cash. All my lowers are forged but I see the advantages than can be offered by a machined billet.







eta:

colorful, ain't it?
Link Posted: 10/22/2006 6:30:41 PM EDT
[#38]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Quoted:

Quoted:
A bunch of BS myths and incorrect statements is what the milled AR lower has brought to the community.

There is no reason to own a milled AR lower other than appearance if you are comparing a milled and a forged at the same price.

Quoted:
I disagree. Look at the Magpul design; flared mag well, finger shelf, provision for integrated ambi mag catch, integral trigger guard, etc. None of these are possible using standard AR15 forgings.


Quoted:
All these features are questionable in there functionality except for the ambi mag catch.  And looking at the Magpul lower thread, I see they use the ambi style mag catch that Bushmaster and other companies sell for forged lowers.


Quoted:
Whether they are questionable to you is irrelevent. The FACT is, they are not possible on a commonly available AR15 lower receiver forging.


Ok, I'll give you that.

Quoted:
A milled AR lower is:

1.  Weaker (wheither this is significant is irrelavent) the facts are milled parts are weaker than forged.

Quoted:
Forged parts are also milled (machined). If you mean to say forged parts are stronger than machined bar stock or billet, the answer is usually but not always.


Quoted:
I know this.  But they are not completely machined and there is much less exposed end grain in the metal.  Forged parts are always stronger than milled.  Its not usually, its always.


Quoted:
Again, wrong. Forgings, by their nature, are anisotropic, that is their mechanical properities are directional; as a result, strength and impact properities suffer in the transverse and axial directions (assuming a longitudinal grain structure). A billet or casting, before the secondary process, is basically neutral (isotropic) regarding its mechanical properties. Thus a forged part is designed for a specific, directional load. If it receives stress outside its design parameters, it can, in effect, be weaker than a cast part.


Got proof of this in a mechanics book where the load direction is taken into account when computing stress of a part?

Quoted:
2.  Non standard

Quoted:
Non standard compared to what? "Billet" receivers obviously use the same critical dimensions regards to function.


Quoted:
Non standard compared to a 7075T6 forged, heat treated, milspec lower.


Quoted:
Ridiculous. No currently produced lower you can buy today is "mil-spec". A billet lower can certainly be machined from 7075 heat treated to T6 specification. POF does exactly that, completely compatible with all COTS parts.


But the POF lower is still not forged.  And how do you define mil-spec?  If you mean because it is not USGI select fire, then you just stating something trivial.  I'm talking about how close it can be to the real deal.

Quoted:
3.  Usually $10 more when it should be $20 less when compared to a forging

Quoted:
No. There is less machine time on a forging translating to lower cost. Typically a manufacturer will have to absorb the cost of the forging but AR15 forgings are plentiful and cheap due to military contracts.


Quoted:
I already know this again, but for what you are getting you should be paying less, not more.


Quoted:
You are getting a product that requires more machine time, presents a better surface and cosmetic finish, and is dimensionally superior to many machined forgings. For some, that's worth the extra cash. All my lowers are forged but I see the advantages than can be offered by a machined billet.


I agree with this but I don't think the positives offset the negatives.






eta:

colorful, ain't it?
Link Posted: 10/22/2006 9:11:20 PM EDT
[#39]
Scott, I can't do the colors anymore, it's killing me!

As to longitudinal (anisotropic) grain characteristics, yes, you can find information regarding a decrease of a metal's tensile strength, elongation and impact properties in the transverse and axial directions as I previously stated (try material science references). Most forging references will only provide longitudinal characteristics though, so you'll not likely find answers without asking. The reason this is rarely an issue is because forgings are obviously designed to use grain structure to advantage. An example of an area where a forging has no advantage is a pressure vessel where loading/stress is tri-axial. In the case of the AR15 lower, the forging will be "stronger" but I'll wager the degree is insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

And regarding mil-spec; this is an overused term typically meaning "having characteristics like those specified by a particular military contract". The problem here is that there is more to mil-spec than material and dimension. There is an entire quality inspection protocol using coordinate measuring against the technical data package that must be met. I do not know of a single commercial manufacturer that does this; it's just not cost effective for an off the shelf product. You can't buy Colt's or FN's mil-spec product so what does it matter? I'd like to mention that's it is also entirely possible for a manufacturer to exceed the mil-spec QI protocol and produce a more dimensionally accurate, better machined product with a higher standard of fit and finish. In this case, the market becomes the QA inspector.

I think we will agree that a typical forged lower is a strong, cost effective, functional part. But it's also common and a lot of people look for something to set them apart, whether it be aftermarket parts for their car, truck, or AR. I think all these choices we see for our hobby is nothing but good for the industry and consumers. I don't own any billet lowers but I like the appearance of POF's receiver and I REALLY like the functional improvements (to me!) in Magpul's design. Hey, in the traditional arfcom fashion, get both!

eta: I mistakenly typed your name as "Scotty". Sorry, it's late!
Link Posted: 10/23/2006 7:15:08 AM EDT
[#40]
the dpms and mega are teflon coated after anodizing.
Link Posted: 10/23/2006 7:59:17 PM EDT
[#44]

Quoted:
I think the short bus crashed and one escaped.

Haaaaaaaaa! You mean the tart cart right?
Link Posted: 10/23/2006 8:25:11 PM EDT
[#45]

Quoted:
Read this dorks contributions before posting:

3 days.  Over 30 new threads.  





Man, not nice brother!

I think it's safe to say bigger bullet is a fairly young poster. I'm glad he's trying to learn but that list is pretty damn comical.
Link Posted: 10/23/2006 8:28:04 PM EDT
[#46]
Link Posted: 10/24/2006 2:47:28 AM EDT
[#48]
Link Posted: 10/24/2006 11:29:33 AM EDT
[#49]
Post deleted by mod. Heed my previous warning. The OP is not the only one who can get banned or locked.
Link Posted: 10/24/2006 12:29:46 PM EDT
[#50]
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