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Posted: 2/25/2005 10:52:25 AM EDT
| Just wondering what problems came up with ARs using cast lowers. I honestly dont know. |
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Cast receivers are a lot more prone to breaking or cracking. How many people have actually had one break? I couldn't tell you but I have seen pictures of broken cast lowers so it does happen. The cost difference between a cast lower and a forged lower is so low that's its just not worth the risk IMO. I'm guessing the reason why some people are ok with the plastic lowers like those from Cav Arms is because they offer some weight savings and come in different colors if that's your thing? Basically they are offering some advantages to off-set and risks. Cast lowers have no advantages and if I recall correctly, Cav Arms plastic lowers are actually tougher than the typical Cast lower. As somebody already pointed out in another thread, these comments are all my personal opinion based off of research I've done. I've never actually 
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All true, but not too long ago there were very few recievers available, as only 1st tier manufacturers were even in the business. Thus, cast lowers were about 2/3rds the price of the harder to come by forged ones. In the last 3 years or so, seems like everyone with a CNC and a source of forged raw material has come onto the scene with cheap, high quality forged lowers. Those that used to machine crap are even getting into the high quality mix now (LAR, etc). The cast ones will generally be older, most likely having been part of production runs during the AWB. Not saying that there aren't any new cast lowers coming onto the market, but as has already been noted, there is little cost savings now that the supply chains are shorter. I have a truck gun and my DCM rifle are both built on DPMS cast lowers from that time frame. Thousands of rounds, and less than gentle treatment and I personally have never had a problem with either of them. Tom 
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