Lookin for information regarding DPMS lowers and what the difference between cast and forged.
1)When did they start forging? I'm assumming the cast was the first offered.

2)What was the S/N range for the cast

3)Are there any real detraments to a cast unit?

4) What does it mean in an ad when the seller says the block has been removed?

Thanks for your help guys!

Charles
Bushman15

The forged started sometime around 99/00.

Forged lowers have an 'F' prefix on the serial, making them a seperate series and there is no cutoff date.  The still make both types.

If you hit the receiver really hard with a hammer beyond the metals ability to bend, the metal of the forged part will stretch resulting in a large dent while the metal of a cast part will crack.  A hit that hard to either lower will likely take it out of service.  The forged lowers are cosmetically superior IMO.  Especially the lettering and logos.

Most (all?) makers of AR lowers reduce production costs by only milling enough space in the inside rear of the lower to let the safety and the rear lug from the upper fit into the lower meaning that there isn't enough room to insert a registered drop in auto sear or a registered lightning link.  "removing", actually milling out the area in the rear, is done so you can use one of these very expensive devices if you wanted to.

Thanks Hoplo...now I no (know)

That's what I love about this board, you got a question...somebody has the answer. I really appreciate the details, great reply.

Actually, the forged DPMS lowers come with the block "removed", 'cause it wasn't there in the first place[:D].  As far as I know, since Colt started putting the rib into their lowers, DPMS and Bushmaster are the only two manufacturers still using the original dimensions on the inside of the lowers.