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Posted: 12/30/2007 2:08:52 PM EDT
| I was just curious on why a forged receiver is so good? I don't know anything about that stuff, so could someone please educate me. |
Guess I'll step up to the plate and get this show started... Good to H20_Man and Different already have their refreshments in order The short of it, without going into metalurgy lingo and such is that a forged reciever is like a forged tool, say a wrench for instance. Forged equals fewer hairline cracks, voids, potential weak spots, etc. With the superior distribution of carbon (what makes steel strong) in today's modern steels, one could say that forging isn't as important as the heat treat, however, what hammer forging does is mush the steel together so that there are no / fewer voids in the molecular arrangement of the finished product. -- basically, I'm talking out of my a** here, but it sounds good so far, right? Some will try to sell you on the fact that it compacts the atoms tighter together, called carbon packing, but this theory has been proven false through modern research. However, the heat treatment and the care of the steel after the forging has become the new mecca of understanding, and we're just beginning to really understand the crystalization of steel during this process. |
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Actually, you did ask what makes it better. About 75% of the reason can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dislocations Forging cannot close or shrink inter-atomic distances. The nucleus and outer most electron configuration of the atom determine this distance and there is nothing you can do about it except change the temperature. Carbon is only a small part. I dont think our guns have any steel with more than a few percent. There is a hell of alot of steel info out there. Pick any given alloy and there are probably more tables of mechanical properties than you care to see. If what youre really after is "is a forged reciever that much better?" No. you wont wear out either (this dosen't apply to aluminum. FCC metals are generally much softer. That's why cast AR15 recievers are poo-pooed) |
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Depends on the buyer. Kinda like asking if an ancient, pristine Devine is worth it. I goy my stripped LRB for 650, the dealer price when i got on the waiting list. I'd still pay the current msrp...probably not too much more than that, though. I'd rather save up for an early Devine. |
| I've owned/own both. Springfield M1A (sold) and my current LRB. Also have owned and Armscorp receiver, ugliest damn thing I've ever owned. Anyways, you will more than likely never wear either of them out. Do you want something machined to USGI specs or something close. That's basically what it comes down to nowadays with casting technology. Cast receivers are a little thicker in some areas to make up for any structural "deficiencies". The "ring" of a forged reciever when the bolt slams home is music to your ears though. |
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99.9 % of M14 type receivers are made with AISI 8620 or equivalent alloy steel whether cast, machined from billet or forged and on both sides of the pond. Harrington & Richardson unintentionally made two M14 receivers from AISI 1330 steel and one from high (4 %) nickel alloy. Armscorp of America did make some stainless steel M14 receivers in the 1980s. Otherwise, M14 type receivers are made from 8620 steel: Element of Composition carbon 0.18 to 0.23 % chromium 0.4 to 0.6 % iron major element manganese 0.7 to 0.9 % molybdenum 0.15 to 0.25 % nickel 0.4 to 0.7 % phosphorous 0.035 % maximum silicon 0.15 to 0.35 % sulfur 0.04 % maximum As an aside, Watertown Arsenal evaluated AISI 9310 alloy steel as a candidate for M14 bolts and receivers in 1961. The study results were favorable for 9310 steel. |
How thoughtless of me.  www.imageseek.com/m1a
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 OK, I've got both cast and forged. I have a commercial Springfield Armory USA National Match w/ cast receiver, a commercial Springfield Armory USA "Bush" w/ cast receiver, Smith/Norinco NM w/forged receiver, a Springfield Armory "Devine" NM w/ cast receiver and I'm currently having a LRB NM M1A with you guessed it, a forged receiver.My commercial SA NM shoots as good as my Norinco but the truth is my "Devine" shoots better than both!!! Maybe I just concentrate more, I don't know. But to tell the truth, I can't wait to shoot the LRB!! I don't think it really matters unless it comes to looks. When I saw the LRB it just looked so much better than the cast receivers!! I think it comes down to how much you want to spend, period. You're not going to wear out either one. 
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 While that is indeed a very good website (Lord knows I learned all I I was talking about the thread.  |
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