Steel AR Upper/Lowers?
All the AR platform/actions that I've seen have been alloy of some sort. I'm wondering if anyone makes the gun out of steel (besides the barrel and bolt)?
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DPMS made some out of stainless, I think they were very early and rare. There is a fancy blued steel one on the GB auction side but the last I saw it was 13,000.00 dollars. 0 -
There were some 80% (You finish the machining) Titanium Lowers floating around for a while... 0 -
The AR was designed not to need steel in the places it doesn't have it. Lightweight and mucho firepower was what it was made for, so IMHO having a steel upper or lower receiver would make it overly heavy and defeat the designed purpose for it.
Turnbull made the .308 version with the color case hardened receivers and wood furniture as a display gun (It's the 13k AR referred to). A very pretty rifle, but not one I could ever afford!0 -
There's no practical reason to build one from steel.
The lower just holds the fire control parts together. The upper is not stressed, as the bolt locks in the recesses of the barrel extension.
Neal0 -
Making an AR out of steel defeats its whole purpose a light weight rifle. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by nmyers
There's no practical reason to build one from steel.
The lower just holds the fire control parts together. The upper is not stressed, as the bolt locks in the recesses of the barrel extension.
Neal
quote:Originally posted by armilite
Making an AR out of steel defeats its whole purpose a light weight rifle.
quote:Originally posted by armilite
Making an AR out of steel defeats its whole purpose a light weight rifle.
I'll go on record as saying pretty much the same.
I've never seen an aluminum AR receiver wear out from normal use.0 -
Just as I thought- ask a simple question and most of the answers are those telling me what's wrong with it. Thanks to those that actually answered the question- what I am considering had more to do with building a rifle for long range accuracy rather than all-day humping and spray & pray shooting. 0 -
Heck, they're even made out of plastic, and I've never seen one of those that've worn out either. All in all a pretty amazing design from Mr. Stoner during an "early computer"... maybe even before?) time.
REPLY:
You weren't being clowned, you asked if anyone makes them out of steel. That question was answered with no, they don't because it defeats the purpose. You don't need a "steel" AR upper or lower receiver to shoot accurately at "long range", you need an AR with a quality barrel and tight tolerances, using a cartridge with a sufficently accurate load. (Example: I had a "Colt accurized rifle" with the 24" SS barrel that was out of the box a 10-shot 5/8" (100 yard) rifle with the Federal match loads every time I shot it. If I had a longer range to shoot it at, I'm sure it would've held up there, too.
The bolt/barrel lock-up with its multiple lugs makes the AR VERY accurate as is, even more with a few mods. None are needed to the metal in the receivers, or someone would've made one.0 -
You could look for an AR 18. Or AR 180 semiauto.
It was designed for steel stamping manufacture by countries that did not have an aluminum industry. But most of them use AKs anyhow, so it was not a huge success. And I wouldn't pick one for a target rifle.
As riomouse says, the aluminum receiver does not hurt the AR 15's accuracy potential. Mine with 28" Krieger barrel is a wonderful little midrange gun. Its only bad habit is throwing my match prepped brass in the weeds.0 -
Here's something interesting
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=3240943230
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