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May 24, 2012, 07:59 AM | #1 |
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Why no stainless AR receivers?
I know that at least one company had made some stainless AR lower receivers. I found one on Gunbroker listed at a ridiculous price. So, I was just wondering why no one has set out to make upper and lower receivers out of SS for the AR. This would renew my interest in this platform.
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May 24, 2012, 08:15 AM | #2 |
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What might be the advantage at the higher cost? Would you pay an extra
15k for a stainless steel automobile? |
May 24, 2012, 08:27 AM | #3 |
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While I wouldn't buy one, people would I'm sure. Look at all the people out there that refuse to buy Glocks/XDs/ect... because they're not stainless. You may have a good business idea on your hands....
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May 24, 2012, 08:38 AM | #4 |
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A Delorean AR-15. Hmmm.
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May 24, 2012, 08:42 AM | #5 |
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Weight and cost.
The lower receiver in a AR simply holds the parts together but it does not carry a significant load. The load of combustion is carried between the bolt and the barrel shroud, both of which are a high grade of steel. Rifles in which the receiver is a load path, like Mausers, FN/FAL's, Garand, etc, their receivers have to be made of steel and it costs more in material and machining. I don't see any advantage in increasing weight and cost of an item that does not need it, and the corrosion resistance of stainless is not needed. Backyard mechanics typically pick stainless steel for applications that don't need corrosion resistance. The Jewel trigger is an example, the internal parts are stainless. The stainless Jewel used does not take a deep heat treat or case so the sear surfaces wears quickly. Obviously who ever picked that material should have been thinking tool steel and hardness
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May 24, 2012, 09:16 AM | #6 |
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Because that would unnecessarily add weight and expense.
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May 24, 2012, 09:38 AM | #7 | |
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Quote:
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May 24, 2012, 10:38 AM | #8 |
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Stainless ar-15 reciever
I believe that DPMS used to offer an investment cast stainless steel lower receiver, but may have discontinued them a few years back. Cost was close to $500
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May 24, 2012, 10:52 AM | #9 |
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Why not polish the aluminum?
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May 24, 2012, 11:02 AM | #10 |
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Why not make it out of platinum so you can really shoot the cost up for no reason........
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May 24, 2012, 11:36 AM | #11 |
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One purpose of a "black gun" is that it does not reflect light well and call attention to one's location. Stainless steel on the other hand....
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May 24, 2012, 12:55 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
The extra weight would compare to the extra weight of some of the "bull barrels" out there. Extra strength can't be denied, even if perceived as unnecessary - I sure would want that SS receiver if I were planning on dropping a Lightning Link or RDIAS in it, or even a belt-fed upper. The little bit of extra weight would be a benefit in .308 AR's. Last edited by Skans; May 24, 2012 at 01:01 PM. |
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May 24, 2012, 01:16 PM | #13 |
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You could just glue tin-foil to it. Spray paint could also work.
It does seem odd that in a market saturated with both AR mods and Stainless "upgrades", they don't. It would bridge that gap between mil-spec and cartel-gun. |
May 24, 2012, 01:50 PM | #14 |
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While the benefits of such an animal do not seem to appeal to the AR purists. The advantages to a person looking to build a bench type or really heavier barrel the extra strength and weight, not to mention the "bling" factor to those who can afford it just offers another endless option.
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May 24, 2012, 01:59 PM | #15 |
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They should just build the receivers out of Inconel.
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May 25, 2012, 04:26 PM | #16 |
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The ONLY advantage I can think of for manufacturing ARs out of stainless steel would be to have something "interesting" to post on forums like this!!
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May 25, 2012, 04:35 PM | #17 |
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I thought it was because it was not black. I think their is a law stating that AR rifles must be black. They have the same saying as Henry Ford. "It comes in any color you want, as long as that color is black."
All kidding aside. You could just bead blast the lower to make it the same finish as stainless steel. If you do not have the blaster, a sandblasting shop would not charge you much to do the job. There are sandblasting shops all over. Most of the work they do is for body shops.
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May 25, 2012, 07:52 PM | #18 |
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Why not?
50 BMG Uppers. That's why. That and as mentioned elsewhere, bench guns.
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May 25, 2012, 09:09 PM | #19 | |
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There is a market for tiger stripped gold Desert Eagles and $300 billet AR receivers. I think there could be a small market for a SS receiver if nothing else for the cool factor
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May 25, 2012, 09:41 PM | #20 |
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If memory serves, DPMS did a run of stainless receivers a few years back, I remember the price being significantly more than forged aluminum, but I was looking to increase the weight/mass for a competition AR.
In the end I passed on the stainless, and pretty much so did the rest of the market. I'm sure you can still find them on the used market. Jimro
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May 25, 2012, 10:17 PM | #21 |
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Group Ind. made some stainless M16 lowers back in the day.
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May 26, 2012, 12:24 AM | #22 |
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What RT said.
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May 26, 2012, 08:19 AM | #23 |
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Inconel? Really? You expect to need dimensional stability at temperatures that would cause your firearm to melt the skin right off your hands?
Jimro
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May 26, 2012, 08:29 AM | #24 |
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I have an old Hesse stainless lower (stainless casting then milled) I use on a bull barrel 24 inch prairie dog DPMS upper and it makes the AR feel not so barrel heavy. Hesse has a poor reputation but this lower is machined perfectly with a Jewell trigger installed. I reload 223 with a 40 grain v-max and the rifle never moves, shoot off of shooting sticks on a aluminum chair, is a beast to carry. Do have some quick release's on the AR and clip it to a GI load bearing vest when walking around shooting dogs.
Picture from PD shooting last week in SD Close up. do like the extra weight on the bull barrel AR15
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May 26, 2012, 11:20 PM | #25 |
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a milled steel receiver on an AR would be soooo heavy!
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