Favorite lowers

[R2Chief2]

I love raw forgings or 80% lowers. You can't beat the cool factor of your own markings or no markings at all.

Is that where you do the milling "yourself"?
I saw a video on youtube of someone doing that and wish I had the capabilities.

[SAnd]

Is that where you do the milling "yourself"?
I saw a video on youtube of someone doing that and wish I had the capabilities.

That's it. I found some real good step by step instructions on the internet. That and a mill-drill gets me there. It takes me about 8 to 10 hours to to do an 80% and about twice that to do a raw forging.

Here are a couple interesting numbers. A raw forging weights 1 lb. 9 oz. (25 ounces). A fully machined receiver weights 8.2 ounces. Two thirds of the metal is removed. A typical 80% receiver weights 12.2 ounces as received.

One more thing. The price of raw forgings has gone from $30 in November to $80 currently when they have them.

[R2Chief2]

That's it. I found some real good step by step instructions on the internet. That and a mill-drill gets me there. It takes me about 8 to 10 hours to to do an 80% and about twice that to do a raw forging.

Here are a couple interesting numbers. A raw forging weights 1 lb. 9 oz. (25 ounces). A fully machined receiver weights 8.2 ounces. Two thirds of the metal is removed. A typical 80% receiver weights 12.2 ounces as received.

One more thing. The price of raw forgings has gone from $30 in November to $80 currently when they have them.

Please post some links if you have them. I'm really interested in this as well.
I'm not sure I have access to the necessary equipment though?

[SAnd]

Please post some links if you have them. I'm really interested in this as well.
I'm not sure I have access to the necessary equipment though?

I wouldn't attempt a raw forging without a mill or mill/drill. I'm not saying it couldn't be done but I know I need a mill to do it. I can't be accurate enough without a machine guilding my hand.

There are fixtures (or jigs for the non politically-correct inclined) to complete the 80% lowers without a mill.

Here is a thread in the "Build Your Own" forum by some folks wanting to complete some 80% lowers-
http://www.ar-15.co/threads/80983-An...ng-an-80-lower

Here is a link to the instructions I use. It will give you an idea of what is involved in machining a lower -
http://www.lecreg.com/P4x4/ARblank.pdf

Have fun.