Comments on: Magpul to produce AR-15 receivers? http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/ Firearms not Politics Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:19:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ken http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15124 Ken Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:34:39 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15124 For those of you who haven't seen a CNC MILL in action on Aluminum, go to youtube and search for vids on it. You will be surprised how fast one of these things go. For those of you who haven’t seen a CNC MILL in action on Aluminum, go to youtube and search for vids on it. You will be surprised how fast one of these things go.

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]]> By: Matt Groom http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15077 Matt Groom Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:33:07 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15077 Injection molding CAN be faster, but depending on the grade of material that is used. The harder the plastic, the hotter the mold gets on each shot, and the longer it takes to cool. Plastic has to be trimmed, and that can get costly and take a long time too. With CNC of something like aluminum, your set up is relatively easy, you can do multiple parts with a limited investment in tooling and jigs, and the parts only have to be deburred/tumbled and anodized before you sell them. It's actually a lot faster than it sounds, especially for a simple part like an AR reciever. It might take 45 minutes to an hour and a half to cool a mold, and they cost $50,000 a piece. The more complex the mold, the more expensive. And molds wear out when you use hard material. The glass content of many plastics acts like very fine sand paper that wears the mold from the inside out, causing flashing, shrinkage, warpage, and other problems with age. If you can CNC mill six receivers at once, tumble two dozen at a time, and anodize them on sight, you can get dozens done in a day, versus half as many injection molded ones. It might actually be cheaper to CNC them, and any minor changes can be made to the program or tooling, versus changing the mold which can be a nightmare. This is why dozens of companies make aluminum AR lowers, and only two that I know of do an injection molded one. Injection molding CAN be faster, but depending on the grade of material that is used. The harder the plastic, the hotter the mold gets on each shot, and the longer it takes to cool. Plastic has to be trimmed, and that can get costly and take a long time too. With CNC of something like aluminum, your set up is relatively easy, you can do multiple parts with a limited investment in tooling and jigs, and the parts only have to be deburred/tumbled and anodized before you sell them. It’s actually a lot faster than it sounds, especially for a simple part like an AR reciever.

It might take 45 minutes to an hour and a half to cool a mold, and they cost $50,000 a piece. The more complex the mold, the more expensive. And molds wear out when you use hard material. The glass content of many plastics acts like very fine sand paper that wears the mold from the inside out, causing flashing, shrinkage, warpage, and other problems with age.

If you can CNC mill six receivers at once, tumble two dozen at a time, and anodize them on sight, you can get dozens done in a day, versus half as many injection molded ones. It might actually be cheaper to CNC them, and any minor changes can be made to the program or tooling, versus changing the mold which can be a nightmare.

This is why dozens of companies make aluminum AR lowers, and only two that I know of do an injection molded one.

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]]> By: D http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15060 D Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:29:35 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15060 injection molding is many times faster than CNC machining. Wonder what the price is going to be on these. Manufacturing costs are greatly reduced. Its the same technique as for the ACR injection molding is many times faster than CNC machining. Wonder what the price is going to be on these. Manufacturing costs are greatly reduced. Its the same technique as for the ACR

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]]> By: vxbinaca http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15049 vxbinaca Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:32:11 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15049 When will they learn we need UPPERS, not more rifles. When will they learn we need UPPERS, not more rifles.

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]]> By: Thomas http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15044 Thomas Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:05:30 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15044 Or it could be for the ACR lower receiver that they are producing for Bushmaster. Or it could be for the ACR lower receiver that they are producing for Bushmaster.

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]]> By: Someone http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15039 Someone Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:22:55 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15039 They already made and sold 100 normal forged receivers, but stopped making them due to insurance costs/issues. They already made and sold 100 normal forged receivers, but stopped making them due to insurance costs/issues.

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]]> By: Matt Groom http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15036 Matt Groom Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:02:50 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15036 There was talk of this a few months back that they may be sourcing an "improved" aluminum lower from a Cerberus affiliate, but I've heard nothing but speculation from all parties. I sorta doubt it will be polymer, but I've been wrong about these things in the past. There was talk of this a few months back that they may be sourcing an “improved” aluminum lower from a Cerberus affiliate, but I’ve heard nothing but speculation from all parties. I sorta doubt it will be polymer, but I’ve been wrong about these things in the past.

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]]> By: TL http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15025 TL Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:35:34 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15025 Magpul already produces limited runs of milled recievers used in limited edition Noveske rifles Magpul already produces limited runs of milled recievers used in limited edition Noveske rifles

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]]> By: Daniel E. Watters http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15023 Daniel E. Watters Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:28:58 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15023 Actually, I think they released a limited run of billet lowers awhile back. Some of these were built up by Noveske. Actually, I think they released a limited run of billet lowers awhile back. Some of these were built up by Noveske.

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]]> By: jdun1911 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15022 jdun1911 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:23:25 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15022 They been making it for sometime in limited numbers as a promotion I think. Never for sell tho. Here is stickman pictures of it. http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?t=218 They been making it for sometime in limited numbers as a promotion I think. Never for sell tho.

Here is stickman pictures of it.
http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?t=218

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]]> By: DEF http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15019 DEF Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:43:38 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15019 Magpul has made billet receivers in the past, but they've been made in very limited quantities: http://www.magpul.com/gallery/lower.html Maybe this page is a leftover placeholder from the billet receiver project? Magpul has made billet receivers in the past, but they’ve been made in very limited quantities:
http://www.magpul.com/gallery/lower.html

Maybe this page is a leftover placeholder from the billet receiver project?

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]]> By: Ind http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15015 Ind Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:26:16 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15015 More unremarkable AR-15s and receivers saturating the market? Color me underwhelmed. More unremarkable AR-15s and receivers saturating the market? Color me underwhelmed.

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]]> By: PetCobra http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15012 PetCobra Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:10:24 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15012 they may be talking about this receiver that they have released in limited numbers. http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?t=218 they may be talking about this receiver that they have released in limited numbers. http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?t=218

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]]> By: Tom http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15009 Tom Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:50:47 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15009 Magpul already has their own branded AR-15 lowers, but they were a limited run produced by Noveske for them if I recall. The Magpul rollmark is sweet looking though, and they're as high quality as you'd expect from Magpul/Noveske. Very good news if they're going to take up production on their own. I must agree with Vak that a traditionally arranged lower using injection molded techniques like the Cav Arms would be amazing. The only thing that puts me off of the Cav Arms lowers is the inability to customize the stock and pistol grip. I imagine they could mold the MOE or MIAD style grip into the lower and almost everyone would be perfectly happy as well. Magpul already has their own branded AR-15 lowers, but they were a limited run produced by Noveske for them if I recall. The Magpul rollmark is sweet looking though, and they’re as high quality as you’d expect from Magpul/Noveske.

Very good news if they’re going to take up production on their own. I must agree with Vak that a traditionally arranged lower using injection molded techniques like the Cav Arms would be amazing. The only thing that puts me off of the Cav Arms lowers is the inability to customize the stock and pistol grip. I imagine they could mold the MOE or MIAD style grip into the lower and almost everyone would be perfectly happy as well.

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]]> By: Mike http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15007 Mike Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:16:54 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15007 Didn't Noveske sell a Magpul MOE AR-15 with a Magpul marked Lower? Didn’t Noveske sell a Magpul MOE AR-15 with a Magpul marked Lower?

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]]> By: Fred http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15003 Fred Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:37:31 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15003 The one they've done before wasn't polymer. http://www.aacblog.com/?p=3970 (the only pic I could find fast) The one they’ve done before wasn’t polymer.
http://www.aacblog.com/?p=3970 (the only pic I could find fast)

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]]> By: Wynboniface http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15002 Wynboniface Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:31:56 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15002 MagPul takes their arms seriously and likes to produce duty gear. I doubt they will make some gimmick of a lower receiver, if they get into the game. MagPul takes their arms seriously and likes to produce duty gear. I doubt they will make some gimmick of a lower receiver, if they get into the game.

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]]> By: randomhero58 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15001 randomhero58 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:05:32 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15001 Could the info be for the ACR/Massada? Could the info be for the ACR/Massada?

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]]> By: Phill http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-15000 Phill Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:44:59 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-15000 Or it could be a compatibility matrix of various lowers with their products. Case in point I have some early generation PMags that are not drop-free with the latest CMMG (MOD4SA I think, the serial markings are shiny black on very matte overall finish) lower. When I use them with an earlier CMMG they drop free with out any problems. The same new lower has problem with the aluminum enhanced trigger guard. Every now and then the edges near the rabbit ears would snag on my hand, so I switched to the polymer version. I think there is a need for this type of resource. Or it could be a compatibility matrix of various lowers with their products. Case in point I have some early generation PMags that are not drop-free with the latest CMMG (MOD4SA I think, the serial markings are shiny black on very matte overall finish) lower. When I use them with an earlier CMMG they drop free with out any problems. The same new lower has problem with the aluminum enhanced trigger guard. Every now and then the edges near the rabbit ears would snag on my hand, so I switched to the polymer version. I think there is a need for this type of resource.

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]]> By: Canthros http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/09/24/magpul-to-produce-ar-15-receivers/comment-page-1/#comment-14994 Canthros Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:13:04 +0000 http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/?p=8084#comment-14994 Probably a reference to the run of alloy lowers they did a while back, actually. Not sure if there are still any of them unsold, but Noveske has had a couple of limited runs of rifles built on Magpul lowers over the last year or two. IIRC, Magpul has not sold their lower directly because of legal obstacles (liability, most likely). Probably a reference to the run of alloy lowers they did a while back, actually. Not sure if there are still any of them unsold, but Noveske has had a couple of limited runs of rifles built on Magpul lowers over the last year or two. IIRC, Magpul has not sold their lower directly because of legal obstacles (liability, most likely).

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