Who actually MANUFACTURERS AR-15 stripped lower receivers?

[Excelsior]

Which firms actually MANUFACTURE (and not simply re-sell) AR-15 stripped lower receivers?

If I hold different stripped lower receivers in my hand, they're obviously either castings or forgings which have been finish machined, in some cases heat-treated, perhaps a dowel pin(s) installed and finished (typically anodized.) In a much smaller number of cases the lowers are actually CNC hog-outs from billet aluminum.

Are the castings/forgings done off-shore? (Yes, they can be done off-shore before the raw forgings/castings are not yet considered to be "firearms.") How many different firms are doing the castings and forgings?

The reason I ask is that any competent CNC machine shop should be able to finish machine a casting or forging. Plenty of metal finishining houses out there too who do anodizing.

I see some companies now advertising 8-12 MONTH lead times for stripped lowers. Where exactly is the bottleneck to re-stocking the now stripped-out supply chain? Seems like they should be able to catch-up in less than 90 days? Thanks.

[evolixsurf]

http://www.google.com/search?q=forged+ar15+lower+manufacturer&aq=f&oq=forged+ar&sugexp=chrome,mod=2&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[CRTguns]

the men in black will make you dissappear for asking that question.

[ke6guj]

IIRC, there are 3-5 forges in the US that make the raw forgings.

the next issue is that the magwell is designed to be broached. your averaged CNC machine shop isn't going to have that broaching machine to do that one step.

And you can't just contract out a machine shop to start production of 100% receivers. They would need to get their own 07FFL and that could take 6 months all by itself.

[Neptune]

Aeroprecision probably makes more for the huge assortment of companies out there, than any other manufacturer. They make super high end aerospace components for the aircraft industry, mostly Boeing as they're up in the Seattle/Tacoma area. When their equipment is idle, they make AR lowers and other easy to mill parts to cover their down time. They make them for most of the larger companies you might be acquainted with.

They make: ARMALITE (including the C.O.P., Continuous Optics Platform seen on Armalite SPR Mod1), SPIKES, SURPLUS AMMO & ARMS, and NEW FRONTIER ARMORY (NFA) lowers. They also make a bunch of other lowers and uppers for other companies, but keep it on the lowdown as they have to market their own products under their own names.





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[Javi]

Mega Arms makes their own right? I was confused for a while if Aero was making it for them but I believe Mega is their own manufacturer.

[elsolo]

Billet lowers not based of forgings, different supply chain I would presume.

[Merc1138]

Mega Arms makes their own right? I was confused for a while if Aero was making it for them but I believe Mega is their own manufacturer.

Doubtful, unless you're talking about their billet stuff. It's possible for the mag well to be cut with EDM, and some companies do that, but they still aren't making their own forgings.

[-Spectre-]

Here's a great list and side-by-side comparison for a the few who actually manufacture them and the companies that sell them:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_12/318113_AR_Lower_Receiver_FAQ__56k_beware__MMS__CMT__LAR__LMT_compared___.html

[Javi]

Doubtful, unless you're talking about their billet stuff. It's possible for the mag well to be cut with EDM, and some companies do that, but they still aren't making their own forgings.

Almost forgot I watched this the other day haha. Isn't this what makes their forged lowers from a solid block? @ 16:54

[damon1272]

JD machine makes their own house brand and for Noveske, Spikes, Colt and a few others.

[Merc1138]

Almost forgot I watched this the other day haha. Isn't this what makes their forged lowers from a solid block? @ 16:54

And those are billet, not forged.

[peppermintman]

http://www.ar15.com/mobile/topic.html?b=3&f=12&t=318113

Angela told me to send this link and say Colt makes their own.

[Moonshine]

I've seen more than a couple "comming soon" ads for new companies that only make receivers... Manufacturers are getting hip to making a quick buck in 2013... Tactical innovations for example does not make anything AR related except receivers. My M-4 build is a Tactical Innovations.

[Pthfndr]

IIRC, there are 3-5 forges in the US that make the raw forgings.

Forging Companies

Alcoa Forge
1600 Harvard Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44105-3092
Telephone (216) 641-3600

Anchor-Harvey Components, LLC.
600 West Lamm Road
Freeport, IL 61032 USA
814-235-4400, 1-888-FORGING

Brass Aluminum Forging Enterprises
1351 Jarvis
Ferndale MI, 48220
Phone 248-542-9258

CAPCO
Creative Aluminum Products Company
Forest City, Iowa 50436
Phone: 641-585-6870

Cardinal Forge
1040 South Main Street
Rochelle, IL 61068
P: 815.561.8172

Cerro Fabricated Products
103 Chestnut Street
Brave PA 15316
724-451-8561

Mueller Forging Company
2199 Lapeer Avenue
Port Huron, MI 48060
810-987-7770

Smith & Wesson also does their own forgings.