80% Receivers

[neomedic]

Read a few threads about certain manufacturers 80% receivers being out of spec.

Wanted to know which vendor/ manufacturers makes the most consistent and to specs products.

Last, how are the Anderson Mfg AR15 80%??



Thanks.

[wireless]

My tactical machining ones have always been spot on. I've done eight so far.

[SkyHawk]

Tactical Machining is good to go, I have done a few. I have wanted to try an Anderson 80%, have not gotten around to it yet. I have a few of their 100% lowers and like them a lot.

[golfish]

TM lowers are ok, just make sure you finish the rear pocket.

[CandG]

Andersons are good to go. So is TM as mentioned by others. Blitzkrieg (sp?) is good as well.

[DesertDave100]

I have done lowers that I bought from TM and from Right-to-Bear, with no issues caused by the lower. My work, well that required a bit of re-do to correct ;-).

They all were made by Cerro Forge (keyhole mark) initially.

[gogohopper]

I'm looking for the "easiest" one to finish. I have an 80% arms jig. I won't consider plastic/poly.

Considerations: 6061 vs 7075, rear pocket already done, billet vs cast, things like that.

Again I'm not looking for the BEST 80%, just the metal one that is the easiest to finish, and is "good enough".

THX

[NorCalAthlete]

Broken Arms. Website is brokenarmory.com I think. They sell a whole kit with jig and bits too. Very nice and solid lowers with tight tolerances.

[TMB 1]

Mag well is more beveled on Tactical Machining than Anderson. Other than that, they're the same.

[CandG]

I'm looking for the "easiest" one to finish. I have an 80% arms jig. I won't consider plastic/poly.

Considerations: 6061 vs 7075, rear pocket already done, billet vs cast, things like that.

Again I'm not looking for the BEST 80%, just the metal one that is the easiest to finish, and is "good enough".

THX

6061 is easier to machine than 7075, but 7075 is stronger. Rear pocket already done is very helpful, because otherwise the pin that holds the jig in place is right in the middle of where you need to mill. I wrecked an end-mill on my first 80% because I forgot the pin was in there. The milled pocket still needs touch-up milling sometimes, but it's nice to at least have it mostly done.

Don't get a cast receiver, they're junk. What you probably meant to say was "forged", which are very good. They are essentially made by taking a block of aluminum, and stamping it into shape with a hydraulic press. Cast receivers are made by pouring molten aluminum-magnesium alloy into a mold. Fortunately, not a lot of companies make those, most are forged. Billet usually looks cooler, because they can make them in any design/shape they want, but forged is more durable and usually cheaper. Forged ones also fit in most jigs, because the outside dimensions are mostly all the same, whereas billet lowers often need a custom jig.

Since you are looking for a good compromise between quality and ease of machining, a forged 6061 receiver is the way to go. Brand doesn't really matter, any of the ones suggested by others in this thread are good. Once you get the hang of it, you can upgrade to 7071 - the process is the same, it just takes more work to mill the harder aluminum.

[neomedic]

Andersons are good to go. So is TM as mentioned by others. Blitzkrieg (sp?) is good as well.

Good to know ANDERSON MFR is good to go!
Thinking about the package deal that comes with the anderson mfr jig.

[BennyAdeline]

Someone just gifted me an 80% lower to pay me back for some ammo they used. Sadly, I'm the most mechanically un-inclined person on earth.

Anyone in LA have the tools needed to get this thing going? Beer and pizza on me if they want to point and explain. (not touch or help since that's illegal)

[wireless]

TM lowers are ok, just make sure you finish the rear pocket.

Gen 2 rear pocket is milled out

[CandG]

Gen 2 rear pocket is milled out

Ya but sometimes it's not milled "enough" and you have to touch it up, I think that's what he meant

[CandG]

Someone just gifted me an 80% lower to pay me back for some ammo they used. Sadly, I'm the most mechanically un-inclined person on earth.

Anyone in LA have the tools needed to get this thing going? Beer and pizza on me if they want to point and explain. (not touch or help since that's illegal)

Aw man, I wish I was local, I'd love to chill and eat pizza and drink some free beer while I point my finger

I'm hungry... pizza sounds amazing right now.