01-07-2014, 05:27 AM
explorecaves Wrote:1. Billet upper if you plan to run a bull or other similar heavy barrel - there will be less flex in the mating of the upper and barrel.
What about a longer but fluted barrel? Remember, I'm new so I don't know how much weight that would actually save, only that fluting does let you have the advantage of length while trimming some weight off.
explorecaves Wrote:2. http://www.jamesmadisontactical.com
Not really sure I understand what you're getting at. My question was more towards why 80% lowers are more expensive than their 100% counterpart, and you proved my point, albeit with polymer (which I've seen go as low as $49).
dmsims21 Wrote:Q1: In general, with 2 bars of metal that are the same dimension, the forged bar will be stronger and more dense than the extruded/billet bar.
For the billet bar to have the same strength, it will have to be bigger. Billet receivers usually have thicker walls than mil spec forgings. That makes them stronger and heavier. If you had a forged receiver made to billet dimensions, it would be stronger and heavier.
Q2: 80% lowers are probably priced the way they are for demand. Consumers may be willing to pay more for a gun without any serial number.
Ah, so the billet is bigger then. I had wondered why no billet upper is labeled as milspec. Also rules out a billet upper and forged lower unless I want it ugly just to save 50 bucks. True about demand, just didn't think there was so much of it.