AR-15 Lowers

[JDvader]

I have a question about AR lowers. I know what the difference is between a billet lower and a forged lower, but which one is better.

 

[sgreen3]

Just depends on if you like to spend money. The billet will cost you more. An the billiet looks nicer. But really does nothing any better than the forged But I personaly would not spend the money for the billet lower.

 

[loony1]

Billet is stronger but also heavier and more expensive. I own different brands of both and don't really have a preference on which one I like best.

 

[Booya]

Billet is stronger but also heavier and more expensive. I own different brands of both and don't really have a preference on which one I like best.

I would disagree that billet is stronger then a forging. If it's stronger then it's much heavier and has a significant amount of more material (making it much heavier).

The general consensus is that billet can be more accurate, since it's 100% machined and precise. However, it's unlikely that most any shooter is going to be more accurate then his lower anyway. Billet is also more customizable since it's cut out to your liking as a manufacturer. Starts as a block of aluminum and ends up however you cut it.

Forged is molten aluminum that (for lack of better description) is pounded into a shape, think of a blacksmith forging a sword. That shape is a blank lower that is machined to your shape. The forged metal is going to be significantly stronger.

Having said both of those though, you'll be fine either way, regular use probably isn't going to break either.

 

[JDvader]

I'm asking because I'm looking into getting a Spikes Lower. The Billet lower looks Freakin' Sweet! I just didnt know whether or not the billet had any advantages over the forged. I dont think I can go wrong either way. Thanks for all the info.

 

[Boiled Owl]

Billet would be machined out of a chunk of aluminum stock? Versus a forged one again machined from a chunk of aluminum which was pounded into the rough shape of the receiver? Can't see why strength would be an issue, unless as stated the billet one has more metal left after machining.

Here's a link to a blank forging I machined:
https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/long_guns/146484-ar_lower_machined_my_own_now_what.html

 

[sgreen3]

The forged will do you just fine

 

[JDvader]

Very Nice Boiled Owl, I have to know what did you end up engraving on your lower?

 

[Boiled Owl]

Wow, Thanks for the rep.
I haven't engraved it yet. Hopefully I'll get back to it when the snow flies. We read a "how to" on AR-15 where they took vinyl material and made a stencil then etched the aluminum instead of engraving. When I get-r-done I'll post an update.

 

[cdscds]

Billet has always been my choice..... Seems they just feel better

 

[PeaShooter]

I believe that billet lowers are machined out of a block of aluminum and forged are machined out of a blank that has been cast into the rough shape of the lower, then finish machined.