Tutorial Machining an AR From a Raw Forging

[no4mk1t]

Back in the early 2000's, long before 80% was a thing, my bud Ray bought some Anchor Harvey AR lower forgings and proceeded to cut away everything that doesn't look like an AR lower receiver. Now Ray is a tool and die maker and has the equipment and the mad skilz, or had, sadly he has gone to that big rifle range in the sky. But he documented the process for those that can, to follow.

Yeah, I get it. With 80%, why would you want to go old school and go this route? You wouldn't. I posted this for the curious, for the tool porn, and to spotlight how good we have it with 80%.

Here's what it takes to manually machine a forging into a lower with no CNC.

Zero to Complete AR Lower

Machining the AR15 Lower Receiver from a Forging

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[Petey95]

Really makes you appreciate modern cnc manufacturing when you learn and know more about what it takes to make a firearm on a manual mill and lathe.

 

[no4mk1t]

Really makes you appreciate modern cnc manufacturing when you learn and know more about what it takes to make a firearm on a manual mill and lathe.

I asked Ray how long it takes to take the lower from forging to finished not counting the time he spent taking pics etc. he said 8 hours. With no production type jigs, the setup time is way longer than the time to make the cut. Then break the setup for the next cut.

 

[clm2112]

I never met Ray. I did buy a spotting scope stand off him years ago. I recall this from either Florida High-Power forum or AR-15.com

I recommend downloading the pdf's and saving them. You may never want or need to do it from a casting/forging, but having a demonstration of how it can be done is worthwhile.

 

[no4mk1t]

I never met Ray. I did buy a spotting scope stand off him years ago. I recall this from either Florida High-Power forum or AR-15.com

I recommend downloading the pdf's and saving them. You may never want or need to do it from a casting/forging, but having a demonstration of how it can be done is worthwhile.

Yes, I saved them years ago when he first posted them.