Billet?

[BearArms]

Is getting a billet upper/lower worth the extra coin? I mean besides the cool " yeah its a billet" term you can say to your buddies.

http://www.spikestactical.com/z/ind...ducts_id=377&zenid=m8q7hj7njvegebkurv25dbh2m2

 

[PaulD]

Purely from a strength standpoint, no. Anything billet will most likely be finished more nicely though vs. the forged version. Also, if you want a billet upper and lower, there are cheaper options.

http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=1624

 

[BearArms]

So its fit and finish over strength.

 

[Woop-woop]

I've had billet sets and would also agree that the finish is better than forged but still not worth the price.

 

[Jose]

So its fit and finish over strength.

Only finish.

All the surfaces of a forging that need to fit up or mate to something else are milled anyway, so there is no difference.

Other than being able to provide a nicer finish and make the upper and lower with profiles different than what the forging die provides, there is absolutely zero advantage to a "billet" receiver.

A billet's grain structure, anyway, is not as conducive to ultimate yield strength as a forging's anyway.

 

[PaulD]

So its fit and finish over strength.

I think the ultimate strength of a piece of forged aluminum is higher but it's not enough to matter, at least in this application. Also, it's a bit of apples to oranges because the thicknesses at various points matters also.

I'm looking at building an SPR upper and I'll probably go for a billet receiver, just because. I already have a forged lower, otherwise I might get a billet lower also.

I think a better way to consider it is do you want it to be pretty or do you want to save a few $?

 

[BearArms]

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[beaker]

I doubt the billet lower is "better" at being a lower, but there are a lot of features you can get on them. Bushed anti-rotation pins, a screw to adjust the upper/lower fit, etc. I have a Tactical Innovations billet lower setup, and I like it a lot. Ranier also makes good stuff.

http://www.tacticalinc.com/t15bdx-patented-receiver-with-stbasuptmsup-installed-p-1163.html

 

[Remsport Mfg]

We have some very nice fitting billet lower and upper sets for $250.00 this is the normal cost for just a billet lower by it's self. I only have 3 left from a joint project with another company. I am closing these out once they are gone there will be no more.
7075 T6 Black Hard Coat Anodized to R60
Thanks
John
413 579 1994

 

[one-eyed Jack]

It's aluminum bar stock. Jack.