CastleGuardian 10th September 2012, 01:49 PM Ok, so, say I was to cast a part out of steel.....for instance a part of a firearm, like the lower receiver of an AR-15. Assuming I use the correct steel for the casting, would that receiver be able to be used as a working item? Would hardening make it useable or would it not be worth the effort. I ask because I am considering this, and want to know if its a waste of time....I have never heard of a gun being cast, mostly they seem to be forged(mostly revolvers) or machined into shape.
Thank you for your time....
calala 10th September 2012, 02:22 PM I believe you have answered your own question. :doh:
.RC. 10th September 2012, 04:10 PM AR-15's are aluminium receivers I think, and pretty sure they would be cheap to buy a lower receiver where you are located.....
As for parts of firearms being cast.... Research investment casting used int he firearm industry
KBs PensNmore 11th September 2012, 01:38 AM When I was involved with firearms quite a few years ago, there were some parts being made using a lost wax process. A part was made from wax, then dipped in a ceramic type mixture, the metal was then poured into the mold melting the wax. Once this had cooled the ceramic coating was removed and the part exposed complete with tooling marks. You would probably need to speak to a gunsmith for more details.
Kryn
Ben Dono 12th September 2012, 06:07 AM You could try case hardening the part. Cherry red powder is easy enough to get in the states. Not sure about it working on aluminum.
bwal74 12th September 2012, 01:42 PM HI,
I believe the AR-15, M-16, M-4 etc are mainly a pressed alloy (upper and lower receiver etc) and the smaller working parts machined. They are really quiet flimsy and tinny, and apparently cheap to produce and buy wholesale.
Ben
bollie7 12th September 2012, 02:02 PM If you are a backyarder like most of us on this forum, then I think casting in steel, at home, would be a pretty big challenge. Melting temp for Carbon steel is 1425 - 1540 deg C (Metals - Melting Temperatures (http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/melting-temperature-metals-d_860.html))
There is a reason why guns are forged rather than cast, and that is because the forging process improves the properties of the metal.
Forging refines the grain structure and improves physical properties of the metal. With proper design, the grain flow can be oriented in the direction of principal stresses encountered in actual use. Grain flow is the direction of the pattern that the crystals take during plastic deformation. Physical properties (such as strength, ductility and toughness) are much better in a forging than in the base metal, which has, crystals randomly oriented.
( Forging (http://www.efunda.com/processes/metal_processing/Forging.cfm))
regards
bollie7
jatt 12th September 2012, 06:31 PM I believe the AR-15, M-16, M-4 etc are mainly a pressed alloy (upper and lower receiver etc) and the smaller working parts machined. They are really quiet flimsy and tinny, and apparently cheap to produce and buy wholesale.
I would recon so. Had a good look (strip down and reassemble) of an M-16 years ago whilst in the Army. They certainally didnt look to be of a very solid construction.
Had a quick look online of an AR-15 and it didnt look to be any sturdier. Being an infantry style weapon I cant imagine it would be. After carrying around a SLR for long periods of time, then onto a Steyr, one soon appreciates the virtues of a light weight firearm. To keep the weight down, well the metal assemblies cant be too solid. Hell more than half a Steyr is plastic.
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