justin22885
member
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2009
- Messages
- 2,102
so i had this idea for creating an AR-15 upper receiver, 100% compatible with all AR-15 parts except.. well, i havent added a forward assist or dust cover, but these arent necessary components
so, its made by taking a piece of 1.25" diameter steel tubing 1" inside diameter, the front is threaded to accept the barrel nut and the sides of the tube are cut out to save weight, creating "lands" that are placed in position so the raised lands on the body of the AR-15 bolt will ride on them.. this sort of skeletonized component gets pressed and welded into the sheet metal component, completing the receiver
the benefit of this?.. much cheaper construction than conventional machined aluminum uppers, not low leaves open spaces on the inside of the carrier for dirt, debris, mud, etc to get pushed into as opposed to impeding the bolt carrier, the new steel lands can be hardened and polished reducing friction of the bolt carrier riding over it, meaning less lube, fewer short strokes.. so multiple reasons why this theoretically not only makes a cheaper upper, but should have some noticeable improvements on reliability
also, the steel would be harder, and more flexible so there shouldnt be any issues with carrier tilt should a piston kit be installed with this upper, as it either wont cause enough pressure to wear the steel, or the steel will flex, not wear like aluminum
i havent put a rail on this yet, and im still working on a couple small details but its about 99% finished and when its done i'll upload the files in a 3D CAD format, but i was wondering what you guys think of it?.. the only downside is it will add about 1/2lb to the overall weight of the rifle, in my opinion this is a tiny price to pay if it creates noticeable improvements in reliability, durability, and if the open gaps actually work in giving a space for fouling and debris to go
so.. thoughts?
so, its made by taking a piece of 1.25" diameter steel tubing 1" inside diameter, the front is threaded to accept the barrel nut and the sides of the tube are cut out to save weight, creating "lands" that are placed in position so the raised lands on the body of the AR-15 bolt will ride on them.. this sort of skeletonized component gets pressed and welded into the sheet metal component, completing the receiver
the benefit of this?.. much cheaper construction than conventional machined aluminum uppers, not low leaves open spaces on the inside of the carrier for dirt, debris, mud, etc to get pushed into as opposed to impeding the bolt carrier, the new steel lands can be hardened and polished reducing friction of the bolt carrier riding over it, meaning less lube, fewer short strokes.. so multiple reasons why this theoretically not only makes a cheaper upper, but should have some noticeable improvements on reliability
also, the steel would be harder, and more flexible so there shouldnt be any issues with carrier tilt should a piston kit be installed with this upper, as it either wont cause enough pressure to wear the steel, or the steel will flex, not wear like aluminum
i havent put a rail on this yet, and im still working on a couple small details but its about 99% finished and when its done i'll upload the files in a 3D CAD format, but i was wondering what you guys think of it?.. the only downside is it will add about 1/2lb to the overall weight of the rifle, in my opinion this is a tiny price to pay if it creates noticeable improvements in reliability, durability, and if the open gaps actually work in giving a space for fouling and debris to go
so.. thoughts?