Got my hands on a large frame upper. Was told it was Aero, but I have a couple aero lowers, an aero small frame upper, and a few hand guards, and I know they are forged pieces. Did Aero ever run 6061 or a billet set? Anyone know of billet uppers being used/successful? It looks to resemble the AWC billet upper, with all of its interesting lines. Any input appreciated.
6061 billet upper
- Thread starter AMGtuned
- Start date
What are you talking about?
6061 is just an alloy designation. Billet is a mill form. A billet (of what plate, round bar, square bar?) of aluminum can be made of any wrought alloy you can buy.
6061 does not equal "forging" if that's what you think
I understand that. A billet upper has been milled from one piece of stock. I believe that's what I have, as it has many sharp lines and edges that are not commonly seen in forged or cast type materials. My question still stands, did Aero Precision ever make uppers with 6061? (Instead of 7075) or did they ever produce a run of billet sets (not forged)
Why do you think it is 6061? I believe all aero uppers are forged and 7075 but their m5 and m4e1 uppers look pretty similar to billet uppers in design with alot of sharp angles. Hard to tell in your pic what you have.
It's not an either or question
I can have AR receivers forged from any number of wrought alloys (2024, 6061, 7075, etc) at various tempers. I can also have them machined from wrought bar or plate (what non-machinists/non-engineers call "billet") of the same alloys I mentioned at various tempers
Your question is two-fold
- Do I have a receiver made from a forging or from barstock
- What alloy is my receiver made from
Now, it's a safe bet to assume that if your receivers were forged by one of the several foundries that pump them out for everyone; then they are 7075 T6 (or T651) as that is by FAR the most common material large volume runs are made from.
PS, if one orders custom forgings with more stock than what is commonly forged for "mil-spec" receivers then a whole lot of custom work can be done and it becomes very hard to tell whether the receiver was milled from a forging or from wrought stock.
The reason I mention all of the above is for education only. There is a TON of misinformation and misunderstanding about metallurgy surrounding the AR-15. Most of it originated at AR15.com
Some will say they don't care or don't think there's a difference, but 7075 from a forging is best, a billet second IIRC. Receivers are tough to begin with but they do have some wear areas. The 6061 is softer and easier to machine and cheaper, hence the use in several billets. But if you look, I think you'll find out most high quality billets are cut from 7075. Get the upper the same way, 7075. Some high end handguards may be 6061, I think some of KAC's rail systems may be 6061 but I could be wrong, may be 7075 throughout.
All my shit is 7075 but I had one 6061 and that one had the worst problem with wear. 6061 is usually associated with the cheaper brands and even some higher end billets, but I don't they're worth it due to that.
I prefer forgings, no real need for billets IMO/E. And there are some forgings now that are larger so a billet like cut can be done while still using a forging.
For small frame AR's, the top three receivers I've found so far are: KAC, Noveske and LMT, with Noveske probably being first (fit and finish are bar none) followed by KAC's lower (usually along with a Noveske upper) and the LMT Defender 2000 lower, which is a great deal, just swap the trigger with a Geissle and it's damn fine lower. If you've built enough, you 'll come to the same conclusion that there's a few high end mfg.'s you wanna build on. This list is by no means complete, just what I prefer. JP for instance, is another great receiver maker I believe (and their FMOS carrier and bolt assy. are probably the best on the market).
All my shit is 7075 but I had one 6061 and that one had the worst problem with wear. 6061 is usually associated with the cheaper brands and even some higher end billets, but I don't they're worth it due to that.
I prefer forgings, no real need for billets IMO/E. And there are some forgings now that are larger so a billet like cut can be done while still using a forging.
For small frame AR's, the top three receivers I've found so far are: KAC, Noveske and LMT, with Noveske probably being first (fit and finish are bar none) followed by KAC's lower (usually along with a Noveske upper) and the LMT Defender 2000 lower, which is a great deal, just swap the trigger with a Geissle and it's damn fine lower. If you've built enough, you 'll come to the same conclusion that there's a few high end mfg.'s you wanna build on. This list is by no means complete, just what I prefer. JP for instance, is another great receiver maker I believe (and their FMOS carrier and bolt assy. are probably the best on the market).
I would guess its not forged judging by the images. Aero will verify if its theirs or not: email them a pic.
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