Scan the lower for the AR-15.
Print it, using a 3D material with a low melting point.
Make a cast of this lower
Now, make some really nearly perfect castings of the AR-15 lowers using some nice quality steel from bumpers, leaf springs and scrap metal from a local junk yard.
Or, just go buy a nice lower for ~$150-250 and build that AR-15 up over time. The beautiful thing about this weapon is that it’s highly reliable, and it’s customizable to the point that you can make it shoot almost any round on the market.
The only other weapon that comes close (or maybe beats it) is the good old Ruger 10/22. I still kick myself for passing on that rifle when it came out in the early 80’s. Never saw it as a worthwhile gun; thought it was a waste of $79 back then. Boy, I blew that one.
The 10/22 was introduced around 1965 not in the 80’s.
BigBlockk
Later.....
I’d have to add the FN-FAL. It’s reliable, powerful, hi-cap.
Or
Print the lower in wax and use the lost wax casting method
or
buy an 80% lower and finish yourself
or
download the plans for the “lego lower”, mill out the plates and assemble
“Now, make some really nearly perfect castings of the AR-15 lowers using some nice quality steel from bumpers, leaf springs and scrap metal from a local junk yard.”
Ummmm...
Casting aluminum is fairly easy. Casting steel is a whole ‘nuther matter!
“Nearly perfect” doesn’t quite get it. You must get the tolerances correct. You need to allow for shrinkage when 3D printing your mold, etc.
Even if you do make a good lower receiver, the barrel, upper receiver and bolt are critical and difficult to make.
http://www.lasc.us/RangingShotBarrelMakingFeature.htm
Making a home made single shot smooth bore to fire a rifle cartridge is not too difficult. Making a home made AR-15/M-16 is quite different.
i still don’t know anyone who wants to get shot by a .22.
Steel for an AR lower? Something new every day.
Ar-15 and M-16 lowers are made from aluminum. Much easier to cast that steel.