Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled "Forged Steel vs. Cast Steel" and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/forged-vs-cast-steel/
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Forged Steel vs. Cast Steel
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
Annihilator
Hellion
Great article Mike, I have always wondered about this subject.
RandomHero
Custom
Very informative read. Thanks for posting it Mike.
Can you then comment on why Springfield continues to use cast receivers for the M1A? Don't get me wrong, i've had several cast SA receivers over the years, as well as other brands. I've never had any issues related to them. I also don't put that many rounds through my M1A. The trend now though seems to be towards forgings again for this part. What is the life expectancy of a cast M1A receiver vs. a forged one? What is the cost difference? In light of Springfield's reliance on forgings for 1911 components, which arguably are far less stressed then an M1A receiver, why the casting?
AJ
AJ
Keystone19250
SAINT
Good read, great article.
hipowr, I agree with you on this one. What if S.A. offered a forged receiver as an option on the M1A?
Blackfeather
Custom
The cost of all new M1A rifles would go way up if they switched to forged receivers.
Hello Blackfeather. Yes, you're no doubt right on the increased price on M1A's if all the receivers were forged. I have a Scout Squad and have had no problems with it, it's a fine shooter and I don't see it wearing out anytime soon. I had read somewhere that there are aftermarket suppliers that sell forged receivers for the M1A and was wondering if S.A. might consider offering their own for special ordered models, or just as an optional replacement for existing rifles. Just wondering.
Jfal
Ronin
If you want a forged receiver, James River Armory makes their BM59 and Fulton Armory has a few to choose from...
Interesting, however, the forged JRA BM59's requires M80 ammo and expressly forbids .308. The SA M1A is okay for the slightly (maybe) higher pressure .308....with a cast receiver. Go figure. Could be a head-space thing with those high-end rifles...idk
Blackfeather
Custom
LRB has been a consistent source of forged receivers.
HansGruber
SAINT
S&W had a great take on this back in the day…
I'm not well-versed on the internal workings of the M1A, but if it is similar to the .30 Carbine (other than the long stroke gas system), the main stress to the receiver would be to the locking lug recesses for the bolt, and the limit for the bolt travel inside the receiver. The bolt reciprocates in the receiver when the rifle is fired, and it must be stopped by the recoil spring(s) and receiver as it recoils after the shot. There is sliding friction between the bolt locking lugs and the receiver, and the bolt as it travels in the receiver. Then the moving parts reverse direction to close the action. But the receiver does not reciprocate; it is stationary in the stock.
When fired, a typical self-loading pistol (my preferred nomenclature instead of semi-auto) has the slide moving while the frame is somewhat stationary in the hand. There is sliding friction between the slide and frame rails; the locking lug(s) that disengage the barrel from the slide; the barrel pivoting link (on 1911s) that pivots between the barrel and frame; the barrel slides inside the barrel bushing; the slide cocks the hammer; the rearward motion of the slide is stopped by the recoil spring(s) and the frame. Then the opposite happens when the recoil spring(s) reverse the motion of all the referenced parts, and slams the slide into the frame under spri.ng pressure These things happen each time the pistol is fired. It would seem to me that a pistol has a lot more going on than a M1A when fired.
Another significant factor is the alloy being used. I recall hearing of FN changing from forgings to castings for their High Power pistols because the frames were cracking when they chambered the .40 S&W. The alloy chosen for the casting was too tough to machine well, and FN benefited by requiring less machining. It stopped the frame cracking problem. While there is much science, technology, and development behind steel alloys, there is still plenty of magic left to conjure with.