GunMold.com an AR-15 Receiver Mold for casting polymer lowers?

[FireArms101]

Got this picture from their website http://www.gunmold.com it was sent to me on instagram. It Looks pretty interesting. A mold to cast complete lowers out of a polymer resin? Got my attention because so far my polymer 80% lowers and complete lowers have held up and work perfectly so I'm willing to try this if the price is right.

Its called "Armold" lol

Doesn't this remind you of the 3-D printer AR15 lowers?

[DEF23]

What about all of the internal spacer blocks ?? Are they included as well for $160 ??

Wondering how they are going to align the buffer tube also.......???

[FireArms101]

Originally Posted by DEF23

What about all of the internal spacer blocks ?? Are they included as well for $160 ??

Wondering how they are going to align the buffer tube also.......???

I emailed them last night and got this response from them...

"Thank you for contacting us regarding "What about all the internal spacer blocks, will they be included as well for $160?".

Our mold will produce a complete polymer AR15 lower receiver, enough polymer fiber resin for 5 cast are included for the price of $150 not $160. Our proprietary design requires no spacer blocks. Armold will produce a complete lower receiver inside and out. Once our proprietary polymer fiber resin is pour or injected into Armold and left to set all areas including the fire control recess, clearance for the take-down pins, pin holes, magazine well and buffer retainer with treads will be there.

Once again thank you for your question. If you have any other questions or concerns please contact us again.

Sincerely,
Kimberly
gunmold@gmail.com"

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by FireArms101

I emailed them last night and got this response from them...

"Thank you for contacting us regarding "What about all the internal spacer blocks, will they be included as well for $160?".

Our mold will produce a complete polymer AR15 lower receiver, enough polymer fiber resin for 5 cast are included for the price of $150 not $160. Our proprietary design requires no spacer blocks. Armold will produce a complete lower receiver inside and out. Once our proprietary polymer fiber resin is pour or injected into Armold and left to set all areas including the fire control recess, clearance for the take-down pins, pin holes, magazine well and buffer retainer with treads will be there.

Once again thank you for your question. If you have any other questions or concerns please contact us again.

Sincerely,
Kimberly
gunmold@gmail.com"

Well there's going to be more to it then their little picture I'll tell you that. There will need to be a threaded plug to mold the threads and be able to get the core out. Unless they are going to give you a silicone mold which can be done but will be destroyed getting it out of the treads.

[M1NM]

Back when I was writing tech articles for a kit car magazine the first rule is don't buy a drawing. Wait til you can see a finished mold and the quality of the part it will produce.

[FireArms101]

Originally Posted by M1NM

Back when I was writing tech articles for a kit car magazine the first rule is don't buy a drawing. Wait til you can see a finished mold and the quality of the part it will produce.

Good point but then again I have ordered things from just drawings & 3D designs like those polymer 80% lowers. I would like to see the pictures tho. I emailed them just now to get some pictures lets see how they respond.

[nick]

Gotta find out, if there's any metal in it, or if it can be molded into the receiver. There's still that stupid law about "undetectable" firearms. And even though you'll have a bunch of metal parts in it later, a receiver IS a firearm.

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by nick

Gotta find out, if there's any metal in it, or if it can be molded into the receiver. There's still that stupid law about "undetectable" firearms. And even though you'll have a bunch of metal parts in it later, a receiver IS a firearm.

yes but the undetectable law specifically says Firearms as used in this section does not apply to the frame and receiver of of any such weapons.

All you have to do is had a half once of barium sulfate to the mix and it will set off Xray machines a mile away

[nick]

Originally Posted by kcstott

yes but the undetectable law specifically says Firearms as used in this section does not apply to the frame and receiver of of any such weapons.

All you have to do is had a half once of barium sulfate to the mix and it will set off Xray machines a mile away

We do live in CA though (copied from another thread):

Penal Code 24610
Except as provided in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 2 of Title 2, any person in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, lends, or possesses any undetectable firearm is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.

Penal Code 17280
As used in this part, "undetectable firearm" means any weapon that meets either of the following requirements:
(a) After removal of grips, stocks, and magazines, the weapon is not as detectable as the Security Exemplar, by a walk-through metal detector calibrated and operated to detect the Security Exemplar.
(b) Any major component of the weapon, as defined in Section 922 of Title 18 of the United States Code, when subjected to inspection by the types of X-ray machines commonly used at airports, does not generate an image that accurately depicts the shape of the component. Barium sulfate or other compounds may be used in the fabrication of the component.

[FireArms101]

Originally Posted by nick

We do live in CA though (copied from another thread):

Yes we do live in California. But keep in mind the the law states "After removal of grips, stocks, and magazines, the weapon is not as detectable..." it does not state that internal workings and parts AKA the lower parts kit (LPK) have to be removed. I know there are LPK's made of polymer minus the springs (METAL) but the majority of LPK are detectable by these standards.

But perhaps you're right and these homemade casted polymer lowers can be considered undetectable then that means all those other manufatureres and owners of polymer 80% lowers made by diylower.com, poly80.com, and polymer80.com are also undetectable... someone should warn them all

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by nick

We do live in CA though (copied from another thread):

Their definition is a copy and paste of the federal law I quoted you need to look up the full code

title 18 section 922 (p)(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture,
import, sell, ship, deliver, possess, transfer, or receive any
firearm -
(A) that, after removal of grips, stocks, and magazines, is not
as detectable as the Security Exemplar, by walk-through metal
detectors calibrated and operated to detect the Security
Exemplar; or
(B) any major component of which, when subjected to inspection
by the types of x-ray machines commonly used at airports, does
not generate an image that accurately depicts the shape of the
component. Barium sulfate or other compounds may be used in the
fabrication of the component.
(2) For purposes of this subsection -
(A) the term "firearm" does not include the frame or receiver
of any such weapon;
(B) the term "major component" means, with respect to a
firearm, the barrel, the slide or cylinder, or the frame or
receiver of the firearm; and
(C) the term "Security Exemplar" means an object, to be
fabricated at the direction of the Attorney General, that is -
(i) constructed of, during the 12-month period beginning on
the date of the enactment of this subsection, 3.7 ounces of
material type 17-4 PH stainless steel in a shape resembling a
handgun; and
(ii) suitable for testing and calibrating metal detectors:
Provided, however, That at the close of such 12-month period, and
at appropriate times thereafter the Attorney General shall
promulgate regulations to permit the manufacture, importation,
sale, shipment, delivery, possession, transfer, or receipt of
firearms previously prohibited under this subparagraph that are
as detectable as a "Security Exemplar" which contains 3.7 ounces
of material type 17-4 PH stainless steel, in a shape resembling a
handgun, or such lesser amount as is detectable in view of
advances in state-of-the-art developments in weapons detection
technology.


So again a plastic frame or receiver by itself is perfectly legal as long as it either sets off a metal detector, or fully represents it's shape in an X-ray machine. it does not have to look like a gun and it will show up on X-ray

[FireArms101]

All I know is as soon as I see some pictures of these cast lowers made from a mold they work alright I'm in. I'm inviting everyone in the neighbor including CalGuns members over to use my mold. I found this old thread off CalGuns http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=510765 the_natterjack said in 2011
"So I'm thinking, rent a mold, mix chemicals, pour, and homemade receiver."

Brian

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by FireArms101

All I know is as soon as I see some pictures of these cast lowers made from a mold they work alright I'm in. I'm inviting everyone in the neighbor including CalGuns members over to use my mold. I found this old thread off CalGuns http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=510765 the_natterjack said in 2011
"So I'm thinking, rent a mold, mix chemicals, pour, and homemade receiver."

Brian

Maybe I should be looking for a used injection mold machine
60 square inches of part surface @ three ton per square inch a 250 tone machine would do it all day long. Glass reinforced nylon 30% long fiber I still say you could do it for about $3 in material so figure $10 a part in cost plus the mold. @ $50 each. You'd have to make and sell 4000 parts to break even.
You could try this
castable resin

[FireArms101]

Originally Posted by kcstott

Maybe I should be looking for a used injection mold machine
60 square inches of part surface @ three ton per square inch a 250 tone machine would do it all day long. Glass reinforced nylon 30% long fiber I still say you could do it for about $3 in material so figure $10 a part in cost plus the mold. @ $50 each. You'd have to make and sell 4000 parts to break even.
You could try this
castable resin

We should go in on it and give profits to the Cal Guns Foundation. How much is an injection machine?

[kcstott]

Just a few hundred thousand

[FireArms101]

Originally Posted by kcstott

Just a few hundred thousand

Oh that's it? I wonder why it hasn't happen. LOL Well then hopefully this gun mold is the solution.

[kcstott]

Yeah you kinda need to know someone with a injection shop that would run your mold for you.

[johnor]

From the web site "This is a PRE-SALE price marked down 50% for Armold the worlds first commercially available silicone mold"
silicone mold

[Post 88]

Any picture of that receiver?

[bohoki]

i too am thinking about the threads maybe they could provide wax plugs to add to the mold that you can melt out when cured

the grip screw is not critical as the bolt will generally self tap if the hole is almost the right size the bolt stop is the next questionable area

i assume it has a sold triggerguard to add strength

i cant wait till 3d printing comes down and plastic strenght rises i have this idea for a pinchy take down nubs imagine them as little clamps built with living hinge in the polymer so no takedown pins needed also same for the safety detent just a sturdy flexible nub arm

[FireArms101]

Yesterday morning I emailed them that I was very interested in their product and they sent back a link to fill out a form/agreement to request a sample-prototype. I filled out the request right away and today I got a tracking number from them and it looks like it shipped it out yesterday!

[njineermike]

Originally Posted by FireArms101

Yesterday morning I emailed them that I was very interested in their product and they sent back a link to fill out a form/agreement to request a sample-prototype. I filled out the request right away and today I got a tracking number from them and it looks like it shipped it out yesterday!

We will need LOTS and LOTS of good pictures of this.

[FireArms101]

Originally Posted by njineermike

We will need LOTS and LOTS of good pictures of this.

Broke my DSLR so I don't have a real camera besides my iPhone camera, I'll try my best.

[njineermike]

Originally Posted by FireArms101

Broke my DSLR so I don't have a real camera besides my iPhone camera, I'll try my best.

Good enough.

[Gunsmith Dan]

Here is a question you guys wanting to use plastic receivers should ask yourselves:

Companies are all about profit and making something in plastic is a lot cheaper than doing the same in metal. If that is the case, and since almost every major firearms maker has a polymer frame pistol model, why are none of them making plastic receivers for high powered rifles?

We are not talking about a Glock moment where everyone said plastic would not be durable for a major gun component. The industry knows plastic is viable in firearms yet to date no major gun manufacturer makes polymer receivers for ARs or other high powered rifles.

If the big companies don't want to make something that would make larger profits for them that should tell you something.

[kcstott]

The issue has zero to do with the strength of polymer. It has to do with the cost of the mold and uncertain ROI.

CNC machines are far more common, aluminum is far cheeper, and in a properly configured machine can produce a lower pretty damn quick in a material the everyone respects. Polymer not so much at lest in an AR configuration.

Now saying that a major manufacturer hashed used polymer as an action base is kind of rediculous. Of course they haven't they also have not and can not make an action out of aluminum. The actions that are made from aluminum have steel bolts and steel inserts that support the locking lugs. Just like an AR has a barrel extension and a steel bolt.

[FireArms101]

Originally Posted by Gunsmith Dan

Here is a question you guys wanting to use plastic receivers should ask yourselves:

Companies are all about profit and making something in plastic is a lot cheaper than doing the same in metal. If that is the case, and since almost every major firearms maker has a polymer frame pistol model, why are none of them making plastic receivers for high powered rifles?

We are not talking about a Glock moment where everyone said plastic would not be durable for a major gun component. The industry knows plastic is viable in firearms yet to date no major gun manufacturer makes polymer receivers for ARs or other high powered rifles.

If the big companies don't want to make something that would make larger profits for them that should tell you something.

Gunsmith Dan perhaps you answered your own question. You’re right that large firearms companies are all about profit and we all known that polymer is a lower cost solution compared to metals. Rumor has it that cost Glock around $60 or less to make a handgun yet we pay around $500+ plus to own one. The reason being is because Mr. Glock and his team did an amazing job at marketing their product and getting them into the hands of first responders, hot women, movie stars and even the bad guys even tho there were other polymer guns in the market already. Now the majority of police officers carry Glocks, rap artist rap and shot other rap gangstas with them we read about them, see them in movies and all these factors make them seem even more special and amazing than they really are. Yes there are other large gun makers with polymer guns but seriously if I asked an average person who doesn’t own or know much about guns “Whats a Glock” they’ll say “a gun” but ask those same people “Whats a Springfield XD” more likely than not they’ll be dumbfounded. The firearms industry has accepted that Glock works as a handgun so since it works as a Glock most likely so will an XD, M&P, SR, PPQ, SP2022 and all the other that came after Glock. The truth is a Glock is a Glock is a Glock is a Glock they made their name and brand special like no other handgun manufactures ever came close to doing or did. It’s hard to make a profit on a new product out of polymer because there will always be risk of failure or that people like you who are familiar with firearms but scared of plastic ranting on the web about how polymer basically sucks when used for high power rifles. Keep in mind that large gun companies have research teams out there reading postings like yours and others all over the internet. We have accepted that polymer handguns are not only special but actually work thanks to Mr. Glock but we haven’t yet accepted the use of polymer in the long gun market. Maybe some large brand will work their research, development and marketing magic and convince you and others like you that a polymer long gun can be and might be just as reliable, durable, accurate, deadly and just as effective as one made out of steel or aluminum. I don’t know about you but you point a polymer rifle at me I’ll be just scared as I would be if you point one made out of metal.

BTW There are a few high power rifles and shotguns made by large firearms companies in the market today so I'm actually kinda confused as to what you consider "high powered"

[FireArms101]

Originally Posted by njineermike

Good enough.

Just looked up the tracking number and it's been left at my front door and I'm out with the wife Xmas shopping AHHHHHHH! I work tonight but I'll try to get some pictures up of the mold before I head to work.

[FresnoRob]

tagged

[freonr22]

tag

[FireArms101]

Above is a quick picture of what they sent me to try out for free but it says I have to return it no later than 3 business days or be billed. They did enclose return label tho so no biggie.

Its marked sample and the kit includes a two part silicone mold, a mixing cup, a large syringe/injector, a mixing stick, a bottle with a thick black liquid and instructions. What you see is what I got. Says I can make two with this sample kit.

I feel like taking the night off to start pouring me out some lowers. Off to work.

[surplus-addict]

Wow, this is gonna be AWESOME

Take some video, please! I don't think we'll care of the quality, as long as it's a moving picture

[michiganboy]

Yeah I see no buffer tube part to the mold so looks like a POS waiting to sucker people into wasting money on something that's not complete.

Edited to say now I see it, hopefully the mold don't get stuck in the and get damaged.

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by michiganboy

Yeah I see no buffer tube part to the mold so looks like a POS waiting to sucker people into wasting money on something that's not complete.

Look closer it's there, it is going to require taping after molding but no biggie

[FireArms101]

Originally Posted by michiganboy

Yeah I see no buffer tube part to the mold so looks like a POS waiting to sucker people into wasting money on something that's not complete.

A threaded buffer tube is there in two parts half on one side of the mold and half on the other side. Not home right now but I wish I was so I could get this started and take more pictures.

[kcstott]

Examining the picture a little better I see the treads.

[kf6ivi]

tag

[OuTLaw123]

Cool

[emsalex]

Very cool. wonder how well works with wax...

[FireArms101]

Although I worked all last night I just couldn't sleep knowing I had AR Mold waiting for me(Mistake #1 get sleep). I put the two part mold together sucked up the resin in the syringe/injector and started injecting in the resin. I poured to the top and left it on my kitchen table to dry. I came back to get a refill on my coffee and OMG the resin leaked out of the sides which thank God was easy to clean up it came right off my kitchen table (Mistake#2 didn't do this in the garage). So I kinda missed the part in the instructions where it said to put the mold in the pine box in came in (Mistake #3 didn't read all the instructions). Apparently the the pine box the mold came in was part of the kit which I kinda broke (Mistake #4 used gorilla strength). Out of the excitement of receiving the mold yesterday I didn't see big red writing on the pine box stating not to break open but instead unscrew open. The pine box was suppose to be used to hold the two part mold together tight. Well since I already screwed it up I decided to take the two mold apart and this is what I found:

The only solid part was around the mag well since all the resin poured out above that was thin which makes sense because it was lacking polymer resin. 1st attempt was a FAIL but I'm pretty sure the next attempt will be a success. I called up GunMold up and they said I was sent enough polymer resin for 4 lowers so thankfully I'm not out...yet.

The polymer resin cleaned up really easy so that's a relief. I'm gonna get a little sleep and try again later after I completely read the instructions this time.