Forge marks

[Tisto]

I seem to see these two markings on various AR upper receivers and lower receivers. I understand that they identify the source of that particular receiver, meaning who actually manufactured it. I believe that there are actually just a handful of companies that manufacture the parts and then they are sold under several names. Who do these marks represent, and is there any difference if you buy one for $ X as opposed to paying $ 3X for it under a different name ?

 

[fnfalguy]

Pretty sure the top on is an “A” over a “H” and it’s anchor harvey. The bottom one is cerro forge. Neither are the gun manufacturers, just the forger IIRC.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Just the raw forge marks. Not the company that finished the raw forging. There are only so many forges that make uppers and lowers. It's not really an indication of quality.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Yes there is a major difference.

Best way to explain in, in a very simple but not 100% accurate way is..

The 4 or so forages will well forge the uppers and lowers but they are not complete.. so think of them as 80%. Then companies x or y buys those 80%.. this means the forage can sell "raw materials" without paying the manufacturer tax on guns, because they aren't a gun..

Then when company X or Y buys the raw recievers, they then finish milling them to the complete lower or upper


This is where the price difference comes in to play, companies like Anderson or PSA and others Deal in cheap bulk. If so many get out the door out of spec it's no big deal because so many people buy that crap because well they are cheap

But companies like Centurion Arms spend the extra time to make sure the quality is better and everything is in spec (yes some get passed QC but far far far less) ..

That is why the cost is more. And worth it