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9/24/2011 10:56:01 PM EDT
Is there any reason to spend an extra $100 on the Billet model ..., or is the forged Ops-4 upper plenty good & strong

9/25/2011 3:47:51 AM EDT
[#1]
Forged is just fine. Billet is purely personal preference because they are "prettier" to those where looks matter.
9/25/2011 4:06:59 AM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
Forged is just fine. Billet is purely personal preference because they are "prettier" to those where looks matter.


Agreed, It's purely astetics.  Everyone ohhs and ahhhs over the Billet, but the billet is beefier and stronger "looking" due to the fact that it's not as strong as the Forged - It must be that big and thick to equal.  There are a couple of advantages and disadvantages of the each, but it's nothing earth shattering. The biggest from both ends is that some items that FIT a forged will not work on the bulkier billet, and cost is the other.  Both are a deal breaker for me.  
9/26/2011 9:10:14 PM EDT
[#3]
Thanks guys....., forged it is!!
9/26/2011 9:54:53 PM EDT
[#4]
Everyone will think the forged one is billet anyway.  Mine is forged, 7.62x40WT build.

9/27/2011 12:24:42 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
Everyone will think the forged one is billet anyway.  Mine is forged, 7.62x40WT build.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/IMG_01987.JPG


Did you get your upper receiver directly from LAR or through a dealer somewhere?
9/27/2011 2:11:16 PM EDT
[#6]
Directly from LAR Grizzly
9/27/2011 10:29:29 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
Everyone will think the forged one is billet anyway.  Mine is forged, 7.62x40WT build.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/IMG_01987.JPG


Great lookin' rig!!  Looks like the BattleRail mated up really nicely to the OPS-4!  Did you have to modify the Handguard at all?  I've heard you need to remove the anti-rotation tab to get them to flush up to the OPS-4?  I'm planing on using the VTAC version.

9/27/2011 11:13:58 PM EDT
[#8]
If you shoot suppressed, you won't get gas blowback in your face.
9/28/2011 6:53:14 AM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Everyone will think the forged one is billet anyway.  Mine is forged, 7.62x40WT build.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/IMG_01987.JPG


Great lookin' rig!!  Looks like the BattleRail mated up really nicely to the OPS-4!  Did you have to modify the Handguard at all?  I've heard you need to remove the anti-rotation tab to get them to flush up to the OPS-4?  I'm planing on using the VTAC version.



Yes I did have to remove the anti rotation tab, took all of a minute with an old dull file.  I may switch over to a standard receiver sometime, or at least check the weight against the weight of the LAR OPS-4.  I'm running a lightweight barrel on a fairly hefty receiver (OPS-4).

11/17/2011 3:23:50 PM EDT
[#10]
Thanks for your input on this thread, I am going to buy the forged version.  I'm putting it on top of my new TNT Billet MK4 lower, gonna look SICK with my Troy Alpha rail:)
11/22/2011 7:53:38 AM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Everyone will think the forged one is billet anyway.  Mine is forged, 7.62x40WT build.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/IMG_01987.JPG


Great lookin' rig!!  Looks like the BattleRail mated up really nicely to the OPS-4!  Did you have to modify the Handguard at all?  I've heard you need to remove the anti-rotation tab to get them to flush up to the OPS-4?  I'm planing on using the VTAC version.



Yes I did have to remove the anti rotation tab, took all of a minute with an old dull file.  I may switch over to a standard receiver sometime, or at least check the weight against the weight of the LAR OPS-4.  I'm running a lightweight barrel on a fairly hefty receiver (OPS-4).

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/IMG_01967.JPG


Warhawk, ANY negatives to this receiver so far? Would you do it again?

11/22/2011 8:56:50 AM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Everyone will think the forged one is billet anyway.  Mine is forged, 7.62x40WT build.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/IMG_01987.JPG


Great lookin' rig!!  Looks like the BattleRail mated up really nicely to the OPS-4!  Did you have to modify the Handguard at all?  I've heard you need to remove the anti-rotation tab to get them to flush up to the OPS-4?  I'm planing on using the VTAC version.



Yes I did have to remove the anti rotation tab, took all of a minute with an old dull file.  I may switch over to a standard receiver sometime, or at least check the weight against the weight of the LAR OPS-4.  I'm running a lightweight barrel on a fairly hefty receiver (OPS-4).

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/IMG_01967.JPG


Warhawk, ANY negatives to this receiver so far? Would you do it again?



The only drawback is that it's heavier than a standard upper receiver.  I wish I had weighed it before I assembled everything.

11/22/2011 12:14:29 PM EDT
[#13]
Warhawk, If I get one (and it is looking that way) I will weigh mine and let you know. Should I weight just the reciever? Should probably weigh the upper, the BCG and the charging handle for each, without the actual bolt. Can you weigh those stock parts and let me know?

Mine will not be carried so not a big factor for me anyway.
11/22/2011 2:16:56 PM EDT
[#14]
Only difference that I can see between the forged and billet is the billet is a little darker. I live just a little ways away from LAR and they are usually at the local gun show. I looked at them this past weekend and that was all I could see different between the two. I am actually going to use a forged one on my 300 blackout build. I'm just trying to decide how I want the charging handle.
11/22/2011 4:04:59 PM EDT
[#15]
I, for one, would prefer a smooth charging handle (knob?). Do they offer such a thing?
11/22/2011 5:12:41 PM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
Warhawk, If I get one (and it is looking that way) I will weigh mine and let you know. Should I weight just the reciever? Should probably weigh the upper, the BCG and the charging handle for each, without the actual bolt. Can you weigh those stock parts and let me know?

Mine will not be carried so not a big factor for me anyway.


There is one more drawback to this upper.  To field strip, you'll need a tool (allen wrench) to remove the bolt knob. This is not important for me, in the way I'm using this one. But would be a deal breaker on a combat arm.  I suppose you could carry the allen wrench in the grip, but it would be easy to lose.
11/22/2011 5:15:54 PM EDT
[#17]
I went with the forged one and I love it.  Makes for a really nice rifle.  Don't see how getting the billet model would accomplish anything other than costing more.
11/22/2011 7:36:59 PM EDT
[#18]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Warhawk, If I get one (and it is looking that way) I will weigh mine and let you know. Should I weight just the receiver? Should probably weigh the upper, the BCG and the charging handle for each, without the actual bolt. Can you weigh those stock parts and let me know?

Mine will not be carried so not a big factor for me anyway.


There is one more drawback to this upper.  To field strip, you'll need a tool (allen wrench) to remove the bolt knob. This is not important for me, in the way I'm using this one. But would be a deal breaker on a combat arm.  I suppose you could carry the Allen wrench in the grip, but it would be easy to lose.


By the bolt knob, you mean the charging know, right? Where is the Allen screw that must be removed? Any idea on what it would take to get a smooth handle? Not checkered.

11/22/2011 7:57:04 PM EDT
[#19]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Warhawk, If I get one (and it is looking that way) I will weigh mine and let you know. Should I weight just the receiver? Should probably weigh the upper, the BCG and the charging handle for each, without the actual bolt. Can you weigh those stock parts and let me know?

Mine will not be carried so not a big factor for me anyway.


There is one more drawback to this upper.  To field strip, you'll need a tool (allen wrench) to remove the bolt knob. This is not important for me, in the way I'm using this one. But would be a deal breaker on a combat arm.  I suppose you could carry the Allen wrench in the grip, but it would be easy to lose.


By the bolt knob, you mean the charging know, right? Where is the Allen screw that must be removed? Any idea on what it would take to get a smooth handle? Not checkered.



It's right in the end of the bolt knob.
11/30/2011 8:14:43 PM EDT
[#20]
Quoted:

The only drawback is that it's heavier than a standard upper receiver.  I wish I had weighed it before I assembled everything.



OK Warhawk. I have an OPS-4 Billet receiver. The whole unit, including BCG, bolt and charger weighs 23 oz on an accurate Postal scale. Please weigh your stock pieces for me including your bolt assist, charging handle, BCG and bolt, and of course, the receiver.

12/1/2011 7:26:22 AM EDT
[#21]
One quick question for you guys that have used one of these uppers for a build...has anyone tried a piston upper build with one?  I just got a e-mail from LAR and they say it's DI only,  not "piston compatable".  If it accepts "mil spec"  parts,  I don't understand why it would be "not piston compatable",  as long as you either had the piston bc drilled and tapped,  or used the piston key on the bc that comes with the upper.
12/1/2011 9:50:57 AM EDT
[#22]
I don't have any parts that aren't assembled.  Shouldn't be any trick to find the weight of standard AR-15 parts though.
12/2/2011 1:48:51 PM EDT
[#23]
Damn, too bad they don't do those in .308...that would look awsome with the G3 compatable lower I'm getting.
12/2/2011 6:46:37 PM EDT
[#24]
Quoted:
Quoted:

The only drawback is that it's heavier than a standard upper receiver.  I wish I had weighed it before I assembled everything.



OK Warhawk. I have an OPS-4 Billet receiver. The whole unit, including BCG, bolt and charger weighs 23 oz on an accurate Postal scale. Please weigh your stock pieces for me including your bolt assist, charging handle, BCG and bolt, and of course, the receiver.


AR part weights

If this is correct an A4 upper, M16 BCG, and charging handle comes out to 22.4 oz.
12/2/2011 10:19:03 PM EDT
[#25]
From the above mentioned table I calculated the weight of the components my L.A.R. OPS-4 receiver replaced as 22.83 oz. My OPS-4 (Billet) weighs 23 oz. Pretty good I think. I was not totally shocked.
12/3/2011 8:31:44 AM EDT
[#26]
Quoted:
One quick question for you guys that have used one of these uppers for a build...has anyone tried a piston upper build with one?  I just got a e-mail from LAR and they say it's DI only,  not "piston compatable".  If it accepts "mil spec"  parts,  I don't understand why it would be "not piston compatable",  as long as you either had the piston bc drilled and tapped,  or used the piston key on the bc that comes with the upper.


Most piston bolt carriers are proprietary to the kit.  In order to use an LAR upper you would need to drill and tap a hole in the proprietry carrier to install your charging handle/knob.  The LAR OPS uppers have no provision for a conventional charging handle at the rear of the receiver.
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