By David Crane
defrev (at) gmail (dot) com
All photos contained in this article were shot by DefenseReview.com (DR), and are copyrighted. DefenseReview.com owns the copyright on these photos. The embedded photos were shot with a Canon PowerShot S90 10-megapixel digital camera (still camera with video capability).
December 1, 2010
DefenseReview (DR) recently received a stripped AR lower receiver (AR-15/M16 lower receiver) from a company called Hughes Precision Products (HPP), and it’s one of the nicest (stripped) forged lowers we’ve ever handled and examined. Before sending it out to us, Hughes Precision’s owner, Bob Hughes (Robert L. Hughes), told us that his goal was to make the highest-quality AR-15/M16 forged lower as close to U.S. military specification (MILSPEC) has possible–and it would appear he’s succeeded.
However, while the Hughes AR lower receiver Defense Review has is a MILSPEC M16-type forged lower, Hughes precision is now also making precision-machined billet lower receivers, so they have more control over the physical appearance of the product. All Hughes Precision AR lower receivers are made from certified USA produced 7075 T6 aircraft grade aluminum alloy bar stock (solid billet), using state of the art CNC equipment, which gives Hughes Precsion “complete control over every step in the manufacturing process”. Obviously, this includes the hardcoat black anodizing, which was very well-executed on DR’s sample forged lower.
On the company website, the Hughes Precision AR-15 billet lower receiver is referred-to as both the billet AR lower receiver the HRM-15 Receiver and HPP-15 Receiver, so DR isn’t sure which is the proper designation. We’ll try to find out.
In the meantime, we’d recommend that anyone doing a tactical AR rifle/carbine/SBR (Short Barreled Rifle) build (or multiple builds) take a serious look at a Hughes Precision AR lower. In our opinion, it’s the perfect start to a high-quality/high-end tactical AR-15 Frankengun build, whether it’s a direct-gas-impingement (DGI) or gas piston/op-rod gun. We’re definitely going to use ours for one of our upcoming builds. Plus, Mr. Hughes is a great guy, to boot. So, check ’em out.
Speaking of tactical AR Frankengun builds, Rock River Arms (RRA) makes a very good AR lower parts kits that are also worth checking out.
Company Contact Info:
Hughes Precision Products (HPP)
P.O. Box 1087
Indian River, MI 49749
Phone: 231-238-6990
Fax: 231-238-6872
Sales Email: susan@hughesprecision.com
Tech Email: rhughes@hughesprecision.com
Website: http://www.hughesprecision.com/
Rock River Arms, Inc. (RRA)
1042 Cleveland Road
Colona, IL 61241
Toll Free: 866-980-7625
Phone: 309-792-5780
Fax: 309-792-5781
Website: http://www.rockriverarms.com
Related Articles:
A Tale of Two Custom Mid-Length AR Carbines (Part 1): The Frankengun (Frankencarbine) Project