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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Is this normal for Colt? (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 1/10/2012 11:46:11 PM EDT
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First time Colt buyer here. I purchased these new from a popular online retailer. This is just an observation, not a complaint. I really just want to know if this is normal for Colt... I am aware that Colt turns a lot of military weapons daily and need not concern themselves with "looks". I just purchased 2 new Colt SP6920 complete lowers for $550 each. I noticed that there are consistent blems all over both of the lowers, almost like they just get thrown around over at the factory. But at 550 each, I want to know if it's normal (ok if it is).
I usually purchse LMT or BCM. This time I wanted to add some Colt's to the stable. 
**Actually, I will make 1 complaint, these new Rogers stocks are probably the worst stocks I have ever handled. Not sure what Colt was thinking on this. It's like a copy of the Magpul CTR stock, but with a shitty locking lever. I will be ditching these for the standard M4 stock. So are these blems common with Colt? 
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I would say normal. Others can chime in on their opinion.
My impression of Colt is that they make rifles that will get the job done, not impress in the fit/finish department. My SP6920 has more upper/lower fit slop than my LMT and Noveske rifles. Not a big deal, just a little annoying. |
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1. A lot of guys will say it's a "tool", but that's a bunch of wannabe macho bullshit (IMO) unless they are using it for competitive shooting/carbine classes, or they're military/law enforcement, or they're hunting with it. Otherwise it's a relatively expensive toy that should hold a decent resale value if you take decent care of it....not a $30 wrench you're gonna beat the piss out of.
2. Some guys don't care about finish, but a lot of guys still do. I worked in a gun shop for almost ten years and sold a lot of Colt AR's...people complained about far less than that on a regular basis. Don't let anyone make you feel like a fruitcake because you expected $1,100 worth of new shit to look like it's new. FWIW, we probably sold 200-300 Colt AR's during the time I worked there and I honestly can't remember ever seeing one come in like that. Splotchy finishes and surface abrasions, yeah...but not covered in dings and chips down to bare metal. 3. If you aren't planning on beating the piss out of them anyway, I would send them back. If you are going to use them hard, then keep them because it won't matter. ETA - If you care, but not enough to send them back, get some Birchwood Casey "Aluminum Black" and give them a good touch-up. I'm careful with my guns, but not OCD...if they get a ding here and there, I just touch it up and forget about it. |
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Not really normal in my experience, but I only own 3 Colts. But personally, I wouldn't sweat it. You won't notice those small dings in a few months of good use. if you're building them to impress people in the safe, then that's another thing.
AFAIK, Colt isn't selling separate lowers on these, so these are take-offs from complete guns, I'm thinking. handling marks are likely from the original owner. |
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If that's normal then every other lower I see that isn't like that must not be normal?
I've seen lowers sold as blem items that have a better finish than that. Colt being the AR gods that they are, I would expect a little better from them than that. It won't effect the function, but it may effect re-sale value later on down the road if you do try to sell it. It just looks more used than it really is. |
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Colt doesn't sell lowers separate
Those are probably handling marks from whoever sold you the separate lower. None of them affect function. I get marks like that putting the gun in my safe. That one mark up on the reciever extension is probably the only one from the factory, and completely normal. This is what aluminum black guns look like up close. They get all sorts of weird little marks and dings. They only look good once for pictures and it's all over. I prefer the weathered look my self. |
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Out of my small sample size of 10 Colt, currently have 4, only one of my current lower is like yours with a couple of side edges with no finish, but no dings.
And that particular one with the side edge defect is the only one that I bought as a lower half (take off), so I would just conclude that they're handling damage by the guy that took them off the carbine. All my complete rifles and carbines didn't have those side defects, some complete guns have at least only one defect like by the rear CH area by itself (no other defects), buffer tube (only one, no other defects) and some in other areas like near the front pivot pin, and the opening of the magwell. With mine that had those side defects I just touched it up and just use it, and I'll never buy another lower half again, I'll buy a complete rifle from now on and if I for some reason didn't like the upper, I'll just sell the upper half. I would suggest let the seller know and if you're not satisfied with him, just give him a bad feedback rating. |
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Out of my small sample size of 10 Colt, currently have 4, only one of my current lower is like yours with a couple of side edges with no finish, but no dings. And that particular one with the side edge defect is the only one that I bought as a lower half (take off), so I would just conclude that they're handling damage by the guy that took them off the carbine. All my complete rifles and carbines didn't have those side defects, some complete guns have at least only one defect like by the rear CH area by itself (no other defects), buffer tube (only one, no other defects) and some in other areas like near the front pivot pin, and the opening of the magwell. With mine that had those side defects I just touched it up and just use it, and I'll never buy another lower half again, I'll buy a complete rifle from now on and if I for some reason didn't like the upper, I'll just sell the upper half. I would suggest let the seller know and if you're not satisfied with him, just give him a bad feedback rating. /\ This! While I've read that Colt's aren't always pretty, the 1 and 1/2 samples I have sure were pretty with no marks like that (complete LE6920 and 6921 upper I built from parts). I'd contact the seller on those if you're not happy, especially at those premium prices. I highly doubt they came from Colt looking like that. |
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Seeing how you paid a premium price for that lower, I'd say that isn't acceptable. It looks used, when it should absolutely reek of quality and perfection. Get a touch-up pen and call it a lesson learned. Never fall for marketing hype.
If this was a $50 PSA lower, I'd have started a petition to ban you. |
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Seeing how you paid a premium price for that lower, I'd say that isn't acceptable. It looks used, when it should absolutely reek of quality and perfection. Get a touch-up pen and call it a lesson learned. Never fall for marketing hype. If this was a $50 PSA lower, I'd have started a petition to ban you. If it were a PSA lower everyone would have a shit fit and tell the OP to return it and that he should have just bought a Colt. But like you said, i would just get a touch up pen and be done with it. |
| I wouldn't worry about it. I just picked up a SP6920 myself and there were a few sports where the finish had come off, very very small spots here and there. I just said "oh well" since I plan on using it. Like others have said, if your worried then get the touch up pen and call her a day. In the end it will still work. |
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Mine had no dings, but did have a lot of small voids and minor surface irregularities, but the finish itself was uniform and blem free. Looked no different than a typical issue weapon, which is fine with me.
I've seen a lot of gun shop merchandise handled roughly. Pistols banged together when put back in displays and rifles handled roughly into racks. It looks like the lower was handled with less than perfect care. You could voice concerns to the gun shop and most likely nobody would care, at least not genuinely. Was it a display piece? If so they often get sold for a discount. That stock is a bit  and the triggers are typical military single stage. Expect a not so smooth 7-10lb pull 
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| OP: You can't blame Colt for those blems. You blame the original owner, so I don't see the point in asking if the blems are normal since no one other than the original owner is privvy to the fact if they were marked up when they were brand new from Colt. Did you ask the seller about the marks before you took possession of the lowers? |
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OP: You can't blame Colt for those blems. You blame the original owner, so I don't see the point in asking if the blems are normal since no one other than the original owner is privvy to the fact if they were marked up when they were brand new from Colt. Did you ask the seller about the marks before you took possession of the lowers? Well, I am the original owner. They are from a reputable dealer that everyone here has heard of. They probably just got a 6920 and separated the upper/lower to sell separately. I took possession at my local shop once they were shipped in. Didn't really notice the blems until I got home. I contacted them about it. |
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OP: You can't blame Colt for those blems. You blame the original owner, so I don't see the point in asking if the blems are normal since no one other than the original owner is privvy to the fact if they were marked up when they were brand new from Colt. Did you ask the seller about the marks before you took possession of the lowers? Well, I am the original owner. They are from a reputable dealer that everyone here has heard of. They probably just got a 6920 and separated the upper/lower to sell separately. I took possession at my local shop once they were shipped in. Didn't really notice the blems until I got home. I contacted them about it. You got em from "that guy we are not supposed to mention", yes? |
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OP: You can't blame Colt for those blems. You blame the original owner, so I don't see the point in asking if the blems are normal since no one other than the original owner is privvy to the fact if they were marked up when they were brand new from Colt. Did you ask the seller about the marks before you took possession of the lowers? Well, I am the original owner. They are from a reputable dealer that everyone here has heard of. They probably just got a 6920 and separated the upper/lower to sell separately. I took possession at my local shop once they were shipped in. Didn't really notice the blems until I got home. I contacted them about it. Ah...I'm tracking now. Probably handled a lot in the shop would be my guess. I've received AR parts of various well known name brands that have had similar blems on them when new. I just covered them up with a Birchwood Casey flat black paint pen before use. I can't really explain why I did this since said parts are even more blemmed up now. |
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Yeap,my first LMT Defender showed up with similar dings which I suspect happened at the transfering dealer due to the fact they were all fingering it when I walked in to pick it up.Was kinda butt hurt over it for a few days.Then during the first range trip I got distracted and my nephew(22 year old wandering idiot) was making every attempt to polish the side of the rifle using the concrete divider wall.Needless to say Im past worried about the small dings there.
After that had a brand new shiney BCM middy which I took care of better than I do myself..... I took a spill with it at a 3gun....face plant,feet over head and all,240 pounds on the rifle like I was on a sled for about ten feet.Needless to say dings on that one dont bother me anymore either as I wore the new right off in a split second.Actually enjoy it more now as Im not spending time worrying about dings,dirt and hand prints anymore....has character now too. Now I see why some of the trainers start the class by having the students drop their rifle in the dirt....gets folks past worrying about dinging up their perty guns so they can actually concentrate on actual use. So I say take the nice Colt lowers and enjoy them.When they get real ugly buy a can of stove black(or color of choice) and touch them up. |
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Thanks for the replies. I have no intention of returning them, just want to know if it was common, that's all. Thanks. I asked a similar question last week. To help you with peace of mind, I ordered a complete rifle, and the lower looked just like that. FWIW, upper looked great though. |
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Thanks for the replies. I have no intention of returning them, just want to know if it was common, that's all. Thanks. I asked a similar question last week. To help you with peace of mind, I ordered a complete rifle, and the lower looked just like that. FWIW, upper looked great though. Excellent, thank you. |
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Yeap,my first LMT Defender showed up with similar dings which I suspect happened at the transfering dealer due to the fact they were all fingering it when I walked in to pick it up.Was kinda butt hurt over it for a few days.Then during the first range trip I got distracted and my nephew(22 year old wandering idiot) was making every attempt to polish the side of the rifle using the concrete divider wall.Needless to say Im past worried about the small dings there. After that had a brand new shiney BCM middy which I took care of better than I do myself..... I took a spill with it at a 3gun....face plant,feet over head and all,240 pounds on the rifle like I was on a sled for about ten feet.Needless to say dings on that one dont bother me anymore either as I wore the new right off in a split second.Actually enjoy it more now as Im not spending time worrying about dings,dirt and hand prints anymore....has character now too. Now I see why some of the trainers start the class by having the students drop their rifle in the dirt....gets folks past worrying about dinging up their perty guns so they can actually concentrate on actual use. So I say take the nice Colt lowers and enjoy them.When they get real ugly buy a can of stove black(or color of choice) and touch them up. Hahaha. "wondering idiot", that's funny. I'm going to use that. |
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I realize that as an older shooter, my idea of what one should expect from a top notch company differs from the "its a tool" crowd. I have had the great fortune of opening the box on a brand new Colt SP1 in late 85/early 85 and found a flawless rifle inside. Fast forward to Sept. of 1985 and I was issued a brand new Colt M-16A2, again flawless and I used that little gem to earn my Expert Crossed Rifles. On to Infantry Training School and another brand new Colt A2, although I must say, she did not return to the Armory at Graduation in as pristine condition. Still, it looked a damn sight better than some of the "new' Colts I have seen lately. Sometime in 1986, on Guam, we traded our M-16A1's for again, brand new flawless M-16A2's, with nary a hitch or glitch in any of them. Guam was a wet climate, butthe rifles still looked damn good when I left in 87.
Quality, as I was always made to believe, Makes It A Colt. My SP1, Dads series 70 1911, Moms Police Positive and my brothers Police Positive were works of art, that shot (and still do) every bit as good as they look. When I look something over, especially a brand new firearm, flaws in the finish, in the fit, in the details, leads me to question what else is being overlooked. Its my hard earned scratch, and I will demand the best across the board. Colt used to bank on that. |
| Richard257-Are you serious??? The OP spent good money on a quality firearm and you mock him? It may not be a Ferrari, but one would expect the firearm to be damn near blemish free. I'm sure you'd be happy marrying a Hooker even though she's not a Virgin; right? Get a clue... |
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My new duty 6945 has dings or spots of missing finish like that all over it. As a matter of fact most of the new duty rifles my department received from Colt have come that way. It doesn't bother me too much because my 6945 it is a duty gun and will most likely end up beat up anyway. If it were my personal weapon and I paid a premium I would probably have an issue.
hker71 |
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Richard257-Are you serious??? The OP spent good money on a quality firearm and you mock him? It may not be a Ferrari, but one would expect the firearm to be damn near blemish free. I'm sure you'd be happy marrying a Hooker even though she's not a Virgin; right? Get a clue... You know I'm not mocking OP. My comment was directed at Mattyvac. I dunno. I think I would be happier with pretty hooker than with ugly virgin. |
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Thanks for the replies. I have no intention of returning them, just want to know if it was common, that's all. Thanks. How would we know if it was common if we've never bought used Colt lowers? Once the original purchaser takes possession of a lower and then sells it to someone else, cosmetic flaws cannot be attributed back to Colt because anything could have happened in between Colt and the second purchaser. It is a used item. I think the lowers look good for used, but you paid $200 too much for each one. 
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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Is this normal for Colt? (Page 1 of 3)
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