New AR Receiver Pitted? PHOTOS

[TheSoundBarrier]

I very much so want to believe that these are nothing more than tool marks! I'd like your thoughts as to whether or not these marks are representative of pitting or if you think they more so resemble tool marks.

Tool marks I could care less about. This rifle will be run hard. Pitting, on the other hand, is something that would concern anyone who takes care of their gear.

Please shout back to let me know what you think - everyone.

 

[WardenWolf]

I wouldn't even call that a blemish. The finish itself can vary somewhat. That alone may be the cause. It's a gun, not a Monet painting. There's only so much you can expect from a functional tool made of metal and plastic / wood.

 

[TheSoundBarrier]

Touche' -- Back to the cause though... Your interpretation is that the marks may be variations in the anodization/finish? That thought actually did come to mind. I crossed that off as a possibility though when I considered how thin anodization is; Variations in such a finish are usually only limited to tone and/or color. The pictures are more indicative of either pitting or tool marks. The receiver may have even started life out as a rough forging. If I could only determine which one of the three aforementioned issues is the culprit of the markings... Has anyone out there picked up a new AR-15 type rifle with similar markings?

 

[BADUNAME37]

Well, it goes along with those two pin holes which look like a 5 year-old chamfered the edges of the holes, a terrible job with holes as well.

Is there anything GOOD about this receiver?
WHERE DID YOU GET THIS THING???!?!?!

The dings of which you speak appear to just be where they threw the finished receivers into a 55 gallon drum. That's all.

 

[Destructo6]

Looks like the aluminium was dinged prior to anno (since the anno seems intact).

Annoying on a new receiver, but nothing to worry about.

 

[TheSoundBarrier]

FDF, Judging by your reaction, you just might <deleted> yourself if I told you what name is stamped on this receiver. The negative apperance of the chamfering around the pin holes is very pronounced by the zoom of the camera though; They really don't look too bad - they could be better, I suppose. My main concern, however, are the little markings I mentioned in my initial post; You guys are putting me at ease in regards to what may have caused them - why they are there, etc... I don't need a pitted receiver. Pitting usually just gets worse and is more detremental than normal wear and tool marks. Little dings I can deal with. This rifle will get dinged plenty.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Looks like the aluminium was dinged prior to anno (since the anno seems intact).

Annoying on a new receiver, but nothing to worry about.

+1

Surface imperfection, meaningless. You well not even notice them after a few carbine courses.

Does the upper fit tight? FCG pins tight? RE retaining pin in correct location?

 

[Wahoo95]

Those imperfections are pretty common and as mentioned are simply dings the receiver took before being anodized.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[highorder]

And the manufacturer is?

 

[Downeast]

It looks like porosity in the substrate to me. It's not the anodize as the anodize simply follows the topography of the surface.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Imperfections in the forging process. Usually mitigated to a great degree by the method and attention to detail of the surface prep prior to anodizing.

I'd worry not - these are what often lead to rumors about one manufacturer or another now casting their receivers.

Well played not naming the manufacturer too if it's not actually an issue.

 

[adelbridge]

if you saw the same blemishes on the same spots inside of the receiver you would have cause for a return. The forging process involved hammering a semi molten receiver and minimal finish work.

 

[mr.scott]

Yet another tier 1 manufacturer with a tiny problem yet no actual mention of the name. I'm going t guess Colt.
if this was a bushmaster or dpms we d have been told in the first post.

 

[SilentStalker]

I would like to know the manufacturer as well. I also would have to speculate that this is a Colt for some reason or another but we may never know. I do understand for not posting though. However, I would like to know just for my personal knowledge. The finish would not bother me but the machining would. Message me if you get a sec, like I said I would like to know who this was done by.

 

[imac98374]

Does aluminum pit? If it were a steel receiver, I could see being worried about hidden rust, but not aluminum, right?

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

+ 1 on knowing the manufacturer. It would urk me, but only because it slipped through Q&A. If it were a very expensive brand and was going to live a life as a safe queen, then I would try to have it replaced. If it were for use, then I wouldn't cause a fuss.

 

[briansmithwins]

Aluminum does pit, especially when you've been around salt water.

Those look like forging blemishes. Scale sticks to the dies and the impression is forced into the metal while it's being forged. Some houses would mark those as 'factory 2nds' or 'blems' and sell them at a discount. Others (Colt- cough- cough) would just run them out the door as cosmetics don't affect function.

BSW

 

[ny32182]

You won't have to look at many milspec type finished AR15 recievers before you will find one with "imperfections" that are more pronounced than that. Complete non-issue.

 

[TheSoundBarrier]

I love TheHighRoad.org. The community here is so helpful and knowledgeable and willing to reach out. I appreciate every response. Thank you to everyone.

Since we have ruled this a non-issue, I see no reason in naming the maker of the receiver. I think that would be poor form and counterintuitive to the purpose of the post/initial question.

Any manufacturer is capable of releasing a product with poor QC - I repeat - ANY manufacturer... (and varying levels of poor QC at that). Sources for receivers varies a great deal as well. That's a whole 'nother story though.

All the more reason to INSPECT your new toy prior to purchase. I did not do this. I grabbed the receiver and ran with it. I tend to do this with everything. I always tell myself that I will scutinize my new item at the time of purchase, but I don't. I tend to put my new guns under the "microscope" so to speak after I've already gotten them. I'm picky, but too little to late... But does it really matter?

In the end, it matters not - at least in this case. Tool marks and dings are not an issue for a working gun. I will be cycling tens of thousands of rounds through a prospective upper with this exact lower receiver. Like an above THR poster mentioned -- something like, "put it through a couple carbine courses and it won't even matter." Bingo.

Additionally, the beauty of any steel or metal alloy piece is that we have the advantage of re-finishing at a later point in time. We are lucky to have bead blasting/sand blasting/different media, etc... and many different ultra scientific coats (new ones are popping up every year it seems) that can repair otherwise unsightly finishes; the finish on this particular receiver is far from unsightly though.

I didn't mean to stir up a hornet's nest. In retrospect, I guess that's not what really happened though. Fire off a question, and leave it to all the members of THR to come with assistance. Great forum with reat members. I look forward to future interaction with all of you. Take care. This case is closed!

I apologize for any spelling/grammatical errors. This has been a long week! See you guys later. -TSB

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

Well I am glad you are at ease with it. I have a DD M4 V4 that had a few marks on the barrel. It didn't effect it, so I didn't make a fuss. I think besides curiosity, the majority of us were asking in case we buy another AR. That way we would take a tad bit more time to look it over. But I for one understand why you also dont want to make a big deal of it. Enjoy that AR, and yes the THR forum members will usually look out for their own. Good bunch of people here.....

 

[ForumSurfer]

I honestly wouldn't worry. It will get plenty of dings if you use it hard. They'll look much worse and add character.

 

[ny32182]

You think it poor form to name the rollmark on a receiver with no issues?

 

[benEzra]

Aluminum does pit, especially when you've been around salt water.

Yes. Using graphite lubricant will accelerate this (which is why graphite lube is a no-no on guns with aluminum parts, like AR's, as well as on aircraft).