MetalKnight
October 19, 2001, 06:07
Just got my M16 kit yesterday. Overall condition is very good. These are definitely all Colt. Every major part has the proper markings. All steel parts appear to have been blasted and reparked at least once in thier life and 95% of that finish is still on the steel parts of this rifle but there is a slight graining of the surface due to blasting (or over blasting). Rust is evident on the sling swivels, butt stock trap door (inside), A2 rear sight and a touch in a small area on the top of the barrel under the handguards. The internals are in excellent condition and show very little wear. The buffer shows a little peening around the edges from contact with the buffer pin but it is all finish damage only. The bolt looks new and has not had more than a couple hundred rounds to it. Same with the carrier with very light wear on the contact surfaces. The inside of the upper is nice with wear on the contact surfaces only.
The upper has about 75-80% of the original finish left, though it has been worn smooth and has faded out to a very blue-gray patina. Actually, I really like the color and I am going to leave it as is and try to create a custom color to apply to a new lower to make it match. I'm even going to abuse the lower to look well used like the upper. No real damage has been done to the upper, just a bit of normal military wear and tear, some dings and scrapes all around the carry handle and wear down to the aluminum on some areas of high contact while used in the field. Overall great condition upper.
The barrel has had surface wear and like I said, it has been refinished at least once but the bore is in immaculate condition, nice crisp rifling and a bright shiny mirror surface with only one slight mar right at the end of the barrel where it looks like something sharp and very hard entered and put a dimple on one of the lands. I'll need to crown this barrel as this mar has deformed a very small area but has made the rifling uneven at the end. I expect it will shoot very well though.
The furniture has seen its share of wear. Scratches mostly but it has cleaned up nicely and there is no damage other than light cosmetic.
I'm sure some kits are going to be in worse condition and some better but this appears to be the average condition right now from all that I have read and a buddy of mine got his kit today and it looks to be near the same condition, though it was still loaded with grease when I saw it. These have been well cared for. All parts were very clean (except where the packing grease had been slopped on for storage/shipping protection). For example, I took the bolt/carrier apart and it has been thoroughly cleaned down to the gas rings. All parts show the same attention to detail. Very nice job, probably made the sarge very happy.
For a military rifle these are in good condition with exterior wear in abundance but internal wear is at a minimum. All Colt parts. Great bore. For well under $300 for a complete Colt parts kit I'd say this is a pretty good buy. Even when you replace the M16 fire control parts & carrier with AR15 parts, permanently attach a brake, render the bayonet lug useless and add the lower receiver you still have a very nicely priced Colt shooter that should perform very well.
I'd get in on this now while you can.
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/MetalKnight/M16_RRJPG.jpg
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/MetalKnight/M16RJPG.jpg
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/MetalKnight/M16RHGJPG.jpg
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/MetalKnight/M16BBLJPG.jpg
MK
[ October 19, 2001: Message edited by: MetalKnight ]
[ October 21, 2001: Message edited by: MetalKnight ]
The upper has about 75-80% of the original finish left, though it has been worn smooth and has faded out to a very blue-gray patina. Actually, I really like the color and I am going to leave it as is and try to create a custom color to apply to a new lower to make it match. I'm even going to abuse the lower to look well used like the upper. No real damage has been done to the upper, just a bit of normal military wear and tear, some dings and scrapes all around the carry handle and wear down to the aluminum on some areas of high contact while used in the field. Overall great condition upper.
The barrel has had surface wear and like I said, it has been refinished at least once but the bore is in immaculate condition, nice crisp rifling and a bright shiny mirror surface with only one slight mar right at the end of the barrel where it looks like something sharp and very hard entered and put a dimple on one of the lands. I'll need to crown this barrel as this mar has deformed a very small area but has made the rifling uneven at the end. I expect it will shoot very well though.
The furniture has seen its share of wear. Scratches mostly but it has cleaned up nicely and there is no damage other than light cosmetic.
I'm sure some kits are going to be in worse condition and some better but this appears to be the average condition right now from all that I have read and a buddy of mine got his kit today and it looks to be near the same condition, though it was still loaded with grease when I saw it. These have been well cared for. All parts were very clean (except where the packing grease had been slopped on for storage/shipping protection). For example, I took the bolt/carrier apart and it has been thoroughly cleaned down to the gas rings. All parts show the same attention to detail. Very nice job, probably made the sarge very happy.
For a military rifle these are in good condition with exterior wear in abundance but internal wear is at a minimum. All Colt parts. Great bore. For well under $300 for a complete Colt parts kit I'd say this is a pretty good buy. Even when you replace the M16 fire control parts & carrier with AR15 parts, permanently attach a brake, render the bayonet lug useless and add the lower receiver you still have a very nicely priced Colt shooter that should perform very well.
I'd get in on this now while you can.
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/MetalKnight/M16_RRJPG.jpg
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/MetalKnight/M16RJPG.jpg
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/MetalKnight/M16RHGJPG.jpg
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/MetalKnight/M16BBLJPG.jpg
MK
[ October 19, 2001: Message edited by: MetalKnight ]
[ October 21, 2001: Message edited by: MetalKnight ]