Apex surplus M16A1 uppers.. yay or nay.

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Apex surplus M16A1 uppers.. yay or nay.

Posted: 3/5/2015 6:23:49 PM EDT

https://apexgunparts.com/product_info.php/cPath/49_176/products_id/3922

Is 90 to much to pay for a surplus stripped upper that maybe has that been there done that look?

Posted: 3/5/2015 6:26:14 PM EDT

[#1]

imo, it's a little high.

to finish it out, figure spending this

$35 - rear sight
$35 - port door
$30 - forward assist

that would make it $190 for a refinished btdt upper.

Posted: 3/5/2015 6:32:52 PM EDT

[#2]

Going for an 80s national guard retro look. I got the DPMS rear sight set for $15. Going to put an A2 door on it as well as an A2 forward assist.

I want that mix-master look from a rile that has had stuff changed out.

Posted: 3/5/2015 7:02:05 PM EDT

[#3]

That looks like the thick black paint/substance that those Israeli El-Op scopes were coated in. If I was to buy one of those (which I wouldn't), I'd surely strip that off.

edit for spellin' and grammah

Posted: 3/5/2015 7:26:27 PM EDT

[#4]

Wouldn't surprise me for it to have come from Israel.

Posted: 3/5/2015 7:28:50 PM EDT

[#5]

I looked at those long and hard a year ago. I couldn't get past the nasty pitting and what looks like a bent carry handle. Finish wear doesn't bother me, but those pics look really bad. Maybe they photo'd the worst one they had for the website, or maybe they're all really terrible. I'd like to have one, but I think I'd just lurk the EE until a decent one pops up rather than risk the cash on what might be a really rough upper.

Posted: 3/5/2015 8:36:09 PM EDT

[#6]

I bought one last year....the finish kinda rubbed off with a scotch pad and some clp.
Didn't rub too hard either....underneath was OK.
The one they have pictured on the site does look rough but mine was in much better shape.
All in all...I would probably get another one just to set aside for later.
I've seen beaten up ones from the RTI kits people have posted that looked worse...however the one from my RTI kit was pretty good.
Hit and miss I guess.....YMMV

Posted: 3/6/2015 1:05:35 AM EDT

[#7]

I emailed Apex about these about a month ago reguarding condition and they wrote me back that the pics are accurate, some are better some are worse and there is no handpicking, so I passed. The next day I found one on GB for $140 buy in now, complete with door and sights. I took a chance, and what I received was a like new Colt CH upper, I mean nearly perfect, not even much wear inside, all original finish and components. That made me smile all day. You can find them, check GB hourly if possible, search for " M16A1". That's how I found mine, it had just been listed 5 min previous. Good Luck

Posted: 3/6/2015 10:56:18 AM EDT

[#8]

those spare parts must have been stored in water for the past 30 years.

Posted: 3/6/2015 11:39:20 AM EDT

[#9]

There's an A1 CH 603 upper on Gunbroker right now that doesn't look half bad. Not my style but a solid upper for those who like later uppers.

Price got bid up $60.00 since yesterday but it's complete and very nice.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=471488290

Posted: 3/6/2015 3:38:20 PM EDT

[#10]

Well, some complete A1 uppers on the EE exchange have been going in $150-165 range so the $90 for a stripped may not be all that bad.

They also A1 stock door assemblies for $9, which doesn't seem too bad.

Posted: 3/6/2015 5:39:39 PM EDT

[#11]

I got one from Apex over a year ago and it looked perfect. But some since have not looked too good.

Posted: 3/7/2015 12:31:42 AM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
I got one from Apex over a year ago and it looked perfect. But some since have not looked too good.

View Quote

I got one in Dec. 2013, it wasn't all that great.

It wasn't what I would call bad though.

Posted: 3/7/2015 1:48:50 AM EDT

[#13]

You guys are aware that aluminum does NOT rust and pit like steel does, right? More likely some GI somewhere dropped it(when it was in the form of a complete rifle) and hence the dings.

Posted: 3/7/2015 1:51:01 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
You guys are aware that aluminum does NOT rust and pit like steel does, right? More likely some GI somewhere dropped it(when it was in the form of a complete rifle) and hence the dings.

View Quote

Aluminum does not rust but it does pit.

I've seen it many times.

It often occurs durning the blasting process.

Posted: 3/7/2015 1:20:16 PM EDT

[#15]

I thought it was called "exfoliation corrosion", and it can occur in a very hot and humid environment.

Posted: 3/7/2015 2:20:04 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
You guys are aware that aluminum does NOT rust and pit like steel does, right? More likely some GI somewhere dropped it(when it was in the form of a complete rifle) and hence the dings.

View Quote

Bare aluminum will oxidize. The oxidation looks like chalk and will eat pits into the aluminum.

Posted: 3/7/2015 9:01:36 PM EDT

[#17]

Looks like I stand corrected

Posted: 3/9/2015 8:33:57 PM EDT

[#18]

I got one, looks real good. Darker color matches my Anderson lower.

Posted: 3/9/2015 8:50:29 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
I got one, looks real good. Darker color matches my Anderson lower.

http://inrd.gotdns.com/gunpics/a1.JPG

View Quote

Did you get it from Apex?
Need better pics, up close both sides please. We love pics

Posted: 3/9/2015 9:06:43 PM EDT

[#20]

From APEX

Seen worse.. I believe it's worth $90

Posted: 3/9/2015 10:15:34 PM EDT

[#21]

Thanks for the follow-up DaMoose!

Posted: 3/10/2015 6:46:19 AM EDT

[#22]

Where else can you get a1 surplus uppers?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Apex surplus M16A1 uppers.. yay or nay.

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