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Brand new Colt Socom 14.5 Barrel. Is this acceptable? (Page 1 of 3)
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Posted: 7/12/2026 8:52:38 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Foxtrot2-13][Edited]
Bought a brand new colt socom 14.5 for my sbr build and I noticed scratches all over it and one spot looks like the steel has been or hit and folded over at the shoulder of the barrel. The company i got it from wants a 15 percent restocking fee for a replacement. Should i keep it or send it back?    
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Originally Posted By Foxtrot2-13: Bought a brand new colt socom 14.5 for my sbr build and I noticed scratches all over it and one spot looks like the steel has been or hit and folded over. The company i got it from wants a 15 percent restocking fee for a replacement. Should i keep it or send it back?https://i.postimg.cc/QNBJHRwG/20260711-183937.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/g2KvCdXh/20260711-183939.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/j5DPn78K/20260711-183941.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/VvMtDcPQ/Screenshot-20260712-071035-Gallery.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/RV5KqqwW/Screenshot-20260712-071028-Gallery.jpg Perfectly acceptable. Do you bat an eye when your wrench has a mark on it? Also, if this is a clone, military weapons are treated like hand tools so this is preferable. |
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Originally Posted By Foxtrot2-13: Not worried about the finish, it's that little dent Then why show the scratches in the first place? If it’s for cloner cred, replace it. If it’s for use, use it. |
Your painted rifle is ugly, but I’m uglier, so send it to me and I’ll make it look good!
If it weren’t for double standards, we’d have no standards at all.
If it weren’t for double standards, we’d have no standards at all.
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Colts come from the factory with dings and scratches. My newest lower is a Colt and it had the most dings and scratches of any lower I have owned so far new. At one point in my life that might have annoyed me. Now I have gotten to the "they are tools" phase. That barrel looks great to me. |
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You might want to ask @Combat_Diver what he would think if this barrel showed up on his armory workbench, but you may not like the answer. I get that you paid a lot of money for the barrel, but it’s very common for military barrels like Colt to get stored in a big bin during production, which I’m guessing is what happened with this one. It came off the production line and was put in a box with several dozen other barrels and got banged around. Someone online vendors have notes in their product listings that say that although the part is new, it may show scuff marks and other finish wear. I’m guessing this one wasn’t described that way. I just mention it because those sort of product descriptions reflect how common it is for “military grade” parts like this to have those kind of dings. I’d be cautious about sending it back, paying the restock fee, and getting another one. The second one may have similar marks on it. This reminded me of my issued M4 from my first Iraq deployment. I inherited it from our first Soldier who died on that deployment in an IED attack. The rifle was scuffed up, the barrel was loose and had to go back to the armory for service, but I was proud to carry it in his honor. I hope to have my clone of that rifle finished later this year. |
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I get that it's a.tool, and it's going to have wear. But it's pretty sad when it's the norm to pay a premium for something and it has defects on it off the assembly line and we have to deal with it. Reminds me of Gibson these days lmao. I love the modern business model. I'd just run it though my complaint aside. 3ACR Makes a good point. |
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Originally Posted By kwb377: Why did you ask us if you should keep it or send it back if all you're going to do is rebut anyone that says it's acceptable and defend your desire to return it? First off, I was warned about this site because of douche bags, first off, I paid alot of money for it, I am not going to war and gonna be throwing my gun around like a fool, especially when I paid alot of money for it, yes it's a tool, but when I pay good money for a barrel and it shows up looking like shit and all banged up, yeah that's a problem. |
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Originally Posted By Capt_Destro: I get that it's a.tool, and it's going to have wear. But it's pretty sad when it's the norm to pay a premium for something and it has defects on it off the assembly line and we have to deal with it. Reminds me of Gibson these days lmao. I love the modern business model. I'd just run it though my complaint aside. 3ACR Makes a good point. Right and that's the point I am getting at, brand new barrel and it looks like that is ridiculous. I get what people are saying to forget about and run it, but I don't abuse my guns, especially when I spends thousands and thousands on them, then if I gotta resell it, you don't get nothing for it. |
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Originally Posted By 3ACR_Scout: You might want to ask @Combat_Diver what he would think if this barrel showed up on his armory workbench, but you may not like the answer. I get that you paid a lot of money for the barrel, but it’s very common for military barrels like Colt to get stored in a big bin during production, which I’m guessing is what happened with this one. It came off the production line and was put in a box with several dozen other barrels and got banged around. Someone online vendors have notes in their product listings that say that although the part is new, it may show scuff marks and other finish wear. I’m guessing this one wasn’t described that way. I just mention it because those sort of product descriptions reflect how common it is for “military grade” parts like this to have those kind of dings. I’d be cautious about sending it back, paying the restock fee, and getting another one. The second one may have similar marks on it. This reminded me of my issued M4 from my first Iraq deployment. I inherited it from our first Soldier who died on that deployment in an IED attack. The rifle was scuffed up, the barrel was loose and had to go back to the armory for service, but I was proud to carry it in his honor. I hope to have my clone of that rifle finished later this year. Government gun it would get installed without question as long as it pass barrel straightness gage and Go/No Go gages. However, I didn’t pay my own money for it |
De Oppresso Liber
Iraq: 91,03,04,05,06,08,09,15,16,22-26'
Afghanistan: 09,10,11,14,17,-21'
Iraq: 91,03,04,05,06,08,09,15,16,22-26'
Afghanistan: 09,10,11,14,17,-21'
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Originally Posted By Foxtrot2-13: First off, I was warned about this site because of douche bags, first off, I paid alot of money for it, I am not going to war and gonna be throwing my gun around like a fool, especially when I paid alot of money for it, yes it's a tool, but when I pay good money for a barrel and it shows up looking like shit and all banged up, yeah that's a problem. You have two “first offs”… I have a bunch of Colts. It is pretty common. Personally, I would run it. I can’t remember anytime I was behind the trigger & was thinking about the guns “looks”. Too many other things to concentrate on. |
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Originally Posted By Foxtrot2-13: First off, I was warned about this site because of douche bags, first off, I paid alot of money for it, I am not going to war and gonna be throwing my gun around like a fool, especially when I paid alot of money for it, yes it's a tool, but when I pay good money for a barrel and it shows up looking like shit and all banged up, yeah that's a problem. Originally Posted By Foxtrot2-13: Originally Posted By kwb377: Why did you ask us if you should keep it or send it back if all you're going to do is rebut anyone that says it's acceptable and defend your desire to return it? First off, I was warned about this site because of douche bags, first off, I paid alot of money for it, I am not going to war and gonna be throwing my gun around like a fool, especially when I paid alot of money for it, yes it's a tool, but when I pay good money for a barrel and it shows up looking like shit and all banged up, yeah that's a problem. Calling members “douche bags” is a great way to get them on your side! |
Your painted rifle is ugly, but I’m uglier, so send it to me and I’ll make it look good!
If it weren’t for double standards, we’d have no standards at all.
If it weren’t for double standards, we’d have no standards at all.
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| Those are all normal for a colt barrel. Probably a good shooter based on my experiences with colt barrels and they all look like shit after you burn through a case of ammo and doubly so if you suppress it. Ends up caked in filth. Wouldn’t bat an eye myself and would build that bitch up no problem. |
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Originally Posted By Combat_Diver: Government gun it would get installed without question as long as it pass barrel straightness gage and Go/No Go gages. However, I didn’t pay my own money for it Originally Posted By Combat_Diver: Government gun it would get installed without question as long as it pass barrel straightness gage and Go/No Go gages. However, I didn’t pay my own money for it Originally Posted By Foxtrot2-13: It was a for my sbr clone m4 build i am doing. Looks like they did you a favor. You wanted a clone right? |
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Originally Posted By Foxtrot2-13: First off, I was warned about this site because of douche bags, first off, I paid alot of money for it, I am not going to war and gonna be throwing my gun around like a fool, especially when I paid alot of money for it, yes it's a tool, but when I pay good money for a barrel and it shows up looking like shit and all banged up, yeah that's a problem. "How is this finish" threads bring out some interesting replies here, that's for sure. Tech here has been pretty lousy lately, things that used to get moved or locked are now commonplace here. So yeah, you're probably right about the douche thing...I guess thats why members get the ignore button...and its been useful as of late. From what I have seen, the wear and the ding on your barrel is consistent with colt parts that I have gotten and used, that have performed as I expected them to. Even during resale, most people seem to be aware of this and I haven't had it stop me from being able to sell an otherwise good barrel. |
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Originally Posted By Foxtrot2-13: First off, I was warned about this site because of douche bags, first off, I paid alot of money for it, I am not going to war and gonna be throwing my gun around like a fool, especially when I paid alot of money for it, yes it's a tool, but when I pay good money for a barrel and it shows up looking like shit and all banged up, yeah that's a problem. Their responses weren't really douchey. A douche bag would have said "Just build it and throw it down the driveway.  "
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Admittedly, and perhaps unfortunately, when buying a Colt, it will have dings and scratches on it. However, it is totally understandable that you paid money for it. I have a Colt SOCOM M4A1 rifle, and yes, it has numerous scratches and dings and stuff on it just out of the box. I also have a spare 14.5 SOCOM barrel but haven't even opened it from the box yet. You can attempt to ask Colt for a replacement, but you'll probably get something with more/less scratches on it. I bought a Colt 1911 that came with a loose front sight. It drove me crazy as I could never get it set straight even after getting a new sight and ultimately did things to it with a welding machine. Eventually I got a new slide for it but overall it was a pain in the ass to deal with. But I could have swore that slide was deformed from the factory but I guess I'll never know now. |
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Originally Posted By Foxtrot2-13: First off, I was warned about this site because of douche bags, first off, I paid alot of money for it, I am not going to war and gonna be throwing my gun around like a fool, especially when I paid alot of money for it, yes it's a tool, but when I pay good money for a barrel and it shows up looking like shit and all banged up, yeah that's a problem. Originally Posted By Foxtrot2-13: Originally Posted By kwb377: Why did you ask us if you should keep it or send it back if all you're going to do is rebut anyone that says it's acceptable and defend your desire to return it? First off, I was warned about this site because of douche bags, first off, I paid alot of money for it, I am not going to war and gonna be throwing my gun around like a fool, especially when I paid alot of money for it, yes it's a tool, but when I pay good money for a barrel and it shows up looking like shit and all banged up, yeah that's a problem. Why ask the question if your mind was already made up to return it? You asked for opinions and you got them. If you think people are “douche bags” because they had the audacity to hold a different opinion than you, that sounds like a you problem. In the end, it’s your barrel, do whatever the fuck you want to do with it. That said, blemishes like this are fairly common with Colt products. |
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I have also bought a few 14.5 SOCOM barrels from Colt and they've been a mixed bag for me. I say the ding at the grenade ring is not bad. I've had one that had a ding inside the chamber area when I held it up to the light. It really annoyed me, but it worked for a while until I sold it. Looking back at my order history on midwayusa, I've ordered the Colt SOCOM 14.5 barrel about 8 times. 2 was to replace a worn out barrel but 5 was to build something and the 1 I bought recently for when my 14.5 rifle wears out years down the road. I recall many scratches to the barrel and the one time it had a ding inside the chamber. |
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Originally Posted By Marksman14: "How is this finish" threads bring out some interesting replies here, that's for sure. Tech here has been pretty lousy lately, things that used to get moved or locked are now commonplace here. So yeah, you're probably right about the douche thing...I guess thats why members get the ignore button...and its been useful as of late. From what I have seen, the wear and the ding on your barrel is consistent with colt parts that I have gotten and used, that have performed as I expected them to. Even during resale, most people seem to be aware of this and I haven't had it stop me from being able to sell an otherwise good barrel. Not really worried about the scratch, it's the dent you can see in the pic. I know its nothing, but for a new barrel. |
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Originally Posted By NTXGlocker: Return it. What other questions might you have. After all, you’re asking a bunch of douche bags. Lots of laughs Well yeah people are douches when they say get over it,it's a tool, well might be a tool but my money i am spending, I don't abuse my shit, especially when i spend alot of money on my guns. Would you still buy a brand new car if the paint was scratched up or had mechanical issues? Pretty sure you wouldn't. |
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Originally Posted By WUPHF: Why ask the question if your mind was already made up to return it? You asked for opinions and you got them. If you think people are “douche bags” because they had the audacity to hold a different opinion than you, that sounds like a you problem. In the end, it’s your barrel, do whatever the fuck you want to do with it. That said, blemishes like this are fairly common with Colt products. Nice attitude. |
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Originally Posted By Foxtrot2-13: Well yeah people are douches when they say get over it,it's a tool, well might be a tool but my money i am spending, I don't abuse my shit, especially when i spend alot of money on my guns. Would you still buy a brand new car if the paint was scratched up or had mechanical issues? Pretty sure you wouldn't. Originally Posted By Foxtrot2-13: Originally Posted By NTXGlocker: Return it. What other questions might you have. After all, you’re asking a bunch of douche bags. Lots of laughs Well yeah people are douches when they say get over it,it's a tool, well might be a tool but my money i am spending, I don't abuse my shit, especially when i spend alot of money on my guns. Would you still buy a brand new car if the paint was scratched up or had mechanical issues? Pretty sure you wouldn't. This wasn’t you? Originally Posted By Foxtrot2-13: Should i keep it or send it back? Yep, people are such “douches” for answering a question you asked. 
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Originally Posted By bluedog82: I would probably be annoyed but run it anyway. After a few shooting sessions it would look like that probably. Can always rattle can it! Especially since they want a "restocking fee" and there's no guarantee that the next one won't be scratched up too. If there's no internal problems with the barrel I'd use it. |
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As civilian customer id be pissed. That being said if you’re going to bring that barrel to classes and run it hard the it will look worse shortly ETA My Colt Socom barrel came inside the usual plastic bag and cardboard box.. fit&finish was perfect. Was your packed the same way? Or the seller removed it from the original packaging? |
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I’ve bought quite a few guns and barrels over the years and none looked like that. I’ve only owned one Colt and it was used and it was a long time ago. Maybe it’s colt thing. I definitely wouldn’t be happy about it but I doubt I would go to trouble and expense sending it back though. With a little effort you could make it look fine. I know a lot of people here like to call guns tools. And technically they are. But I take care of my guns and my tools. Tools can be damaged through careless use just like firearms. But to each his own. |
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Originally Posted By TN-MadDog: I’ve bought quite a few guns and barrels over the years and none looked like that. I’ve only owned one Colt and it was used and it was a long time ago. Maybe it’s colt thing. I definitely wouldn’t be happy about it but I doubt I would go to trouble and expense sending it back though. With a little effort you could make it look fine. I know a lot of people here like to call guns tools. And technically they are. But I take care of my guns and my tools. Tools can be damaged through careless use just like firearms. But to each his own. Exactly, I don't spend thousands of dollars just to roll around on the ground and pretend I am soldier in combat and mess my guns up. It's the point I bought it brand new and looks like it has been dragged behind a truck. |
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Originally Posted By DD1801: Disappointing, slightly frustrating… but I’d keep it. The first scratch always hurts the most. Then you don’t care anymore about scratching it. They just helped you get over it quicker. It's not really scratch that bothers me, what bothers me is that don't and the bur, something must have hit hard to have dented and put a bur in steel. |
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Originally Posted By WUPHF: This wasn’t you? Yep, people are such “douches” for answering a question you asked. Well their is a difference in answering a question then their is a difference of being a smart ass and a douche because I asked a simple question, but I guess that's the posers on here who have to bitch about something. Sorry but I spent good money on that and shouldn't look like it has been dragged behind a truck. |
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Originally Posted By Foxtrot2-13: Well yeah people are douches when they say get over it,it's a tool, well might be a tool but my money i am spending, I don't abuse my shit, especially when i spend alot of money on my guns. Would you still buy a brand new car if the paint was scratched up or had mechanical issues? Pretty sure you wouldn't. You think a scratched up new car with mechanical issues is the same thing as that barrel? '26rs are going to be interesting |
Brand new Colt Socom 14.5 Barrel. Is this acceptable? (Page 1 of 3)
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