AR Sponsor
Joined:
Sep 2025
Posts:
6
EE: 0% (0)
NY, USA
Posted: 6/15/2026 1:01:11 PM EDT
|
Hi Again All, I posted a while back (can't find it now...) about the Colt 604 upper I had kicking around, so I'm going try to do an 'early' build. Gathering up the various parts slowly. I acquired an H&R partial fence lower from PSA and stripped the upper and cleaned it up with some acetone, there was a thin finish of some kind on it. I put them together to see how they matched up. I think it looks pretty good but I'm kinda OCD about it I guess. The upper after cleaning (some 0000 steel wool involved) seems a bit 'glossy' for lack of a better word, and the lower is pretty flat matte, at least to my eyes. I have a can of Aluma-Hyde II in Wolf Grey I could use to match them up but I'm not sure. After I cleaned the upper it was easier to see (although still faint) the square C and triangle stamps. If I hit it with the spray those may well get covered, not sure if that's a good idea. Anyway, here's some pics. What say you, retro dudes? Am I being too anal? Appreciate the input. Stamps: [url=https://flic.kr/p/2siV7DC]  Upper/lower: [url=https://flic.kr/p/2siVTMF]  [url=https://flic.kr/p/2siXeQm]  [url=https://flic.kr/p/2siXeP9]  |
|
Real guns are mismatched from the factory. Grey anodizing especially so. Attached File |
I killed a bacon puppy. :(
This post is brought to you by The Pogues, the official punk band of the .mil forums.
This post is brought to you by The Pogues, the official punk band of the .mil forums.
| As above, perfect matches were rare. I think your upper and lower came out pretty well matched, though. A couple things you could try to get it closer: (1) coat the upper in a heavy gun oil like KG-4 or Breakfree CLP, put it in a zip lock bag, and let it sit for a few weeks, and it will darken some. (2) you could lightly "clean" your lower like you did the upper and see if it lightens it up a little, or at least matches the wear/weathering of the upper a bit closer. |
|
Originally Posted By SSeric02: As above, perfect matches were rare. I think your upper and lower came out pretty well matched, though. A couple things you could try to get it closer: (1) coat the upper in a heavy gun oil like KG-4 or Breakfree CLP, put it in a zip lock bag, and let it sit for a few weeks, and it will darken some. (2) you could lightly "clean" your lower like you did the upper and see if it lightens it up a little, or at least matches the wear/weathering of the upper a bit closer. I second the motion to leave as-is. Or, if necessary, follow the advice above. |
Joined:
Sep 2025
Posts:
7
EE: 0% (0)
NY, USA
|
Thank you all for your replies, I appreciate it. Leaning towards standing pat with what I have. On a technical note for the forum, I put the photo links in from flickr and when I did the preview the pics displayed in the post but when I submitted it it was just links, not what I wanted. Guess I messed up? |
Joined:
Sep 2025
Posts:
8
EE: 0% (0)
NY, USA
|
H&R is not even trying anymore, and totally taking advantage of the "iTs cLoNe cOrrEct" sentiment. Don't get me started on their continued lack of removing flash from the uppers and lowers. Expect more. Colt in the 60s, 70s and 80s produced much better grey anodizing. Here we are in 2026 and a powerhouse like PSA cannot do better? |
|
Read below: https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/Am-I-over-thinking-this-/123-794078/ |
"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid"
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both"
“So Freedom Will Reign” / “SEEK! STRIKE! DESTROY!” / “Led By Love Of Country!”
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both"
“So Freedom Will Reign” / “SEEK! STRIKE! DESTROY!” / “Led By Love Of Country!”
|
Originally Posted By lt557: H&R is not even trying anymore, and totally taking advantage of the "iTs cLoNe cOrrEct" sentiment. Don't get me started on their continued lack of removing flash from the uppers and lowers. Expect more. Colt in the 60s, 70s and 80s produced much better grey anodizing. Here we are in 2026 and a powerhouse like PSA cannot do better? Love Mike and Harlan and was a diehard NoDak fan Not as big on H&R but understand the business decision. However, I’d hardly calll PSA a powerhouse. There’s a reason there are so many memes referring to people buying a “PSA shitstick” or seeing them on the range, etc |
"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid"
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both"
“So Freedom Will Reign” / “SEEK! STRIKE! DESTROY!” / “Led By Love Of Country!”
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both"
“So Freedom Will Reign” / “SEEK! STRIKE! DESTROY!” / “Led By Love Of Country!”
|
To me, OP's lower looks like extremely light gray anodizing, and the upper looks like bare, bead blasted aluminum. Most of the mid 1960's Colt 603/604 rifles I've seen have been a very dark, charcoal gray, when in excellent condition. The earlier rifles, such as the 601, are even darker, almost black, when in excellent condition. Obviously there is some color variation, and wear tends to thin the anodizing, lightening it in the process. OP's lower is like the lightest anodizing color one might find on a 1980's SP1, at least it looks that way to me. |
AR Sponsor