I figured that this would be helpful information here in the retro section.
Disclaimer: Brownells customer service has paid for return shipping, and the next step is the refund. But this is still a disappointing result.
I currently own 4 Brownells 25 round magazines. One is solid black. 3 are solid gray (see right side of pictures above, although this one is fairly well used).
I ordered another, and when I received it, it looked like the magazine on the left on the pictures above. It looks even worse in person. Clearly, the steel magazine is still in the white, with parkerizing sprayed from a distance. Honestly, it's embarrassing to look at, whoever finished this for Brownells should be ashamed. I obviously have concerns not only from an aesthetics standpoint, but also functional, as it is uncoated steel, ripe for rusting.
Brownells agreed to give me a return shipping label and send me a new magazine. Part of this process was that the floor technician would inspect the magazine to ensure that it didn't have the same problem.
Well, the second magazine was exactly the same, and it is pictured above.
Brownells sent another return label and I asked for another magazine. They called me back to inform me that all of the 25 round magazines that they have remaining look like this, and therefore the only option is a refund. So this is a warning for anyone considering ordering any 25 round magazines from Brownells, they will look like this one.
I am thankful for Brownells customer service doing what they could, but the product is a huge disappointment. I'm not sure why they don't return them to the finisher to have them redone because it's obviously completely unacceptable.
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Well, I just spend a good amount of time on the phone with Brownells. This finish is a fully coated process, corrosion resistant, and supposed to look like this. THAT I am totally fine with.
My problem with the aesthetics was simply because It appeared to be improperly applied; but my major concern was with corrosion resistance, being that I assumed that the steel was in the white.
Brownells had no disclaimer or description of the finish, so there was no way for me to know. But now with this information in hand, coupled with the fact that they just lowered the price, I think I'm going to be ordering a few more.
Thank you Brownells for the great customer service. Hopefully in the future, item descriptions and pictures reflect these sorts of things to avoid issues!