which is the more desireable of the two?  which should i get?

I bought a kit from sportsmansguide that appears to be parkerized. The finish is the same as military rifles that I have seen in shops around here(m1s, garands).  I also got a kit from dans ammo that was painted and in great condition-never fired.  I like the look of both kits, they each have a different feel to them.  The painted kit was dated 1991 and definetly appears more modern with better machining. The parkerized kit from sportsmansguide appears to be a more classic gun. I think it depends on what you want to do with the gun.  If I was going put plastic furniture on the gun I would go with painted, if I were to use wood I would go with the parkerized-It all come down to preference. The dansammo kits are the best kits I have seen(highly recommended).

dont pay extra for either

just get what you get they both have flaws

the parked kits dont match real well (color is diff on diff parts)
the painted kits are painted with a laquer paint that wont withstand any solvents lol

I wouldn't care much either. You will end up having to refinish the reciever anyways, so why not do the whole rifle?