What color should one use on a M16A1 clone ?

AR-15 » AR Discussions

AR Sponsor:

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What color should one use on a M16A1 clone ?

Posted: 1/16/2006 6:22:42 PM EDT

I'm going to go with a Norrells finish, but I don't know what color would match the original Colt M16A1 ? Does anyone have any ideas ?

Thanks,

1981

Posted: 1/16/2006 7:07:23 PM EDT

[#1]

Colt Grey.

Posted: 1/20/2006 7:31:10 AM EDT

[#2]

From www.molyresin.com/molyresin_about.asp

"GRAY Flat
A match to older gray military parkerizing including some very early Colt M-16 rifles. Gray flat in coloration with an almost unnoticeable (except under certain lighting conditions) a very slight tint of green. This is a lighter shade of gray than our Greenish-Gray."

Posted: 1/20/2006 7:43:49 AM EDT

[#3]

Here is Norrells "Gray Flat" on a bolt carrier. It isn't the greatest picture, but hopefully it helps a little.

Colt had a lot of variations with colors, so Gray Flat or Grayish-Black flat will get you in the ball park. The Gray Flat will tend to match up with the very early weapons, while the Grayish-Black is what many people have used with the CDNN uppers for a nice match.

Posted: 1/20/2006 7:47:19 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
Here is Norrells "Gray Flat" on a bolt carrier. It isn't the greatest picture, but hopefully it helps a little.
img501.imageshack.us/img501/5815/p1010040a8000wf.jpg

Hijack warning, but...
Stick, when you refinish, how much do you go inside the receivers? Obviously, you did the carrier, above,... is the bolt done, too? What about the inside of the upper? I imagine the inside of the lower wouldn't provide much function since nothing touches, but... just curious. Thanks!

Posted: 1/20/2006 7:57:25 AM EDT

[#5]

Norrell GRAYISH-BLACK Flat refinished Stag lower with a CDNN Colt M16A1 upper.

Posted: 1/20/2006 7:57:48 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
Here is Norrells "Gray Flat" on a bolt carrier. It isn't the greatest picture, but hopefully it helps a little.

Colt had a lot of variations with colors, so Gray Flat or Grayish-Black flat will get you in the ball park. The Gray Flat will tend to match up with the very early weapons, while the Grayish-Black is what many people have used with the CDNN uppers for a nice match.

img501.imageshack.us/img501/5815/p1010040a8000wf.jpg

Thanks Stickman! I've got a CDNN Upper. I'll try Grayish-Black first. Of course I still need to find an A1-style lower

, but I'm thinking about refinishing a Stag to use until I can find an A1 (a la DeMarcus - Nice looking rifle!).

How does Moly Resin hold up on the bolt carrier and the inside of the upper?

Posted: 1/20/2006 8:00:57 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

Hijack warning, but...
Stick, when you refinish, how much do you go inside the receivers? Obviously, you did the carrier, above,... is the bolt done, too? What about the inside of the upper? I imagine the inside of the lower wouldn't provide much function since nothing touches, but... just curious. Thanks!

Thats a fair question, and one that I get PM'd on quite often. Doing the carrier and inside of the upper and lower receiver is something that I have done on many AR15s. The nice thing about the Norrells is that it has Moly, so it is self lubricating. There aren't any issues with tolearances as it coats much thinner than DC.

Taken from molyresin.com (Johns site)......

Thickness:
The optimal thickness of the coating will be between .0003" and .0009" unless a thicker coating is desired. The thin coating characteristics of less than one thousands of an inch allows easy re-assembly of precision fitted parts

In this picture, both inside and out were coated on the uppers and lowers.

Posted: 1/20/2006 8:09:07 AM EDT

[#8]

I just refinished a CAR-15 in the Norrell's Colt Gray -Black and I no problems with putting it back together...

Posted: 1/20/2006 8:29:53 AM EDT

[#9]

liquiddeputy- When I refinish the interior, I always make sure people break the weapon in as if it was new, which means at least 200 rounds to ensure reliability. There has never been an issue, but I consider it worth while if used for duty/ HD.

Posted: 1/20/2006 11:05:25 AM EDT

[#10]

Based on my experience with the '16A1, a lot of worn-to-bare-metal is highly accurate from a historical authenticity standpoint

Now we have some virgin pre-A1 '16's in the Pratt Museum arms room on Campbell, and they're a gritty sort of Parkerized finish, very gritty in texture.

Posted: 1/20/2006 3:14:13 PM EDT

[#11]

The only color I'd use on a retro M16/M16A1 would be military grade Parkerizing.

Posted: 1/20/2006 3:50:53 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
The only color I'd use on a retro M16/M16A1 would be military grade Parkerizing.

How do you park the aluminum?

Posted: 1/20/2006 4:33:49 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Quoted:
The only color I'd use on a retro M16/M16A1 would be military grade Parkerizing.

How do you park the aluminum?

Lots of alcohol and wishful thinking?

Posted: 1/20/2006 4:54:40 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
The only color I'd use on a retro M16/M16A1 would be military grade Parkerizing.

How do you park the aluminum?

Lots of alcohol and wishful thinking?

Nothing less than Crown Royal, I bet.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What color should one use on a M16A1 clone ?

AR-15 » AR Discussions

AR Sponsor:

Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us