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Posted: 4/23/2010 3:41:51 PM EDT
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Hi guys,
I just put this one together. I got the M VP barreled upper off the EE, it looks unissued. It came with the early gas tube and no drain hole HG's. LPK is DPMS but I like the Det-Ton kits that I have on other rifles better, I need a gray mag release button. I never got into retro assemblies before because I always hated the mismatch colors between the upper/lower. I figured I'd try the NDS lowers and I'd be satisfied but I was wrong (As far as color match goes). I know that the owner frequents this site and the quality of the actual lower seems great but I wonder about the color. I have 12 Colt's from 1966 through the early 90's that are gray in color and all pretty much look the same color. In addition to those 12 I also have four Colt M16 uppers from the 1960's - early 70's and none of them are even close in color to the NDS "XM Gray", the XM gray seems far too light. Seems like they could get a better color match. My 1960's uppers actually match my black Bushmaster lowers better than the XM gray. Considereing that most of you serious retro guys send your parts away to get the upper/lower refinished to match I guess that you would agree. Not a bash on NDS at all, I have three of their lowers and they are definatley good quality but I think that the color could be a better match. Anyway, here's the rifle..nothing special: 
Thanks for looking, Rob |
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Rob, I think that's a fine looking weapon. If you're a real stickler for a good match (like I am) you could send the upper and lower off to US anodizing, and have them match the lower (along with the other aluminum parts) to the upper. Costs a little more, but may be a bit more in line with your tastes.
ETA: I must have missed this part when I first read the post: Quoted:
Considereing that most of you serious retro guys send your parts away to get the upper/lower refinished to match I guess that you would agree. I'm really not that serious. |
| Rob,1st things 1st,did you received the parts I sent yet? If no,I'll file for the official trace..2nd,you have to remember your old uppers have many years of oiling and cleaning done to them.Try soaking the lower with CLP and stick it in a ziploc baggie.Leave it for a week maybe even 2.It worked great on my XM177E2.You can also try acetone on the upper to "draw out" some of the old oil.Try this before sending out. |
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Great rifle. you can order NDS receivers in the white hand have anodized to taste. I do think there is some thing to the CLP trick. I only have 2 NDS lowers so far. one is on a 604, the upper assembly matched the lower really well. it was a tad darker but not very noticeable. when I clean an AR 15 I always remove the upper from the lower, and the upper generally sees more CLP. my upper is now noticeably darker than before.
The other one is one of the might-as-well-be-new A1 Kit uppers I'm building as a 653. it is an absolute perfect match for the NDS lower XM gray it is on. Both uppers are Colt. I would not have believed that Anodize would absorb oil until I saw it happen to mine. you have a wonderful rifle either way. |
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Quoted:
Damn Brother,I just realized something..Are you aware that your buttstock looks to be a type "C"..Was that an intentional purchase,or blind luck???  Looks like a D to me. The collar on the buffer tube does not stick out. Quoted:
It's got the "straw" hole in the front..? There are some C's out there that have the straw hole in the front too, but yours is definitely a Type D. Great looking rifle, & a good find on the early 604 upper. I would also recommend a CLP soaking for a while to darken up the lower, as m1sniper suggested.
ETA: Joefriday22, is that the one you bought from hochimin when he posted a whole box of them for sale & only one had a 3 prong hider on it? I seen that one too but you had already beat me to the "I'll take it" post. Good eye. 
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I've already got the lower soaking in CLP since last night..Do I just rub the CLP on it and let it sit in the bag for a few weeks?
Yes, I did get the upper from Hochimin..he treated me right. He originally sent me the wrong upper and by the time I got it and informed him of the mistake he had sold all the rest. He had this "like new " one set aside, he was going to put it up on GB but he sent it to me instead. He went all out to make the deal right and I'm a fan of his for it. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I've already got the lower soaking in CLP since last night..Do I just rub the CLP on it and let it sit in the bag for a few weeks? Exactly how I do it. I put it on heavy to were it is almost running off it. These things work wonderfully for that 
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| I used the same foam brush,soak it to dripping and place in the ziplock and walk away for a week,take out wipe down with paper towels,if it's still not dark enough soak again close it up and leave for another week.In my case I actually forgot about it and mine sat for a bit over 3 weeks and came out real dark.After wiping down with paper towels I was a happy camper.If you're not happy with the results,you can reverse the process with acetone,,it will draw the oils back out and you end up where you started. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Damn Brother,I just realized something..Are you aware that your buttstock looks to be a type "C"..Was that an intentional purchase,or blind luck??? It's got the "straw" hole in the front..? Late " C" stocks can have the straw.To me it looks like the stock is EVEN with the buffer tube flange,an on top is below it. C stocks tend to sit even or shy of the outside edge of the flange ....A" D" stock definately stands proud of the flange. |
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Quoted:
That rifle looks great !!!! is the straw hole the hole above the swivel ? No, it is on the face of the receiver lug on the front of the stock. Sometimes it is just a hole & other times there is what looks like a white straw (hence the term straw hole ) sticking out of the front, cut off close to the stock.
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